First of that generation. Correct, no crew cab, but let's just compare single cab then. :)

G

I'm sure the new one is bigger. What's the point?

Point is that there is zero trucks available the size the old mid size trucks were. Usually companies back fill with the smaller model growing up, but that's not happening.

Out where some of you live size is probably not an issue, but I do worry about parking and fuel economy - both not so great if you have a huge boat of a truck ...

G

We got the diesel Grand Cherokee. I can't say one bad thing about it. It really does get high 20's low 30's mileage with the 4x4. Taken it on some long road trips and its a thrill. Only thing I will suggest is getting one with coil suspension and not air. I had air in a Benz GL450 and it was awful. On the grand you can get the Jeep with steel springs in the limited models.

I get it, but you're asking for a truck that doesn't exist. Not a very useful way to truck shop. Your options are the big 1/2 tons, the 7/8 scale Canyon/Colorado, or the small Tacoma.

Dodge vs Ford
 

While the Dodge trucks have a lot going for them, especially the new small diesel, I like the F150 better. I have driven Ford trucks for the last several years and have found them to be comfortable and reliable. My current F150 is a standard cab (2 door) 4x4 with the 6.5 foot bed. It is short enough to be manageable in traffic and in parking lots but has a long enough bed to be really useful. It has the 5.0 Coyote engine and I have averaged right at 18 mpg over the life of the truck (2012 model) and have gotten as much as 23 mpg on the highway. The way my truck is equipped, it listed for about $37k back in 2012. When I bought it in September of that year, Ford was having their "End of the Model Year Closeout" sale so I got some bid discounts. Meanwhile, back to the Dodge trucks, one option that I like on them is the built in tool boxes on each side of the bed. That is a really good idea! Good luck on your hunt for a new truck!

Ill second the opinion that trucks have gotten huge. Buddy has a new F150 and its way longer (and just as wide) as my Unimog. Although I am slower and taller :D.... and have more gears...and PTOs front and rear...and two channel hydro... :D...

I get mocked for it being hot as hades though... and very loud. Projects, projects, projects!

Id also like to ask where the pickup truck went... I do miss my little old Nissan. My she RIP...drove it till it died of rust. Hauled a lot of crap in that little truck.

People have gotten huge. I have a buddy that bought a tundra because my Tacoma was too uncomfy.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

Back then the mid size was the Dakota. The F150 and Ram/GM 1500 trucks were all full size back then. Just not as full size as now. I think the confusion is you keep calling them mid size.

If you want a size in between compact and today's full size, the Colorado/Canyon are about the same size as the old day's full size.

Ummmmmm, it's a 3/4 ton truck, not a soccer mom PTA meeting McDonalds French-fry stained kiddy piano lesson commuter vehicle.


I'll still take my 488 cu in V10 gas motor thank you. A truck needs to be a truck. :D


1998, when I bought my truck cost $28500 new from the dealer, same equivlant truck today is almost $60-70K


I did the math back then buying new custom ordered, and the Cummings diesel was a $6500 engine option, will a little bit of fuel saving the diesel breaks even at 100K miles. only then you can brag about savings.........

Short beds 2WD need not apply.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1434504773.jpg



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1434504835.jpg


yes that is a 4500 pound camper loaded on the back. :)


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1434504902.jpg

Ok guys, since nobody told me to run, I took delivery yesterday!

2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel 4x4 Crew cab, 6.4' bed, white with just enough options not to look and feel like the local plumber.

I drove home in congested Bay Area traffic and averaged over 25mpg. In reviews I saw that their computer is pretty close to actual. The needle hasn't moved ...

First impressions are very good in terms of mechanicals and noise level / ride / brakes. The drivetrain is practically a Euro drivetrain and the transmission is a dream. The engine is very quiet, especially at speed. Even at the light, you have to roll down the window to realize you aren't in a gas truck. The controls are all no frill and intuitive. Good radio and bluetooth. The fit and finish is pretty rough - no sealing of crimped metal, cheap plastic on exterior, seams on interior materials etc. But that was expected. Luckily I live in a nice climate, so no worries about those seams rusting out. It will also be used as a daily driver / hunting / dog / camping truck, so it won't get any prettier anyway.

I bougth it in white - more choices in that color at the lower trim level and easy to refinish if needed. Also, nice and cool in the summer and a light weight slide in popup camper will fit the color scheme better that way.

Only issue so far is a chipped tailgate handle. Of course it is plastic ... I'll have to see if I want to bother with it. Some grease monkey is going to dig into my brand new tailgate from the inside - it is perfectly functional. Maybe I'll talk the dealer into sending me a replacement or I'll see if I can find a METAL one - god forbid. It has the backup camera, so may not be trivial.

Dealer talked me into an extended bumper to bumper warranty. It is a manufacturer's warranty and can be refunded if you don't tap into it. I figured it is cheap insurance. If anything goes that is at least 50% of the warranty, I'll go for it. If not, I can always fix little things myself.

I will keep you guys posted. When it is light out tomorrow, I'll snap a picture and send it along for you. I want to go take out a Kayak to the lake on Sunday for a test ride. Yes, a new kayak is next on the list :)

Special thanks to OWP for reviewing the specs of the truck, making sure I am not missing anything and not getting killed on price. I did an internet sale and just showed up to pay / pick it up. Most dealers would not deal by email - always saying to come to the lot and boy do they have a deal on a loaded $55k truck ... :rolleyes:

G

Congrats George! We will definitely need some pics.

Congrats! Hope it serves you well. That is one that has my interest piqued as well.

Sweet.

i have a few pokers in the fire, but once i settle down i will shop in that direction as well.

my tacoma is feeling really small these days.

I'm glad that you like your truck but from a financial standpoint, you bought the wrong truck. There is more than a $6500 difference today between your truck and a 1998 same model but with Cummins. Just from resale alone, you lose.

For most of your truck's life, diesel has been considerably cheaper than gas. In CA., where I live, it's currently about $1.00 a gallon cheaper than 87 octane. Your truck burns premium, if not mistaken, and gets about 8 mpg empty according to people I know who've owned one. Towing, it goes down to "you don't want to know".

My Cummins dually long bed extended cab of the same vintage gets an honest 20 mpg highway, (and nearly the same in town), with 4:10 gears! :eek: With a lot more torque down low and a longer lasting engine. Diesels are expensive up front but they always pay for themselves easily as long as you don't leave depreciation out of the equation. That is the single biggest expense on a big buck PU truck bought new, (and sometimes used). The fuel savings if driven much would be massive between my truck and yours.

I used to have a 2004 Ram 2500 diesel 4x4 and loved it , operating costs for a diesel are more than just fuel. Higher cost oil changes more expensive tires brakes etc all required for the HD rating. but now retired and don,t tow often so I bought a 2012 regular cab ,shortbox 4x4 F150. I have the 5.0 as you can,t get the ecoboost with a short wheelbase. They now have a 2.7 eco available with short but not in 2012.
The truck has been next to perfect BUT gas mileage is only about 16 combined and only climbs to about 19-20 on the highway at 65-75. Might see 21 if kept below 65.
I also didn,t want or need the backseat and size of most available full size trucks.
It,s almost impossible to find my combo, everything on the lot has a back seat

Everyone should get the truck they need for the job but the additional costs you mention for tires and brakes have nothing to do with having a Diesel engine vs. gas. They are a function of the weight rating of the truck, ie. 3/4 ton, 1 ton, etc. I own both gas and diesel trucks and maintenance is not much different. Oil changes are more on the diesels but less frequent and of course there are no plugs/wires/ignition. The poster above bought a V-10 gas HD truck that has 10 of everything and gets 7-8 mpg on premium 18 years ago and thinks it was the winning financial decision. That truck would sell for $2k on eBay today and if it was a Cummins, maybe $12k. Slight difference.

Sorry I realize tires etc are a function of GVWR and didn,t realize we were talking about a v10 gasser. .
I was only considering the comparison to the ecodiesel 1500 option. The diesel engine will still be heavier cast iron vs aluminum in most new gas engines (I also realize the duramax has alloy heads) requiring bigger brakes /tires etc for the added diesel engine weight alone , even if the truck isn,t rated any with a higher GVW.
A quick search the ecodiesel 1500 appears to weigh about 1000 lb more than the 6 cly gas version of the same truck which will either require bigger brakes and more expensive tires or will mean shorter life for the components which remain the same ,all adding to the operating costs.

Ram 1500 4x4 Crew ecodiesel.....6,091 lbs
"5,7 Hemi"...5,843 lbs
+/- 248lbs


Braking from 60 ... 134ft vs 122ft


Ram Tough Dilemma: Hemi vs. EcoDiesel