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

So what years are you looking at? Would this be a new purchase or used? I changed my vote from F-350 to GMC 3500. I don't pay the maintenance on these F-350s, and the 6.2L motor is pretty good, but that's only one component in making a great truck.

To answer your question:

- The GM with torsion bar suspension does just fine off road. Would I take mine hunting? Yes, if I purchased a DEF tank skid plate, but you wouldn't have to worry about that since you want gas. The G-80 rear differential is a locking, speed limiting design. So pretty much, anything under 20 mph, any wheel slip and the locker engages. I don't have to push any switches to engage, it just works when needed. I had my truck offroad within the first 50 miles of ownership testing this out.
Here is some history on torsion bar setups, and why it's used in a heavy duty application:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsion_bar_suspension
https://www.carid.com/articles/coil...cribing-the-3-different-kinds-of-springs.html

- The weak link in the GM's in my opinion is the steering in certain situations (lifts, big tires, like 35-38"). The idler arm and tie rods need to be lubed more often. If you plan on putting big tires and adding some HP (diesel power), I would seriously consider the Kryptonite steering upgrade or something like it. I went into this knowing that at 100-120K miles, this upgrade will be needed to be done. Depending on what stage kit you go with, this can be 700-1200.00. I'm ok with this, since one of my best friends has warrantied his 2015 F350 complete steering system out at 20K miles. He said that it will be needing a swap out again probably before 60K miles.

http://dmaxstore.com/products/?route=product/product&product_id=389

 

I would look new or LTZ/SLT or higher trim packages to help weed out contractor trucks if buying used. These are work trucks, so I bet it is difficult.

 

Have a link?

 

Well I'll be damned....this is moving in the right direction. Well done Ford...well done.

https://www.tfltruck.com/2018/09/rumor-confirmed-a-new-7-3l-gas-v8-is-coming-to-the-ford-super-duty/

 

Damn @bito , we posted at the same time! LOL

Thanks for taking the time to link it.

 

Well this changes a few things with the announcement of a larger displacement motor offering in the Ford.

Some key things to look at for a great overall performing truck:

-Cost of ownership is a big one.

Ram

• I started looking into the 6.4L Hemi, and doing 4000 mile oil changes kind of sucks (8000 miles for no hard use, so pretty much all highway), 0W-40 doesn't cost any more than any other oil. The recommended fuel kind of turned me off with 89 octane recommended.
• If you can get the GVWR and have the higher HP 6.4L motor...pretty impressive numbers....but these are just numbers. Watch the video's, and it got smoked by the competition pretty bad.
  
• Looking at the specs, I sure wouldn't want the 66RFE transmission on a 1 ton truck with the GVWR <10000 lbs with the option of the Aisin transmission available. However, this limits you to the lower HP engine option, but not verified. It does say this is in the cab and chassis options, but I don't want to research this anymore than I have. After owning two of them, never again. http://www.cumminshub.com/gas/6.4-hemi.html
• I have no experience with these trucks since 2001 with the V-10 engine. Our company quit buying Dodges/Rams unless they were 4500/5500 and have a bucket mount on them due to repair costs.

Ford

• The 6.2L motor is where its at. Class leading torque that when not broke down, will flat out walk away from the competition.
• Regular 87 octane or flex fuel. Pretty basic there.
• I couldn't find oil change intervals, but I didn't look really hard either.
• I do have plenty of experience with these. I have one for a work truck, 2015 F-250 CC 4x4 short box.
• Ride is pretty rough.
  
• To date, no break downs in 10K miles, with a considerable amount of work.

Chevy/GMC

• Where the GM offering gets me is overall package. The engine is basic, been around for a loooooong time, and does most work pretty good.
• Frames are tough.
  
• Oil changes and fuel is like the Ford.
  
• Ride, I am comparing my 3500 to my work truck F-250, and mine is a lot nicer. The heavier diesel option in the Ford, that changes things. I would say the Ford rides nicer then.
• Features and comfort in the interior are so nice. From what I have learned, if your a big guy, the center console option is not a good idea, and getting the folding down option is better for the big ol' boys.

So after doing all this research, and video watching I have came to a conclusion:

I would have a hard decision to make. Do I buy what I know or what is the highest performing? Is second best ok? If I was in @computeruser6 shoes and being totally optimistic to what is offered....it would be a tough call. Ford will be the best towing truck you can buy according to the video's posted.

 

I know right? The new F-150 diesel and the F-250 6.2L. Not a great track record on camera.

I figured the GM would just get smoked bad by the Ram and Ford, but it came in a distant second. Now to be fair, the Ford was not pulling an enclosed trailer, but that probably didn't matter much.

Ford time 8:53
Chevy time 10:38
Ram time 13:20 and the other was 11:51

 

Pretty much all highway driving, 40 miles.