This might get alittle long so bare with me.

Yesterday, I was able to actually watch the whole NASCAR race at Martinsville. In that 5 hour span, I was able to watch the variety of commericials Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota have out there. I've come to the following conclusions, (keep in mind this is all my opinion ) In no particular order:

Ford commericials for the F-150. Two commerials detailing payload, towing weights, and the boxed frame example. Overall good commercials, they show the truck actually working. No mention of engine, transmission, or brakes. ( we might know why ) I take it Ford has upped the F-150 towing to 11,000 from I believe it was 9900 before? Would I buy one just based on the commercial? Yeah, probably. ( kinda bias )

Dodge commercials for the 1500 and 3500. Just one commericial and the biggest part that sticks out is the free Hemi option. No mention of payloads, towing, drivetrain ( except Hemi - they make other motors? ) or braking. It's pretty obvious Dodge is trying to sell the horse instead of both the horse and cart. Commercial was a joke. Their statement of most powerful and long lasting line of pickups is basically a farce now. Would I buy one? Hell no, I wouldn't want to get those pretty 20" rims dirty.

Toyota commericials for Tundra. Four of them altogether, actually shows the truck doing something. ( wether believeable or not ) mentions payload, towing, engine, brakes, and "larger rear axle". ( how large we don't know ) No mention of frame. We have all seen the Tundra commercials so I that's all I'm going to say. Would I buy one from watching the commericials? Maybe, and a big maybe because the looks still don't really sell it for me.

And last and certainly very least, the Silverado. One commerical and after seeing this commercial amillion times, it really doesn't seem that Chevy is trying to sell a truck. They are promoting John Mellancamp more than anything, and killing the song to boot. ( I'm sure we all remember Bob Seger's Like a Rock ). This viewer concentrates more on the visions of Americanna than on the actual 2 seconds of truck you see. Make no mention of anything on the truck except for the fact that it gets better mileage. Would I buy one? Nope, I don't need a truck that doesn't look like it should get dirty, I'm sure there are some soccer Mom's out there that might find it more useful than say, a contractor.

Lastly, out of the Ram 3500, HD Chevy, and new Super Duty commercials, Ford wins hands down. Except if you need to tow a train, then the Duramax and Allison combination are tough to beat. Ford is the only one that mentions any #'s on towing, payload, and tq.

Sorry so winded. Let me know what you all think.

 

I like Ford's commercial where they show racing cars through history, including Kenseth's Fusion, Thunderbolt, GT40 ...

 

I have to say the Chevy commercials are pretty decent. I have a Ford and love it, however I did not grow up in an area where there was a Ford/Chevy bias. As someone that could be considered an average consumer, I bet that Chevy commercial is effective. Makes you feel kinda warm inside. LOL Yes I like my Ford better and would never change.

 

I also like that Ford Commerical where the F150 or F100 is being tossed out of an airplane. That was cool and built ford tough

 

The odd thing I noticed about the Ford commercials is the inconsistency between the F150 and Super duty commercials regarding the frame. The brag about the F-150s boxed frame in their towing commercial but when they show the Super Duty commercial talking about the new and stronger frame, it appears to not be a boxed frame.

Anyone else notice it?

 

No I didn't notice, but I will keep my eyes open next time!

 

The new Ford commercials are great with Mike Row from Dirty Jobs and other various Discovery channel shows.

 

Smiggy..............good reports on all the commericials.

One comment on the Mellencamp/Chevy brain washing;

I'm sure you've noticed more than a "few" FTE members who feel somehow patriotic for buying Fords. I think GM is going right for the throat of those zombies.

I'm waiting for the old "Hot dog, apple pie and Chevrolet" commericial with a family exiting a Korean built Aveo. (or Japenese built Chevy Tracker)

 

Mr Os, I've been preaching that for 6 weeks aprox..........The Super Duty Frame is the same architecture as the Tundra;

1st third is boxed

Next 3rd is reinforced C-channel

Last 3rd is C-channel.

My personal opinion is if that design is good enough for a Super Duty, it's good enough for a 1/2 ton.


Prior to '05, both Ford's 150(heritage) and Super Duty didn't use ANY boxed sections in the frame!!

 

Am I missing something here on the frame design? Isn't it pretty obvious that on a weight per linear foot basis, a boxed design is stronger?

 

Hey Chevrolet, brag all you want about those old phony EPA gas mileage figures, we all know better, and soon so shall you!

Beginning with the 2008 models, The EPA has set new guidelines on mileage figures, the first change since 1984. The testing has changed, also for the first time since 1984. The US Congress ordered the EPA to make these changes.


Guess what company lobbied hard to keep the figures at the 1984 level?

Did you say GM?

BINGO!

 

People key in on free things, they love the word....makes them sit up and

 

It uses a 10.5" ring gear. Same size as the Super Duty.

 

I 100% agree............but who here ACTUALLY knows the cross-section thickness, weight, psi.....etc....



I would absolutely, blindly want the Ford frame with the Toy powertrain.....BUT, I can't for the life of me find fault with a design that is CURRENTLY being used by Fords BIGGER trucks and a design that has been used since the beginning of time sans the boxed front section.



My '01 Super Duty is 100% C-channel, the frame has held up just fine.

My son's '02 Ranger is ONLY boxed in the front (like the Current SD and Tundra) that truck has seen jumps in excess of 6' high.....it should be in a Ford commercial.....even without a fully boxed frame.

 

Mr Os, I've been preaching that for 6 weeks aprox..........The Super Duty Frame is the same architecture as the Tundra;

Same basic architecture... lot different in actual construction.
In between your schedule for saving lives , park your backside underneath a Tundra and an 08 SD, look at things like crossmember strength, location, fastener size etc.

It will become pretty obvious, who has been building America's most popular pickups for years... and who is a newcomer...
hehe