Pick WinterDeere's next truck

[rontaki]

I was driving it today, and the position of the shifter is no issue. But I did keep reaching for a knob, out of habit. That is one habit I will be very happy to un-learn.

I thought that it was an automatic reaction for men to reach for the knob. Must be a disappointment for the trans, though.

 

[4570Man]

My dream truck:

2 door
Manual shift
Crank windows & manual locks.
Bench vinyl seat
No carpet
Radio delete
No cameras...anywhere
Heater
Ash tray with lighter
AC (optional)
Everything knob or lever operated
8 ft bed so I can carry OSB or plywood
Rear view mirrors
Horn
Hitch
Spare & jack
6 or 8 gas I can get to everything

I sent letters to all three. So far no reply.
When I get too decrepid to open a window or turn a knob, I'll quit driving.

You don’t have to dream. You can go buy one for a couple thousand bucks but I don’t think you really want one.

 

[Paystar]

Ford still makes the 5.0. I’ve heard they are coming back out with the Hemi.

Yes Dodge Man drives a Ford. A 2017 super cab, six speed 5.0, 4x4, 3.55 gears, electric locker in back, tow package, 36 gallon fuel tank.

I can’t swear to it but I don’t think anybody is putting a stick in a half ton,
View attachment 5336828

Mine is a 2020 supercab with 8 foot box. Basically same specs, 5.0, 10 speed, 3.55's locker rear.
Not that it matters because you don't buy trucks to race but I saw the comment of the Hemi having more power, but my Ford runs away from 3 of my friends new hemi's and a 6.2 GM. Don't ask me how I know, LOL Probably due to the Fords lower weight.

Anyway, as for the original question of this post, I feel sorry for anyone that has to buy a new truck these days because they are ALL overpriced junk.

 

[IXLR8]

The bed on my neighbors truck rusted out enough so it would not pass inspection. He just had the bed replaced and did a little clean up and rust proofing while the bed was off.
I understand the desire to "row the gears" but in today's computerized fuel economy/emission world, that is just about impossible to find in any vehicle.

 

[WinterDeere]

I feel sorry for anyone that has to buy a new truck these days because they are ALL overpriced junk.

Really? Something like $51k for a new 2500 series 4x4 with 500 hp 6.4L gasser seems like a pretty darn good deal, to me. Sure, I loaded it up with another $10k in luxury items that an older truck wouldn’t have, but even still… look at what those dollars bought 20 years ago. Not bad, IMO.

Yeah, I see idiots loading up their 1500’s like Bentley’s, making them cost $100k, but that’s their own fault for putting leather and a 12-speaker sound system into a pickup truck, and stacking up multiple $5k appearance packages. No one needs to do that.

As to “junk”, that’s the way I feel about every old truck I’ve ever driven. They just keep getting better and better. I owned a 1978 Ford, a 1986 Nissan, and a 1995 Chevy. There were things I liked about each, but “reliability” and “capability” were not among them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Really? Something like $51k for a new 2500 series 4x4 with 500 hp 6.4L gasser seems like a pretty darn good deal, to me. Sure, I loaded it up with another $10k in luxury items that an older truck wouldn’t have, but even still… look at what those dollars bought 20 years ago. Not bad, IMO.

Yeah, I see idiots loading up their 1500’s like Bentley’s, making them cost $100k, but that’s their own fault for putting leather and a 12-speaker sound system into a pickup truck, and choosing $5k appearance packages. No one needs to do that.

As to “junk”, that’s the way I feel about every old truck I’ve ever driven. They just keep getting better and better. I owned a 1978 Ford, and a 1995 Chevy, and there were things I liked about each, but “reliability” and “capability” were not among them.

I agree with you, but I wonder if what paystar means is that they have a lot of bells & whistles that seem to fail in higher than expected numbers is what he means by “junk”. Who knows….

I actually have grown to appreciate the new trucks more with each passing year, even with the ruination of diesel engines, at least they have a lot more grunt, but smooth, heavy-duty and powerful with a lot of comfort. More towing than ever.

My stock Ram will pull the frame out from underneath any stock truck built in the 60’s-2000’s. I love it and actually look forward to the next generation Ram which will undoubtedly be even better. Ford & GM, too. Although they have both had setbacks with their transmissions.

WD, from a farmers take on trucks, I really think you are looking at the best truck. The ZF-8 is a great transmission. Rams are built tough, and you are getting a phenomenal warranty.

 

[Jstpssng]

Really? Something like $51k for a new 2500 series 4x4 with 500 hp 6.4L gasser seems like a pretty darn good deal, to me. Sure, I loaded it up with another $10k in luxury items that an older truck wouldn’t have, but even still… look at what those dollars bought 20 years ago. Not bad, IMO.

Yeah, I see idiots loading up their 1500’s like Bentley’s, making them cost $100k, but that’s their own fault for putting leather and a 12-speaker sound system into a pickup truck, and stacking up multiple $5k appearance packages. No one needs to do that.

As to “junk”, that’s the way I feel about every old truck I’ve ever driven. They just keep getting better and better. I owned a 1978 Ford, a 1986 Nissan, and a 1995 Chevy. There were things I liked about each, but “reliability” and “capability” were not among them.

I understand what you are saying. Yet for a work truck, do you really need sensors in the windshield, taillights, bumpers...

At one time a pickup had virtually 360° visibility from the driver's seat. Now with air bags and tall seat backs, I can't even see my RR quarter. Which is one reason for sensors in the windshield, taillights, bumpers...

I understand why they are helpful in built up areas. Yet most of the places where I go have more moose and turkeys than people.

 

[WinterDeere]

The only "sensor" that I demand is a back-up camera. The tongue weight on one of my trailers is too heavy to budge the thing even a half-inch, so getting the ball right under that coupling when backing up is mandatory. What used to be five minutes of getting in and out of the truck to see how close I'd gotten, or punching holes in my license plate from accidentally over-shooting, is now 10 seconds of staring at a camera screen while putting it in the right place... the first time, every time.

I guess the front bumper parking sensors are handy, I use them to sneak up closer to buildings and other obstacles than I would feel comfortable otherwise, given how poor the sight line is over any modern pickup truck's hood. I usually shut off / disable any rear parking sensors, I just find them annoying, as mirrors + camera tell me everything I need to know back there.

 

[Paystar]

Really? Something like $51k for a new 2500 series 4x4 with 500 hp 6.4L gasser seems like a pretty darn good deal, to me. Sure, I loaded it up with another $10k in luxury items that an older truck wouldn’t have, but even still… look at what those dollars bought 20 years ago. Not bad, IMO.

Yeah, I see idiots loading up their 1500’s like Bentley’s, making them cost $100k, but that’s their own fault for putting leather and a 12-speaker sound system into a pickup truck, and stacking up multiple $5k appearance packages. No one needs to do that.

As to “junk”, that’s the way I feel about every old truck I’ve ever driven. They just keep getting better and better. I owned a 1978 Ford, a 1986 Nissan, and a 1995 Chevy. There were things I liked about each, but “reliability” and “capability” were not among them.

Keep in mind, I'm in Soviet Canukistan, so I pay a lot more than the U.S. but in 2020 I paid $39,000 for my F150 while they had the employee pricing sale on. today here in Canada the cheapest low end F150 I have seen starts at $62,000
I just saw an add from the local GM dealer, they want $59,000 for a used 2003 1500, LOL
And why i say junk is no matter what brand, they are ALL having issue after issue.
I also don't like stuff like in 2021 Ford did stupid things like switch the 5.0 to a belt driven oil pump. To me, that is junk I wouldn't touch with someone else's money, LOL

 

[tradosaurus]

7.1 seconds 0 - 60, and nearly 16 seconds 0 - 90 mph. Yeah... that's pretty slow.

Even my wimpy little 11-year old Ram 1500 with the 5.7L natural-aspirated gasser and 3.92 rear does the former in 5.85 seconds, and the latter in 14.4 seconds... and that's still slow compared to the HO and SHO models out since 2019.

But I guess things have changed a lot since those days, since now Ram offers more powerful diesels. I was just checking the numbers, and their 6.7L HO Cummins turbo diesel with 1085 ft-lb torque is actually quicker than the 6.4L gasser. That said, that 6.7L HO turbo diesel it adds $12k - $13k to the cost of a $50k truck!

The Cyberbeast has a 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds.
There are tradeoffs for being ugly.

 

[Jstpssng]

The only "sensor" that I demand is a back-up camera. The tongue weight on one of my trailers is too heavy to budge the thing even a half-inch, so getting the ball right under that coupling when backing up is mandatory. What used to be five minutes of getting in and out of the truck to see how close I'd gotten, or punching holes in my license plate from accidentally over-shooting, is now 10 seconds of staring at a camera screen while putting it in the right place... the first time, every time.

I guess the front bumper parking sensors are handy, I use them to sneak up closer to buildings and other obstacles than I would feel comfortable otherwise, given how poor the sight line is over any modern pickup truck's hood. I usually shut off / disable any rear parking sensors, I just find them annoying, as mirrors + camera tell me everything I need to know back there.

I don't find the backup camera to be at all helpful when backing up to a trailer, or for backing a trailer up. i still get out to see where it's at; also to clean the lens off in the first place.
I am able to line up on the trailer with my mirrors, then make a mark on the ground by my door so that when my front tire hits it, I am under the ball.

 

[WinterDeere]

I just saw an add from the local GM dealer, they want $59,000 for a used 2003 1500, LOL

I'd look at the options packages. There's a 2.5:1 ratio on pricing for 1500's, with most of the cost going into either high-output engines, expensive wheel and appearance packages, or interior luxuries.

And why i say junk is no matter what brand, they are ALL having issue after issue.

I'm not convinced this is true. My 2005 Dodge had zero component failures or repair issues in 12 years of ownership, and my 2015 has had only a minor few. I can't say anything anywhere close to that to any then-new car I owned in the 1990's or earlier.

I also don't like stuff like in 2021 Ford did stupid things like switch the 5.0 to a belt driven oil pump. To me, that is junk I wouldn't touch with someone else's money, LOL

Don't buy that Ford?

The Cyberbeast has a 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds.
There are tradeoffs for being ugly.

Yeah, that is mind-bending. Props where props are due! But it's still too ugly for me.

Just imagine where Tesla stock would be today, if they'd made that thing look like a normal pickup truck. Worst business decision of this century?

I don't find the backup camera to be at all helpful when backing up to a trailer, or for backing a trailer up. i still get out to see where it's at; also to clean the lens off in the first place.
I am able to line up on the trailer with my mirrors, then make a mark on the ground by my door so that when my front tire hits it, I am under the ball.

You're a better man than me! Or maybe you have the benefit of always backing up to the same trailer? I have four right now, all vastly different than the next. As soon as I get used to the sight lines on one, I'm switching to another. That backup camera is my savior, when it comes to putting that ball under the trailer coupling.

 

[4570Man]

I don't find the backup camera to be at all helpful when backing up to a trailer, or for backing a trailer up. i still get out to see where it's at; also to clean the lens off in the first place.
I am able to line up on the trailer with my mirrors, then make a mark on the ground by my door so that when my front tire hits it, I am under the ball.

If I can back up straight inline with the trailer I can get pretty accurate without the camera. If something is in the way and I have to back up at an angle the camera makes it much easier. I’ve also hit the trailer too hard and knocked the jack off the 6x6 block which is annoying. Overall the camera makes it much easier. And a backup camera is pretty cheap it’s not like they’re a big financial burden. I can’t think of a single good argument against having one.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm not convinced this is true. My 2005 Dodge had zero component failures or repair issues in 12 years of ownership, and my 2015 has had only a minor few. I can't say anything anywhere close to that to any then-new car I owned in the 1990's or earlier.

You just lucked out. If I were you I'd spend some time on the Ram forums...quality control on the 2025 and 2026 trucks seems to have slipped a lot. Mainly electrical/electronic gremlins that dealers can't seem to diagnose and fix.

 

[Hay Dude]

You just lucked out. If I were you I'd spend some time on the Ram forums...quality control on the 2025 and 2026 trucks seems to have slipped a lot. Mainly electrical/electronic gremlins that dealers can't seem to diagnose and fix.

Truck forums are 90% whiners and “exaggerators”.
Friend of mine is a Ford diesel tech and he has always advised to avoid the alarmists on the truck forums.
Lots of trolls just trying to stir up

 

[Runner]

If I can back up straight inline with the trailer I can get pretty accurate without the camera. If something is in the way and I have to back up at an angle the camera makes it much easier. I’ve also hit the trailer too hard and knocked the jack off the 6x6 block which is annoying. Overall the camera makes it much easier. And a backup camera is pretty cheap it’s not like they’re a big financial burden. I can’t think of a single good argument against having one.

Two problems with backup cameras. First, they are government mandated when they should be optional, which is complete BS.

Second, as soon as you install that mandated camera, you now have to have a computer screen on the dash, which, aside from being ugly, now gives them a place where they think they need to put all the other controls that worked better as buttons and knobs, which now have to have all the associated electronic systems to actuate what used to be basic functions.

I lied, three problems, now, all that stuff that has to be run through the computer is more complicated and expensive.

 

[deserteagle71]

You're a better man than me! Or maybe you have the benefit of always backing up to the same trailer? I have four right now, all vastly different than the next. As soon as I get used to the sight lines on one, I'm switching to another. That backup camera is my savior, when it comes to putting that ball under the trailer coupling.

^This! Backup camera works every time. It has sure saved me a lot of getting out and checking and moving and checking.......................

 

[tradosaurus]

Two problems with backup cameras. First, they are government mandated when they should be optional, which is complete BS.

Second, as soon as you install that mandated camera, you now have to have a computer screen on the dash, which, aside from being ugly, now gives them a place where they think they need to put all the other controls that worked better as buttons and knobs, which now have to have all the associated electronic systems to actuate what used to be basic functions.

I lied, three problems, now, all that stuff that has to be run through the computer is more complicated and expensive.

Yeah, don't get a Tesla. Almost everything is operated from the main screen. But I like it and find knobs and buttons antiquated.

 

[WinterDeere]

You just lucked out. If I were you I'd spend some time on the Ram forums...quality control on the 2025 and 2026 trucks seems to have slipped a lot. Mainly electrical/electronic gremlins that dealers can't seem to diagnose and fix.

I guess we'll see! I'd have already written a check and ordered yesterday, if I could move the dealer along a little quicker on giving me a trade-in value on my old truck. I hate slow people.

Carmax has already offered me $16k cash, so if the Dodge dealer won't give me at least that, I'll just order the new truck cash and take the Carmax offer.

I think these dealers are used to customers who spend weeks checking options and kicking tires, but I usually want to get the whole transaction done in a single visit, if possible... I got sh*t to do!

 

[tradosaurus]

Truck forums are 90% whiners and “exaggerators”.
Friend of mine is a Ford diesel tech and he has always advised to avoid the alarmists on the truck forums.
Lots of trolls just trying to stir up

I spent years on the Ford diesel forum and found a lot of good advice and maintenance tips.
The reason I put a fuel protect kit on my past 6.7L turbo diesel.