Which gas-powered, one-ton, 4x4 truck would you get?

This thread is simple enough: which one of the trucks would you pick and why?

Edit: Here are some vehicle specifications in no particular order:

 

Ford. Better the devil you know...

 

As mentioned in some other similar threads before, I work in the construction industry and we have a fleet of trucks. We have tried everything (Big 3 only; I am working on them about Toyotas). We will not buy RAMs anymore, and we are phasing the Chevies out and replacing with Fords. The decisions are made based on detailed maintenance records, not just biased manager decisions.

 

Why would you want to buy a new one ton gasser?

 

That would be my guess also. But gas over diesel in the one ton market.

 

Unless you want to drag race the truck with a trailer in tow, I don't think the small difference in power and torque is significant enough to base a decision on just that. I am more interested in quality/reliability (like most of us here the reason why we have Toyotas) and Ford and Chevy have proved to be more reliable than RAM. Between Ford and Chevy the difference is small enough to be just personal choice, but we have found the Fords to be just a tad cheaper (less expensive)(and less inconvenient) to keep.

 

F350

Everything I would need and, more important, I can get it without everything I don’t need.

A lower trim level with bench seat and carpet delete is easily available with important (to me) options like e-locker, block heater, meaty tires, and 5th wheel prep.

 

So are you guys saying deisel over gas?

 

For every anecdotal internet story I hear about how some fleet/commercial shop is ditching GM's and/or Ram's in favor of Ford's, I hear one counter story claiming the exact opposite.

Honestly, I think it's quite laughable. It's fanboy syndrome at its best (or worst depending on how you look at it). In years, past I would have agreed that Ford made the best chassis (some of their engines weren't so stellar). Nowadays, all 3 OEM's make very decent 3/4 and 1 tons, in both the diesel and gasoline variety. The big difference really is that GM has an IFS while Ford and Ram still use solid axles up front. That aside, all 3 designs are built with a similar focus on reliability and robustness. GM and Ram actually share some of the same axles.

In terms of sales #'s, Ford does take the cake, but that might have a lot to do with fleet sales and the discounting they offer. On a recent drive up the Dalton highway, I saw just as many Ram's HD's as I did Ford Super Duty's. And the diesel Ram's are far and away the preferred vehicle for commercial/towing applications in my neck of the woods.

Each of those vehicles listed above has their own inherent quirks, but any one of them would be a solid choice.

 

I have no desire to own a diesel pickup. Those advertised peak torque numbers are not really that useful since software calibration will prevent maximum power and torque from being produced in lower gears to protect drivetrain components. All of the emissions equipment on the diesel trucks and added up-front cost are not something that I care for. The extra weight of the diesel engine and supporting components are also much harder on the front axle, eat into the payload capacity, and throw off the weight balance more.

Yes, pretty much. I also care more about the payload than the tow ratings. I wish that GM would put coilovers instead of torsion bars in the front of their 2500/3500 trucks.

I prefer gas trucks to diesel; I don't have a love affair with rolling coal like some people do.

 

this

 

If I had to pick a gas 1 ton, I’d probably pick GM. As good as the 6.2L motor is in the Fords, when the suspension gets long in the tooth it seems like that solid front axle makes the whole truck a rattling death trap. Though worn out IFS can be rough too, in my experience the solid axles have been much worse. But then we get to my main thought: if you’re buying a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup, buy a diesel.

 

True, but if your towing heavy I have been told its the only/best way to go. I have no experience with it but my buddies who are pulling 30 and 40ft trailers all have diesels and have sworn off gas engines in Hd trucks. Diesels have become the "in" thing as of late so many could just be jumping on a band wagon I suppose, most the f250-350 diesels in my area never tow or haul anything..crazy.

 

Well, if you already own a Tundra, then you should be able to stomach the 1 ton gasser's fuel economy (which will be at the low end of the spectrum). That aside I think the current gasoline offerings by all 3 (GM, Ford and Ram) are very good.

The emissions systems and torque management of the newer diesels aren't that bad on the newer diesels. You're not going to get shoved back into your seat by those engines (unless you want to void your warranty and tune it up), but you certainly do feel the wave of torque as you're carrying a load or going up a grade. It's a different kind of engine response from gasoline v8's, and as @ColoradoTJ said, diesels aren't for everyone.

FWIW, there isn't much of a payload discrepancy between the diesels and gassers until you get into the DRW 1 ton's. For example, the diesel Ram 3500 SRW has a payload within a 100lb's of the gasser variant, where as the DRW 3500 w/ diesel has about 700lb's less payload (6,200lb's for the diesel vs 6,900lb's for gasser Regular cab 4x4). And at 6,900lb's, much less 6,200lb's, that 6.4L Hemi will be dogging it.

 

I'd take the Ford. I'd feel better if it were older though..can I get the fuel Injected mid 90s one ton? They were solid...

 

No preference here, just reading for future reference if we get a 5er.

So either F350 or GMC 3500 for gasser. Which for diesel?

 

7.3 hands down (Ford) Get the 2003 7.3 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel. As opposed to the non turbo. Chevy diesels sucked until they hired Isuzu.

Gas? I'd stay with my above pick .. 460 Cid... Did they ever fuel inject that monster?

 

2 first gen Tundras

 

Cheater ! Lmao

 

Just for MPG reference my Gen2 towing triple axle boat with camping gears (tent, generator, portable AC, fuel, propane, stove...) uses same MPG as the moho towing 18' cargo trailer with full gears inside, 2 quads and 4 dirt bikes.
Also if there is an option I would get the Ford 6.8 v10

SAME MPG AS THIS ↓↓↓↓

 

That's sounds like my kind of thinking. I own a chevy one ton dually it is older but still a one ton gasser I have owned it for along time and did some engine tranny up grades to it over the years. I have owned a 3/4 ton chevy with the 6.0L 4 spd tranny and 4:10 gears that was the truck I got rid of when I got the Tundra. If it was me looking for a one ton gasser I would want a big block or the ford v10 that's a solid motor once you fix the spark plug issue.

 

Ill go for one of the GMs. I’ve had two of them with the 5.3 and 6.0l engines with half a million clicks each. I ran the bag off the 5.3l in the bush for work for three years before I sold it. Only put brakes and shocks on it.

I’ve also owned two Ford lemons so those are out for me. I do like the superduties but can’t pay for another ferd.

Never had a Dodge so can’t comment.

 

I would go Diesel w 1 ton. There is a reason semi trucks are Diesel. 1 ton Gas just dont do it.

 

I'd go with the Chevy/GMC. Just kind of brand loyalty to GM though, that and I really do like their hot rod LS V8 engines, had a couple V8 Camaros. Same engine family in the trucks as your Corvette.

I've heard Ford has stepped their game up with the 6.2 gas V8(drove one in a Raptor, sounded great and was fast). Its just Ford has a track record of building shit engines, 5.4 Triton(can't figure out how to put a spark plug in it), 6.0 and 6.4 Powerstroke diesel V8's were garbage.

Dodge trucks, I've always liked the Hemi V8(never heard much about it being junk) and the Cummins diesel is legendary. Its just the rest of the truck is made like crap IMO. I think that changed a good bit with the 2010 redesign, but I know those 90's/00's Dodge trucks were junky inside and rusted like crazy.

 

X2!!

 

Those might have been all-right if Toyota offered them with the Land Cruiser straight six turbo-diesel. Would have been much better than the gut-less and self destructing 3.0 V6 they put in them here in the USA.

 

Hell I don't know my Tundra is my first real truck, Prolly a GMC.