Anyone owns pickups?

[Andrew69913]

Canopies are worth the purchase, yes for security but I'm mainly thinking about storage, particularly in seasons with lots of precipitation. They are also rather light these days and fairly easy to remove, provided you have a place to temporarily store the canopy. I've even done it alone, finding the center of balance and carrying it around like a giant tortoise lol. As for make and model....whatever floats your boat!! Basic rule of thumb, more power = higher fuel consumption, so just find the balance that suits your needs.

 

[DrunkWhenSober]

Canopies are worth the purchase, yes for security but I'm mainly thinking about storage, particularly in seasons with lots of precipitation. They are also rather light these days and fairly easy to remove, provided you have a place to temporarily store the canopy. I've even done it alone, finding the center of balance and carrying it around like a giant tortoise lol. As for make and model....whatever floats your boat!! Basic rule of thumb, more power = higher fuel consumption, so just find the balance that suits your needs.

True. Canopies sound like a must in Raincouver. I don't need anything with too much power since I don't tow or do off-road.

 

[Andrew69913]

True. Canopies sound like a must in Raincouver. I don't need anything with too much power since I don't tow or do off-road.

In that case, I believe FORD trucks give the most value for dollar.

 

[sybian]

I’ve owned them all, and killed every one of them.....all diesels.
Dodge, good for the bush because of the more basic running gear, and clearance, and the Cummins will start no matter what.....bad transmissions ,went through 5 of them at 350,000 klms, weak front ends, after the second rebuild I went all NAPA, and it held together.
Ive skid a thousand logs with a Dodge Cummins, and its impressive...but they will rattle apart after awhile, so you can always find your way home, by retracing your parts trail.

Chev, I’ve owned 3....running gear is strong, Duramax has a weak point in the injectors and needs to be replaced every 130 to 150 thousand kilometres....held together well, but far too low for the bush, particularly now with the DEF tank, that hangs below the frame.
I like the product, and I’m impressed how they hang together, but they’re city trucks, designed for highways....I get them stuck in places the Dodges breezed through.

Ford Diesel, held together all right, some major repairs to drivetrain after 250,000 klms, and hauled well...it just rattled apart to quick on gravel roads for my liking....it also rusted less than the others.
Good clearance, and never get stuck with the right tires, and if you buy slightly used, its easy to find a deal as they don’t hold their value as well.

All the North American trucks are way overpriced for what you get, but remember, I shit kick my trucks into submission, sell em for parts to a local backyard fix it hillbilly, and go get another.
They are a disposable tool to me, that I consider part of doing business....

If I could build myself one, I’d put the Chev running gear with the Duramax/ Allison into a Dodge 3500 body with an 8 foot box, and stick the Ford interior into the cab.


If you buy a Dodge...replace all your universals with grease nipples as you wear them out, and if you can find one ,get a standard.

rebuild the front end with NAPA parts, get your transmission rebuilt in a custom Diesel shop like BD, and add the steering harness while your at it.......and get that freaking hitch arc welded right to the frame. Those factory hitches work their way loose, and have killed many horses.....and a few people by disconnecting itself from the truck.

I also have a unregistered Toyota puddle jumper for backwoods fencing etc.....it hardly has a straight body panel left, and that little truck always starts. It’s just to small to really haul anything with for my business.

 

[sybian]

True. Canopies sound like a must in Raincouver. I don't need anything with too much power since I don't tow or do off-road.

If your not hauling or going cattle ranching anytime soon, spend a little extra and buy a Toyota, and wash out the body panel vents inside the wheel wells to prevent it from rusting out.
You can’t go wrong....

 

[DrunkWhenSober]

In that case, I believe FORD trucks give the most value for dollar.

why's that? I though Fords are like towing and off-road hardcore?

 

[m_clock]

If you’re going domestic, get Ford. I would suggest Toyota if you’re going import.

Either way, best way is to purchase a 2 year old vehicle from a reputable dealership. The market is adjusting right now in that a large quantity of new vehicles are getting produced now after Covid slowed production last year.

If you’re in no rush, I would suggest waiting until the market adjusts (6-8 months?) as used vehicles are selling at an over inflated price right now.

 

[Kissmepassionately]

If you are using it as a work vehicle, I'd follow your trade and forego a pick up for a van - more secure, easier to organize and way more comfortable than crawling around under a canopy. Most people driving pickups in the city really don't need them.

This makes a lot of sense, and even though it will be used for work and personal use, vans are actually nicer to drive IMO.
Have you looked at the new Consumer Reports articles? Probably don't want a chevy/gm midsized pickup, found the same thing they did, in my life as an automotive technician.
Is your reason for wanting a midsize truck, because you think itnwill use a lot less gas? If that is your reasoning, trust me they barely use any less, just get a full size. If you want one just because you like the idea of them, then get a Nissan, Toyota, or Ford. Hopefully you get a Tacoma without transmission issues if you go that route, it seems to be hit or miss.
I have spent the last 25 years wrenching on all brands, drive a Ram 1500, with 5.7 engine and 8 speed transmission because I believe that they are the best choice. Not a perfect choice, because they all have issues, but parts are reasonable priced and plentiful, that engine/transmission combination has been around many years, and is proven. Had I not chosen my Ram, I would have probably been driving a Ford F150 with 2.7 or 3.3 engine, or the Toyota Tundra despite them being very thirsty engines for gas. Before you buy a truck, it's worth looking at vans, the Ram/Mercedes clones, Transit, etc. They even make them with a second row of seats if needed, and cargo space in the rear. I drove vans for more than a decade, when I owned my own repair shop it made sense for hauling parts. Drove a Ford van for about 6 years, then a Mercedes van for around 5 more years. Don't be scared off by the Mercedes name tag, they are reliable, and not outrageously expensive. Mercedes and Ram share many common parts in their van line ups. Chevy/GM of old were good trucks, IMO in more recent years the quality has slid to the bottom of the pile, and I personally wouldn't buy one.

 

[To-lick]

Not sure if you’re still looking, here are my two cents on it. Starting with fuel mileage, space and storage.

I’ve been through a lot of trucks for work, fuel mileage is very important for me. Check out the new GMC’s they have fuel smart engines where cylinders shut down during cruising speeds. Good fuel militants and power to weight ratio.
the other is room. I definitely went with a crew cab, is you’re going new and don’t think you need the room in the cab you will want the room later.
Using a pickup for work definitely go with a non window canopy especially with all that nice wire and tools lingering around while you’re away from your truck. Also get a bedslide you thank Me later,

I made the mistake when buying new before and I won’t make that mistake again.

I currently drive a Chevy Silverado 3500HD crew cab with a standard box, diesel. It does everything I want it to, have a canopy for it as well and I tow a toy hauler and sled deck in the winter. I made the mistake before this truck by going half tonne.
the total payload did not come close to what I thought I needed or where my life took me once I entered the full size truck world.

Tacoma’s and mid size trucks are nice and fun but I don’t personally find them all that useful aside from being a play truck.

good luck.

 

[BobbyMcgee]

You need a canopy as a work truck. Keep your stuff secure.
I'm impartial to the F-150, but the Tundra is a very nice truck as well.

TUNDRA Crew Max LTD 5.7
quick removal canopy and light duty running boards. tonneau for weekends.