The single best Truck?

[Sportin' Wood]

@angiebaby and I have been thinking about buying a second vehicle. When we sold most everything in spring 2021, we figured we would start repurchasing stuff in 2023. The last 18 months are the first time we have not owned multiple vehicles in our marriage. It's been nice to deal with one car, save for #ThisDamnRv.

The car payment thread made me think about what new trucks have that I can't live without. While nice, I could not think of a new truck except the Power Wagon, which is $75K at the local dealer in Havasu and gets about 12MPG, I am told.

So this leads me to the question of used trucks and which truck do you think is the single best make, model, and year? Why?

I understand each person has different needs, so I suspect we won't all agree, but I'm curious about what others might think. I'm not sure I can settle on one, but I can settle on a pretty short list. However, for this thread, you have to pick one.

Here is mine: (subject to change)
2002 Ford F350 FX4 7.3 PSD Lariet Shortbed Supercab two-tone green and tan with tan interior.
A unicorn, but I have seen these in the F350 variant. More common in F250. The F250 might be a wise selection as it may save a few bucks on registration. I would swap axles for 2005 later super-duty axles, and switch out the front leaf springs to coil springs to improve the turning radius. I like the short-bed super cab because I've owned a few different versions of the F-series over the years, but never this configuration. All of them seemed hard to park, so my perception is I get the weight payload in a shorter truck. This model truck has a stellar interior package when you get a Lariat. Mine held up very well. The XLT, not so much. I found one of these trucks for sale with just under 160K miles; if it is still for sale after the holiday, I may go buy it. It requires us to travel multiple days to make the purchase. I'm guessing about 15MPG at best.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

A late aughts or early teens Toyota Tundra crew max, with less than 100k and Limited trim.

The problem is it won't fit in the garage, and it is a PITA around here to have vehicle outside in the winter. But if I buy a truck it will be one of those.

 

[petie6464]

Sort answer:

Ram 2nd Gen. 12- valve 5-speed. Best truck ever made.

Obnoxiously noisy, blows smoke, and will run forever.

 

[Your ad here]

The 99-03 Superduty trucks with a 7.3. Overall a good truck. Paint, interior, chassis, and drivetrain minus the 4R100 can stand the test of time when treated with respect. Many clean high mileage trucks out there still.
I will say a non DPF Duramax pickup is on the same level as the 7.3.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Any 06-07 GM GMT800. Any combination you choose gas or Duramax Diesel.

 

[bilz]

Very interesting question. This should be fun.
Not a big three guy. Been bitten by them a few times.
Toyota Tundra all the way. Unless you need to tow over 10k, it does everything well. My only experience is with the 4.7 and 5.7 V8s. I like the simple interiors. Not a bells and whistles person. My 07 with a 5.7 has been pretty flawless. Paint on the hood had gone away, but that's thanks to epa paint regs. Brakes ,two batteries and a starter, that's it.

 

[Your ad here]

Sort answer:

Ram 2nd Gen. 12- valve 5-speed. Best truck ever made.

Obnoxiously noisy, blows smoke, and will run forever.

The engine will stand the test of time but the rest of the truck won't, in non snowbelt environments. Thats the downfall of those trucks.

 

[NicPaus]

Mini truck 2005 Tundra.
Truck 2006 Duramax.
Turning radius and ride quality is the negative part of the 7.3 Ford.

 

[sintax]

Any 06-07 GM GMT800. Any combination you choose gas or Duramax Diesel.

Yup!

LBZ

 

[RichL]

The one that never breaks down.

I believe it's called a "Pipedream ".

 

[adam909]

06 chevy lbz/Allison

 

[Lumpy]

Currently have a 2003 F250 Crew Cab SB with the 7.3 and leather...love this truck. Yes the turning radius sucks but I bought it to hall my 270 so.
Had a 1997 2nd gen Dodge w/ 12 valve 5 speed...total unicorn. Only reason I sold it was because of a bad knee...clutching for a weekend and i'd be hurting for a week.
Both engines are incredible...I'd say of the two the 12valve would be less problematic due to the 7.3 electronics but as long as you know what to look for the 7.3 is bulletproof as well. Would love to due the front spring swap but just can't justify spending the money for what I use it for.
As for the Duramax I've never owned one but my Dad had one for several years...an 2007. Bad ass truck, the only issue I remember hearing about the the Duramax was apparently they had some injector issues but most likely they have been corrected since. All in all ya can't go wrong with most of the pre DEF stuff.

 

[4Waters]

Honda Ridgeline drop

 

[USMC2010]

Anything needing def should never hit this list.

 

[hallett21]

Anything needing def should never hit this list.

My DEF truck just hit 180k and it’s only needed oil changes and a AC fan blower motor.

 

[FreeBird236]

Another vote for Tundra. 07 with 68,000, oil changes, batteries and a serpentine belt.

 

[River Runnin]

Here's a page full!! https://www.truckpaper.com/listings...S90R0w65G2_K-CXjzwSEqOX1cse-pN_xoCjaoQAvD_BwE

 

[T frog]

I have a 2002 f350 7.3 CC long bed. I would like to convert to 05 springs and axles. The transmission is a weak link but you could have that built to handle. Mine works just fine. For as much as I use this truck there's NO WAY I could justify buying a newer truck. This is paid for and costs me very little. I think the newer trucks are incredible just so expensive. This is our third 7.3 in 25 years and the best one.

 

[BIGRED9158]

Honda Ridgeline drop

No Nissan Titan

 

[Dunerking]

MC 3rd Gen 5.9 CTD with the palm shaker!
I wish mine was a MC but when I bought this a MC was $10-15k more. Didn’t need the MC that bad.
Just turned 100,000 miles. Full Carli 2.5” King system with all the bonuses. I’ve tried to address the main issues like the swapping out the unit bearing with free spinning hubs,and the steering issues with Synergy parts. Had this truck for 14 years with the intent to hold onto for a long time.
Next project is to upgrade the interior with 4th Gen front,rear Limited seats and add the center console.

 

[petie6464]

The engine will stand the test of time but the rest of the truck won't, in non snowbelt environments. Thats the downfall of those trucks.

300k on my current and 600 on my last one says that's false.

 

[attitude]

Not a single mention of Truck Norris aka the almighty F150?

 

[NicPaus]

Another vote for Tundra. 07 with 68,000, oil changes, batteries and a serpentine belt.

05 has 200k miles more. Oil changes, brakes and a seal.

Great Trucks! It's the oldest 1 in my fleet. 8' gets best mpg out of the 4.

 

[Long Way Home]

I had a 2017 Toyota 4x4 tundra with no complaints, sold at 145K miles and purchase a 2021 Toyota 4x4 tundra still no complaints.

 

[Racey]

The 7.3 was a great motor for it's time, the biggest complaint is that shitty transmission it had. It's like an old turbo 400, just feels spongy and lethargic compared to a modern closed loop electronic shifting automatic...

I drive an LB7 and i still think the best powerplant is a pre DEF cummins. Also the solid axle front end is superior to Chevy's IFS setup IMO. They all have their ups and downs, Chevy's biggest upside was the Allison but that's irrelevant now with modern offerings from either Ford or Dodge.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

300k on my current and 600 on my last one says that's false.

That’s because you don’t eat anything in it.

 

[Your ad here]

300k on my current and 600 on my last one says that's false.

So no cracks in the dash or ripped apart door panels, ripped seats, loose headliner, original paint, exterior plastic still intact? I've yet to see a 2nd gen with a dash that isn't cracked.

 

[Xring01]

Sort answer:

Ram 2nd Gen. 12- valve 5-speed. Best truck ever made.

Obnoxiously noisy, blows smoke, and will run forever.

yeah, but the Trannys fail every 150-200K miles… Unless you break out the $$$ and build a HD one…
Then factor in rebuilding the entire front end and steering systems every so often.
My son just sold his 2001 Ram 4x4, that I gave him… So I know these trucks well.
Yes, then engine is probably the most reliable engine ever made, its the rest of the truck that gets ya.

 

[petie6464]

So no cracks in the dash or ripped apart door panels, ripped seats, loose headliner, original paint, exterior plastic still intact? I've yet to see a 2nd gen with a dash that isn't cracked.

Yeah with a combined 900,000 miles under my belt in these two trucks that cracked dash in one of them was a real heartbreaker..

You must be a Ford guy, how them Glow Plugs treating ya'?

 

[petie6464]

yeah, but the Trannys fail every 150-200K miles… Unless you break out the $$$ and build a HD one…
Then factor in rebuilding the entire front end and steering systems every so often.
My son just sold his 2001 Ram 4x4, that I gave him… So I know these trucks well.
Yes, then engine is probably the most reliable engine ever made, its the rest of the truck that gets ya.

Read 5 speed..

 

[Xring01]

This thread has pretty good timing for me..
This has been something I have been considering..

Question really becomes are you looking for 1500 or a 2500…

If I needed a 1500 for towing needs.. then I would buy a 2002-2007 GMC 4 Door 4x4 and build a 6.2 for it and call it a day…

If a 2500 is needed, then I would consider the same year GMC with a Duramax or…. A 2005 or 2006 Ram 2500 4x4 and hopefully have enough money for a Allison Conversion…

I WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY DIESEL WITH DEF SYSTEM OR PRE CATALYST SYSTEMS. Way to much shit to break.

 

[Xring01]

Read 5 speed..

You still have all the steering and front end issues…
The pictures above… Thats $5000 in parts… PARTS… not labor..

At 300,000 miles the steering wheel had 3” of play before the wheels moved. Sloppy isn’t even the correct word for how bad the steering systems are in these trucks.

Yes, replacing all the parts fixed alot of it, but it still had slop and maybe 1” of play.

This is a very well known problem in these trucks with tons of Youtube content on ways to try and fix it.

A a key reason why I prefer a Gen 3 with 5.9…

 

[rivermobster]

@angiebaby and I have been thinking about buying a second vehicle. When we sold most everything in spring 2021, we figured we would start repurchasing stuff in 2023. The last 18 months are the first time we have not owned multiple vehicles in our marriage. It's been nice to deal with one car, save for #ThisDamnRv.

The car payment thread made me think about what new trucks have that I can't live without. While nice, I could not think of a new truck except the Power Wagon, which is $75K at the local dealer in Havasu and gets about 12MPG, I am told.

So this leads me to the question of used trucks and which truck do you think is the single best make, model, and year? Why?

I understand each person has different needs, so I suspect we won't all agree, but I'm curious about what others might think. I'm not sure I can settle on one, but I can settle on a pretty short list. However, for this thread, you have to pick one.

Here is mine: (subject to change)
2002 Ford F350 FX4 7.3 PSD Lariet Shortbed Supercab two-tone green and tan with tan interior.
A unicorn, but I have seen these in the F350 variant. More common in F250. The F250 might be a wise selection as it may save a few bucks on registration. I would swap axles for 2005 later super-duty axles, and switch out the front leaf springs to coil springs to improve the turning radius. I like the short-bed super cab because I've owned a few different versions of the F-series over the years, but never this configuration. All of them seemed hard to park, so my perception is I get the weight payload in a shorter truck. This model truck has a stellar interior package when you get a Lariat. Mine held up very well. The XLT, not so much. I found one of these trucks for sale with just under 160K miles; if it is still for sale after the holiday, I may go buy it. It requires us to travel multiple days to make the purchase. I'm guessing about 15MPG at best.

At best. You'll need a good tuner to get that MPG.

The other problem is...

I can't drive 55!

 

[CLdrinker]

What do you need this truck to do? Primary use?
Budget?
Asking opinions about who thinks what is best just brings out the brand nut huggers.

I have had over 20 vehicles (I’m 43)
Every brand has been a piece of shit.
Every brand has been great.

The luck of the draw and how you care for it makes more difference than the name on the grill.

 

[petie6464]

You still have all the steering and front end issues…
The pictures above… Thats $5000 in parts… PARTS… not labor..

At 300,000 miles the steering wheel had 3” of play before the wheels moved. Sloppy isn’t even the correct word for how bad the steering systems are in these trucks.

Yes, replacing all the parts fixed alot of it, but it still had slop and maybe 1” of play.

This is a very well known problem in these trucks with tons of Youtube content on ways to try and fix it.

A a key reason why I prefer a Gen 3 with 5.9…

When you know these trucks you know the easy fixings. With my first truck I rebuilt the front end @ 350,000 miles. With my current one I rebuilt the front end and upgraded to a 4th Gen. Tie rod and drag link. Yeah I know they don't fit, we'll they do you just have to figure it out. New ball joints, steering box, control arms and radius rod and good as new. Was less than $800.

You bought a bunch of bolt on gizmos with those fancy drilled/coated rotors, Bilstien shocks, coils etc. All nice looking overpriced junk.

 

[81Sprint]

I love my 02 F350 7.3. Bought it from the original owners son after he passed away. It was babied, only had 98k miles and so well taken care of I probably paid a little too much but it was one of those deals. The son even called me after I paid him and headed home trying to buy it back! I put some wheels and tires on it and a few performance upgrades, it is no speed demon but slow and steady wins the race. I’ve been waiting for 3 months for an Icon 4” lift with 2.5 adjustable reservoir shocks, can’t wait!

 

[Xring01]

When you know these trucks you know the easy fixings. With my first truck I rebuilt the front end @ 350,000 miles. With my current one I rebuilt the front end and upgraded to a 4th Gen. Tie rod and drag link. Yeah I know they don't fit, we'll they do you just have to figure it out. New ball joints, steering box, control arms and radius rod and good as new. Was less than $800.

You bought a bunch of bolt on gizmos with those fancy drilled/coated rotors, Bilstien shocks, coils etc. All nice looking overpriced junk.

I didnt buy a damn thing.. LOL..
Thats my sons truck.. that he spent his $$$ and installing all new parts upgraded to newer gen steering system and all the 4x4 off roading parts.

I will admit, it road infinitely better, with the new springs shocks bushing etc etc etc. Basicallly everything was brand new.

But I didnt have to do any of that on my 2002 GMC Duramax. That truck had practically zero steering slop with 250,000 miles, compared to my 2001 Dodge when it was brand new.

I love the Cummins 5.9 and I prefer the Gen 3/4 front ends. My statements are not throwing all rams under the bus.. My statements are Gens 2 are not the Cats Meow. There are better ones in my opinion.

 

[Your ad here]

Yeah with a combined 900,000 miles under my belt in these two trucks that cracked dash in one of them was a real heartbreaker..

You must be a Ford guy, how them Glow Plugs treating ya'?

Glow plugs are fine. I'm guessing you have one of them big C stickers on your rear window and always towing a ghost trailer?

 

[hallett21]

Sold my generation 1 tundra 4x4 limited 4.7 with 425k. Never had the motor or transmission touched.

 

[pronstar]

We’ve got a 2018 Suburban.
Paid for.

Was in Colorado on business over the summer, rented a brand new Yukon XL, step below a Denali.

Sure, it was nice.
But not nice enough to justify a $1000/month car payment.

 

[Desert Whaler]

For my needs, my 2006 Tundra 2WD w/ 4.7 has been money.
Just about to turn 70K miles . . . so just getting broken in.
It drives/ rides nice, no creeks, whistles, or rattles . . . super tight.
I get that it's just a bigger Tacoma w/ 2 more cylinders & doesn't even come close to the 'Big 3'. . . but it works for Me & it's paid for.

 

[hallett21]

For my needs, my 2006 Tundra 2WD w/ 4.7 has been money.
Just about to turn 70K miles . . . so just getting broken in.
It drives/ rides nice, no creeks, whistles, or rattles . . . super tight.
I get that it's just a bigger Tacoma w/ 2 more cylinders & doesn't even come close to the 'Big 3'. . . but it works for Me & it's paid for.

View attachment 1181433

70k lol. It’s brand new!!

 

[Roosky01]

Any best truck discussion has to include a 300 straight-six with a granny low 4-speed trans. I cant think of much else that encompasses the term "bulletproof", IMO...

 

[throttle]

This came up for discussion at work earlier today... It was mentioned while looking at forums for different makes and models of trucks that they all had some problems... However, none noted in the Tundra forums . Been pretty happy with my Tundra (97k mi). But never had any issues with my Chevy before it either and it had over 200k miles.

 

[arch stanton]

i have 450,000 on my 97 12 valve i have repainted it twice metallic blue should have a clear coat first repaint i went cheap and i knew better
3 tranmission 2 rear ends 1 fuel pump at 420,000 about 380,000 replaced dash and heater core and ac evaporator
i replaced front axel about 300,000 because a friend totaled his 2001 dodge and the brakes are better and it turns better and i think the ball joints are better
i have had no problems with the doors or power windows or power seats
i also upgraded the rear brakes to disc
if you own anything long enough you will wear it out or find the weak points
one good thing about the dodge trucks is the Turbo Diesel Register has been around decades and has all the information on how to fix and upgrade your truck to me more dependable
edit i forget i replaced the front springs last year with ones with about 1 1/2 inch taller ride height the old ones had sagged or worn out it now rides way better due to not hitting the bump stops all the time also replaced steering column because the bearing had worn out

 

[brgrcru]

2006 duramax Allison 370k miles
A few repairs here and there, ball joints , brakes
That’s it .
Just refurbed the entire interior.

 

[FreeBird236]

i have 450,000 on my 97 12 valve i have repainted it twice metallic blue should have a clear coat first repaint i went cheap and i knew better
3 tranmission 2 rear ends 1 fuel pump at 420,000 about 380,000 replaced dash and heater core and ac evaporator
i replaced front axel about 300,000 because a friend totaled his 2001 dodge and the brakes are better and it turns better and i think the ball joints are better
i have had no problems with the doors or power windows or power seats
i also upgraded the rear brakes to disc
if you own anything long enough you will wear it out or find the weak points
one good thing about the dodge trucks is the Turbo Diesel Register has been around decades and has all the information on how to fix and upgrade your truck to me more dependable
edit i forget i replaced the front springs last year with ones with about 1 1/2 inch taller ride height the old ones had sagged or worn out it now rides way better due to not hitting the bump stops all the time also replaced steering column because the bearing had worn out
View attachment 1181441 View attachment 1181442

You'd probably get by with less repairs if you weren't carrying around that front bumper. Cool truck though.

 

[copterzach]

Trying to get this ‘87 bought. Ranch has a pair of them. Both have about 35,000 miles each. They were bought brand new. Had dealer add quail rigs and brought to the ranch.

 

[Dunerking]

^^^^^ Prime candidate for 12v compound turbo palm shaker swap!

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Trying to get this ‘87 bought. Ranch has a pair of them. Both have about 35,000 miles each. They were bought brand new. Had dealer add quail rigs and brought to the ranch.


View attachment 1181508









View attachment 1181509 View attachment 1181510

These are on my shortlist. I owned one with a snow plow that I had planned to steal all the running gear out of because the body was beaten to shit, but I guy offered me stupid money for it less snow plow, and I sold both for a healthy profit. Great trucks. Good luck getting this; I would say these are a pretty rare find.