Why my next truck might not be a Ford...
#31
12-01-2011, 09:23 PM
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Akalogan,
Not trying to give anybody a hard time, just trying to understand that's all. If you want a PowerWagon for all terrain capability, that's all fine.
But, the cheapest I could price one off Dodge's website was 44,600 and change. They don't have a diesel option, 4.56 ratio is nice, but it's downright laughable for rock crawling.
I have some friends who do some serious off roading, and if you're talking about rock crawling, you start with 4.88 with a selectable creeper gear, 2 speed transfer case and differential with lockers, you're talking a final creeper ratio 60:1, NOT 4.56 or 4.88:1. You'll get yourself killed and your wallet emptied for repairs with a PowerWagon.
I'm trying to seriously save you some money. Most rock crawlers or heavy duty off roaders don't buy new trucks, they take a beater with a decent engine, put 2-3k worth of gears, suspension mods, maybe another 2k to redo tranny, and go to the mountains. That's on a budget. Increase $$ for more toys, but you get the picture.
If you're gonna get some property out of the way, I understand. I'd like to do the same thing. But I'm telling ya, what I'm thinking of doing is getting a fairly decent used super-duty, not necessarily a diesel, and starting there, saving a boatload of money in the process.
To each his own I guess. Not criticizing or anything. Just trying to save you a lot of disappointment before plunking down your hard earned money.
Not trying to give anybody a hard time, just trying to understand that's all. If you want a PowerWagon for all terrain capability, that's all fine.
But, the cheapest I could price one off Dodge's website was 44,600 and change. They don't have a diesel option, 4.56 ratio is nice, but it's downright laughable for rock crawling.
I have some friends who do some serious off roading, and if you're talking about rock crawling, you start with 4.88 with a selectable creeper gear, 2 speed transfer case and differential with lockers, you're talking a final creeper ratio 60:1, NOT 4.56 or 4.88:1. You'll get yourself killed and your wallet emptied for repairs with a PowerWagon.
I'm trying to seriously save you some money. Most rock crawlers or heavy duty off roaders don't buy new trucks, they take a beater with a decent engine, put 2-3k worth of gears, suspension mods, maybe another 2k to redo tranny, and go to the mountains. That's on a budget. Increase $$ for more toys, but you get the picture.
If you're gonna get some property out of the way, I understand. I'd like to do the same thing. But I'm telling ya, what I'm thinking of doing is getting a fairly decent used super-duty, not necessarily a diesel, and starting there, saving a boatload of money in the process.
To each his own I guess. Not criticizing or anything. Just trying to save you a lot of disappointment before plunking down your hard earned money.
#32
12-01-2011, 09:46 PM
#33
12-01-2011, 10:05 PM
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#34
12-02-2011, 05:34 AM
Granted, Toy does have some work to do to get the Tundra up to F-150 standards, but IMHO, it far exceeds anything that Ram and GM are building in a half ton truck. I would happily drive any Toyota before I drove any GM or Chrysler product.
#35
12-02-2011, 06:11 AM
Ford bailed itself out by putting up all the company assets including the rights to the Blue Oval by borrowing 23.8 billion dollars in 2005 to stave off bankruptcy, screwing over their employees at many plants (2 here in town) and by selling off assets...sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors of India for a fraction of what they paid for both, sold Volvo to Geely Industries of China and Aston-Martin to a private investment gruop, so don't even go their on the bailout issue.
FIAT has controlling interest in Chrysler, so, it was mostly FIAT money that already repaid it (with interest) so it was a win-win situation for the gov, unlike GM which used worthless stock to repay some of their bailout.
FIAT has controlling interest in Chrysler, so, it was mostly FIAT money that already repaid it (with interest) so it was a win-win situation for the gov, unlike GM which used worthless stock to repay some of their bailout.
After procuring their fat loan, Alan Mullaly, FoMoCo's new prez and CEO asked the Gov't if FoMoCo could also get bailout bucks if necessary. But it tiurned out that it wasn't necessary.
Jaguar never made one red cent of profit for FoMoCo. Estimates are that FoMoCo lost 20 BILLION DOLLARS, just on Jaguar alone. Lawd only knows how many BILLIONS of dollars FoMoCo lost on Land Rover.
During the entire time that FoMoCo owned Land Rover, it made a profit in exactly one month!
Ford has now divested itself of 30% of Toyo Kogyo (Mazda), by selling it back to Mazda, retaining only 3%.
Ford is paying high interest rates on their 23.8 billion dollar loan, while Government Motors is paying a much lower rate on their bailout bucks.
btw: How much FoMoCo stock did y'all buy when it was selling for two bucks a share? I bought 5,000 shares, and it's now trading in the 13-15 dollar range.
This is the only stock I own, but it was sooo cheap, I decided to gamble, figuring that it would eventually rebound.
#36
12-02-2011, 07:46 AM
#37
12-02-2011, 07:47 AM
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By the time GM and ChryCo needed loans, the credit had dried up, so they were forced into bankruptcy.
After procuring their fat loan, Alan Mullaly, FoMoCo's new prez and CEO asked the Gov't if FoMoCo could also get bailout bucks if necessary. But it tiurned out that it wasn't necessary.
Jaguar never made one red cent of profit for FoMoCo. Estimates are that FoMoCo lost 20 BILLION DOLLARS, just on Jaguar alone. Lawd only knows how many BILLIONS of dollars FoMoCo lost on Land Rover.
During the entire time that FoMoCo owned Land Rover, it made a profit in exactly one month!
Ford has now divested itself of 30% of Toyo Kogyo (Mazda), by selling it back to Mazda, retaining only 3%.
Ford is paying high interest rates on their 23.8 billion dollar loan, while Government Motors is paying a much lower rate on their bailout bucks.
btw: How much FoMoCo stock did y'all buy when it was selling for two bucks a share? I bought 5,000 shares, and it's now trading in the 13-15 dollar range.
This is the only stock I own, but it was sooo cheap, I decided to gamble, figuring that it would eventually rebound.
After procuring their fat loan, Alan Mullaly, FoMoCo's new prez and CEO asked the Gov't if FoMoCo could also get bailout bucks if necessary. But it tiurned out that it wasn't necessary.
Jaguar never made one red cent of profit for FoMoCo. Estimates are that FoMoCo lost 20 BILLION DOLLARS, just on Jaguar alone. Lawd only knows how many BILLIONS of dollars FoMoCo lost on Land Rover.
During the entire time that FoMoCo owned Land Rover, it made a profit in exactly one month!
Ford has now divested itself of 30% of Toyo Kogyo (Mazda), by selling it back to Mazda, retaining only 3%.
Ford is paying high interest rates on their 23.8 billion dollar loan, while Government Motors is paying a much lower rate on their bailout bucks.
btw: How much FoMoCo stock did y'all buy when it was selling for two bucks a share? I bought 5,000 shares, and it's now trading in the 13-15 dollar range.
This is the only stock I own, but it was sooo cheap, I decided to gamble, figuring that it would eventually rebound.
#38
12-02-2011, 08:24 AM
I am a big guy and all I have to say is after owning an 02 and 06 Dodge the seats suck. My 06 was the worst as the plastic around seat broke off first week. It was replaced twice in the 2 years I owned it. The upholstery clips failed and seat looked awful. Other than that I really like the trucks.
#41
12-02-2011, 06:50 PM
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I think the Dodge is the ugliest truck, I don't get why people think they look good.
What knocked Dodge out for me was the little back seat on the four door, and I am not about to get one of those super ultra mega limo cab things.
I was die hard for the Silverado, then on a business trip in Hawaii, I rented a 2011 5.0 liter four door. All I can say is it is no longer anything but the F-150. We took it in the jungle and on beaches and it never quit. On the freeways I was steady at 20 mpg (not that mpg matters, if I cared I would buy a prius) with cruise control at 65mph.
I am 6'2", and the back seat is amazing.
I currently am restoring a 56' F-100 and am actively looking for a 2011 F-150 to add to the stable. My CFO gave her approval on it as well, and we all know that's what really matters..
What knocked Dodge out for me was the little back seat on the four door, and I am not about to get one of those super ultra mega limo cab things.
I was die hard for the Silverado, then on a business trip in Hawaii, I rented a 2011 5.0 liter four door. All I can say is it is no longer anything but the F-150. We took it in the jungle and on beaches and it never quit. On the freeways I was steady at 20 mpg (not that mpg matters, if I cared I would buy a prius) with cruise control at 65mph.
I am 6'2", and the back seat is amazing.
I currently am restoring a 56' F-100 and am actively looking for a 2011 F-150 to add to the stable. My CFO gave her approval on it as well, and we all know that's what really matters..
#42
12-03-2011, 05:31 AM
My stepson's current and soon to be former employer has always used Dodges and Jeeps from the leasing agency. These cars and trucks are extremely well maintained and all have meticulous records.
Each one that he has had over the last 10 years has suffered transmission issues, internal engine problems and his Jeep has had major CVT problems. The company normally turns them in before they reach the 70K mark and apparently for very good reason. They are now leasing Fords of all sizes and seem to be having great luck with them.
The company that he's starting with this month has ordered him a 2012 Camry. They only use Toyota's of varying sizes and reportedly don't h ave any of the issues that the Dodge's and Jeeps are having.
Each one that he has had over the last 10 years has suffered transmission issues, internal engine problems and his Jeep has had major CVT problems. The company normally turns them in before they reach the 70K mark and apparently for very good reason. They are now leasing Fords of all sizes and seem to be having great luck with them.
The company that he's starting with this month has ordered him a 2012 Camry. They only use Toyota's of varying sizes and reportedly don't h ave any of the issues that the Dodge's and Jeeps are having.
#43
12-03-2011, 07:25 AM
I drove nothing but MoPars in the late 60's and early 70's. Yeah, I know I'm a geezer. But I can still row the gears in my 5 speed 5.0L Mustangs and know how to use the loud pedal. And I still cut a good light as well. But by the time I had my last MoPar, I got tired of putting trim back on, window regulators back together, and headliners back up. Chrysler made an excellent powertrain back then, but the bodies on their vehicles was junk. So I started driving Fords in the mid 70's after one bad experience with a Chevy. I drove that Chevy 1 year and took the loss and traded it on a Ford and never looked back and have had no regrets.
#44
12-03-2011, 08:36 AM
step(s)
1) buy an OBS ford
2) box the frame back to the bed
3) p-pump a 24v cummins, and install
4) buy a zf6, and install
5) convert to dana 60 front axle if not already equipped
6) install front/rear lockers
7) winch it
8) enjoy a 500 whp 20 mpg avg truck that will run forever and do everything a power wagon would off the pavement, and plenty more while still on the asphalt (like outrun a stock c6 corvette).
9)spend, at your leisure, the extra 20+k you saved vs buying one of these new overpriced pieces of complicated, poor mileage, gonna be expensive to fix in 5 years pieces of high tech garbage they call "modern trucks", while experiencing the enjoyment of driving the best truck on the planet that you built.
if i didnt have so many toys (have more than whats in my sig) i'd have somethin like this. no time, no money, no beer.