Build yo truck

"Nibbles" (nibbles) 07/05/2016 at 09:45 • Filed to: trucklopnik

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We recently bought a camper; a 1997 Hi-Lo 24D 24 foot bumper pull. Despite what others like to tell me about my own damn truck, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! pulls this trailer without a care in the world. I still want another truck.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Dakota but the plan is to give the truck some solid axles and a generous lift, turning it from a toy hauler to a toy itself . So we’ve been looking for our next truck - our forever truck (at least hopefully). A truck that can haul the camper and the Dakota behind it, or the horse trailer, or whatever bullshit I buy from Home Depot this weekend.

Like this 2016 Sierra 2500 coming in at $60,110. SLT 4x4 in Iridium Metallic, equipped with the Duramax/Allison combo and ash/black perforated leather interior:

Or this F250 Lariat 4x4, equipped with the PowerStroke diesel and A4OD 6R140 transmission. The Lariat package comes with pretty much everything that the GMC has, save wireless charging, and is a whopping 3 grand less:

Finally, the Ram Ram 2500 Laramie 4x4. It does have the best infotainment [ugh] system of the group and sports the only manual transmission available . Clocking in at 59,470 this middle-of-the-road truck is right in the middle duh. We did add the Snow Chief package because, hell, if we’re gonna live in the mountains we may need a plow:

So which would you choose?

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Pickup_man > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 10:45

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None of the above. I would wait a year, buy the 2017 Ford Super Duty. Same proven drive train, and aluminum body which makes for a much better “forever truck” than any steel bodied one, plus higher towing/payload capacities.

Nibbles > Pickup_man 07/05/2016 at 10:49

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I’m still weary of getting a truck with too much aluminum. Rust isn’t a big issue out here in Colorado either

That being said, we’ll still look at the 2017 F250 when it comes out. I’m not a huge fan of their looks but I’ll give the new truck the same chance to earn my purchase as the others

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 10:50

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I’d still go with a 90s Buick Roadmaster.

Nibbles > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/05/2016 at 10:51

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The wife wouldn’t :\

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 10:52

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It’s still body-on-steel-frame, so I don’t see what the issue is. The reduction of strength from an accident doesn’t seem as big of a deal to me with two steel girders holding it all together.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 10:53

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Think of how many things can be placed inside while still towing 7500 lbs!

Nibbles > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/05/2016 at 10:55

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Repair costs being one issue. Like I said, I’m not going to knock ‘em till I try ‘em. Just not sure if I want an aluminum truck yet

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 10:58

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But if it’s a proper truck-truck, do you repair every little ding or forget about it because it’s going to get banged up again? Proper accidents will be insurance’s problem.

nermal > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 10:59

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I’m in a similar situation, although currently have a 1500 and want need a diesel, with the intentions of keeping for 8-10 yrs. All three in 2016 versions are nearing the end of their model cycle, so should have most of the bugs worked out.

The GMC looks the best. Also, according to what I have read is the fastest. It has the oldest engine / transmission. It also has the best mirrors, as long as you get the towing ones with the LED lights on them for backing up at night.

I don’t like the Ford.

The Ram should ride the best (coil springs vs leafs), and the engine has been proven durable, the rest is debatable. The manual is available if you’re in to that. It also seems that you can swing bigger discounts and rebates on them, so should be cheaper with comparable trim levels.

Nibbles > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/05/2016 at 11:02

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I’m tryin, I really am. She’s an avid wagon-hater though

But we get this truck, it’s hers. Leaves me clear to get a V90 Polestar for myself :)

Pickup_man > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 11:03

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But why? Lots of vehicles have been made from aluminum for a very long time, and semi trucks have been aluminum for a very long time as well, no major issues with those. The frame is still high strength steel so no worries there, and Ford has proved that aluminum does very well in crash tests with the F-150 so as long as they continue that with the new SD then there shouldn’t be any worries there either.

I’ve been to Colorado, you don’t have much of a rust issue and I’m extremely jealous. I’m from South Dakota and things rust like crazy up here. An aluminum truck is like a godsend and as soon as I can afford a new truck an F-150 is at the top of the list.

I agree about the looks, not a huge fan. It might grow on me though.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 11:05

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I don’t get why people worry about the connotations of a wagon then buy a minivan crossover. Do the not realize that the wagon hasn’t been the school pickup line car of choice in like 30 years?

Nibbles > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/05/2016 at 11:05

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That’s one part I just don’t have enough data on. Aluminum likes to shear more than dent. Dents I can live with - the Dakota is lousy with them - sheared metal and open wounds, however, I do not much care for.

Hey, I didn’t realize the 2017 configurator was up. So I configured one, like the 2016. They took away my green, but the blue jeans color isn’t too bad. A bit more expensive too for a comparable build:

Nibbles > Pickup_man 07/05/2016 at 11:07

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I’m weird like that I guess. I’m all for fully autonomous vehicles, love the cutting-edge tech coming out these days, would absolutely kill for a Model S, but still hold on to the old ways when it comes to trucks

Nibbles > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/05/2016 at 11:10

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She’s even more disgusted by minivans and crossovers. She’s a truck girl, or a sedan/coupe if necessary.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 11:17

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Well that’s good then. IMO, the beauty of the Roadmaster is that it kind of is a truck.

Nibbles > nermal 07/05/2016 at 11:18

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I’d definitely prefer the Cummins over the Duramax/Powerstroke - some of that is prejudice, some from experience, the rest from, well, it’s a Cummins. The ISB line is almost as old as I am and well proven

The Ford has arguably the strongest suspension and is the most truck-like truck in the lineup, being it’s relatively unchanged since 1999. I hear the latest PowerStroke is lightyears ahead of its predecessor as well

The GMC’s Isuzu Duramax diesel is a damn sight and the Allison transmission is a match made in heaven. It’s definitely the most luxury of the bunch too which isn’t a bad thing

Stephen the Canuck > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 12:20

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What about the Silverado equivalent to the Sierra? It should be pretty much the exact same but a little cheaper.

There’s also the Nissan Titan XD.

Nibbles > Stephen the Canuck 07/05/2016 at 12:27

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Silverado is ugly. I checked out the Titan but it is also ugly.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 13:47

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Only $70k

Nibbles > CaptDale - is secretly British 07/05/2016 at 13:51

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Jeezy Pete.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 14:10

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Yup $10K more and

Nibbles > CaptDale - is secretly British 07/05/2016 at 14:15

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It’s funny; before we bought the camper my wife was looking forward to getting an F-Type for her Masters graduation present. Now we’re looking at comparably priced trucks :\

CaptDale - is secretly British > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 14:19

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Just wait for a nice used one if a few years.

Stephen the Canuck > Nibbles 07/05/2016 at 18:12

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Fair enough. My vote is Sierra.