What other Truck brands/models have you enjoyed?

So we all know we are huge Tundra fans here, otherwise we wouldn't be driving one. One thing I hate with forums is idea that all members are completely blinded by their brand and no other brand is worth a damn. We all know there are some really popular trucks and brands outside of the Toyota Tundra and again, I get we all own Tundras cause we feel its superior to the competitors. But I wanted to start a thread where a few people can give their personal experience with other brands/trucks because lets be real every other truck cannot be absolute crap otherwise we would all be driving Tundras.

So lets hear it! What are some other trucks you have owned and what did you like most and least about it.

 

Ford, mainly because of these two trucks:

- 1995 F250 (w/7.3L diesel). Not the fastest, but it's got like almost 400K on it and it's still going strong. I had some minor issues with it (CPS, one turbo developed a pinhole leak, and the starter went bad), but it's amazing the sh*t I put it through. I could easily run biodiesel (Dad and I owned a biodiesel still and made several hundred gallons of biodiesel with it) in it.

- 2004 F150. It was nothing special - regular cab, 4.6L, 2WD - but my mom now owns it. It has 280K on it, and other than the consumables, it's literally needed new leaf springs and an emergency parking brake. That's it.

My '13 F150, on the other hand, is WHY I own a Tundra now. LOL

 

91 Mitsubishi mighty max. Was my brothers truck and was pretty damn good. Simple 4 cylinder work truck.

I had an 86 ram d50, essentially the early version of the mighty max. Ran like crap but ran reliably.

 

International Harvester Scout II with a Mitsubishi diesel motor: Likes- built like a tank Dislikes - So many custom parts was harder to deal with something did arise.
Isuzu Pup 4 cyl diesel: Likes - couldn't kill it, beat the snot out of one in MT. Dislikes - no power at speed. Turn on the AC and you could feel the power drain.

 

2010 Tacoma didn't have much power or interior space but sure miss grinding gears. Was the best vehicle I ever owned got great $ on trading it for the Tundra. The taco was the start of my Toyota journey.

 

I had a couple other trucks over the years:

1991 Nissan Hardbody regular cab 4x4. This truck was pretty basic (manual windows, locks), 5 speed, but overall a good truck and never had any major issues with it.

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi Quad Cab - Bought used at ~57K miles and kept for about 2-3 years. Only issue I had was a water pump needing to be replaced that was covered under the extended warranty I had. Overall a good truck, but smaller back seat.

2012 Ram 2500 Megacab Hemi - Bought brand new and had nothing but problems. at 54K miles and about 15 service visits for all different repairs I was done. The last straw was a fuel vapor leak that Dodge wanted ~$500 to drop the tank and inspect and they wouldn't know if it was a covered item until after that...they also argued that "someone had been in there before" which was another Dodge dealership to fix something else. I loved that truck, but with the payment and fuel costs I was dropping 1K per month plus all the repairs on top of that. It made financial sense to dump it.

2017 Toyota Tundra - No issues at 70K aside from the cam tower leak (repaired) and a bad door lock actuator.

other vehicles owned at some point in time (non-trucks):

• 1988 Mazda 323 hatchback
• 1991 Toyota MR2
• 1992 Honda Accord
• 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 1998 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
• 1998 Infiniti I30
• 2016 Mazda 6

Bought for the wife:

• 2004 Ford Expedition
• 2012 Nissan Armada
• 2015 Nissan Armada

 

This is my first truck but I looked hard for a new 2018 Sierra 1500 crew cab with the max trailering package when I started shopping in July 2019 with no luck (not surprisingly). My brother has a 2019 Sierra that he hasn't had any issues with but I was scared off by the braking issues they were having (which I believe have since been resolved).

 

I have owned about a half dozen Silverado's over the past 40+ years, and always thought they were the best. When I decided earlier in the year that I needed a truck again (was driving a Jeep JK), I went out and started shopping for another. I was out test driving several at a large used car lot, and saw that they had a 2018 Tundra for sale. Since I had never driven one and I was already there I thought "what the hell" let's take it for a spin. It was a beautiful sunny day, and driving down the road with all six windows open sold me. Almost felt like a convertible, and it drove so smooth and solid. Went home and started doing some research on them and ended up ordering a 21 CM.

IMO the Tundra drives down the road better and has much better initial build quality. My only previous complaint with the Silverado was that the newer models I owned all had some type of electronic problem. Radio's giving out, power locks malfunctioning etc...

 

Love my cateye silverado. Still hauls everyday. IMO one of the best looking trucks they made.

 

*04 Nissan Xterra, bought after my 2000 Tacoma was bought back for rust. 2inch body lift, 3 inch suspension lift, revolver shackles, prg 2nd gen add a leaf. I miss the hell out of this truck. Traded it for a srw Cummins 3500 w/ 6 inch & 37s like an idiot. Then sold that truck to go lineman school, and bought a 2011 Tacoma tx pro. Would still have it but it got totaled while I was on the road contracting

 

1st truck was a 1989 Chevrolet Silverado 2wd with the 5.7L. Great bare bones truck.

2nd Truck was/is a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 just clicked over 100k miles still own it.


2016 Ford Expedition EL with Fox 2.0s and BDS UCAs up front, Bilstein 4600 with a spacer, full RCI skid plates, 33” Falken Wildpeaks. Traded it for my Tundra. There was pretty much zero aftermarket support aside from ICONs $4800 kit and was not willing to drop that kind of coin. Instead I was pricing together stuff from the F150. While the stance was great the ride was not the best and made lots of noise. I was alsways having to tweak stuff and wanted a proven platform so I could just throw parts on and hit the trails and not have to worry about stuff breaking because it was just not right. My free time is limited and I just wanted to have fun. But was tinkering and swapping or trying new parts more than I was off-roading.


Wife has a 2015 Suburban LTZ on factory 22” Snowflakes.
Great truck when I am not fixing something. Most problematic vehicle I have had in 23 years. Need the extra cargo space. Wife hated my Expedition because of the ride and noise. So she refused to get one when we upgraded her Highlander. She wanted/s a Sequoia but with 3 boys and a dog the long wheel base is a must.

 

The start to my Toyota Journey. My 2005 Trd Off Road Tacoma. Loved that truck

 

I just noticed your handle. Love it!

 

I currently own a 2000 Nissan Xterra as a beater. I personally love it, but it IS a mechanic's special so we wont talk about the love here.


2009 Ford F150 extended cab, work truck edition with a 3" body lift. I LOVED that truck, it was a beast, did absolutely everything my ex and I asked of it, and only "died" because the combined body damage from my ex's off-roading adventures and cost of repairs after a head on collision made the insurance adjuster total it. It was still structurally sound enough that I'm sure its out there still driving with a salvaged title. THAT truck was the main reason I was originally searching for a Ford when I lucked out and got my Tundra.

 

2000 Dodge Dakota "Sport". 2wd ext. cab with the 4.7 v8 and tow package (bigger mirrors, 3.92 limited slip). Really liked pretty much everything about that little truck. But we moved to the country and the county didn't plow our road, so 4x4 was needed in winter.

2010 Dodge Ram RSCB 4X4, SLT 5.7 V8. Good power, but the traction control nannies were too aggressive. My favorite feature on this truck was the power adjustable pedals! Least favorite, besides the traction control almost getting me killed a time or two, was the 5spd auto transmission. It started not feeling quite right, so I got rid of it before it became a problem. Otherwise it was a nice truck. Seats weren't that comfortable on long trips though.

2014 GMC Sierra. Ext cab 4x4 SLE, 5.3 v8. Of the 4 trucks I've had, this is my least favorite. On paper it was good, more options than the others. While it was a nice truck and never gave me any trouble, it just felt like it had the personality of a toaster. Ironic I know, given Japanese auto makers reputation for building soulless, albeit dependable vehicles. The off-center steering column was kinda weird. It just wasn't exciting. I never was excited about it, and there's really nothing I miss about it.

So far, loving the Tundra. Really surprised I like the crew max as much as I do, but so far I haven't missed that extra foot of bed space like I thought I would. This one is the wife's favorite too, which is saying something - she usually doesn't care enough to say anything about any of my trucks.

 

1979 Ford F100 Custom 2wd. Long bed, three speed on the floor. Should have kept that truck.

 

I bought a 2001 F150 SHort Bed Reg Cab Work Truck with a 5-Speed Stick and V6 to drag a Scamp 5th wheel that the jerk promptly sold out from under me leaving me with the Ford and no trailer for it!

I LOVED that Ford to be honest,there was nothing on it to break really and it drove like a beast all over the country for me!

I found an '01 Tundra RCLB V6 2wd across the country with 10K on it and sold the Ford to a friend who gave it to his Daughter who killed it within a Week in an Ice Storm of course!

Since then only Tundra trucks!

Another 2001 RCLB but this time V8,4wd and which I still have
A 2007 DC 2wd that drove me insane but I loved the 5.7
And now the 2015 RCLB which I am in love with as well.

I have bought and flipped a few Tacos and Mazda 200 & 2200 too but never fit in any of them well enough to consider keeping them at all!

 

Probably my 2011 Tacoma

 

Best rig ever 1993 F250 7.3 Diesel.
Best hot rod truck 1993 Dodge Dakota 318 cu auto ext cab.
Close tie 1991 Jeep Commanche 4.0 HO 4x4 very fun truck that would give many street cars a good workout.
Best all around mult purpose truck 1994 F 150 5.O auto.
Best beater work horse 1979 Ford Courier 2.3 auto went over 800k miles
on the powertrain, first body was trashed during a roll over down a mountain. Frame and powetrain were fine about '83 it was restored, let it go to salvage in 1999.
Most expensive truck 2021 Tundra- ouch! Why 50 grand?
Next truck will be a classic, never again will I buy new!!! Too much for too little!!

 

My first truck was a 2003 F-150 Super Crew. My dad has never had anything but a Ford truck my entire life. When it was time for another truck, switched to a 2013 Tundra Crewmax, then on to another Crewmax. 2021 Cement Trail Edition. Have to say, my dad has really like my Tundras, but all be damned if he didn’t just buy another FORD. He’s 83 so I told him you buy whatever you want! Can’t teach an old dog new trucks I guess.

 

My High School ride 1982 C-10 of course it didnt look a run like this and a hand me down from my father his 1973 GMC

 

I miss my first Truck 1967 Chevy C20 CST 327 T400 an HO52 rear with 4:56s and a Detroit locker. before I was getting rid of it to due to moving (turns out I could of kept it) I was doing a build on it with a 69 K20 frame and bed with a GM14 rear end. Was conveting it to manual SM420 with 7:1 1st low and Rockwell T221 1 1/2 ton transfer case. Just needed a few more things to get it all together. Was gunna go with a build that was if chevy in 67-72 was making a CST pro (like Tundra TRD Pro).

any ways I was a chevy guy kinda got it from my father witch is funny since his dad was a ford guy.

but been through alot of different vehicles if I were to ever get another truck it would be a chevy. But feel in love with Tundra CrewMax as kid and always one day wanted one. I remember seeing a Black Tundra CrewMax camping at fort flaggler as a kid an remembered that plate was a BC Canada plate. Sometimes I wonder if my Truck is the same truck.

any ways the vehicles I owned in the past are
(* I still have)
1971 Chevy El Camino
1967 Chevy C20 CST
1989 Jeep Cherokee XJ
1986 Jeep Commanche MJ
2006 Kia Suv "can't remember name"
2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ
1986 Olds mobile 88
2002 Olds mobile C something
1999 Chevy Suburban k2500
1964 dodge dart
1990 Chevy silverado K3500 fleetside fully built Trans (last truck before Tundra)
1991 Toyota Celica GT lift back
1991 Toyota Celica GTS lift back RT Beams swapped*
1990 Toyota Celica GTS *
2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD OR package CrewMax*
(2022 Tundra TRD PRO (will be added if I can afford it))
I'm sure I'm missing a few vehicles

 

2015 Tacoma

 

my 1997 Tacoma AC 5lug 5speed. Bought it for 5k with 140k miles in January 2015 and sold it in October 2021 with 240k miles for $4800. Besides tires, a battery, and some ball joints that truck was perfect. Great gas, easy to load up dirtbikes, and always got me to work, and everything was cheap for it. Kinda regretting selling it now but oh well.

 

Easierly the besterest.

 

Grandpa's deer killer. The shit-vey. Rusted out everything. Rode hard. Put up wet. Every time. Blown up differential and rear end brakes. Kilt like 14 deer with it.

 

I've owned:

1995 F250 - had the 7.3L Power Stroke, and for what it was, I loved it. Had tons of low end power and while it had a few minor issues, nothing huge.

2000 S10 - not even worth talking about.

2002 Ram 1500 - I cannot adequately express to you just HOW badly this truck sucked. Had the 4.7L V8, and it was underpowered for that truck...but the *18* shop visits in 18 months were ridiculous. I finally traded it in with 52K for a....

2004 F150 - it was a plain jane truck - 2WD STX with the 4.6L. Nothing special, but I have to be honest - it was, and is, a rock solid truck. I put almost 200K on it, and it only ever needed shocks, brakes, a parking brake replacement, and a battery.

2013 F150 - I had the 4WD 5.0L, and it was....OK. It never left me stranded, but unlike its predecessor, it constantly had little niggling issues - valve body separator plate and seat rail TSB; the *WORST* media system of all time; left rear door would not stay latched when sub-freezing; and while I liked the 5.0L power, the 3.31 gears meant it was worthless for towing.

 

My 2013 Platinum eco boost. Bought it new, owned it 8 years and put 100k trouble free miles on it. Awesome for what I need a truck for - pulling boats. I was going to buy another but darn near $80k… Found my current Tundra with low miles and a CPO warranty instead.

 

‘68 and ‘78 Chevy farm pickups. The ‘68 was parked as a potential project long ago. The ‘78 is still going. I use to ride through the pasture to one of the fishing ponds on our family’s farm as a kid in that truck every weekend.

2000 F350 Supercab SRW shortbed. It has the legendary 7.3L. Kind of a unicorn. My grandpa still drives it and uses it to pull a 5th wheel camper. Great old truck, and he keeps it spotless!

2002 suburban. Mostly dependable vehicle for my family but with lots of little repairs. AC condenser went out at 260k miles and was going to cost more than the truck was worth to fix.

2012 4Runner. Yeah I’m calling body-on-frame SUVs trucks here. This was an incredible vehicle for my family. I started having the transmission serviced at 100k every 20k. The second time I picked it up from them, it had a shudder shifting into 5th gear. I can’t prove it was the shop that did it, but I strongly believe they screwed something up (fill level, fluid type, etc). They would not accept any responsibility. I was going to keep it and just drive it with the shudder, but we started to outgrow it. Traded it in on my Tundra.

2012 Yukon XL. We’re closing in on 150k miles on this, but it has not been trouble-free. Stranded my wife twice—once from a cylinder misfire due to fouling up the dumb AFM, and once because it blew a heater core hose. Otherwise, it has been ok. She loves the heated seats, heated steering wheel, and cavernous cargo space.

Lots of newer Fords owned by family members. Suffice it to say this is why I won’t buy one.

 

I still have my '06 Silverado. It's been rock solid, and other than oil, brakes and tires, has never given me an issue. The only real problem with that truck is the new england salt that is eating away its under belly.