Pickup Truck advice, Dodge vs. Chevy

[cubs-n-bxrs]

This is getting almost as good as a Hytran debate. My truck is better than yours.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by cubs-n-bxrs

This is getting almost as good as a Hytran debate. My truck is better than yours.

Cars are SO much simpler. You get 3-4 option packages, that's about it. Trucks have a ridiculous number of configurations. Its practically impossible to compare these things! I'm trying to price one for my son. Been pulling my hair out just loading options and stuff into the online appraisal sites. I guess as soon as he gets his license I'll finish pulling it out!

[Cubfan79]

My 2 cents is a 1st gen dodge cummins w250 pickup. Strong and dependable

[finsruskw]

Picked this up last spring after chasing it on E-bay till the rebates kicked in and I'm lovin' it. 3500 Cummins powered Laramie Longhorn. Gets 14+ mpg hauling a 1181 Lance truck camper around.

Owned Chrysler products for 55 years now, period.
It' MoPar or NoCar!

[Rmowl]

Originally Posted by Guitar Guy

Thanks very much for the replies, folks. Very useful info., and lots to consider before I decide. I'm leaning toward Chevy / GMC, at this point, mainly because I've owned GM cars and trucks for most of my life. I like my little GMC Sonoma, and the interiors seem to be a little more high end.

I search far and wide to get low mileage used vehicles, and usually have pretty good luck. I take good care of my vehicles, with proper maintenance, waxing the exterior, and oiling the underside to protect from salt. I usually find garage kept & well maintained vehicles, around 10 yrs old, take good care of them while I drive them for 3 to 5 yrs, then get decent resale value. I rarely ever have a car payment, and insurance rates are kept lower.

JT

Not sure when the GM trucks went back to rear drums but that's something to watch for, can't quite figure that one out. My father in laws loaded 271 Silverado 2011 has rear drums. As has been mentioned here dodges are notorious for cancer, particularly the bottoms of the doors. And the automatic transmissions are less than stellar. I only drive a dodge because it has a cummins in it. The 1500 dodges switched to 3rd gen body style in 02, and IFS which I'm not a fan of but rides nice and for a 1\2 ton not a big deal.
You definitely got the right idea of buying a vehicle. Good luck in whatever you choose.

[titleist1]

I've have an '03 Silverado 2wd, ext cab with the 4.8 8cyl. Very few issues in the 230000+ miles. Early on the cat conv went bad and was replaced at about 40k, the replacement is still in there. One of the computers went bad at about 50k and was covered by warranty, it was one of the non-recall / recalls they do if it is for other work but mine happened to go bad on the side of 495.

Other than regular maintenance I had a fuel pump and water pump replaced at about 180k and the brake lines rusted out and had to be replaced.

I hope to get another 3 years out of it, but I would buy another GM as I really like the 4.8, enough power for my occasional towing of tractors and gets about 19mpg.

Only one rust issue is on the passenger rear wheel well about the size of three quarters side to side.

The transmission is a little rough going from 1st to 2nd early on cold mornings but i take it easy until it warms up. I am very careful about the weight I tow now since i don't want a big bill surprising me.

Really got a workout towing a loader I found recently but the tranny seems to have survived the strain.

[Vin122]

Chevy all the way or GMC. Way more comfortable riding vehicle, and like everyone else says the 5.3 is a great engine.

I'd recommend a Chevy Avalanche too - I've driven an '05 for 5 years now and I think my next vehicle will be a newer Avalanche. It's currently hooked to my trailer with a Cub Cadet 149 on on the trailer. I've hauled everything from my Son's '04 Duramax(wow was that heavy), to an empty trailer to my 36' travel trailer with my Avalanche. Its never let me down. It's going to need tires soon, do I install new tires or is it time to buy another Avalanche? Probably should go with tires... It has 200xxx miles and it sill going strong.

[jimbob200521]

Another vote for the Chevy/GMC camp. I love love love my 2001 1500 Silverado with the 5.3. Plenty of oomph for whatever I've needed it to do and she has just been reliable. No complaints here.

[SS5150]

Originally Posted by Rmowl

Not sure when the GM trucks went back to rear drums but that's something to watch for, can't quite figure that one out. My father in laws loaded 271 Silverado 2011 has rear drums. As has been mentioned here dodges are notorious for cancer, particularly the bottoms of the doors. And the automatic transmissions are less than stellar. I only drive a dodge because it has a cummins in it. The 1500 dodges switched to 3rd gen body style in 02, and IFS which I'm not a fan of but rides nice and for a 1\2 ton not a big deal.
You definitely got the right idea of buying a vehicle. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Back to rear drums in '05, complaints of poor brake pedal feel with the discs.

[cubby102]

The truck I just recently got rid off simple to downsize and get a but more milage was a 1998 gmc k1500. Was what was called a "heavy half" while it was a half ton trucked it's frame was boxed almost all the way as well as had the heavier 14 bolt non floater rear axle (standard 14 bolt was full float) . Had a 4 bolt main roller cam vortec 350 with a 4l80e transmission floor shift tcase. G80 locker in the rear. Weighed in at just over 6000 lbs it was extended cab short bed. Loved every bit of that truck and usualy got around 18mpg highway unloaded.... had a little over 451k on it when I sold it to my buddy a little over a year ago and I'm sure he's approaching 500 by now he drives it daily. Options is what really makes a vehicle and good maintenence. I can be 95% sure any of the half ton vehicles sold now will perform just as good as any of us need them to. Figure out what your wanting it to do and go from there. Look at the problems of the trucks your interested in have. Every manufactures have its pros and cons. Just have to see which ones outweigh the next...