What does GM have over Ford in the 1 ton depart.?

Minimization · November 1, 2005

I like both makes honestly. I like Cummings too but Dodges are garbage IMO.

I like the pricing on Silverado/Sierra HD and their Diesel V8 and automatic tranny go unchallenged. But boy, is that body style unmasculine and boring. And the interior looks as though it comes from my dad's old '86 K1500 Blazer.

Ford definitely has this IMO:

exterior styling

interior styling

manual hubs

solid axle/higher ride height

In '07 we may see a much better Sierra/Silverado (I hope!!), but also Ford is redesigning the SD for '07 (i think?), and the new Power Stroke 6.4 L may be something else.

Any thoughts?

Silverado4x4 · November 1, 2005

As far as exterior styling I think there both are even,interior styling ford is still back in the 80s on this,manual hubs,who wants manual hubs now a days,they freeze up in the winter hard to lock them or unlock them,have to keep getting out to turn the hubs one way or another and as far as the solid front axle I could take it eather way.

Haulin' 8.1 · November 1, 2005

Any thoughts?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, first off your dad had a very nice '86 Blazer. You should consider GMC for it's styling. On everything else we disagree.

Vernon

Hecktorx · November 1, 2005

Up until ford changed over to coil springs up front, I would say GM had an advantage on ride quality, but the new fords ride almost as good up front. If your comparing crew cabs, your rear seat passengers will appreciate the fact that you have a gm.

Other then that, IMO, you get a more reliable drivetrain in the chevy. The allison tranny is probably the best in the market right now and even though not all powerstrokes have had problems, they seem to be the less reliable of the 2.

I have friends with both and we've all had problems with our trucks. The difference is myself and my buddies with GMs have had problems with intermediate shafts and engine noise which GM seems like they can't fix, they are still drivable and will always get you home. I can't say that about my ford buddies. Injector problems and engine failures have left them on the side of the road.

Minimization · November 1, 2005

As far as exterior styling I think there both are even,interior styling ford is still back in the 80s on this,manual hubs,who wants manual hubs now a days,they freeze up in the winter hard to lock them or unlock them,have to keep getting out to turn the hubs one way or another and as far as the solid front axle I could take it eather way.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay, I can see your point on the hubs and front axle.

I think you are way-off on the GM interior. Although it is currently is not bad, the Ford appears way more modern-looking. That being said, from the looks of the '07 Tahoe interior we have nothing to fear.

I do like the GMC/Chevy exterior but I feel Ford has a bit of an edge.

69supersport · November 1, 2005

I have one big suggestion, or demand!! Solid front axel, the ifs just wont cut it with 38" tires. I have a 1500 z71 and there is no way the stock front axels will handle that much tire, sure there is the 2500 and 3500, but the solid front axel will give much better off road performance, and that is what I and thousands of others need from the general.

asilverblazer · November 1, 2005

For 38" tires yes, for the millions of the rest of us keep IFS.

On a side note I drove a friends new Superduty with coil sprung solid front axel it was always fun keeping it between the lines.... Unlike my Chevy with IFS durn near drives itself down the road.

Scyry · November 1, 2005

I have one big suggestion, or demand!! Solid front axel, the ifs just wont cut it with 38" tires. I have a 1500 z71 and there is no way the stock front axels will handle that much tire, sure there is the 2500 and 3500, but the solid front axel will give much better off road performance, and that is what I and thousands of others need from the general.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No offense, but I am willing to bet 90% of trucks never see mud or trails. 95% are never put in a spot where they need more than IFS. Solid front axels are cheaper and easier to modify. GM will not be dropping the IFS because they are not catering to the 5%, they are selling to soccer moms where the soft ride of a 1500 is to rough.

As for the original post. I don't like the materials used for the seats in Ford, especially the cloth. Overall I like the cloth seats in the GM's the best for wear and feel. Now the dash on the GM's is a pos for the simple fact it is painted. I am not sure what the Ford's are like. The rear seats have more room in the GM's. Onstar is nice, overall I just think GM has more worthwhile gadgets for inside.

Exterior, which is best depends on the person looking at it. You want 5 acres of sheet metal fenders, and a bed that is impossible to reach into, go Ford. Right now in looks for me it goes GMC then Ford SD then Chevy.

Drive train, minus the cold start knock in GM's, I think they got Ford beat across the board. Allison, Dmax, 8.1 BB, and the 6.0 is a lot better option than the 5.4 for Ford. I also have gotten a good laugh about the spark plugs flying out of Fords. Though Chevy has a pos parking brake, not that it really matters unless you get a manual.

I am biased though. Every Ford my family has ever had, has been a pos and left us on the side of the road. As much of a lemon as my last Chevy was, it never left me on the side of the road, I could atleast drive it to the dealer. Our last Ford, an Explore, had a problem with the AWD system and the front end was smoking by the time we got it to the dealer. Drove it in because they had given us the "cannot duplicate" 4 times already, they ended up having to replace the whole front end and transfer case.

Silverado4x4 · November 1, 2005

I have one big suggestion, or demand!! Solid front axel, the ifs just wont cut it with 38" tires. I have a 1500 z71 and there is no way the stock front axels will handle that much tire, sure there is the 2500 and 3500, but the solid front axel will give much better off road performance, and that is what I and thousands of others need from the general.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Were not talking about 1500s or 1/2 tons, your not going to get 38" tires on a 1/2 ton ford eather as they are IFS also. No way will a solid front axle out perform a IFS in off road performance,take a look at the off road racers 4x4 class what do they use? IFS not the solid axle. IFS has more ground clearance then the solid axle. I had a 87 chevy with 42" tires and that axle acted like a plow going through the deep mud and snow creating restance.You can snap a axle u-joint faster then a CV joint.

dannyukonxl · November 2, 2005

yeh.. baja racers use ifs because of the better high speed handling.. BUT the ball joints, shackles, and almost everything is strengthened... i would not plan on seeing more than 20,000 miles on the ifs components on a truck with 38's, let alone 37's or larger.

Anywho, i personally don't like the sound of the ford ps, the turbo spool just gets inside your head and it seemed louder than an lly dmax i tested. I also didnt really like the interior, it just seemed so short cutted, like the center console didnt seem to fit and the dash panel was designed in a highschool automotive class with a plywood template, but then again the gm isnt all there but pretty good, dodge doesnt even have a center console but they have a nice bench seat, although the new dodge megacab seems to have a nice dash. Other than that i think the dodge has the best front suspension, gm has the best powertrain and interior, and ford has probably the bust um .. bed?... its all personal opinion, get the truck that suits you but ill bet you'll see some pretty nice things from the general in 2007

05HD · November 2, 2005

Real off roaders have IFS. Hummer anyone?

A higher ride height. Are you kidding? Neither of my parents, nor my aunt or uncle can even get into my HD 4x4 because it sits too high and it sits at stock ride height, tires, torsion bar adjusters and all.

Manual hubs? I'm not getting in and out of my truck to lock the hubs when I'm stuck just to find they are frozen or broken all together.

Looks are in the eye of the beholder.

Daubs · November 2, 2005

Okay, I'm a GM guy through and through. That said, here's my assessment of the two (remember, just my opinion. Buddy own's a super duty)

Ford Pro's:

- strong exterior appearance...looks tough

- tow-command is a cool thing

- larger stock tires than GM's wimpy 245's

- huge interior in the CC's...much more room than my CC

Ford Con's:

- ugly interior that looks as if Fisher-Price designed. ICK

- huge truck that has no road feel. Like driving a barge

- Powerstroke sounds like a UPS truck...ick (IMO, Dodge has em all beat in diesel sound...big truck sound for sure)

GM Pro's:

- strong engine lineup across the board

- better transmission lineup

- interior way more comfy with way more features (DVD, XM, On-Star)

- Better MPG as far as I have experienced

- down right sporty to drive when compared to SD

GM Con's:

- 26 gallon fuel cell in short boxes...just plain stupid

- wimpy stock tires

- nose down appearance (although can be fixed with t-bar crank)

All that said, get the truck you feel most comfy with. Bottom line is that we don't have to live with it...you DO!

And I'm glad we can have conversations like this and compare trucks. Competition makes the breed stronger. I'm glad Dodge finally stepped up to the plate and glad that Nissan, Toyota and Honda are pushing the Big 3 to get better. Good times ahead people.

Machine · November 2, 2005

I like both makes honestly. I like Cummings too but Dodges are garbage IMO.

I like the pricing on Silverado/Sierra HD and their Diesel V8 and automatic tranny go unchallenged. But boy, is that body style unmasculine and boring. And the interior looks as though it comes from my dad's old '86 K1500 Blazer.

Ford definitely has this IMO:

exterior styling

interior styling

manual hubs

solid axle/higher ride height

In '07 we may see a much better Sierra/Silverado (I hope!!), but also Ford is redesigning the SD for '07 (i think?), and the new Power Stroke 6.4 L may be something else.

Any thoughts?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Manual hubs are standard, and Shift-on-the-Fly is an option. Some would say it’s nice to have options.

I’ll give you a viewpoint from someone who owns both:

GM:

DMAX / Allison – a bulletproof combo

Interior – best in class

Exterior – I hated the way my 03 looked so I hid the front end with a grill guard / front end replacement

Ride Height – What ride height? Lifted it 6”

Ride quality – In stock configuration, I needed a kidney belt to save me when driving around without something heavy in the bed or attached to the hitch; fixed with new adjustable shocks.

Ford:

Power Stroke – Mine burps coolant all over the place when pulling the heavy loads. Other than that “minor design flaw”, it’s pretty solid. The transmission has worked fine.

Exterior – nothing comes close in the bada$$ department

Interior – The folks from “That 70’s Show” must have been on retainer to provide input.

Ride Height – Move out of the way little GM HD

Ride Quality – Mines an F-350 and it rides firm, and is a little numb as far as feeling connected to the road. I expect that from such a large truck, though

I’ll be in the market for another truck next year. My plan is to see what the new Ford and GM will look like. The Duramax LBZ is VERY compelling, but Ford may have something with the dual turbo 6.4L. My choice will probably be a new GM, but it all depends on the way it’s going to look.

Minimization · November 2, 2005

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Manual hubs are standard, and Shift-on-the-Fly is an option. Some would say it’s nice to have options.

I’ll give you a viewpoint from someone who owns both:

GM:

DMAX / Allison – a bulletproof combo

Interior – best in class

Exterior – I hated the way my 03 looked so I hid the front end with a grill guard / front end replacement

Ride Height – What ride height? Lifted it 6”

Ride quality – In stock configuration, I needed a kidney belt to save me when driving around without something heavy in the bed or attached to the hitch; fixed with new adjustable shocks.

Ford:

Power Stroke – Mine burps coolant all over the place when pulling the heavy loads. Other than that “minor design flaw”, it’s pretty solid. The transmission has worked fine.

Exterior – nothing comes close in the bada$$ department

Interior – The folks from “That 70’s Show” must have been on retainer to provide input.

Ride Height – Move out of the way little GM HD

Ride Quality – Mines an F-350 and it rides firm, and is a little numb as far as feeling connected to the road. I expect that from such a large truck, though

I’ll be in the market for another truck next year. My plan is to see what the new Ford and GM will look like. The Duramax LBZ is VERY compelling, but Ford may have something with the dual turbo 6.4L. My choice will probably be a new GM, but it all depends on the way it’s going to look.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay guys! Thanks a bunch! I am hoping to get a GMT-900 K3500 with Extended Cab and Long Bed, Duramax/Allison...unless Ford really pulls through here. My hopes for the GM are bigger tire/wheel possibilities (18" at least, is 20"/305 mm asking too much (I think Ford SD can run this setup stock now)?), and more aggresive exterior styling.

Mark_in_Tulsa · November 2, 2005

And I'm glad we can have conversations like this and compare trucks. Competition makes the breed stronger. I'm glad Dodge finally stepped up to the plate and glad that Nissan, Toyota and Honda are pushing the Big 3 to get better. Good times ahead people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah its nice to see more than 2 trucks out in the market now. Each maker keeps trying to one up the other. So in the long run its good for us.

I know Toyota is coming out with a 2500 diesel that's suppose to put something around the high 700 for torque. Dodge is putting in the new Cummins that's going to be 440HP and 760 TQ. And then Ford is dumping the 6.0 for the 6.4 twin turbo set up. So its going to be fun to see what the future holds for us.