I saw the commercial yesterday, they had a Titan pulling a boat over taking a Hemi Ram pulling a camper going up a hill, with the V-8 sound effects in the background.

 

I've seen a bunch of commercials. Almost 400 ft./lbs. of torque, a 5-speed auto. tranny, Modified Dana axles front and rear, the largest factory tires available, etc. I think they've already thrown a lot of punches.

Ford claims to be changing the game with the new F-150. I say the Titan is the one truly changing the game, because the Big Three are going to have to REACT to the Titan for the '05 model year.

I'm not saying the Titan is a better truck. I'm just saying it's the one setting the benchmark this year.

 

It's only got 14lbs. difference in tq., smaller axles (Titan 8.5" to F-150 9.75" ring gear), and tires are one of those infinitely variable things that can alter performance at all levels.

Yes, I do agree that it will cause some tweaking/tuning to be done to the domestics and some other minor things, but the only thing significant about the Nissan is the body. The 5-speed auto won't play much of an effect on anything other than maybe gas mileage, towing, I don't really see where that would be an advantage, now for speed, yes, it will make a difference in racing, but I don't believe that it was designed for racing.

I think that the Titan is for Nissan to actually gain superiority over Toyota for once. Toyota is almost down for the count in the horsepower/tq. race, as well as load ratings and physical size.

 

according to their website it has a 2.94 or optional 3.35 axle ratio... and, man, it's ugly. And you can't get a nice plain (cheap) work truck. Oh, and I'd rather have a vehicle they make a million of a year, instead of less than 100k (parts, service, etc.)

 

How can it be capable of 9500lb. towing capy. with only a 3.35 ratio???? Sure it will out run everything out there, but with that kinda gearing, it wouldn't be good but for maybe 6,500lbs.

I'd like to see it actually hook up to a 9,500lb. trailer. At least the Ford is optional with 4.10's, Dodge's option 3.92, and Chevy's option I think has 4.10's and I don't know the optional one for Toyota.

 

The five speed auto. allows it to use a taller (3.35) final gear ratio and still tow like a champ. The tranny has more gears to choose from, therefore it's better suited for acceleration when you're empty, towing when you're not, and it should improve fuel economy too.

Ford has used a 5-speed auto. in the smaller half-ton trucks (like mine) for a long time. Why they don't put it in the full-size models I have no clue.

 

The Titan's 5-speed gearing and 3.35 rear end are supposed to be equal to a 4.10 with a 4-speed auto.

 

But if the 5th gear is overdrive, doesn't that defeat the purpose of having it?

 

I don't understand what you mean. With the 5-speed you've still got 4 gears to tug and pull with just like the F-150, except they can be actually lower ratio since there is an additional gear for highway cruising.

 

The big question continues to be: will TRUCK buyers go for the Titan? We tend to be a rather loyal bunch of customers. Nissan could hang $100 bills all over it and there are people who wouldn't buy it, 'cause it's an import. Their market lies among people that haven't owned a pickup before, or have owned a Nissan/ Toyota/ Mazda/ Isuzu compact truck. I'm sure it's a very good truck, I just don't think it's ASTONISHING enough to get Ford/ GM/ Dodge buyers to switch over.

 

Mark, gotta disagree with ya bro'. The Titan is more American made than my Screw. It was designed in California and is made in Mississippi. All components are made here as well. But I agree about owner loyalty. I have yet to see one on the street and the ones that were on the lots last month are still there with more stacked up behind. If you put a pencil to it, they are not cheaper than a Ford. Their list price is lower but factor in the 6% interest against Fords 0% interest and the Ford is the same or cheaper. Now, if I could just find somebody to buy my 02 SCrew................

 

Flash,
When you say you have yet to see one on the street... I'm assuming you're speaking of the Titan. Mississippi dealerships are not getting them in quick enough to meet the demand. I live in Madison, MS and I drive into Jackson every morning to work. The day after they hit the showroom floor I saw a woman driving North on I-55 in a new Titan. That is the only one I've seen on the street so far. Saturday I was out doing some Christmas shopping and was on the way home when I noticed the dealership had ONE on the lot. I turned around and went back just to look at it and a guy that builds the bodies of those trucks at the Nissan plant bought the friggin thing while I was standing there looking at it. He walked up and told the salesman to find out how much his VIP discount would be. I just left. Before I did, however I got to look at it enough to know that I didn't like the way the doors felt when you shut them (King Cab). That would not dissuade me from buying one, however, since I want the crew cab anyway. I have noticed that the Tundra is now being offered in a 4-door flavor as well, but I'm a little disappointed with the fact that the engine size is a liter smaller. I eventually would like to pull a small fifth wheel with whatever truck I get, and I think the Nissan would handle it better. All I know is, is that I have an Explorer now, and I'm still not convinced that the domestic automobile companies have caught up with the foreign companies in terms of dependability and longevity.

 

No wonder the Nissans are funky looking. Designed in California. The big money still goes back to Japan. They are built and designed here because designs are suppose to attrack our big truck purchasing dollars and it is cheaper to make the trucks here (pay the workers less and avoid tariffs). Nice trucks, but I agree they would need alot more to convert alot of loyalist.

 

Where is the dependability and longevity of these foreign cars??? I have yet to see one to be as reliable as some of their American counterparts. I do agree that the foreigners have the small car category about licked (like Hondas), but as far as trucks are concerned, they have a long ways to go. Last one my grandfather had, a Nissan Hardbody, blew a head gasket at 25,000 miles. They need to stay where they belong, in the small car category.

 

do you know if thats a solid front axle WXboy? if it is they already scored good points with me. thats something thats really bugs me about the big three,in their quest for a 'carlike ride'.