Time for a new truck. - InspectionNews

Ron Bibler · #1 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 06:15 PM

Its been a good turck my 1999 Ford ranger. got 174K out of it with no problems. just last sunday went out to start the truck and the motor had a bad knok. Looks like its time for a new truck. Been out looking.
My CPA says uncle sam will give me a 50% right off the first year on any new truck. They want prople to buy new things.

This is my short list.

New Ford ranger $ 19K Nice truck. ***
New Dodge tundra $ 21K Nice truck. **
New Toyta tacoma $ 25K Very nice truck. *****

I think that the Toyta Has the best truck after test drives.
5 speed auto trans. v6 extend cab with rear doors, all power. One cool part about the Toyota was they have a 120v out let in the bed. you can plug in a drill or saw or what ever.

Any info will help.

Best

Ron

Ted Menelly · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 06:29 PM

I have a six cylinder 3 litre xlt ranger 6 1/2 years old 99,000 miles heavy foot, 20 miles to the gallon. Last truck was a ranger as well, 186,000 miles. Can't beat em

Almost bought a Tacoma last time. It sounded hollow when driving and seamed a little wimpy body wise and did not have the same ride as the ranger. I put Kelly helper springs on the back for a firmer ride and 150.00 shocks all around. Handles fantastic.

Just my opinion. Own almost all fords. Turn the key and go, forever.

Toyata should be (by reutation) a fairly long lasting vehicle as well.

fritzkelly · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 08:11 PM

The few Toyotas I have owned got sucky gas mileage.

David Banks · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 07:29 AM

I had 3 Rangers all new, all went 180,000. Last couple though started to give me lots of repair cost. Bought new 2006 Toyota Tacoma. So far so good. It is my favorite truck so far. Very solid. I believe starting in 2006 Bed is wider than most small trucks. A special rack is required to fit in rails of bed liner.

Rick Hurst · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 08:17 AM

Have you seen the 2009 Studebaker?

What happened to them?

rick

Jerry McCarthy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Have you seen the 2009 Studebaker?

What happened to them?

rick

DeSoto ate their lunch!

Scott Patterson · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 09:05 AM

I will have to be giving up my F-150 soon as well. Still runs great with 176,000 but I know it is not going to last forever. At 16/22 mpg, I'm also ready for that to change!

I really don't need a big truck anymore, but it will be hard to give up the comfort factor and move to a smaller vehicle.

I have been looking at the Ford Escape, and similar sized vehicles from Hyundai and KIA. All I need is something that will fit my LG17. I have not needed my extension ladders in a few years! A home inspector friend of mine in Denver is about ready to buy a Smart Car. His LG 17 fits on the passenger side. With the seat folded down it forms a deck like surface. For around $12,000 he can get one that is loaded! In other words it has a radio and A/C. Top speed is around 70mph with a tailwind!

James Duffin · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 01:37 PM

I have a Nissan Frontier that does very well. Gets about 25 MPG. Paid about $15,500 in 05.

Billy Stephens · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

---similar sized vehicles from Hyundai and KIA. Smart Car.

Saw one up close the other day ( first thought ) That would Smart getting smacked by a Suburban.

Looked about 1/2 the size of my little Kia Shortage.

Ron Bibler · #10 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 03:15 AM

Got the new Toyota

tacoma truck... last week.

Very nice... what a work truck... just bit of a hard ride. had to put 4-80 lbs bags of concrete in the bed and drop the tires to 28lbs to smooth out the ride...

Other then that the truck is getting around 22-25 MPG. Has a locking rear end. It comes stock with a 110 out let in the bed of the truck so you can run a saw off the back of the truck.

John Arnold · #11 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Bibler

Got the new Toyota

tacoma truck... last week.
...

Good on you, as they say in the South. Now try to get some sleep!

Richard Moore · #12 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 05:17 AM

Quote:

had to put 4-80 lbs bags of concrete in the bed and drop the tires to 28lbs to smooth out the ride...

320 extra pounds and under-inflated tires! I don't want to get political here, but after someone took the other guy's suggestion to properly inflate tires completely out of context, just to create yet another stupid negative commercial, I have to ask if that would be his replacement energy plan?

Jim Zborowski · #13 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 06:54 AM

Good point Rich, the problem with adding weight and under inflating the tires is ( are ):
reduced contact patch on pavement = reduced control, Under inflation causes tires to wear more rapidly on outer edges, under inflation causes increased stress on sidewalls reducing tire life and safety, reduced pressure reduces load capacity.

Ron Bibler · #14 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Zborowski

Good point Rich, the problem with adding weight and under inflating the tires is ( are ):
reduced contact patch on pavement = reduced control, Under inflation causes tires to wear more rapidly on outer edges, under inflation causes increased stress on sidewalls reducing tire life and safety, reduced pressure reduces load capacity.

Q At what point are tires underinflated ? If you look at the tires load rating. MAX tires P at 45 LBS. THESE TIRES ON THIS TRUCK ARE 31INCH.
That a big ass tire. for a little truck. then take in the what the truck GW is you will find that you can let air out of the tires and still not be underinflated.

So the contact patch not reduced. The control of the truck is not reduced. and the only other load is my big fat Be-hind.

As for gas 22-25 MPG. I could let more air out.

Best

Ron

Jerry McCarthy · #15 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 09:10 AM

Good choice Ron as I think anything made by Toyota is superior. However, the question that begs asking is how many cup holders?

Scott Patterson · #16 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 10:15 AM

The proper tire inflation will be listed on the data plate on the door of the truck. Go with that and not with what it listed on the tire.

Also, for a smoother ride try changing out the tires. I use to keep 6 ply tires on my truck, and it rode like a TRUCK! Now I use 4 ply for a smoother ride. Yes, I have had a few more nail holes that needed patching but I won't go back to the 6 ply.

Just curious, have you priced those 31" critters!

That is a good choice for a truck.. If you can get that type of MPG, you are doing better than most. My neighbor has the same 2008 truck and he is getting right at 20 mpg on the highway. City it is down around 15 mpg.

Jim Luttrall · #17 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 10:19 AM

Everyone probably knows this, but just in case... The tire pressure should not be set at what is printed on the tire, use the pressure listed on the tire information label in the glove box or the door post. The pressure on the tire is the maximum in order to get the weight rating capacity for the tire.
The truck maker takes into account the weight of the truck, etc. and specifies a recommended pressure for a fully loaded truck.
Also, the lower the pressure, the larger the tire contact patch (in general terms) but the greater the risk of over heating. Don't you guys watch Nascar??

Jerry Peck · #18 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

The pressure on the tire is the maximum in order to get the weight rating capacity for the tire.
The truck maker takes into account the weight of the truck, etc. and specifies a recommended pressure for a fully loaded truck.

Proper tire inflation is more than just that.

The truck manufacturer posts the recommended tire inflation pressure, many times that recommend tire inflation pressure is based on *ride quality*, not a fully loaded truck.

To really know what to inflate tires to, weigh your truck at all four corners, take the highest weight at the front and the highest weight at the rear, look up the tire inflation pressure in the guide (typically available in the internet for the brand tire and the load rating of the tire), using the highest of the two front weights, inflate the tires to that weight, repeat for the rear.

As stated by others above, the tire inflation pressure on the tire is the maximum pressure recommended for that tire, and at that maximum inflation pressure is where that tire will read maximum load capacity, which is also stated on the tire.

Or just use the truck manufacturer's recommended tire inflation pressure - if you have the original size/type tire on the truck.

A example is our motor home has H rated tires, with a minimum (yes, minimum) tire pressure of 85 psi, the weight rating of the tires at 85 psi exceeds the weight of the motor home, meaning that I can inflate the tires to 85 psi and not worry about being overloaded. The tires go to 120 psi maximum pressure, but I'll never need to go there.

Jack Ahern · #19 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 04:16 PM

My chevy van is wheezing! 180k---born in 1995 - treated me well. Am not hanging ceilings any more so a 12' bed is not required. Looking at Pilots and Highlanders. Moving in three weeks, so I need to decide. My vehicles last 12/15 years. May be my last vehicle. 66+15= 81 My kid may pull my keys?? then.
Business is still slow in the Boston area.

Ron Bibler · #20 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Ahern

My chevy van is wheezing! 180k---born in 1995 - treated me well. Am not hanging ceilings any more so a 12' bed is not required. Looking at Pilots and Highlanders. Moving in three weeks, so I need to decide. My vehicles last 12/15 years. May be my last vehicle. 66+15= 81 My kid may pull my keys?? then.
Business is still slow in the Boston area.

Jack Go test drive a Toyota. I did the test drive thing. and the TOY Wat the best hands down.

Best

Ron