I didnt mention the '98-'03 F-150's. I hate that design. The grille was dwarfed by the large bumpers, the nose sloped WWAAAYYY too much, and what was up with the back of the cab where the box starts????? I just couldnt get what Ford was thinking with that design. The new truck is worlds ahead of the last generation.

I've never found the steering wheels controls hard to use.

 

Ford has a HUGE job to try and keep the styling well in the SD. I would make the hood a little less sloped, and keep the big beefy Tonka-like grilles. What is the GMT900?

 

GMT900 is the replacement to the current Silverado (the GMT800). We'll see the Suburban/Tahoe first, but they share platforms. This time around, the truck may sport a different front end- more truckish compared to the SUV's (the "softer" less aggressive styling sells in the SUV market).

re: steering controls. On the Chevy's/GMC's, the driver info center and vehicle electronic settings are done by scrolling the menu through buttons on the steering wheel. It's fairly logical, but cumbersome to use while driving.
As I get older, I realize many of these designers don't wear bi-focals or have middle-aged eyes. A myriad of tiny buttons is really a nuisance. Don't get me started on my cell phone (I truly despise my new one).

 

I thought you guys were talking about the Ford steering controls, got mixed up. Thanks Polar. If I'm reading something wrong again, plz let me know,(its late, can you tell?) but are you saying that the current model of Chevy is the largest selling in history??

 

That's right- the largest selling model in GM's history. Remember you've got Silverados, Sierras, Tahoes, Suburbans, Yukons, Escalades, Avalanche, and HD series riding on that platform. It all adds up to almost 2 million units a year. That platform has been out for almost 6 model years, and it beat the sales of the prior bodystyle, which was out for 12 years. GM's figures are deceptive, because sales are spread around multiple divisions.

That's the part that really confuses Ford people- for all the criticism of GM's Full-size truck line, it's been a successful product line. GM's problems are in passenger cars- and they are many.

 

AAHHHH...... Ok I see where all this confusion comes from now. I've always saw it as Ford trucks VS Gm trucks in PICK-UPS for sales numbers, but now I can see it includes all SUV sales as well. Thats where the 1:1 ratio came from correct? I was confused by the GMT900 thing, because I had thought the platform changed on the trucks, but it didnt, it was just a design change. Excluding all Ford and GM SUV's, the truck sales numbers are in Fords favor. That's where they confusion lies I believe, people hear the word truck, and dont consider GM's multiple lines of SUVs. At least for me it was, thanks Polar.

 

To be honest Ford US aren't exactly well endowed in that department either...

 

Why is this so hard for some to fathom…yea I know…no rhetorical questions allowed

 

If it's any help, I sometimes wonder how well GM keeps track...

 

Most people when they hear the word "truck" think of pick-ups. Not every single GM category that they concocted up to be "competitve". That's why when someone(such as Polar) states that Ford and GM really arnt that far apart on sales in trucks, people go into fight mode.

 

Well if everybody thinks that the 97-03 body style on the Ford is bad. What about the current Chevy styling on there trucks. 2003 to current. That front end does not match that truck one bit.. Whoever designed that was definitly having a off day. I noticed now GM has put a bulge back in the hood off there HDs. You know its hard to match a superduties looks. Its perfect. I believe the superduty has a better fit and finish then any GM truck right now. Seems like most GM trucks of late develop rattles and squeaks in the dash that will drive you nuts. I knopw Ive ridden in some off them. My superduty has no rattles or squeaks nothing same as other Ford trucks off the past. And brakes well lets say GM is lacking in that department. My truck has great brakes and much better feel to the pedal when you apply them. Dont have to push the pedal to the floor.to stop. GM has a long way to go to catch up with Ford on truck quality. But thats my opinion and mine only. But people are loyal to GM because they think there the best. But they better not drive a Ford you will really see the weaknesses off a Gm truck if you do. Sorry but GM can do better on there truck quality as well as Ford and Dodge.

 

I like the 97 body style, I have a bunch of Ford trucks, and my 97 is the prettiest one, at least IMO...I love my 78 F-250, and I love my 67 F-100, and I love my 69 F-250, but my 97 beats them all in the looks department...Tons of people gawk at the 69, it's a really pretty truck, but I think the 97 F-150 looks a lot better...I always loved the two tone green/tan that it has, though, so maybe I'm partial to the color scheme, but I think a truck can look good and still work like the dickens...
I do think the new Chevys are prettier than the older ones, I hated the box look that they had for the longest time through the late 80s..I didn't really think the Fords of that era were all that pretty, either, I mean, I know it's a truck, but it doesn't have to look just like two boxes on a frame (even though that's what it is). I do think the unibrow marker light on the Chevy is a pretty ugly, but I don't like the grill or the headlights, either...The Dodges just look like a largemouth bass, and it got worse with their latest face lift...

 

I should have re-phrased that- I'm not fond of the '97-'03 Bodystyle. Again, my father-in-Law loves his, so that's a taste issue. I like the big 'ol square I'm a Ford Truck" look from frior (and current) years. It's a personal thing. re: Current Silverado styling. I think I've already mentioned I've yet talked to anyone that prefers the new front end to the pre-2003 nose, but it hasn't slowed down the sales of the truck at all, so it can't be that big of an issue. I posted Aprils numbers ina separate thread.

re: Quality. Can't speak for Dodge, but GM has nothing to apologize for on the current truck line. Problems are few and far between, and most surveys I've seen that objectively document quality and reliability issues bear this out. If you find one that doesn't, I'd love to see it. The Ford side of this particular piece of Real Estate seems to be pretty happy too lately.

 

my dad's 02 has 0 interior squeaks or rattles. also don't get me started on breaks. you may not like the feel of the peddle but those 4 wheel disk brakes will stop a lot more than the old superduty breaks not to mention they last a lot longer.

 

Ive heard different. Several people have had to replace there brakes and rotors at low miles. They just changed there brakes off all the trouble they have been having with them. Superduty has way better brakes.