New truck time- looking for a raptor.

[Lucafu1]

I could only get to page 3 before I had enough of all the B.S. I was reading. The big 3 are all decent trucks and all have their quirks. After analyzing data over the years as a lead mechanic for the USBP Tucson Sector fleet (no longer there), I can tell you that Ford was the cheapest to maintain, followed by Chevy, then Dodge. These trucks are ran very hard in some of the nastiest terrain.

BTW I own a Ecoboost truck, a sparkplug throwing Excursion (no issue with mine because I know how to TQ them properly) and many other Fords. I am biased but numbers are numbers.

Also IMO it is GM that makes and designs their vehicles that require the dealer more then any other brand. With all of their modules/computers and the reprogramming/relearning requirements it can be pretty damn annoying.

 

[JFrank]

Lol. Not knowing how to fix something and not having the ‘time’ to do it are two different things

It helps to have a good shop also, this is a late model GM with Duramax that needed a head gasket replaced. He said this is how Chevy planned it.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

View attachment 1382150It helps to have a good shop also, this is a late model GM with Duramax that needed a head gasket replaced. He said this is how Chevy planned it.

Yeah the newer Fords are the same way. Have to pull the cab to get to a lot of things. Makes it so you can’t work on your own piece of property that you bought and paid for.

If a guy had a means in his own shop to lift the cab off a truck that would definitely be an ideal way to work on things because access would be so easy. Unfortunately most of us don’t have that capability at home.

 

[drop_point]

Stories like that make me appreciate the cars from the old days.

 

[lawman29]

Wyoming Has Highest Rate of $1,000-Per-Month Car Payments

Wyoming's love for big trucks helped propel the Cowboy State to the top of the list for the number of people with auto payments of $1,000 or more,…

cowboystatedaily.com

 

[Downhill]

Honestly, I lost interest in new trucks when they exceeded $40,000. What I need and drive now costs North of $80,000. Sorry, do not care what kind of electronic garbage is added to a truck, in my opinion none are worth more than $35,000 new. I simply just fix what breaks or wears out. As far as dependability, there are always lots of new vehicles waiting to be fixed at the service departments of dealerships. Just saying.

 

[drop_point]

I bought a new Toyota last year for $36,000. I felt ashamed of myself spending that much for what is a basic pickup, electronics aside.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Stories like that make me appreciate the cars from the old days.

I've got my 1987 f250 Lariat XLT in the drive way. 460 factory Holley 4bbl (though I prefer FI) with C6 auto though I wish it were a 5speed for fuel economy. It's definitely showing it's age but no rust holes anywhere and a solid frame. Right now it sets mostly because of fuel prices. This one is a good candidate for a complete refurbish from one end to the other.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I've got my 1987 f250 Lariat XLT in the drive way. 460 factory Holley 4bbl (though I prefer FI) with C6 auto though I wish it were a 5speed for fuel economy. It's definitely showing it's age but no rust holes anywhere and a solid frame. Right now it sets mostly because of fuel prices. This one is a good candidate for a complete refurbish from one end to the other.

Those C6’s were the best!

 

[brokeasajoke]

I wish some one would make a basic truck I can work with. My 1983 ranger years ago was the best wood truck ever. Give me crank windows, hefty axles, vinyl floors and seats, cable operated heater controls, shift transfer case, manual trans, and make it electronic free as possible. Someone answer this, why does the rear ends of trucks have to be so high nowadays? The bed sides are too tall making it difficult to lift things over the bed side. What happened to true compact trucks. A Ranger or S10 from the 80s style truck would be nice.

 

[rwj]

I've got my 1987 f250 Lariat XLT in the drive way. 460 factory Holley 4bbl (though I prefer FI) with C6 auto though I wish it were a 5speed for fuel economy. It's definitely showing it's age but no rust holes anywhere and a solid frame. Right now it sets mostly because of fuel prices. This one is a good candidate for a complete refurbish from one end to the other.

How much would an aftermarket throttle body/fuel injected conversion kit cost?

 

[shoot4fun]

Fix
Or
Repair
Daily
Had a 2005 F150 FX4 with 5.4 Triton that I bought new. As I spent most time in my company car, the truck had only 65,000 when I traded it in 2015. Early one (less that 3k miles) a coil pack went out. After it was repaired the truck had a miss in the engine before it got warmed up. Gas mileage also sucked. at around 6500k miles the alternator took a dump. I asked the dealer to find the miss while they had it. They had it over a week. The problem was a fouled spark plug not changed by the Ford mechanic when the coil pack went down on a cylinder. At 65k the restraint system warning light came on. Ford said it was likely the restraint (lap & Shoulder belt) on the front passenger seat. Cost to repair estimate was $1400. Traded for Tundra and have never looked back.
Best friend is a Ford man. His 2018 F150 with V-8 had had nagging tranny problems (10-speed) since new. Also, about 2 months ago, the tensioner on the timing chain gave out. It was in the dealer shop for a month and a week after getting it back the alternator went out (another $1500). His Son-in-law has a 2017 Exploder. Trans trouble have cost him right at $8k this year.
The list goes on and I have Chevy/GMC owner friends that have had expensive repairs lately too.
Just who does build the best, most trouble-free truck on the road?

 

[alf]

I decided back in 2014 that prices had exceeded my limit.

I always wanted a regular cab short box 4x4, and I found and bought my last new truck that year.

The dealer gave me mid range bluebook for my trade in, there was $9500 in rebates, and I had $2K in GM points.

I've always had a "beater" to drive, so I save this one for hunting out of state.

Currently has 21,000 on it:

 

[drop_point]

I've got my 1987 f250 Lariat XLT in the drive way. 460 factory Holley 4bbl (though I prefer FI) with C6 auto though I wish it were a 5speed for fuel economy. It's definitely showing it's age but no rust holes anywhere and a solid frame. Right now it sets mostly because of fuel prices. This one is a good candidate for a complete refurbish from one end to the other.

Sounds like a good truck. You could sink less money in keeping that one going than you would buying a new one. I'd rather spend $20,000 on that truck every fifteen years than pay $70,000 for a new one every ten.

 

[sw282]

ln the 80s my first truck was a ChChCheby, bought new. Dealer drove it more than me. Another new Cheby, same story. Changed brands, Japanese for the next 30 yrs. Nothing ever broke. Got an suv in 2013. No more truck. Last year l needed another truck. Down to the Toyota dealer l am aghast at the prices. More than l paid for my firsr two HOUSES? After that shock l bought my First Ford. A 'new to me' 2007 Ford Ranger. 3.0 V6/5sp manual. Extra cab. 70k when l got it. 90,000 now. Took me to New Mexico for prairie dogs. Operating expenses to date. Battery to replace the original. Set of tires for safety sake. Ones on it were dated 2011. No touch screen. No electric windows. Gas mileage is not the greatest because of a 4.10 rear. lt may outlive me. Ford is ok. Daddy drove Fords. Dodge? Daddy said he'd rather have a prostitute sister than drive a Dodge

 

[Ccrider]

Daddy drove Fords. Dodge? Daddy said he'd rather have a prostitute sister than drive a Dodge

 

[nmkid]

Now, while all your research is very scientific and factual, I drive a Ford, I was a mechanic and owned 2 NAPA stores so I know a few things about autos/trucks. Have you considered that just maybe the government has a little to do with how vehicles are built? While I'm not a fan how a lot of things are built I still like my Fords. Oh, one other little tidbit that may have influenced me is my Dad (and granddad) owned a Ford dealership and I worked for them for 21 years so I'm a little biased. Truth is if you take care of any of them I think they will last an incredible number of miles. Buy what YOU like just don't (like someone else did) say "I saw a video" or "my brothers, mothers 1st cousin twice removed" had a problem. We did have a guy that had just a little over 100k and had engine trouble but he would bring it in for an oil change at least every 20k miles and normally when he couldn't touch the oil, when we did tear the engine down the "gunk" was 3" plus deep and he through a fit thinking it should be under warranty!

Reminds me of the old TV commercials:
I'm dirt, I'm dirt, and it's car engines I love to hurt.
Also, that old guy growling out...Motor oil is motor oil.

 

[Ringostar]

View attachment 1382150It helps to have a good shop also, this is a late model GM with Duramax that needed a head gasket replaced. He said this is how Chevy planned it.

I had this same thing done with a blown head gasket. F250 SD 5.4 Triton. I was out camping and started blowing white smoke. Had to add water at camp to get going, then stop and buy coolant on way home. I got home and started looking at engine. There’s no way to pull a head, because engine sits to far back under cowl.

 

[284winner]

They put the 6.2, the 3.5 twin turbo, the 302 Coyote. I had a 3.5 tt that had to have a turbo replaced at 182k so must be junk

Except the 6.2 the Raptor gets is a bit on steroids compared to the one the Super duty gets.

 

[moorepower]

I would look at the Tremor also. The only issue I have had with my 2020 3.5 pickup is one strut. I had Dodge pickups up until they became a Fiat, then I switched. I am happy with my choice.