what happened to the basic work truck?

Keith wrote: As for the bed height, I think it's partly a function thing. You can put more in a truck with higher bed sides. flatbed on the back.

Not just the sides, the whole floor!

I think my truck ('88 GMC 1500) is about the last of the breed of reasonably sized 1/2 ton trucks. Anything much bigger or smaller gets hard to use.

Since we're ranting about new trucks, what's the deal with the wheel arch on the current generation of Silverado/Sierras? Even in 2WD form, there's so much gap in the wheel arch that you can see under the frame, clear to the other side. I understand we're not going hellaflush with these things, but it looks really weird.

Granted, this is a 4x4, bu the fact remains.

My daily driver for years was an '01 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 that had previously been a work truck. The only options it had were A/C, 4WD, and the towing package. Manual windows, manual locks, bench seat, cassette player radio, and the 5.2L V8 that would run forever. The previous owner put a cap on it, and I added a CD player and bigger tires.

I miss that twuck.

alex wrote: I think my truck ('88 GMC 1500) is about the last of the breed of reasonably sized 1/2 ton trucks. Anything much bigger or smaller gets hard to use. Since we're ranting about new trucks, what's the deal with the wheel arch on the current generation of Silverado/Sierras? Even in 2WD form, there's so much gap in the wheel arch that you can see under the frame, clear to the other side. I understand we're not going hellaflush with these things, but it looks really weird. Granted, this is a 4x4, bu the fact remains.

i don't think the GM trucks got out of hand with making things too tall until they redesigned them in '07 or whenever, but the last good looking truck overall was the '02 Chevy 2500HD. that truck was just pretty in a functional sort of way- nice and clean lines, but yet looked tough. it was the last year before they started making the front of the truck look stupid. after that, the GMC looked better than any other truck out there for a few more years, and now they are all without exception just fugly monstrosities.

My friends parents are selling their '99 Dodge Ram Sport 318 2WD Extended Cab. It's a little beat up, but that's ok. I really like it. I'm considering making them an offer on it before they take it to the dealer.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: My friends parents are selling their '99 Dodge Ram Sport 318 2WD Extended Cab. It's a little beat up, but that's ok. I really like it. I'm considering making them an offer on it before they take it to the dealer.

That's very similar to my old Ram. Those 318s will run forever. BUY IT.

NGTD wrote:

Keith wrote:

iceracer wrote: The suspension on the F-150 is unable to handle a snow plow. According to Ford. Yet it can handle big loads and pull big trailers.

Snowplows put some really hard stresses on the front of the truck. You're basically ramming things over and over. Much different than a sustained pull on a trailer.

In most cases it is the frames that can't handle it. I have seen numerous 1/2 tons that "crab" down the road because they have had plows on them. Wanna plow? - get a 2500 or a 3500.

Shucks,we plowed for years with a CJ- 3/5 Seem Liberty's with plows. The frame isn't bent because of the plow. It is because the driver thought he had a bulldozer.

alex wrote: I think my truck ('88 GMC 1500) is about the last of the breed of reasonably sized 1/2 ton trucks. Anything much bigger or smaller gets hard to use. Since we're ranting about new trucks, what's the deal with the wheel arch on the current generation of Silverado/Sierras? Even in 2WD form, there's so much gap in the wheel arch that you can see under the frame, clear to the other side. I understand we're not going hellaflush with these things, but it looks really weird. Granted, this is a 4x4, bu the fact remains.

That's nothing compared to my new company truck. 2011 F250 4x4. Too bad it comes stock with 245/75/17 tires. I could crawl in the wheelwell and take a nap if I wanted to.

I just want a running pre-94 ram with a 318. Standard cab long bed.

I have a 93, but it's mine

Keith wrote: Agreed, if Cummins would knock two cylinders off the end of that big inline six it would be great for half-tons.

That engine is called the 4bt. You see it in a lot of bread trucks among other things. It's also a popular swap engine. It's too bad it isn't offered in a truck like the 6bt is.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: My friends parents are selling their '99 Dodge Ram Sport 318 2WD Extended Cab. It's a little beat up, but that's ok. I really like it. I'm considering making them an offer on it before they take it to the dealer.

I just used a 2004 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4 crew cab (5.3 auto with 4.10's) to tow through the mountains 6000 pounds. Adequate (leaning towards the barely side of that word) was my description. The 318 is one of the most anemic v8's, ever, it probably would have been in 2nd gear the whole time. I'd much rather have a GM era vortec 5.7L truck than a 318 powered anything...

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I put my truck to work last weekend. As little as I use it I do not plan on buying another soon.

iceracer wrote:

NGTD wrote:

Keith wrote:

iceracer wrote: The suspension on the F-150 is unable to handle a snow plow. According to Ford. Yet it can handle big loads and pull big trailers.

Snowplows put some really hard stresses on the front of the truck. You're basically ramming things over and over. Much different than a sustained pull on a trailer.

In most cases it is the frames that can't handle it. I have seen numerous 1/2 tons that "crab" down the road because they have had plows on them. Wanna plow? - get a 2500 or a 3500.

Shucks,we plowed for years with a CJ- 3/5 Seem Liberty's with plows. The frame isn't bent because of the plow. It is because the driver thought he had a bulldozer.

Yes, you are correct - the nut behind the wheel is the source of the problem, but for most situations plowing calls for a HD truck.

The basic work truck here in Alabama is a four cylinder Ranger without a straight body panel. Roofers, fencers, yard guys, etc. all show up in my neighborhood in an old Ranger, Nissan hard body, etc., 20 year old plain jane F150s show up too. These guys load them up, tow stuff, everything. Granted, they aren't hauling a race car cross country.

The neighborhood dentists and lawyers often drive to their offices in 4X4 F250 diesels.

HiTempguy wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: My friends parents are selling their '99 Dodge Ram Sport 318 2WD Extended Cab. It's a little beat up, but that's ok. I really like it. I'm considering making them an offer on it before they take it to the dealer.

I just used a 2004 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4 crew cab (5.3 auto with 4.10's) to tow through the mountains 6000 pounds. Adequate (leaning towards the barely side of that word) was my description. The 318 is one of the most anemic v8's, ever, it probably would have been in 2nd gear the whole time. I'd much rather have a GM era vortec 5.7L truck than a 318 powered anything...

While I agree, this truck would only be used for hauling stuff in the bed and various other crap. Not going to be towing through the mountains.

I have a Durango with a 360 and I can tell how much more power it has than that Durango and its not much.

Honestly I don't need a truck but would like one. This one is in pretty good shape.

Sky_Render wrote: My daily driver for years was an '01 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 that had previously been a work truck. The only options it had were A/C, 4WD, and the towing package. Manual windows, manual locks, bench seat, cassette player radio, and the 5.2L V8 that would run forever. The previous owner put a cap on it, and I added a CD player and bigger tires. I miss that twuck.

My current dd/former "Work Van" 2003 Express 2500 doesn't even have Cassette! AM/FM only baby!

Keith wrote: Agreed, if Cummins would knock two cylinders off the end of that big inline six it would be great for half-tons.

Nissan + Cummins = ?

Could be interesting.

In reply to DoctorBlade:

The engine is a derivative of the four-cylinder ISF architecture that Cummins builds overseas, with 2.8-liter and 3.8-liter displacements, according to a Cummins spokesman. The overseas 3.8-liter is rated at 168 horsepower and 443 pounds-feet of torque.

sounds like they should put the 2.8 in the frontier/xterra/pathfinder and put the 3.8 in the titan.

i'd probably go out and buy another xterra just like the one i already have if it had a 30mpg diesel in it.

seriously, these things would literally fly off of the lots if they got 30+ mpg on the highway.

Cotton wrote:

Keith wrote: Agreed, if Cummins would knock two cylinders off the end of that big inline six it would be great for half-tons.

That engine is called the 4bt. You see it in a lot of bread trucks among other things. It's also a popular swap engine. It's too bad it isn't offered in a truck like the 6bt is.

its not offered because they couldn't make it meet the NVH requirements. a lot of people that swap in 4BTs end up with a ton of vibration. i've heard that the power and mileage isn't all that great either.

novaderrik wrote: ...but the last good looking truck overall was the '02 Chevy 2500HD. that truck was just pretty in a functional sort of way- nice and clean lines, but yet looked tough.

Why thank you!

HiTempguy wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: My friends parents are selling their '99 Dodge Ram Sport 318 2WD Extended Cab. It's a little beat up, but that's ok. I really like it. I'm considering making them an offer on it before they take it to the dealer.

I just used a 2004 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4 crew cab (5.3 auto with 4.10's) to tow through the mountains 6000 pounds. Adequate (leaning towards the barely side of that word) was my description. The 318 is one of the most anemic v8's, ever, it probably would have been in 2nd gear the whole time. I'd much rather have a GM era vortec 5.7L truck than a 318 powered anything...

While I agree, this truck would only be used for hauling stuff in the bed and various other crap. Not going to be towing through the mountains.

I have a Durango with a 360 and I can tell how much more power it has than that Durango and its not much.

Honestly I don't need a truck but would like one. This one is in pretty good shape.

Grizz wrote: I have a 93, but it's mine

I have an 82, but it has been sitting in the yard since the 360 burnt out in 97. Going south and finding a running one is unfortunately a far more viable option than hauling our old one out and fixing it.

Strizzo wrote:

Cotton wrote:

Keith wrote: Agreed, if Cummins would knock two cylinders off the end of that big inline six it would be great for half-tons.

That engine is called the 4bt. You see it in a lot of bread trucks among other things. It's also a popular swap engine. It's too bad it isn't offered in a truck like the 6bt is.

its not offered because they couldn't make it meet the NVH requirements. a lot of people that swap in 4BTs end up with a ton of vibration. i've heard that the power and mileage isn't all that great either.

I wasn't sure how closely related the old 4BT was to the current 6.7 Cummins.

Around here, Rangers aren't big enough for work trucks. Like I said, it's all ranchers and oil fields. The ranchers have to be able to tow critters and the oil guys usually have a pretty heavy load. You see a lot more trailers around here than you do elsewhere in the US as well, I'm not sure why.

i've heard that several operators are ramping up drilling and production in NW CO in the Niobrara, have you seen a recent uptick in oil and gas activity around GJ? i'm curious as we're going to be booking hotels for 2012 in the next couple months in GJ and price and Green River, UT.