need truck advice

[bowchaser]

looking at a 2004 f-150 or Sierra 1500. My thoughts are:

- Ford has better ground clearance
- Fuel economy should be close
- GM rides better
- GM more expensive but holds value better

Questions
- anyone have the Ford 4.6 or 5.4, is the 4.6 underpowered? largest thing I'll be hauling will be a tent trailer or stuff for renos. Any diff in fuel economy between the two?

- If I get the crew cab, will a quad fit without a tailgate, and if not is it ok for the back tires to sit on the tailgate?

Any thoughts appreciated.

thanks.

GM more expensive but holds value better

JD Power and Associates would disagree with you on that.

Personally I'd go for the 5.4. I't burns a bit more fuel but think you'd appreciate the extra power.

If you are talking about a SuperCrew with the 5' box, then you need to leave the tailgate on. Lots of guys do it with no problems other than you may end up with a couple rock chips on it. The newer Supercrews have the option of a 6'6" box as well. Think that came out in 2006.

[slingshot]

We have a 4.6 at work and i own a 5.4 there is a major power difference.
As far as fuel econemy the 4.6 reves alot higher and seem to use more fuel.You can purchase the f150 crew with 6.5 foot box which a quad fits into.
I will be selling my 5.4 in a month which will have about 25 K by then if you are interested as I ordered a 08 twin turbo diesel

[Rackmastr]

The Sierras are nice....I have a Silverado 2002 and really like it. Rides smooth, handles off-road nicely, good gas mileage, lots of power to pull whatever I want.....

Mine is the ext-cab and I have room for some quads, some of the bigger ones dont quite fit but a Honda 400 will fit.

Was thinknig of selling it in the next few months....if you're interested in 2002 with 163,000 toss me a PM....

[camshaft]

I own a 05 Sierra crew Cab 4x4, with the 5.3 and 4.10 gears. I pull a 10 ft tent trailer with a 14ft aluminum mounted to the top. To give u an idea, I can get 20mpg towing this combo with my truck.

I dont think you will find a ford similar truck that will equal a chev/gm mileage. Both are nice trucks....good luck with ur decision.

[harv3589]

If you are just looking for a 1/2 ton truck then give the Toyota Tundra a serious look, very nice and IMO better than any GMC/Chev or Ford...down side is that the price tag is higher.

[Rackmastr]

I'll second that Toyota lineup...they are nice rigs....hold their value REALLY well....

[bearbait]

if u need a hiway truck get the chev but if u plan on taking it in the bush get a dodge...forget ford altogether....
rob

Originally Posted by bearbait

if u need a hiway truck get the chev but if u plan on taking it in the bush get a dodge...forget ford altogether....
rob

Thats funny i was alway's told >

For
Off
Road
driveing

you cant say that about a chev,Just a little food for thought

[Tuc]

I have the 4.6 and I haul a 19ft trailer and my quad with it. I'm guessing the trailer weighs somewhere around 4000 lbs. It does suffer going up the big hills.
If your only hauling a tent trailer, you shouldn't have a problem.

[bearbait]

found
on
road
dead

Originally Posted by bearbait

found
on
road
dead

been there more then once.

[bearbait]

not me..this is my rig

[WCTHEMI]

Can't ever go wrong with the bigger motor. Difference in fuel milage will be negligable, and you have more power for pulling and hauling, and isn't that the main reason for owning a truck?

[Spidey]

I've owned the 5.4 Expedition and it loved the gas but pulled well and was very reliable. The suspension on the Expedition was not the best - she swung like a drunken sailor when pulling anything. I suspect the F-150 has better suspension. I sold the ford and bought a GM Diesel about a year ago. I love the thing. Pulls awesome and I like it even more when I'm paying 15 cents a litre less for fuel!

[Cam-hunter]

fix
or
repair
daily

Buy Dodge

[geezer55]

F-four
O-old
R-rusty
D-doors

Or

F-ford
O-owners
R-reccomend
D-Dodge

[chef]

Definately chev or gm if you want a good ride , dodge for off road ,but be willing to spend money all the time on front end gear .always and every year have front end troubles .
Some may say different but they are in denial.
F- f,,,,,n
O-old
r-rusty
d-dump
IF you want milage and power go for the diesel but it,ll cost ya.

[Ruffgrouse]

Ford = Fumes , Oil , Rust and Dents.
Dodge = Don't Over Drive Gutless Engines
You'll love the ride of a GM product.
Dodge has "Zero - none - Crap" for options. Map holders, extra space, door pockets don't exist on Dodge. Had one for work and the wife had a mini van. NEVER EVER again. The cheapest constantly breaking down piece of garbage I have every owned. My buddie baught one because he went through 3 Fords when they put out the new Diesel engines and calls his Dodge "The sh*t wagon". He hates it and drivers the crap out of it because he hates it. Can't get more than 600km to a tank of fuel last year out hunting. We spent more time filling the damb thing up then spending time in the bush ! Ford are tough but man oh man those front ends ! Driving on gravel roads feels like the front end is coming off. If it wasn't for the ride on gravel / back roads I would look at a Ford but as you get older, its nice to have comfort. I have owned all of the big three when I was in the oil patch and now that I am out, I drive a GM / Chev for the ride. Just like all things in life, we all don't like the same things. I'm sure that there are lots of bad GM stories out there also. I drive a Polaris and NEVER EVER had a problem with the two of them, but like some brands of trucks, some people hate Polaris. Drive each of the brand names and come up with your own plan. Please post what you have desided. Some guys like black vehicles, I have owned three and never again. They are beautiful when they are clean but that lasts about three seconds in this country !

[knifeman]

I've had a 2001 Z71, 2003 Dodge 3500, and now a 2005 F-350, the Z71 was a great truck with the 5.3 and a 4:10 rear ,never had a problem until It was pulling a heavy trailor, then it drank the gas. The dodge was ok the cummins never gave me a problem but everything else on it was ****, paint sucks, engines to heavy for the front end so i had front end problem. Ford is the the best all around truck I've had so far.

[fishhunt]

Ford F150, 'nough said.

[Cdamen]

forget them all, buy a Toyota

[catnthehat]

I've owned most of them and driven all of them at one time or another.
It doesn't matter what brand of truck it is , they can all be good or they can be crap.

They all break down eventually.

I do however tend to like the way I sit in my '91 Silverado.
It's comfortable for me.
My kid brother likes his Ford.
Winchester/Remington thing.

Cat

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Winchester/Remington thing.

Cat

X2