Best ten-twenty year new truck?

So I'm in the market for a truck. Went to look at a reasonably priced 2004 Dakota, and it was not holding up well. Seen a couple early '00's Tacomas, and they seem to hold up pretty well (should I be surprised?). So it got me thinking- what new trucks are going to hold up well over time- I'm thinking 10-20 year time frame. And I'm thinking of interiors, squeaks, rattles, plasticy bits, drivetrains, etc.

The new RAM gets great reviews- does this mean good grades in 10 years, or am I better off with a Tacoma double cab? Would love to get the diesel 1500 crew, but my recent look at the Dak really has me re-thinking domestic trucks for the long term. My gut says 2016 Taco when they do the update (and hopefully with a 2.8 Cummins), but I need a reality check.

Based on how thin the steel is on them these days, I'd be going with the aluminum Ford.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: My gut says 2016 Taco when they do the update (and hopefully with a 2.8 Cummins), but I need a reality check.

Cummins is in bed with Nissan. The Taco will come with a Hino engine.

Rumor is stating they doubt the Taco will get a diesel in the US. Think it will be pulled at the last minute.

10-20 years, humm. That is a good one. Every year Toyota comes out with a new model the interior quality gets a little thinner. They tend to be a little noisier off the bat than the domestics. They will still have some value in your time to trade range. Ford and GM have stepped up their game and the new Coyote is hard to beat.

For 10 years I would say all are safe bets. In the 20 years category, I honestly couldn't give you an opinion, especially given you are looking at trucks that haven't been out yet.

If it was my money, I would go 3/4 domestic with a diesel. We know they last a long time. The 1/2 ton diesel camp isn't exactly proven. I don't trust the Cummins V8 yet. The 3.9/4.5 & 5.9/6.7 was actually designed by Fiat and the V8 is a clean sheet Cummins design. As is the 2.8L in the Frontier. Cummins hasn't done a little diesel I know of in years. They even tried to poach the VW diesels for marine and then industrial use before Mercruiser and Cummins split and Merc took them.

Come to think of it what diesel engine company do we have?

Caterpillar? Nothing small made by them. Cummins, nothing small made by them until now. Detroit Diesel? Sold off the the Germans and MTU. International? Owned by South Americans. John Deere? They have a few engines, but all are industrial/ag/marine and too heavy for automotive use.

That would explain the DoE jointly developing with Cummins on the 2.8L engine.

Cummins v8 was developed a while ago, tested and ready to go in 2007-2008. Dodge had a contract with cummins to provide engines for light duties. There was a v8 for the ram and v6 for durango. They started building the plant and then Chrysler went belly up and cancelled the project.

The Cummins Mercruiser, small ones 1.7 liter ish, are VM motori based.

Not aware that the 5.9 was a fiat design. I'll have to run that one by my friends at CTC. Iveco is a partner and customer with Cummins, but I'm pretty sure those engines are Cummins designed. I think VM Motori was consulted on the project. Just like Ricardo was consulted for the 6.7 powerstroke.

I'm not worried about interiors very much. It's the 2010 Dodges and Fords with holes rotted through the beds that makes me think the new ones will be gone by then.

i don't know about new trucks, but the 1997 Chevy K1500 extended cab long box that i got from my brother is in pretty damn good shape for something with 170,000 miles... i'm pretty sure the cap and rotor that i replaced last weekend were original, and what looks to be the original shocks are just now going bad. still drives straight and has no play in the steering.. motor starts right away and has plenty of power with no leaks or oil consumption and i've been averaging 16mpg no matter how i drive it.. interior isn't a rattle trap and oddly enough it has no rust on the body at all..

but the best parts: it has a for reals throttle cable and pulling the ABS fuse made it actually stop better.. it has "win" written all over it in every way possible..

In reply to novaderrik:

I don't think they'll make anything that'll last as long as the 90's full size Chevys and Fords.

I vote Chevy. LS engine has been around for a long time now, no bugs left to be worked out. Pushrod V8 will always be cheaper and easier to service than a OHC engine with long cahins/belts, tensioners etc.

My 2000 Silverado 2500 6.0 is still going very strong. Full time DD and part time RV puller. Haven't really even thought about replacing it yet. I've had it for a little over 5 years and I'm pretty sure it's got another 5 good years in it. I've heard they rust in some parts of the world but mine really has none. Not sure where you are or if that's an issue so YMMV.
So I'd go with a 2014 (last of the current proven ones) GM 2500HD 6.0 gas. Mines been dependable as a hammer.

ebonyandivory wrote: In reply to novaderrik: I don't think they'll make anything that'll last as long as the 90's full size Chevys and Fords.

i still see a lot of them on the roads here, and they do tend to be in better shape than the early iterations (99-02) of the truck that replaced them that are still on the road. if my truck had a newer 6.0 it would be perfect..

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: Cummins v8 was developed a while ago, tested and ready to go in 2007-2008. Dodge had a contract with cummins to provide engines for light duties. There was a v8 for the ram and v6 for durango. They started building the plant and then Chrysler went belly up and cancelled the project. The Cummins Mercruiser, small ones 1.7 liter ish, are VM motori based. Not aware that the 5.9 was a fiat design. I'll have to run that one by my friends at CTC. Iveco is a partner and customer with Cummins, but I'm pretty sure those engines are Cummins designed. I think VM Motori was consulted on the project. Just like Ricardo was consulted for the 6.7 powerstroke.

You weren't aware of the Cummins Mercruiser VW partnership that lasted 6 months before the split that was to replace all the VM engines? They brought the 4, 6, and 8s and now Mercury has them after the split. Cummins was pissed! (at the time I had done work with Cummins Mercruiser on a transmission to put with V8)

Personally, I don't consider an engine ready to go until it is in production and have consumer feedback. PPAPs are great but something always gets through.

The Fiat Powertrain (Iveco hasn't been used in the engine names for a a few years now, it is just the European truck brand. As soon as FPT gets traction I am sure they will change it to something else. Seems to be their M.O. in the N.A. operations.) and Cummins joint work was dispersed just a few years after the 6.7l was released. Easy come, easy go.

I heard that the V8 is going in the Titan and Tundra. As far as a little Toyota diesels well they have done that well for a while.

2000 was the best year for the 7.3 Powerstroke.

It's still the best selling diesel V8 ever.

doc_speeder wrote: So I'd go with a 2014 (last of the current proven ones) GM 2500HD 6.0 gas. Mines been dependable as a hammer.

What he said.

Honestly, and I can't stress this enough, the newest generation of trucks (pre-2015) are incredible value for the money. Quality of interior and exterior materials (as well as mechanical parts) is way up. A brand new gas truck, maintained as per service schedule, will easily go 350k miles nowadays with nothing more than basic maintenance.

And since you are in the US, go gas. I can understand buying diesel in Canada, but with diesel typically being $3.70/gallon compared to the $3.19/gallon for gas in North Dakota, you'd be nuts to go with a diesel. They don't get THAT much better mpg.

Thanks for the advice, all. So the domestic vs import thing is not the gap that it used to be? I'm considering midsize for in-town versatility, and because I only need to tow 5k lbs max, but also understand you're getting less truck for similar money. I keep leaning toward tacoma because they're such a known quantity, and maybe that feeling (despite lack of data to prove) may be worth having.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Thanks for the advice, all. So the domestic vs import thing is not the gap that it used to be? I'm considering midsize for in-town versatility, and because I only need to tow 5k lbs max, but also understand you're getting less truck for similar money. I keep leaning toward tacoma because they're such a known quantity, and maybe that feeling (despite lack of data to prove) may be worth having.

The 3/4 ton (2500 GM/Ram F250 Fords etc) ride a little rougher and chew through more fuel than the 1/2 tons, but I prefer them just for the heavier, stronger parts. In many cases, tougher trans and axles, beefier cooling systems etc. For not much more money in most cases.

I've had my 1/2 ton Silverado since new in 2007 which was the first year for the GMT900 trucks. It's been as reliable as dirt for 125k miles and I expect 20 years shouldn't be an issue. I do live in Texas, so I don't know anything about rust issues. I paid just under $25k for the truck new. A friend of mine tried to buy one recently and they're all $15k and up if they're nice like mine still is.

Id say ford. I can still get almost every single wear item for my nieces 77 from the dealer. Thats almost 30 years of factory parts availability.

Find me another manufacturer that does that.

My gut says FoMoCo, my brain says GM. I think the Ford trucks are a better overall package, but the earlier comment about the GM LS engine's simplicity and serviceability shouldn't be ignored.

I would add that I would give Ford a couple of years to work the aluminum F150's kinks out. I'm sure it will be good in the long run, but I wouldn't be an early adopter. Same goes with the new 1/2 ton diesels.

Mine. Dad's has 210k now. Had to rebuild the trans once. It's 11 years old and runs/drives great. Mine's 8 years old with 78k and has nothing but oil changes, a set of tires and Hawk LTS front pads. Body/paint is perfect on mine, solid on his (scuffs, scratches and dings for 210k miles and 11 years).

So to wrap up, buy the Toyota if you want to pay more for less truck because you are scared of domestics. Buy a Ford or Chevy and maintain it as directed and get 350k.

Seems like you have a few options.

In reply to HappyAndy:

Its to my understanding that they stealth tested the aluminum stuff pretty extensively in fleet and race service.

How much more is it to insure a new Aluminum Ford then a comparable steel truck? Does the potential higher body work costs make them more expensive for insurance?

In reply to pimpm3:

I recall reading somewhere that Ford was actually subsidizing the training/tools or something to that effect just for that reason. Between that and the number of them that will be sold I doubt it will be an issue. They're mostly screwed/riveted together from the cutaways I saw at NAIAS 2014.

Screwed, riveted and glued, just like the Jags when Ford owned them, from the latest I read.