Looking for a new Pick Up

[Hal Flynt]

I am in the market for a new pick up (first one actually).

I plan on getting rid of my Bonneville and buying a full size pick up with an extended cab. I have always thought that I needed a full 8 foot bed, but most of the ones on the lots are 6.5 foot beds.

So how often do you need a bed longer than 6.5 feet hauling woodworking stuff? I'm concerned aout getting 4x8 feet sheets of hardwood plywood wet if I drive too far. Any work arounds?

Also we have a 4x4 Explorer since we live in hilly East Tennessee, but have only need 4x4 maybe 3 times since 1996, so Im wondering if a 4x2 with limited slip would be a better buy.

Any ideas or opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Phil Phelps]

I had 8' beds till I bought a 94 GMC. It's a Xcab short bed. I do miss 8' material laying flat, inside the bed. You can tote 12' lumber safely in the short bed. I believe after this year, the big 3 will make x-cabs only. The only big drawback, to me, of the 8' x-cab is parking. Short cab wheel base is 127" as is, and it ain't no fun to park. Unless I really needed the long bed, I'll stay with the short bed. You owe it to yourself to drive both. Good luck. ( I'd rather bite a tiger in the *** than car shop )

[Bob Lasley]

Hal,

I have an extended cab F150 with the six foot bed and have not missed the other two feet many times. I haul sheet goods quite often and unless I have alot of sheets, I just leave the tailgate up and slide them over it. I regularly haul ten foot lumber. I do carry a red flag in the truck for those long loads. Before this truck, all my full size pickups had 8 foot beds and as Phil said, those x-cabs with long beds are a bear to park and maneuver in tight places. My next x-cab will also have a six foot bed.

Good luck,
Bob

[Charles McKinley]

I'm firmly planted in the 8 foot bed camp. If you put a cross bed box in it you now only have a 4' bed. I had a 6' bed once.

If you have a level lot and never drive in your grass 2wd should be fine. We have a farm and wet grass on a slope with a trailer or wagon 4wd is required. Are you keeping the bronco so you will have 4wd if you need it?

If you are comfortable with the longer wheel base and it will fit in your garage get the 8' bed. Will your significant other drive it? Take her along.

Finding an 8' bed will take more searching and will give you less room to dicker because they know someone will want it.

Still driving 96 Chevy, ext cab, 8' bed 4x4, 350, auto, 176,000 miles and counting!

good luck

[Hal Flynt]

I can't say that I've completely decided yet, but I am reconsidering the 8' bed until after I test drive some. I have a parking problem at home, no garage, live on a steep hill etc so the 4x4 seems valuable since I believe the wife will trade her Explorer soon.

I like strong motors (2 GTO's and a S/C Bonneville) so one of my associates is bringing her husband's RAM with the Hemi to convince me that 345 HP will remove my obsession of keeping the Bonneville.

I saw a plywood box that was made specifically to carry about 5 -7 sheets of plywood and keep it dry with the gate down. It used aluminum angles and a 1/2 " spacer on each side to make clearance for sliding full sheets in and out. Epoxy painted and gasketed door. It was a snug fit and left a flat surface to haul more stuff.

I'll let you know what I do.

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

I have had a total of 15 Pick up trucks over the years...........which is probably a bunch considering I am 43 years young. Anyway, I have always owned Ford Pick-ups. While I admit I am partial to Ford Products, I think they still build the best full size Truck. I have owned every configuration of Cab/Bed there is. For a standard cab truck, an 8' bed is OK...........for an extended cab with an 8' bed, well..........you may as well drive a bus! They are looooong, hard to park, tough to fit in most garages, and I just don't care for the look of the 8' bed with an extended cab. I have had 4x4, and never really used it, so I have no need to buy it again. Unless you are off road often, it will go mostly unused. (I always said the 4 wheel drive will probably get me out of somewhere where I probably shouldn't have been in the first place!)
The last several full sized trucks have been 6' beds, and I have never missed the 8' bed. How often do you REALLY need to haul something longer than 12', and how important is it to haul a 4x8 sheet of anything and absolutely have to have the tailgate up? Not often, in my experience. Bottom line............I think Dodge is too pricey for what you get..........I know several guys who have had good luck with Chevy and GMC.........but I have had almost flawless experience with Ford Trucks, from F-150 to F-350 to my current Ranger.....of which I have had 4. Oh, and it helps that my Son is a Ford Technician, and we get the good discount when we need new wheels. Like anything mechanical, it will be a good as it's maintained. Good Luck on your Truck Buying adventure..........be sure to let us know what you decide.

[Ron Meadows]

Kevin,

Not to hijack this thread but what do you mean, "dodge is a bit pricey for what you get"?? I have an 03 with a 345 HP, 370 lb-ft torque engine that you can't buy from anyother truck maker for ANY price. I agree that all the big 3 make nice trucks I just don't understand your comment. We all have likes/dislikes. Personally I think that the Ford and Cheby are pure ugly, but that's just me


Ron

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

Ron, I said "I think Dodge is too pricey for what you get", not "Dodge is too pricey for what you get". I have several friends and an Uncle who drive Dodge Pick ups, and they like them. I know what they paid for them, and I just think they are overpriced. I was just expressing my opinion, that's all. I am not running any manufacturer into the ground. If you think that Ford and Chevy are ugly, that is your right...........I am not being critical of you for that comment............it is an opinion that you are entitled to, as am I. Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way, that was not my intent.

[Jason Roehl]

Guys, guys, guys.

We're talking about TRUCKS here. One rule: bigger is better. As for the parking thing, see the above rule, and remember other handyman sayings, such as, "If it don't fit, force it!"

[Martin Shupe]

I drive a 1991 Ford Ranger 4 x 4 extended cab. Except for replacing the side view mirrors every couple years due to a design flaw (no set screw), I have been fairly happy. I did have to have the rear main seal replaced just out of warranty (50K miles), and now something is leaking oil again, but at 156K miles that is to be expected. By the way, how long should a clutch last? I had it replaced when they did the main seal, since they were in there anyway. I am thinking it is time to do it again, as I hope to get maybe two more years out of the truck before I buy new.

I had planned to buy an F150, until I saw their crash test results. Now, maybe the new one is safer, but the old one was abysmal, especially when compared to the Toyota Tundra. So the Tundra comes with a full double cab this fall, and I will compare it to the new F150, as well as anything the competitors offer. I am not brand loyal, but will try to get the most bang for the buck. I am thinking double cab (kids) and short bed with camper shell.

Would like to buy this fall, but I think I will have to wait at least a year, maybe two.

[Paul Kunkel]

I was a Ford guy for a long time until their Quality went down. In '94 when the new style came out, I got a 2500 Cummins and havent had any regrets. Never thought I like diesel but the longevity and economy can't be beat. Virtually no repairs, 20+ mpg, power to spare, and creature comforts second to none. 150,000+ hard miles and probably good for a whole lot more. Look for a good used one with low miles-there out there. You won't be sorry.

[Jim Becker]

So the Tundra comes with a full double cab this fall, and I will compare it to the new F150, as well as anything the competitors offer.

I have to say that I've been completely satisfied with my 2000 Tundra and was happy to see the new double cab coming out this fall with no reduction in the bed length. I haven't found the bed to be a problem, either as 8' material fits fully supported by the tailgate and if I need to carry really long stuff, I have an extender that rides in the hitch. I drove 4 different pickups before I chose this machine and found it to be the most comfortable. It's also been economical to drive...I'm getting 19mpg on the highway and about 15-16 ratting around. (With a K&N air filter, of course) The interior is as comfortable as my 300M was. My only complaint would be the angle, or lack thereof, in the back of the back seat...something that they appear to have corrected in the new double cab model.

I never owned a pickup before this machine and I'll never be without one at this point. It's a nice compliment to SWMBO's Prius hybrid...

[Kevin Post]

I have a 2003 F150 SuperCrew 5.4L 4x4... It has the 6.5' bed and I've had little need for anything more. I carry sheet-goods with the tailgate down and hold everything in with ratchet straps. If it looks like rain I wrap everything in plastic before I put the straps around the material. I can fit a yard and a half of dirt in the back. When I need to haul 12' sheet rock, I borrow or rent a trailer. I had some 12' boards to haul a couple times and I just slid open the back window and slid them into the cab.

Regardless of whether you think you need 4x4, I think you should get a 4x4. This is because 4x2 trucks don't sell well in these parts due to the winter weather. This translates into lower resale value... I don't know what the winters are like in your neck of the woods so this may not be as much of a factor.

My F150 drives and rides like a dream. Like you, I traded in an Explorer for this vehicle. The wide turning radius took some getting used to. I can't even imagine what it would be like with an 8-foot bed. I was tempted into getting a Dodge RAM but my neighbor warned me about problems he had with brake rotors and transmission on his 2002 Dodge. We also had problems with the brake rotors in my wife's 1998 Dodge Caravan. The rotors on his truck and in our van pitted due to defects after only 2000 - 3000 miles. The dealer insisted they weren't covered by warranty because brake pads and rotors are excluded as wearable parts. He had decided to sell it because he relied on it for work and it was in the shop too much. He drives a Chevy now...

I test drove a Dodge and I didn't think the ride was as nice as the Ford. I also prefer the looks of the Ford to the trucks being offered by other manufacturers (others' opinions noted).

Shopping for a new vehicle is really a pain in the a$$ when it comes to dealing with sales people. Remember, you're in charge, not them. It's your money, not theirs. Do your research on pricing before you even talk to anyone at the dealer show room. There are lots of sites on the internet that will tell you the dealer invoice price and list all of the promotions and rebates. Believe it or not, there are still guys selling cars that will try to get you to pay sticker price. Keep shopping until you get the deal you want.

The best part is driving all of those vehicles. Especially the ones you know you can never afford to buy...

Happy hunting!

-Kevin

[Terry Hatfield]

Here's my vote....

This is my first Dodge, but it won't be my last. We really pile up the miles on our vehicles. This truck is 14 months old and has 55,000 miles on it. I really like it!! Drove both Chevys and Fords before buying this one. Not sure how prices go other places, but the Dodge was atually quite a bit cheaper than the other brands in my market.

As some of you know I came from the body shop/ custom truck biz. Can't seem to leave well enough alone even now. Added the billet grille and bumper inserts. Stripped of all the pesky emblems and mouldings, tinted the windows, added the vent sshades and lowered it. Handles like no truck I have ever driven. Really fun to drive, but will still haul whatever I need to haul.

Terry

[Hal Flynt]

Thanks for your input, cars and truck are emotional for guys. I will always remember my first car.

I just got back from lunch and a drive in one of my associates ne HEMI RAM 1500 work truck. In a word wow for power. I drive a Supercharged Bonne and let me tell you this truck would leave me at the light.

Now I have to remember what it is I am actually looking for. A hot rod or a truck? Hmmm maybe both.

Still in the hunt.