2005 1/2 Ton Pickups - Chevy, Dodge, or Ford ?

Well thank you everyone for your excellent responses. Since the trucks were all so close to decide on, my dad shopped deals.



He found a left over Chevy Silverado 1500, 4x4, ext cab, 6.5 bed, 5300 engine, QUADRA steer, towing package, oil/tranny cooler, upgraded suspension/tires/stereo, etc. The color is Burgundy :)



The sticker read $37,595. Since my dad knew it was a leftover, he knew he had a lot to work with. Wheelin and dealing, the price ended up at $27,495. Both my mom and dad loved it. They especially loved the Quadra steer...He couldn't stop talking about it.



Of course I told him what any Autopian would....NO DEALER PREP!!! He said that it didn't state anywhere on the bill of sale anything about it. He said he wouldn't ask for them NOT to do it...He's definatley not an Autopian :) ...Anyways, since it's a leftover, I probably have my work cut out for me with some water spots or something of the sort. Once I get home from school next week, I will fully document it all.



Now, he mentioned modding it right off the bat. He wanted to do:



-Custom Grille (Billet or Mesh)

-New Rims/Tires (16-20" w/larger tires)

-Catback Exhaust

-Foglights (didn't come with em :confused: )

-Tint



and probably a couple other things here and there. Any reccomendations would be swell ;)



Thanks again for all of the help.
 
I am a little late with my opinion, but here it goes anyways. Keep in mind, I am partial as one of those companies feeds the family, but at the same time I think I have quite some "valuable insider information" available.



Your Dad chose right, or got the best deal on the right prodcut...... The Silverado is the best overall. The new F150 looks nice, but if you want it for more than just looks, that is not for you. According to a very close friend that works for a Ford supplier, that thing is a time bomb with all of the shortcuts and poor engineering judgements...... no details please. Dodge is still learning how to make stiff frames..... I am not saying the silverado is perfect, but its has less defects.



I would, however, think about the titan as a very credible option. For me, GMC sierra Denali IF I ever had to get a full size truck, but preferably I would rent it for the times needed. Not a truck guy





Alex
 
AlexRuiz said:
The new F150 looks nice, but if you want it for more than just looks, that is not for you. According to a very close friend that works for a Ford supplier, that thing is a time bomb with all of the shortcuts and poor engineering judgements...... no details please.

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Without any details this comment is dubious at best. Do you really think Ford is gonna take chances on the vehicle that is responsible for the bulk of their sales?
 
3/4 ton ford f250, turbo Diesel



the f150s are not much of a tow vehicle



the 1/2 ton chebbies are ok i guess



you will not like 20" rimz when you are towing
 
LouisanaJeeper said:
yeah 05 mustang

looks like *** :)
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Some just aren't into the retro looks. Some also complain about it being plain. I for one am glad Ford finally listened to us enthusiasts and got rid of the fake scoops. The car has LOTS of potential though. There is already more support for the '05 in the aftermarket than there has been for the Mustang in ages.



I have to admit before I got my 2001 I hated the "new edge" styling. I was really in the market for a 94-98. I was looking at a '98 Laser Red GT 'vert and the '01 GT Coupe was sitting right next to it. I guess I had never seen them next to each other but, the '01 just looked more agressive.



Mechanically though there is no arguing the fact that the '05 is superior to its predecessors. Would I buy one, I don't know. At this point I am more interested in getting my hands on an 03/04 triple black Cobra convertible.



My comment about Ford not messing around though was in regards to the comment made previously about Ford taking chances on producing a sub-standard vehicle in regards to the F-150.
 
rjstaaf said:
Without any details this comment is dubious at best. Do you really think Ford is gonna take chances on the vehicle that is responsible for the bulk of their sales?
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How deep can someone go with the "details" without venturing in muddy territory? You give me the answer.



Let's just say that great concept poorly executed is a good start..... What is the meaning of "poorly executed"? You give the answer also. Just remember, MONEY is the main concern of the companies, and some of those companies are more concerned about the money than others, so they may do the incredible for a few pennies....



If you are a fan of their products, great. It is your money (your satisfaction also), so do whatever that pleases you better. This is similar like the concept of "it is just wax", so it is just a car. Pick whatever you want. Sean asked for opinions, so he gets them. A very good PUBLIC example of "good concept, poor execution" is the engine in the 2005 Mustang V6. If you have paid attention, that is a TRUCK engine slapped into a sporst car. An old engine is one matter, a truck engine in a pony car is another.



Your comment of "it is their main product" has logic. But marketing and a pretty face can make products look more appealing of what they are in reality. But as I said, if their products make you happy, no need to change. Just like wax.





Alex
 
AlexRuiz said:
How deep can someone go with the "details" without venturing in muddy territory? You give me the answer.

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Than why make the comment at all? Really it just sounds like the same old "Chevy" vs "Ford" argument.





A very good PUBLIC example of "good concept, poor execution" is the engine in the 2005 Mustang V6. If you have paid attention, that is a TRUCK engine slapped into a sporst car. An old engine is one matter, a truck engine in a pony car is another.

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Is this your best example? This isn't the first time the Mustang has used a truck engine. Do you recall the 2000 Mustang Cobra R? It used the 5.4L Modular V8 used in Ford trucks. Is the Cobra R also an example of a "good concept, poor execution"? Seems you equate "truck engine" with inferior. That is just simply not the case. The new motor is specifically tuned and configured for it's application in the Mustang, it is not just taken from the truck application and "slapped into" the Mustang. In every way the new 4.0L SOHC V6 is superior to the old 3.8L pushrod V6 it replaced. Not only is the new motor more compact, it is more powerful. How is that "good concept, poor execution"?



Sounds to me your initial comment about the F-150 and this one about the Mustang are more based on opinion than facts. You are certainly entitled to your opinion.
 
rjstaaf said:
Than why make the comment at all? Really it just sounds like the same old "Chevy" vs "Ford" argument.



Is this your best example? This isn't the first time the Mustang has used a truck engine. Do you recall the 2000 Mustang Cobra R? It used the 5.4L Modular V8 used in Ford trucks. Is the Cobra R also an example of a "good concept, poor execution"? Seems you equate "truck engine" with inferior. That is just simply not the case. The V6 used in the '05 Mustang is a 4.0L SOHC motor that replaces the old 3.8L pushrod V6. The new motor is also specifically tuned for it's application in the Mustang. In every way it is superior to the old motor.



Sounds to me your initial comment about the F-150 is more based on opinion than facts. You are certainly entitled to your opinion.
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You have a very good point: Without evidence provided, there is no reason to make the comment. Point taken. Benchmarking conducted by the organization gave us a lot of hope, as what semed to be a tough product to beat has been disected as a pretty face, poor engineering. We are in fact anxious to start knowing of recalls and technical bulletins... There are even some bets on how long it will take for some hidden problems to surface, or the total number of recalls that will be generated. Couple that with what a supplier thinks and the puzzle takes shape. No, it won't be a exploder roll-over debacle, but never the less users will find annoying stuff. Those will be the facts. For now, you win, it is just opinion.



As second point, it is not that I equate "truck engine" with inferior, a truck engine IS inferiorfor that application. Truck engines are designed to be high torque, large displacement, LOW RPM. I am sorry, but a TRUE sporty engine has to be willing to rev. A tractor engine is large, has tons of torque, but no one would dare to say it is sporty or performance oriented. In addition, truck engines vibrate more, are less balanced and have lower compression ratios. Is the new engine beter than the old one? Ther answer is a solid yes. Is it a world class engine? No way. A performance car is much more than just 0-100 km (0-60 mph) times. Did I mention lower compression ratios in truck engines?



Practical proof? Let's start with the exhaust sound. Have you heard a VQ35DNL engine exhaust note? That is the engine used for the Maxima, the G35 and the 350Z. Compare that exhaust note with the 4.0L engine in the ranger and the new Mustang V6. There is a noticeable difference between "powerful harmonious" and "powerful clunky". Ah, and the VQ35 is not as ear pleasing as the old VQ30DE was.....



As final counterpoint, however, if a car company pleases you, screw what an annonymus guy on the web thinks. Just like wax.



Alex
 
AlexRuiz said:
As second point, it is not that I equate "truck engine" with inferior, a truck engine IS inferiorfor that application. Truck engines are designed to be high torque, large displacement, LOW RPM. I am sorry, but a TRUE sporty engine has to be willing to rev. A tractor engine is large, has tons of torque, but no one would dare to say it is sporty or performance oriented. In addition, truck engines vibrate more, are less balanced and have lower compression ratios. Is the new engine beter than the old one? Ther answer is a solid yes. Is it a world class engine? No way. A performance car is much more than just 0-100 km (0-60 mph) times. Did I mention lower compression ratios in truck engines?

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I would tend to agree with you that an engine for a truck designed for hauling and doing real work would have an engine desinged for the task. We are talking about the Ranger here, which is a sport truck. The specs for the motor would tend to dispute your claims. For example, the compression ratio is 9.7:1, just a tad below the 9.8:1 of the 4.6L V8 powering the GT. The redline of the new motor is 5750 RPM, again just a tad below the 6000 RPM of the 4.6L V8 of the GT.



Lastly being a long time Mustang enthusiast I don't think even I would call any V6 powered Mustang a sports car much less a performance car. It is not intended to serve that purpose, that is what the GT and the Cobra are for.





Practical proof? Let's start with the exhaust sound. Have you heard a VQ35DNL engine exhaust note? That is the engine used for the Maxima, the G35 and the 350Z. Compare that exhaust note with the 4.0L engine in the ranger and the new Mustang V6. There is a noticeable difference between "powerful harmonious" and "powerful clunky". Ah, and the VQ35 is not as ear pleasing as the old VQ30DE was.....

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Exhaust sound, your kidding right? You are comparing the exhaust from a Mustang V6 to that of a Luxury Sedan? Lets bolt the exhaust from the Mustang to the Q35 and see what it sounds like :D





As final counterpoint, however, if a car company pleases you, screw what an annonymus guy on the web thinks. Just like wax.

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We are probably at the point where it is probably best to just agree to disagree, shake hands and go back to our respective corners :)
 
rjstaaf said:


We are probably at the point where it is probably best to just agree to disagree, shake hands and go back to our respective corners :)
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Shake hands, enjoy the ride.... hand me the microfiber :p
 
markc said:
This is a little Ford propoganda but it offers some insight...



The Truth about Trucks
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I was really stricken by some of the comparisons. Namely the differences in the frames, the ring and pinion from the rear end and some of the details in the body panels and body structure.



Even for you non-Ford enthusiasts it is worth a look. I had always thought all the trucks were pretty close but, there are some major differences. Now I see why the F150 is the heaviest vehicle in its class. Pay close attention to the two imports, the Titan and Tundra. Frankly they look anemic when compared to the big 3.



Good find :xyxthumbs
 
Here's the truck. My mom stopped up in CT today because she's going to look at German Shepard puppies in Waterbury. I like the truck a lot but it's pretty swirled :( ...Looks light, but they're everywhere. Tire dressing also slung all over the paint and rims and it's not even on uniformly.



DSC03680.jpg
 
i like the color :p



but what are those grey things on the doors? are those meant to protect the door from scratches?
 
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