new crew cab 4x4.. Ford? Chevy?

[sirmissalot]

The main reason to own a deisel is for long hauls and towing... Thats it. (at least in trucks)  Most people make a comprimise when it comes to owning a full size deisel. What many people should do is buy a deisel and have use some econocar for communting... Short haul in a 3/4 1ton 4x4 deisel is not what they are designed for. Its kinda like using a sledgehammer to swat a fly. 

Lately there has been a new thing for kids with getting diesels. They don't care what it is its just got to be a diesel, loud, and smoke a lot.

Then they slap some HID headlights on, cut the muffler and cat out, stick a stack or two on and let the smoke roll.

I rarely drive my 07 F350, I would much rather do my daily driving in my Tacoma, parking is a lot easier and saves wear and tear on the ford for when I need to haul the boat, or maybe an out of state hunting trip. The king ranch seats are a nice change every once and a while though.

[firefighter4607]

I would continue to look at Chevy, Ford and Dodge. The guys who keep pushing Tundras, they have had problems just like the others. In my opinion Toyota makes a great small truck, but lack a lot in the full size market. Have you ever driven a Tundra off road on very bumpy terrain? I have and the gas pedal was super sensitive, the RPMs where jumping all over making the ride feel like crap.
I have had 2 Chevys and have had no negative comments about both of them.(2003 and 2007 new body style) I have seen a lot of good comments on the new Eco boost from Ford, but also I have read some horrible reviews of a couple owners that have had major problems with that engine. Also the new Dodges have seemed to be doing well with a few minor problems.

I agree with special T diesel is not the way to go unless you are going to be using the truck. Diesels are meant to work not drive to work and drive home. Even with the newer diesels you really don't get the saving with mpgs.

[hillbilli]

I dont pull or haul enough to make it worth buying a diesel. I think the heaviest thing that I have hauled in my '03 ford was a bull elk.. it's a 4.6, and has been fine for what i do. Yeah looking online reveals problems with just about everyone. Some folks having shifting/clunking problems with both ford and chevy new 6 speed automatics, some engine problems with the new ford Ecoboost..Even a batch of 2011 fords with total transmission failre before 10,000 miles.. never know whether the reports you see online are problems one percent of the new trucks are having- or 50 percent.. Always been a Ford guy, but the Chevy 5.3 that shuts down to 4 cyl operation under low load conditions seems to make more sense than the ecoboost.. for those with 5.3 chevy's what kind of MPG are you getting? The Ram advertises the same technology but everyone I know that drives one isnt real positive about MPG results..

[poohdog]

I have a 2008 Chevy Crew with the 5.3 a 6" lift with 35's I get around 14MPG. I got 77,000 miles never had a problem yet.

[Taco280AI]

I just got a double cab Tacoma and love it! Averaging 19mpg after three tanks. The quality, ride, feel... everything is far superior to any Ford I've had or been in. Thought about an F150 with Ecoboost but read about far too many issues of the engine cutting out plus the Toyota will hold its value longer and likely have fewer problems in the long run.

[Antlershed]

I have a 2008 Chevy Crew with the 5.3 a 6" lift with 35's I get around 14MPG. I got 77,000 miles never had a problem yet.

Did you calibrate your speedometer for the bigger tires?

I just traded in my '04 with the 5.3. I was getting about 15mpg commuting back and forth to work. My new truck is an '11 with the 5.3 that shuts down to 4cyl. I am running 295/70/18's with a 4" lift. I will post my mpg after I fill up on my way home.

[whacker1]

I have talked to 20 different people that have purchased ecoboost f150's and one electrical problem that was fixed and never re-occurred are the only complaints I have heard so far.

highway mileage has ranged from 18-23 depending on which individual you talk to.

I have never heard of that transmission problem you mentioned, and that transmission was included on the 2009-2010 models as well.

I have been looking real hard at buying a 2009-2010 used with the 5.4 motor with the 6speed transmission, but I have committed to waiting another 9 to 18 months.  I really don't like car payments, but also need ths space for kids and car seats.

[jjhunter]

I've got a '12 F150 Ecoboost Lariat (Off Road).  It is a beautiful truck.  I have had it about a year, but only have about 6k miles on it.

It averages about 17-18mpg, but it is FAST and I drive it FAST     I have driven it "gently" just to see what  I can get and it'll do 21-22 at 65 mph.   I usually do about 80 mph over the pass to vantage and 70 from there back home to Colfax and I will average about 17 or so.

Did I mention that it is fast?

[Antlershed]

I have a 2008 Chevy Crew with the 5.3 a 6" lift with 35's I get around 14MPG. I got 77,000 miles never had a problem yet.

Did you calibrate your speedometer for the bigger tires?

I just traded in my '04 with the 5.3. I was getting about 15mpg commuting back and forth to work. My new truck is an '11 with the 5.3 that shuts down to 4cyl. I am running 295/70/18's with a 4" lift. I will post my mpg after I fill up on my way home.

Just filled up. 15.4mpg and that included a trip up into the hills to play in the snow on Tuesday. With a tuner, I should be able to squeeze a couple more mpg out of 'er. Mind you, this is with 34" tires and a 4" lift. 

[firefighter4607]

My 2007 5.3 Chevy with the active fuel management. Which is the cylinder cut off feature. I was getting around 15 - 16 in town and about 18-20 on the freeway. I used to watch the display on the dash and it wasn't shifting into 4 cylinder mode very often. This could of changed in newer years but I don't think it was worth it. Even driving down Vantage it would kick on for a couple minutes. I had a crew cab 4x4 1500 with 3.73 rear ratio.

[benbo30]

Sorry but I gotta say it CUMMINS u won't regret it 

That's about the only good thinG about a dodge is cummins , everything else on the dodge is garbage , rough ride and just about everything other then motor falls apart

[C-Money]

 FF4607 is right, the Tundra has had its issues. First,  a low, intermittent growl sound began. Toyota replaced multiple parts in the rear end. Still was hearing a noise, took it to another Toyota dealer, and they replaced 16 parts in the front end, and the water pump was leaking so it was replaced. Been a year now, with no new issues. We bought the Tundra thinking it was the best option for reliability. Also, FF4607 hit on something very pertinent. The gas pedal is super sensitive for driving off road. Not fun. it is near impossible to drive it smoothly off road due the changes in RPM cause of that crazy gas pedal. The 5.7 V8 is a power house! Lots of towing power. Average MPG is 15.5, up to 18 at highway speed.

[Special T]

I never go to dealers anymore. I have had too many throw parts at the vehicle to fix it. I can do that my self until the problem is fixed for much less $$$ your supposed to pay for EXPERTISE not some hack job!