Best Reasonable Reliable 1/2 ton Truck used/new - asking for friend

[r3ccOs]

I have a 2014 1st gen Ecoscrew and as its never really been tuned/modded, its been reliable with the exception of a rear diff issue due to being submerged and a rear main seal gasket weep.

My friend is looking for a "reasonable" half ton truck, though always tempted by the luxuries of Limited, Platinum, Laramie trims... I think he's good with a "sport" or "lariat" level kind of truck.

Talking to many people, the impressions I get are that the Tundra is bar none the most "reliable" - BUT you pay the price at the pump for having a non-modern 5.7, a 4.30 rear ratio on a larger rear end and larger brakes (rotational mass) 18/14.7 L/100km

I'm not a Ford fanboy, but a few mechanics told me that the 2.7 has been the best overall motor for reliability and tuneability, with less gremlins than any other Ford motors. (i.e. 3.5 (both gen with timing chain issues) and the 5.0 which at first had oval piston issues and now lately oil consumption problems.
I also see that the 2.7 being coupled to the 10r80 tranny and the aluminum body being maybe the best for fuel economy for most 1/2 ton owners.

I personally love the 5.7 hemi - but have been told about their lifter/ticking issues... but love their ZF tranny. Also having driven a Denali 6.2, I have to say that is also a fantastic motor, but maybe not quite a free reving as the 5.7. Does the Chevy 5.3's/6.2s have any remaining issues with its cylinder deactivation systems? - I was also told by a local shop to still get a tune deactivate it ASAP if you ever buy a new Chevy/GM.

I'm thinking that for my buddy, leasing a Lariat 502a 2.7 Ecoscrew 5.5 w/ the 4a (auto) capability is his best option for that balance of luxury, economy and practicality

[vengie]

Ford 5.0's are pretty bulletproof.

Plenty of them in our work fleet that just keep chugging... And they aren't easy miles.

[r3ccOs]

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Ford 5.0's are pretty bulletproof.

Plenty of them in our work fleet that just keep chugging... And they aren't easy miles.

I heard this for 2013 to MY17 before they went to the current 5.0... apparently 2nd geo 3.5 eco boost has maybe even worse timing chain issues and oil consumption problems with the 2nd geo 5.0 with the DI and spray in bore liners.

I think with the 2.7 2nd geo the only real change was the port injection

[Masked Bandit]

I wouldn't go near anything with a blue oval but at the same time there are guys that swear by them. If he's not beating the shit out of it I don't know that there's truly one model that is dramatically better than the rest, each brand has their issues so it's just a case of picking your poison. I've been driving a Ram for a long time now and overall it's been a good "city" truck. It rides nice, lots of power and the turning radius is better than Ford or GM of the same era which is important when you spend more time at Walmart than you do off-road. Insert white sunglasses joke here.

[ExtraSlow]

The best "value" is a beater you buy for cash. Lightly used trucks have nearly no depreciation, so those are poor value. All brands are damned good these days, but none are perfect.
If buying brand new, get the fewest options.

I always laugh when someone with a top of the line pickup has an issue and they are like "how does my $90,000 vehicle have this problem." In reality it's the same mechanical bits as a $30,000 truck, just with a few doodads.

Anyway, I like Ford. The 2.7L engine is very good.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

In terms of trucks I’ve bought reliability wise Toyota>GM=Dodge>Ford for repairs.

[SKR]

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The best "value" is a beater you buy for cash.

Having to drive an old truck this winter made me realize the appeal of new vehicles, but yeah I think this is the best way to go considering what new trucks cost.

I've always been a GM guy, but I'd be awfully reluctant to own anything newer than about 2014. I've had enough little dumb electrical problems and things not working in newer ones. If it was me, I'd be looking for a low mile (low to me is under 200,000km) 2011-2013 1500 Denali. "Luxury" when it comes to those trucks is fake woodgrain trim, a heated steering wheel and I think cooled seats. I think that's all that came with a Denali over an SLT in those years. But people that owned them seemed to take good care of them, and I think they all came with a 6.2 instead of the 5.3 that an SLT would have had. I haven't looked but I think you could be into one for around $20,000. Look for one from an old farmer who took it to town to pay bills.

I don't know shit from wild honey about any other makes. The little time I've spent in a Ford, it seemed like the dash was all switches and dials and levers and buzzers. The 2007-2013 GM interiors are quite minimal compared to Fords, which suits me better.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

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Having to drive an old truck this winter made me realize the appeal of new vehicles, but yeah I think this is the best way to go considering what new trucks cost.

I've always been a GM guy, but I'd be awfully reluctant to own anything newer than about 2014. I've had enough little dumb electrical problems and things not working in newer ones. If it was me, I'd be looking for a low mile (low to me is under 200,000km) 2011-2013 1500 Denali. "Luxury" when it comes to those trucks is fake woodgrain trim, a heated steering wheel and I think cooled seats. I think that's all that came with a Denali over an SLT in those years. But people that owned them seemed to take good care of them, and I think they all came with a 6.2 instead of the 5.3 that an SLT would have had. I haven't looked but I think you could be into one for around $20,000. Look for one from an old farmer who took it to town to pay bills.

I don't know shit from wild honey about any other makes. The little time I've spent in a Ford, it seemed like the dash was all switches and dials and levers and buzzers. The 2007-2013 GM interiors are quite minimal compared to Fords, which suits me better.

I saw a 13 Denali 1500 with 41k go through auction yesterday.

[Skrilla]

If your talking used I would go:

Ford - Anything with a 5.4 2V (ended in 04), or 6.2L which IMO is the best engine Ford made recently.
Dodge - no experience with anything newer than 5.9L magnum
GMC - really the 5.3 and 6.2 are both quite reliable. 6.0L is bullet proof
Nissan - lol
Toyota - although a pig on fuel the Tundra 5.7 is rock solid

[S-FLY]

I had a 2007 Tundra double cab with the 5.7L and it was a really good truck. The 5.7L was great and I don't recall the fuel economy being that bad using it around town.
However, when towing my car (~5000lb load) to Castrol and back, that's when I noticed how bad it was on fuel economy. I've had F150's and Dodge Rams, and in my experience the Tundra was definitely the best. I just wish they'd update the motor, or maybe put diesel in it.

[r3ccOs]

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If your talking used I would go:

Ford - Anything with a 5.4 2V (ended in 04), or 6.2L which IMO is the best engine Ford made recently.
Dodge - no experience with anything newer than 5.9L magnum
GMC - really the 5.3 and 6.2 are both quite reliable. 6.0L is bullet proof
Nissan - lol
Toyota - although a pig on fuel the Tundra 5.7 is rock solid

Ford - Almost impossible to find the 6.2 in a half ton, other than the 2011-14 raptors and limited... the 3V was garbage but was also last offered in 10'
Looks like its the 11-17 5.0 as long as you didn't have that weird oval cylinder
1st Gen Ecoboost post '13 seems to be rock solid
2.7 overall even to date with the Port injection updates in 18 is maybe the best modern motor

Spoke to a couple mechanics and yeah the GMC LS motors are solid, but all recommend to disable the active cylinder management system ASAP due to valve sticking and apparently premature bearing wear

Hemi - though I love the motor, the ticking due to lifters and also manifold bolt issues

Toyota - rock solid ancient but reliable 5.7

[AndyL]

That nissan with the cummins 5.0 would probably be budget friendly to buy.

I'd be scared to death of it long term though. All of what 4-5 years of production? Super low sales. Doesn't give me warm and fuzzies about future parts availability.

I'm still a yota fanboy, but even I gotta admit everything about the trucks is still stuck in the 90s. So GMC for the win.

Unless he's a squarebody fan - still some options out there... They're appreciating as collectors items now... Few nice deals in the ready to enjoy range.

[Skrilla]

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Ford - Almost impossible to find the 6.2 in a half ton, other than the 2011-14 raptors and limited... the 3V was garbage but was also last offered in 10'
Looks like its the 11-17 5.0 as long as you didn't have that weird oval cylinder
1st Gen Ecoboost post '13 seems to be rock solid
2.7 overall even to date with the Port injection updates in 18 is maybe the best modern motor

Spoke to a couple mechanics and yeah the GMC LS motors are solid, but all recommend to disable the active cylinder management system ASAP due to valve sticking and apparently premature bearing wear

Hemi - though I love the motor, the ticking due to lifters and also manifold bolt issues

Toyota - rock solid ancient but reliable 5.7

I agree the 6.2L isn't very common, it came only as limited, platinum, Raptor, and Harley. the 5.4 2V was a great engine, but yea I wouldn't buy a 3V version. My last one had 280k kms when i sold it. Both 6.2L F150s I owned were problem free mechanically. We switched to all 3.5L Ecoboost now and we have had good luck apart from the early Gen1 trucks.

[SkiBum5.0]

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Having to drive an old truck this winter made me realize the appeal of new vehicles, but yeah I think this is the best way to go considering what new trucks cost.

I've always been a GM guy, but I'd be awfully reluctant to own anything newer than about 2014. I've had enough little dumb electrical problems and things not working in newer ones. If it was me, I'd be looking for a low mile (low to me is under 200,000km) 2011-2013 1500 Denali. "Luxury" when it comes to those trucks is fake woodgrain trim, a heated steering wheel and I think cooled seats. I think that's all that came with a Denali over an SLT in those years. But people that owned them seemed to take good care of them, and I think they all came with a 6.2 instead of the 5.3 that an SLT would have had. I haven't looked but I think you could be into one for around $20,000. Look for one from an old farmer who took it to town to pay bills.

I don't know shit from wild honey about any other makes. The little time I've spent in a Ford, it seemed like the dash was all switches and dials and levers and buzzers. The 2007-2013 GM interiors are quite minimal compared to Fords, which suits me better.

Those first gen AFM trucks had bigger issues with lifter than the later trucks. I’m a simple is better guy, but I’d go post-2015 and then disable AFM.

My vote is well used GM truck, but the lifter issues are present. Overblown on the interweb, but still there. Only personal experience, but frequent, high quality synthetic oil changes keeps them happy. Same goes for the Ford 5.0.

[mr2mike]

I know a guy who's going to be selling a 2010 1/2 ton with a Bowtie on it.
Well kept truck and only selling because he ordered a new one.
PM me and I can send him the info.

[SKR]

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Those first gen AFM trucks had bigger issues with lifter than the later trucks. I’m a simple is better guy, but I’d go post-2015 and then disable AFM.

My vote is well used GM truck, but the lifter issues are present. Overblown on the interweb, but still there. Only personal experience, but frequent, high quality synthetic oil changes keeps them happy. Same goes for the Ford 5.0.

I thought the 6.2 didn't have AFM. I don't know where I got that idea from. My knowledge of gas engines is pretty limited.

I'd still recommend a pre-2014 truck, but that's just my preference of mechanical problems over electrical. On the other hand, having bluetooth randomly disconnect is pretty minor compared to having to do the top end on a motor.

[SkiBum5.0]

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I thought the 6.2 didn't have AFM. I don't know where I got that idea from. My knowledge of gas engines is pretty limited.

I'd still recommend a pre-2014 truck, but that's just my preference of mechanical problems over electrical. On the other hand, having bluetooth randomly disconnect is pretty minor compared to having to do the top end on a motor.

You could be right on the 6.2. And I much prefer older stuff - like your LBZ....

[Skrilla]

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I thought the 6.2 didn't have AFM. I don't know where I got that idea from. My knowledge of gas engines is pretty limited.

I'd still recommend a pre-2014 truck, but that's just my preference of mechanical problems over electrical. On the other hand, having bluetooth randomly disconnect is pretty minor compared to having to do the top end on a motor.

I think 2014 is when the 6.2 received AFM.

[ThePenIsMightier]

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That nissan with the cummins 5.0 would probably be budget friendly to buy.

I'd be scared to death of it long term though. All of what 4-5 years of production? Super low sales. Doesn't give me warm and fuzzies about future parts availability....

I've never seen one! I've seen a reasonable number of gas Titans and XD in gas, but zero diesels.
It's weird.

[zechs]

GM interiors prior to the 2014 refresh are gross. I prefer their 01-07 interiors vs the gmt900 years.

GM, a low mileage 2006 1500 is a nice truck, cheap, and zero issues (if you can find such a thing).

Ford's prior to 2015, would not touch with a 10 foot pole.

Dodges um... Yea. Just no for anything older than the past two years or so (dear god the electrical problems).

I don't actually mind my friend's crewcab f150, last year with triton 3 valve.

But I stand by my statement, cheap good truck, 2001-2007 gmc. 04-07 if wanting a crew cab.

Otherwise, new truck. I prefer the GM, happy with my Ford as I needed the payload.

$40k got you a lot of truck at 1.49% financing last year from Ford. Hate their brakes and the ride is sometimes not good.