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

These trucks are awesome. I installed 502 BB in my 79 dually stayed with the turbo 400 trans but had it gone through and up graded internals to handle the added power and torque The 502 is a beast. I get 12 mpg in town or freeway unloaded that's with 373 gearing

 

I'll probably make a separate thread for diesel one-ton trucks just to see if the results change any. My main reasons for not wanting diesel though are the extra thousand pounds of weight on the front end and extra $10,000 up front. For going off-road and hauling junk in the bed I would just prefer to deal with a gas engine. Did I mention the extra $10,000 in up-front cost? I'll also bump this thread once in a while just to get more votes over time. I was also just curious what trucks forum members would pick and for what reasons. I also wanted to separate rating the diesel and gas trucks from each other. This is just me ranting now, but I still think it's stupid that Chevy uses torsion bars in the front of their 2500/3500 trucks.

 

Something else I was also wondering: why pick Chevy over GMC and vice versa? Are there any notable mechanical differences?

 

GMC typically have more bells and whistles over Chevrolet. Drive train is the same.

 

Yes, they did.

 

I would go with the Ram with the 6.4, cheapest by far when comparing similar equipped trucks, solid front axle decent reliable truck. I looked at a couple last night, you can get around $9k to $10k off the sticker so you can get a nicely equipped SLT for around $44k.

 

If I had to pick a diesel, my choices would likely be 7.3 or a 6.6 Duramax. I’ve ran the 6.6 for work, damn good engine even though mine had a wonky DEF sensor that never got fixed. The 7.3’s just seem to be reliable as hell, my buddy owns two of em and he’s never had a bad thing to say. And it’s especially nice that they can be had for $8500-15000.

 

I'd go with the 6.7 f350. Seems like it'd be the most reliable. The Cummins is great but, it's surrounded by a dodge and it'd suffer electrical problems down the road. The Duramax is good also, but it also iseems surrounded by GM build quality and it would rattle itself apart. Lol

 

Current poll statistic

 

All 3 trucks have the potential for electrical problems. Within the 3/4 ton market, you're not going to find a whole lot of difference in terms of reliability and mechanical build quality. Ford still probably has the best interiors (at the higher trim levels), but for the purposes of work applications, all 3 trucks will last a good long time as long as they are maintained.

 

Yeah they all have a risk of electrical problems, but I feel ford is the best chance of getting one without an electrical problem. Plus ford doesn't have a as big reputation for shitty plastics, or major electrical problems that would leave you stranded

 

Surprised to see so many pick the ford 7.3 over the dmax, this for reliability or ease of working on it? I have two buddies who are into racing, one has a f350 dually 7.3 with a banks kit hauling a 30ft trailer, other has a 3500 chevy dmax stock beside an upgraded long range tank like 76gals or something crazy he hauls a 40ft gooseneck. My buddy with the 7.3 ford cannot keep up pace with that dmax, and once you hit the mtns forget it as it falls way behind and the trans is always overheating. Another advantage the Chevy dmax has is the Allison Trans.

 

I'm surprised as well - the Dmax and 7.3 suggestions when the OP asked about a gasser. Strange indeed.

As far as the Ford over Chebby thing - some of us just don't like 'em. I'm one of them.

 

Why all the love for the 7.3 then? I would gladly take 100 more hp and a better trans if I was looking for a diesel.

 

For me, it being pre-DEF makes it attractive. I had 3 different Duramax’s at my last job: one had a fuel injection issue, one had a DEF issue, and one had a turbo that sounded like it was about to blow every time I stepped on it. The one with the DEF issue would say it was low on it even when I’d just filled it the previous day. Royal pain in the ass, but other than that it was a great truck. All were 2011-2012’s. Plus, the 7.3 holds appeal because I have multiple buddies who have that engine and know how to work on em and will do so for free

 

Is the 7.3 Powerstroke a mechanical injection engine? Or did they put computer controls on them? I know in the 90's was when they phased out mechanical injection engines on big rig trucks for computer controlled fuel injection(still didn't have emissions controls).

 

I had a 7.3 for a short spell. I really liked that truck. It was tuned and quite fun. However, that thing wasn't much fun to work on - that is for sure.

 

Crazy thing is that stock diesels are just about pulling those numbers nowadays.....

 

Alright, who picked the Titan XD?

 

LOL! I bet it was one of those Raptor fans.

 

Ford's interiors are nicer, at least in earlier model years.

As for Ford not having a reputation for electrical problems, I'd encourage you to go read up on the problems with 6.0 Powerstroke's wiring harness chaffing itself to death. Plenty of people got left on the side of the road because of those problems. In fact, in all the TFL pickup tests, the only 2 times I can recall where a vehicle just plain failed and stopped on the side of the road was a test of the F-250 (gasser) and the new F-150 diesel.

In years past, every brand had its own problems. Nowadays, most of those problems have been ironed out.

 

Yeah the 6.0 has a reputation of having bad head studs, and blowing head gaskets.