which truck? (Dodge, Chevy, Ford, GMC)
Chris & Kim Richard
more raw emotion than the famous "best all around deer cartridge". By the
way...I have a '99 Chevy Silverado 4x4 with the hauling/off-road package. If
there is a finer truck made, I don't know what it is. The new Ford F250 4x4's
look pretty sweet, but I've never owned a Ford.
Chris Richard
jcl...@netopia.com wrote:
> Greetings all. It's time for us to buy a truck & I'd be curious to hear
> your two cents on the best choice.
>
> The work load is: (1) needs to tow a two horse trailer or a Jeep from
> here to there, uphill both ways; (2) will wind up getting driven
> off-road for hunting, fishing & camping; and (3) will wind up being
> driven around town by a teenager in the not too distance future (too
> soon for me). Also, there are often 4 of us, so we want one of the
> extended cabs (but not the full 4 door).
>
> Based on the above, the dealers are pointing to the Dodge 1500 with 4wd
> and off-road package, the GMC Sierra 1500 with 4wd and Z71, the Chevy
> Silverado 1500 with 4wd and Z71 and the Ford guys are leaning toward
> their 250 with 4wd.
>
> Our local Fish & Game uses GMC which, although I'm sure it was selected
> on a low-bid basis, they give good grades. I'm not sure what the
> difference is, if any, between GMC & Chevy. Dodge has the most clearance
> and claims to have the best suspension and longest life. GMC/Chevy seems
> to have the most interior room.
>
> At today's prices I'd dearly like to see the far side of 100k miles
> before anything too expensive needs a fix. I'd also like to improve my
> chances of being the guy helping the other fellow get his truck out of
> the ditch than vice-versa (probably has more to do with my driving than
> my truck choice).
>
> If you've recently made the same decsion or have some thoughts for me,
> I'll appreciate hearing your inclinations. Thanks./J
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:
> http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:
http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
jcl...@netopia.com
Trouter
currently have 3 RAMs in the family and all are outstanding vehicles. I am in
the process of trading my 97 in on a 2001 1500 4x4 offroad model. That truck
is sweet.
Tim
Tim Spires
have a 1999 Dodge 1500 as a patrol vehicle at work. The Dodge takes a
beating, but is a bit rough in its ride. I purchased a 1999 Ford and it is
by far the smoothest riding 4x4 I have had the pleasure of driving, guys I
hunt with cannot believe how smooth the ride is.
The other Tim
G.
9mm/45 debate. There is really no difference between the Chevy and the GMC,
they are built in the same plants by the same people with the same components
except for grill work and other cosmetic appointments. Personally I own and
drive GMC's , I've always had better luck dealing with GMC salespeople and
service people than your average Chevy dealer. Is it a better truck than the
Chevy , I don't know I haven't owned a comparatable model Chevy. Personally if
you get the 1500 make damn sure its got the trailering package on it, and I'm
not sure if the 4x4's come standard with a locking rear differential, if they
don't make sure you get that too. I drive a bunch compared to most people, 30k
plus a year and my GMC's have held up great. , The new Vortec engines are
great , they come with extended life plugs and belts. Suppose to require no
major maintance until 100k miles, that does not mean oil changes and do those
regularly, max every 5k miles. Dodge makes a good truck but from talking with
friends that own them , they don't get the gas mileage a GM truck does. As
for Fords, well I never met a Ford that didn't leak and I'll leave it at that.
I don't think you could go wrong with either of the GM products, and the Dodge
would be a good buy. I bought a 99 GMC Sierra extended cab and theres
absolutely no comparison in interior room between the Ford and the Dodge. I
mean the rear area is acutally usable, I haul 2 kids around in mine all the
time, and on long trips too and they do just fine. Plenty of leg and headroom
in the back, but if your going to try and haul 6, 6 foot tall adults in it,
better go for a Tahoe or the 4 door model.
Geoff
jcl...@netopia.com wrote:
Jhcowdude
has several newer Chevy's (95-98) that are used pretty hard and hang together
pretty well. My uncle sure likes his Dodge, and one of the guys I work with
swears by his Ford! And I had a mechanic tell me the only difference between a
Chevy and a GMC-The bolts are tight on a GMC! I would sure go with a 3/4 ton
on anything I looked at. The ride on the new trucks is good enough that they
drive around town nice, and are enough heavier that they hang together a bit
better. Find who makes you the best deal! Good luck!
GreenHead9
silverado with extended cab and 4X4 (didnt get the Z-71 package for some
unknown reason). That didnt stop me though, it goes off-road with no
hesitation. After 6 months and nearly 20,000 miles i dont think there is
another truck on the market right now that can compare with comfort(especially
rear seating) and ride of the chevy/GMC's. I got the vortec 4800 in mine
mainly cause i dont do much towing, other than a rather large aluminum boat
which dont weigh much anyway. The only time i could actually feel the boat
while driving was on a steep hill, but after a little exhaust modifications
(flowmaster!!!) and a new generation 2 air intake i cant feel that thing at
all, and throttle reponse is unbelievable!!.
Ross Bricco
electric windows and a sporadic transmission.
Mike "Golfnhead"
for 13 years prior to this one, got tired of the rust. The offroad package
comes
with 17" alum. rims, 4:10 gears, 3" factory lift, fog lamps, front tow
hooks and
limited slip diffs. Tows great and the quadcab is pretty good sized ( I
slept in
the back seat during turkey season last week.) Though for pulling a horse
trailer you may want to look into a 3/4 ton.
RJMartin <delusion...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FurJn...@news.boeing.com...
> Get a 4-door. Nothing worst than trying to cram 4 adults or teenagers
into
> the phony extra cab space.
John Chase
> From: jcl...@netopia.com
>
> Greetings all. It's time for us to buy a truck & I'd be curious to hear
> your two cents on the best choice.
>
> The work load is: (1) needs to tow a two horse trailer or a Jeep from
> here to there, uphill both ways; (2) will wind up getting driven
> off-road for hunting, fishing & camping; and (3) will wind up being
> driven around town by a teenager in the not too distance future (too
> soon for me). Also, there are often 4 of us, so we want one of the
> extended cabs (but not the full 4 door).
>
> Based on the above, the dealers are pointing to the Dodge 1500 with 4wd
> and off-road package, the GMC Sierra 1500 with 4wd and Z71, the Chevy
> Silverado 1500 with 4wd and Z71 and the Ford guys are leaning toward
> their 250 with 4wd.
Get the "short box"; the shorter wheelbase is easier to maneuver.
Other than that, select one of each that has the features you want, line
them up side by side, and choose the one with the lowest price. My '95
Chevy, chosen by that method, has 133,000 miles on it and is still going
strong.
-jc-
Jim
plenty of repairs. Go GM and you'll never go back.
Jimbo
Ross Bricco wrote in message
<26992-39...@storefull-253.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...
Jeep. You know, a Jeep Jeep. Not one of those city cars with
electric windows and a sporadic transmission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woody Williams
news:A2bV4.14668$TC1.2...@news1.mts.net...
> Milage in Dodge sucks lucky if you get 15 mpg. Ford rust and are known for
> plenty of repairs. Go GM and you'll never go back.
> Jimbo
If'n I was going to purchase a pick 'em truck I'd opt for the Toyota Tundra.
Fine vehicle!
As I'm not in the market I'll stick with my 4Runner.
Woody Williams
If you're too busy to hunt, you're too busy
Jason Falbe
Chevy guy. The Chevy is probably the most dependable of the three. The
difference between the GMC and Chevy is nominal. The GMC is normally a Chevy
with some extras on it. The chrome package, etc...
With the teenager beginning to drive you might not want the acceleration that
the Chevy 1500 Z71 will provide. With the gearing, the 2500 is slower but
will handle the hills with all that weight much better.
Do you know why Ford leans toward the 250 and Dodge and Chevy stick with
their lighter version 1500? I'm curious.
Is fuel economy an issue? I'm not sure exactly but I do know that Chevy gets
a better rating for fuel consumption with Ford being the worst.
Lots of factors involved. GOOD LUCK!!
Bad Company
PU. One day my dog (Great Dane/Chesapeake) was sleeping back
there when he was startled by a stupid idiot with a sack of garbage. I
had to pay the stupid idiot's hospital bill (considerable glutius
maximus reconstruction), and the damned cops labeled "Chopper" a vicious
dog.
I miss that dog!
It doesn't matter which truck you buy, pick the one you like, then
dedicate your life to keeping it on the road.
3russt
this for a fact. At work, we had a Chevy and a Ford truck. The ford had
more money put into it for repairs at 32,000 miles that the Chevy had at
115,000 miles. That is why you could not run fast enough to give me a Ford.
Russ
Trouter
>like best and/or best suits your budget. If you still have a hard time,
>pick one with four rear doors.
wow... 4 rear doors!!! who makes a 6 door pickup?
grin...
sorry Dave, just couldn't resist. No offense I hope.
Tim
Matt Rein
the road AGAIN. She said,
"Something made a bad noise and is dragging so I parked it."
A co-worker picked her up on the way to work and he thought a skid plate was
falling off.
That wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't on its 2nd engine. #2 is making noise
like #1 did before it died. #2 was puking water all over the intake shortly
after the dealer installed it. The tires had bead leaks from the factory. It
has ZERO torque at the boat ramp. Before #1 died it was in the shop 3 times
for a check engine light.
Less than 40k on the odometer. And I'd like to find somebody out there who is
more anal at maintaining a vehicle. My '70 Chevrolet pickup has 254k on the
odometer. My '72 Chevelle 134k. 136k on the '94 Escort. 117k on the '71
Chevelle convertable. It definately ain't the owner in this case.
At the rate we are going on it I'll sound like Mad Jack on Grizzly Adams pretty
soon. "#7 you old mule get a move on..."
Tomorrow, if I can move the POS Exploder tonight, I'm taking it to the nearest
Chevrolet dealer to see what it is worth on trade.
--
- Matt Rein
- matt...@Honeywell.COM
JeffD34006
dissapointed. It is ext cab 4x4. Been to Montana, camping, hunting in KY and WV
and it has never failed...
Joel Olson
a 1999 Ford F250 with a V10. Love it, great power pulls a 23 ft trailer at
any speed you want to drive. Most trucks are the same, a lot has to do with
how it is taken care of. But CHEVY's are the one known for rust not FORDS.
Jim wrote:
> Milage in Dodge sucks lucky if you get 15 mpg. Ford rust and are known for
> plenty of repairs. Go GM and you'll never go back.
> Jimbo
>
> Ross Bricco wrote in message
> <26992-39...@storefull-253.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...
> Jeep. You know, a Jeep Jeep. Not one of those city cars with
> electric windows and a sporadic transmission.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:
> http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:
> http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
--
Joel Olson
Taylorsville UT
jdo...@uswest.net
Tricia and ED Miles
they always rust out from the 70's through 96. It is not due to the metal
or the paint. It is because of the water drainage design they have in them.
They very easily clog with debris and that holds the moisture in and causes
premature rust. I used to work for a body shop in Iowa where the salt from
winter added to the problem. Probably worked on at least 10 to 1 ratio of
Fords to Chevy/GMC while there. Don't know much about the newer stuff
though. I prefer the looks and ruggedness of the Fords to Chevy and I won't
get a Dodge after my experiences with them. But right now I own a GMC 93
ext cab 4x4 that has only needed an alternator, muffler, and U joints in
110,000 miles. I would like another Ford though soon. Got a feeling that
this one's got to start wearing out soon. Ed
Mike "Golfnhead"
news:392C9C49...@uswest.com...
But CHEVY's are the one known for rust not FORDS.
I beg to differ. I drove Fords for 13 years before I got a 2000 Dodge. They
ALL rusted within 5 yrs, no matter how good you took care of em (and I did).
They rust from the inside out. Give your '99 5 years and see for yourself.
LARRY AUDSLEY
half-ton, extended cab, sprayed-on rhyno-liner in the bed, the 5300
engine and an automatic transmission without the towing package since I
never tow anything heavy. Generally it's been excellent. Rides great,
handles well and hasn't given me any mechanical problems in the first
18,000 miles. In the past year I've had it on one elk hunt, one
antelope hunt, several days of deer hunting, and one four-day fishing
trip. It's performed like a dream in the most important areas, but I do
have a few minor bitches.
In addition to a sun visor that doesn't extend and thus fails to keep
the sun off my face early and late in the day during summer, most of my
complaints stem from GM's apparently never having heard the expression
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" The designers added several little
touches that I'd rather do without. For example, I never really thought
I was having any problem with knowing when to turn my headlights on.
But just in case I should ever develop such a problem, GM fixed the
Silverado so that the headlights go off and on based on a sensor on the
dashboard. This means that you won't be doing any driving in the dark
without the lights on. Not everyone who drives with their headlights
off a few minutes before daylight is a poacher. Some of us just don't
see any point in making any bigger entrance than necessary when starting
out hunting in the morning. Or, for that matter, when pulling up to a
little league night game where the players don't need your headlights
shining in their eyes while you're parking. This is one of those bright
ideas I could have lived without.
Another extra "service" GM has thrown in with the Silverado is automatic
door-locking after about 30 seconds on the road. This, too, gets on my
nerves. I'll lock my own doors, thank you.
But that's nothing compared to the annoyance you feel when you're going
bowhunting for elk and you're just about to start walking into the woods
at 4:30 a.m. and that damn alarm button on your keyless entry presses up
against the Swiss Army knife in your jeans pocket and the alarm starts
blaring away! I don't feel the need for such an alarm and don't
remember discussing it when I ordered the truck. I think they just come
standard with the Z71. Of the four or five times it's gone off since I
bought it, I was only hunting once, but that was once too many. However,
I will say that on a recent fishing trip in serious bear country, my son
and I had planned to use it as an initial tactic for driving a bear out
of camp should the need arise. So I guess I have discovered a possible
use for it. No bear showed up on this particular trip, but if and when
I ever get to put my truck alarm to the test as a bear repellent system,
I'll be all over several newsgroups, in cluding this one, reporting the
results.
With the exception of the lights, these extra features can be turned off
with help from your dealer. But I think features like the mandatory,
automatic lights and door-locking ought to be require deliberate
activation instead of de-activation. And, as one who grew up in snow
country, I'll never appreciate anti-lock brakes. I can pump my own
brakes, thank you.
As a general proposition, I like trucks that do what I tell 'em, do only
what I tell 'em, and don't get bright ideas on their own, like locking
their doors, setting off their alarms or pumping their brakes. I don't
like trucks that seem to enjoy surprising me. I've given up on ever
having dogs or kids that do exactly what I tell 'em and nothing else,
but it seems it seems reasonable for a man to expect that from his
truck, if not from anyone else.
I don't know whether Dodge or Ford have any of these same features. But
that's the Silverado.
jcl...@netopia.com wrote:
>
> Greetings all. It's time for us to buy a truck & I'd be curious to hear
> your two cents on the best choice.
>
> The work load is: (1) needs to tow a two horse trailer or a Jeep from
> here to there, uphill both ways; (2) will wind up getting driven
> off-road for hunting, fishing & camping; and (3) will wind up being
> driven around town by a teenager in the not too distance future (too
> soon for me). Also, there are often 4 of us, so we want one of the
> extended cabs (but not the full 4 door).
>
> Based on the above, the dealers are pointing to the Dodge 1500 with 4wd
> and off-road package, the GMC Sierra 1500 with 4wd and Z71, the Chevy
> Silverado 1500 with 4wd and Z71 and the Ford guys are leaning toward
> their 250 with 4wd.
>
> Our local Fish & Game uses GMC which, although I'm sure it was selected
> on a low-bid basis, they give good grades. I'm not sure what the
> difference is, if any, between GMC & Chevy. Dodge has the most clearance
> and claims to have the best suspension and longest life. GMC/Chevy seems
> to have the most interior room.
>
> At today's prices I'd dearly like to see the far side of 100k miles
> before anything too expensive needs a fix. I'd also like to improve my
> chances of being the guy helping the other fellow get his truck out of
> the ditch than vice-versa (probably has more to do with my driving than
> my truck choice).
>
> If you've recently made the same decsion or have some thoughts for me,
> I'll appreciate hearing your inclinations. Thanks./J
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.
>
MrMurphy
them as a parts driver and all the parts we ever delivered for
trucks (not many, most were cars and vans) were usually either
pre '96 or a post 96 that got into an accident.
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
Steve Huber
>I've owned a Chevy Silverado Z71 for about a year now.<SNIP> For example, I
never really thought
>I was having any problem with knowing when to turn my headlights on.
>But just in case I should ever develop such a problem, GM fixed the
>Silverado so that the headlights go off and on based on a sensor on the
All newer GM products do this, not just trucks. Evidently, GM has decided
that the purchasers of their products are too stupid to realize when they
need headlights. Anyway, the way you can bypass this (at least with my
wife's car) is to carefully depress the emergency brake pedal down ONE
CLICK. This shuts off the lights but does not activate the parking brake.
The works on a '96 Olds, try it on your Z71.
<SNIP>
>I don't know whether Dodge or Ford have any of these same features. But
>that's the Silverado.
This is to Woody,
I drive a Dodge 1500 Extended Cab 4x4 with the heavy duty towing package and
the 360 engine. It's a fairly decently equipped truck, auto transmission,
air/cruise/power windows/doorlocks/keyless entry. One option that came with
it that I didn't think that I'd use is the power/heated mirrors. They are
REALLY nice to have. When driving, I adjust them to see a little higher and
farther back, when backing my boat, I can quickly and easily adjust them
lower to keep better track of my trailer. On foggy/snowy days when the
mirrors are covered with crud, a push of the button clears them quickly. I
really like this stupid seeming feature.
So far, I've driven it over 45,000 miles in the last 2 years and love it.
I'm getting better gas milage than I did with my F150 and towing my boat
doesn't seem to affect the milage either, at least not to the extent of my
F150. That truck would get around 12-14 mpg when empty, put my boat on and
the mpg would drop to around 6 mpg. The Dodge doesn't do this. I run a
fishing guide service and put a TON of miles on with a boat behind, gas
milage when trailering is very important to me, especially with the prices
nowdays.
It's roomy, comfortable and the only problem that I've had since new was the
fan clutch starting squeeking. That was replaced under warranty and about
10,000 miles, no problems since. I didn't get the QuadCab, I was concerned
about structural integrity in the event of a side impact and I thought that
safety was more important than ease of access to the back seat. Maybe I'm
paranoid but as a professional firefighter, I've had to cut too many people
out of vehicles to want to put my family/friends in the same situation.
This truck is tough too, I've killed two deer with it, only $600 in damage
total. Although I prefer my bow or .300 Win Mag for deer hunting.... :)
The only gripe that I do have about the truck is the paint job. It's black
clearcoat, very sharp looking when clean but it seems that all you have to
do is look at it sharply and you can see scratches on the sides. I take my
truck in the woods and even though I've waxed the beejeesus out of it, it
still scratches easily......Oh Well.
Sorry to be so long winded but I really like my truck, does it show? Well,
good luck with your decision, whatever it is,
--
Steve @ G & S Guide Service http://www.herefishyfishy.com
Steve Huber
FIRE ALS
>dashboard. This means that you won't be doing any driving in the dark
>without the lights on.
I don't own a gm product but a friend told me that if you push the parking
brake down just 1 notch it will turn off the headlights while not engaging your
brakes.
It may work,, no promises.
Eddie
Graham moore
great gear.
I'll tell you about some if you want (Whole life living, working, playing in
the bush.).
David Lisa EBH
F-250 for 12 years. Never been kept inside(since I have had it). Not a spot
of rust and no leaks. And I live on the Oregon coast!! I remember when they
used to make little chrome "rust hiders" for the Chevys!
As for the milage of a Ford. You guys are right. I get 8 MPG. But when my
friends with the new Chevys and Dodges get on me about its milage, I remind
them of there $500 a month payment and full coverage insurance.
----- Original Message -----
From: "3russt" <3ru...@bendnet.com>
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2000 3:40 AM
Subject: Re: which truck? (Dodge, Chevy, Ford, GMC)
> That is why you could not run fast enough to give me a Ford.
>
Jeepers!
> Looks like I found a board full of Ford haters. I've owned my 1973 Ford F-250
> for 12 years. Never been kept inside(since I have had it). Not a spot of rust
> and no leaks. And I live on the Oregon coast!! I remember when they used to
> make little chrome "rust hiders" for the Chevys! As for the milage of a Ford.
> You guys are right. I get 8 MPG. But when my friends with the new Chevys and
> Dodges get on me about its milage, I remind them of there $500 a month payment
> and full coverage insurance.
My '97 F-250 Light Duty 4x4 (F-150 body, 7 lug wheels) has over 80,000
miles on it. Other than regular oil changes, tires & shocks, all I've had to
do to it was change a bushing in the front end. The 5.4L is giving me about
16 mpg. Lovin' it.