OT: New Truck Frustrations?

[weisan]

now I understand why trucks are so popular in the US...

I came from another part of the world more than 35 years ago, over there people don't drive trucks unless they are running a business....

[pasadena]

Is it wax based or ?
Does it make it a mess to wrench on bolts? Amsoil sells a similar type of thing. No rust issues in socal but it's nice to keep things corrosion free and the surface rust off
Where did you buy it thanks

Originally Posted by William

Fluid Film is your friend. Applied it twice a year to the under carriage, inside the frame rails, and body panels. It kept the rust at bay during ten years of DD'ing my FJ60 through salty New England winters. And old Toyotas are known rust magnets. If rust really is a worry to you start spraying it...and it's non-toxic so no worries. It will also stop any rust you currently have from spreading.




W.

[HenryA]

Originally Posted by pbarry

First generation Tundras are a good value IMO. Definitely see them in the $10k-12k range around here without a ton of miles. First Gen was an updated v8 T100, without the “muscular” styling of Gen2.

I had a 2004 4WD Tundra. Bought it new for $25K, drove it 14 years and sold it for $10K with 254K on the clock. Zero problems the entire time of ownership.

Two things to watch for are timing belts (needs done every every 90,000 miles) and frame rust. The first you can fix for @ $1200, the second can be fatal. A careful inspection will tell. Mine was used hard, well maintained and almost spotless when I sold it. Not being in a location where salt is heavily used and regular under carriage washing is my explanation.

They are outstandingly good trucks. I replaced the Toyota with a Ford F150 Super Crew. The Ford is much bigger, has a much higher towing capacity and still gets better mileage. Paid twice as much as for the Toyota.

For the kind of use the OP seems to envision a really cherry Tundra of that vintage would be an excellent choice, even if you pay a slight premium.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by merlinmurph

Why would you say trucks are expensive??
I just read an article in Motor Trend about their Truck of the Year, a 2021 Dodge RAM 1500 TRX. All decked out, it's $87,370. And this is a half-ton. Ouch.

i dont read motor trend, but i wonder what makes this the truck of the year, other than the outrageous price and horsepower.

i'm looking at it now.

why on earth do you need, on a truck:

-launch control ??

-DASHBOARD
Monitor instantaneous horsepower readings, steering angle measurements, personal records. Personal records?? what in the name of crazytown does that mean in a pickup truck?

-DYNO/ENGINE
Measure your peak horsepower, torque and boost pressure on any run with an integrated dynamometer. Then compare it to previous records.



IMO, motor trend is lost it's mind if they think this is what makes a good truck.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by HenryA

I had a 2004 4WD Tundra. Bought it new for $25K, drove it 14 years and sold it for $10K with 254K on the clock. Zero problems the entire time of ownership.

Two things to watch for are timing belts (needs done every every 90,000 miles) and frame rust. The first you can fix for @ $1200, the second can be fatal. A careful inspection will tell. Mine was used hard, well maintained and almost spotless when I sold it. Not being in a location where salt is heavily used and regular under carriage washing is my explanation.

They are outstandingly good trucks. I replaced the Toyota with a Ford F150 Super Crew. The Ford is much bigger, has a much higher towing capacity and still gets better mileage. Paid twice as much as for the Toyota.

For the kind of use the OP seems to envision a really cherry Tundra of that vintage would be an excellent choice, even if you pay a slight premium.

The Ford is a grand total of 6" wider than the Toyota (last I checked)

Amazing how much bigger it feels tho, ain't it?

AFA the TRX: it's a Raptor competitor. They start at $54k or so and go up from there

M

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by gummee

afa the trx: It's a raptor competitor. They start at $54k or so and go up from there

m

trx

msrp: From $69,995

[William]

Originally Posted by pasadena

Is it wax based or ?
Does it make it a mess to wrench on bolts? Amsoil sells a similar type of thing. No rust issues in socal but it's nice to keep things corrosion free and the surface rust off
Where did you buy it thanks

It's a lanolin-based product. I posted a link to a study (by the Navy if I remember correctly) in a previous thread that tested a bunch of different rust inhibitors and FF came out on top in short and long term tests. Back in RI I used to get it from a John Deere shop but here in the PNW if found it at O'Reily auto parts...though I think you can order it direct.

It's interesting when you spray it on because it bubbles and starts creeping into every nook and cranny. When we were fabbing some sliders for my 60 we opened up the rockers where I couldn't directly spray and found that the FF had crept up into that enclosed area quite a bit. It creates a film, not a sloppy gloopy mess that makes wrenching hard or disgusting.






W.

[nortx-Dave]

I'm the current owner of a '11 Ford F150 XLT 4X4, with a 6 cyl ecoboost with about 51K on the clock. We mainly use it to haul the horses, get hay, transport yard debris etc.

Recently my wife has gotten the travel bug and has us looking at truck campers, to be used when hauling her horse trailer (with 2 miniature horses). I'm thinking a 1/2 - 1 ton Ford. Haven't seriously started to look, but know that it will run into some serious cash, even with my F150 as a trade.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

i dont read motor trend, but i wonder what makes this the truck of the year, other than the outrageous price and horsepower.

Advertising dollars, pure and simple.

There's no connection between vehicle quality, reliability or even sales volume and COTY or TOTY. It's all about advertising dollars spent with the publication.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by Tickdoc

Very informative post. Most of the glowing ridgeline reviews I've read are from auto reviewers, not owners, and man are they glowing.

I bought a new Ridgeline in 2008, and kept it for 6 years.

Its the most useful thing I've ever owned, especially if you have a cycling habit. You can fit 2 road bikes, wheels on, in the back, or 3 bikes in the bed. The lockable 'trunk' in the back is awesome for wet/muddy gear or camping detrius, 5 people fit comfortably inside, the interior space is great and so is the bed space - much more so than the tacoma/ranger/etc. With a bed extender its got a 6' bed. And its a Honda so it wont break.

So while its not a 'real' truck it is far, far better for the 99% of the time you use it.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by nortx-Dave

I'm the current owner of a '11 Ford F150 XLT 4X4, with a 6 cyl ecoboost with about 51K on the clock. We mainly use it to haul the horses, get hay, transport yard debris etc.

Recently my wife has gotten the travel bug and has us looking at truck campers, to be used when hauling her horse trailer (with 2 miniature horses). I'm thinking a 1/2 - 1 ton Ford. Haven't seriously started to look, but know that it will run into some serious cash, even with my F150 as a trade.

Adding another couple of thousand pounds of camper, clothing, food, make-up, etc? Might want to consider a diesel...

[merlinmurph]

Originally Posted by nortx-Dave

I'm the current owner of a '11 Ford F150 XLT 4X4, with a 6 cyl ecoboost with about 51K on the clock. We mainly use it to haul the horses, get hay, transport yard debris etc.

Recently my wife has gotten the travel bug and has us looking at truck campers, to be used when hauling her horse trailer (with 2 miniature horses). I'm thinking a 1/2 - 1 ton Ford. Haven't seriously started to look, but know that it will run into some serious cash, even with my F150 as a trade.

Towing horses plus a camper?? If not already familiar with the subject, I suggest you bone up on truck capacities and what they mean. This is frequent question on RV forums, and frequently, the questioner finds that their tow vehicle is inadequate.

In short, pay no attention to the "tow capacity" the manufacturer states. That's a vague number the marketing people like and disregards all sorts of factors like people and other stuff (i.e. weight) in the truck. Use the GVWR and GCWR of the specific truck you want to buy. In addition, people like to leave a 10-20% buffer depending on use, i.e. mountains, amount of driving, etc.

Here's a pretty good guide I found.

Good luck!

[Tickdoc]

Worldwide autos.....outside of Denver always has an interesting selection of survivor to resto- modded trucks and suvs on hand. There are several of these internet based used lots across the country...a decent one in Tyler tx, another similar outfit in Houston, and another higher-end one in St. Louis, but I always go back to worldwide. Buyer beware of course, but they seem extremely straightforward presenting what is there and not overcharging.

https://worldwide.dealeraccelerate.net/

Happy hunting!

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by William

It's a lanolin-based product. I posted a link to a study (by the Navy if I remember correctly) in a previous thread that tested a bunch of different rust inhibitors and FF came out on top in short and long term tests. Back in RI I used to get it from a John Deere shop but here in the PNW if found it at O'Reily auto parts...though I think you can order it direct.

It's interesting when you spray it on because it bubbles and starts creeping into every nook and cranny. When we were fabbing some sliders for my 60 we opened up the rockers where I couldn't directly spray and found that the FF had crept up into that enclosed area quite a bit. It creates a film, not a sloppy gloopy mess that makes wrenching hard or disgusting.






W.

Just curious how does the floor of the space youre working in turn out? I just bought my first case of FF and once i get the courage to do it, im going to! Wondering if i should put down a bunch of cardboard under the jeep first.

I need to figure out the Do's and Dont's like around wiring/sensors and where not to spray, so im not ready to do it just yet.

[nortx-Dave]

Originally Posted by merlinmurph

Towing horses plus a camper?? If not already familiar with the subject, I suggest you bone up on truck capacities and what they mean. This is frequent question on RV forums, and frequently, the questioner finds that their tow vehicle is inadequate.

In short, pay no attention to the "tow capacity" the manufacturer states. That's a vague number the marketing people like and disregards all sorts of factors like people and other stuff (i.e. weight) in the truck. Use the GVWR and GCWR of the specific truck you want to buy. In addition, people like to leave a 10-20% buffer depending on use, i.e. mountains, amount of driving, etc.

Here's a pretty good guide I found.

Good luck!

Good information that I can add to research already completed. Thanks

A plus is that her mini's "only" weigh about 215 pounds each, instead of the 1200 pounds her Quarter horse weighed.