#2383066 - 08/21/08 09:54 AM
'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
|
valad
Campfire Regular
Registered: 11/15/02
Posts: 853
|
Offline
|
|
what's the best motor in these trucks pertaining to years? Right now I see the Chevy 5.3 Vortex listed most in my area and the Ford 5.4 Triton as popular motors. I am looking for basically a truck that is more dependable and for the American market, these two seem to be fairly good motorwise. But I have last had a Bronco 79 back in college...a good 20+ years ago. I know American trucks have changed so much in 20 years. I have not yet splurged on a Tacoma even though I want one but they are priced sky-high in the new and used market. This truck will be mostly a weekender for me, so I will probably get a used Chevy 1500/Ford 150 and hopefully with the miles around 70-80K. Are the 5.4 Triton and 5.3 Vortex good dependable motors? I do not anticipate doing alot of towing but may tow a light boat or ATV that I look to getting one for my fast growing kids  Looking for input on who has one etc. Oh, I see some GMC Sierras but know nothing about these trucks. And I will probably put a life on it eventually to get a bit more ground clearance.
So tell me what you know or have had experience with these Chevy/Ford motors or recommend any other better motors. I know I will not get awesome mph, but what da heck...this is going to be used what it is best designed for.
BTW...I like both of these trucks, have a few uncles who worked and retired for GM and I have rode in many Fords so to me dependability is most important than "name-brand"...but not so sure about Dodges although they seem to be more on the road these days 
Thanks for your help...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2383239 - 08/21/08 11:21 AM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: valad]
|
Stetson
Campfire Tracker
Registered: 01/24/04
Posts: 5027
Loc: Michigan
|
|
Offline
|
|
I had a Ford F150 with a 5.4 Triton and a Tahoe with a 5.3 Vortex. Both were equally good.
_________________________
Leave the gun take the cannoli's.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2383570 - 08/21/08 02:04 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: Stetson]
|
mud_bogger
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 3148
Loc: Medford Oregon
|
|
Offline
|
|
our 5.3 vortec took a nose dive at 115,000. Was doing 65mph when the oil pressure dropped. Couldnt get it shut down in time to save it.
Out of the 2 chevys on our work crew this one that lost the motor has given us the least problems, the duramax has been a PITA. However both of them have given us way more problems than all the fords we have owned combined.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2384367 - 08/21/08 08:34 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: mud_bogger]
|
tx270
Campfire Regular
Registered: 10/31/06
Posts: 588
Loc: central texas
|
|
Offline
|
|
If I was getting a gas motor in a 1/2 ton truck it would be a Chevy, whether a 5.3 for light use or a 6.0 for medium use. I have owned and seen a 5.3 go 150,000 with little maintenance other than oil changes, saw it the other day ( a yr later) and it's still doing the same.
I have a little experience with Ford gas motors and I wouldn't trust one as far I as I could throw it and that wouldn't be far enough.
All the motors I speak of get a little work, they don't haul soccer moms or haul a little 200 motorcycle to the track, they get used.
Just saying experiences differ.
All that said, my main truck is a Dodge Cummins diesel! LOL
Bill
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2384430 - 08/21/08 09:09 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: tx270]
|
weaselsRus
Member
Registered: 09/08/07
Posts: 215
Loc: NE Nevada
|
|
Offline
|
|
I have 3 toyota trucks & a Camry, the trucks range from 188K-202K, the 93 w/202K has been trouble-free, only repair was a starter @ 178K, the other 2 I can't say, I bought 'em very well used. Used toyotas w/lo miles are spendy, not much more to buy new and get a warranty. I looked at a new Tacoma, 4X4 Xtra cab 4 cyl. 5 spd, for under $22K, not sure what the V6 would be. I've owned all of the big 3, nothing holds up as well as the Toys.
_________________________
People who say money can't buy happiness don't know where to shop!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2386019 - 08/22/08 05:41 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: valad]
|
dubePA
Campfire Regular
Registered: 02/04/01
Posts: 1368
Loc: PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
5.3L GM. Most I know with late model GMCs or Chevys in extended cab shortbed 1500 4x4s, will get near 20MPG highway.
In a 2500 series, the 6.0L GM engine is a good one, but comes in closer to 15MPG in the newer ones. A buddy had a new 2001 Chevy 2500 ext. cab shortbed 4x4 that got closer to 17MPG highway, but understand newer ones are a bit worse.
I don't know a soul with an F150 ext. cab shortbed 4x4 that gets fuel mileage anything close to what the GM trucks do. A friend bought a new Ford F150 4x4 within a few months of when I got my 2006 GMC. Both trucks are fairly identically equpped. Mine has done 20MPG highway (often), his Ford struggles to get 18MPG on nearly the same trip to our hunting camps (30 miles apart).
Stopped to make an appointment to get my double axle trailer inspected today. The owner's son has a 2008 GMC 1500 4x4 with 5.3L engine. He says he's getting close to 21MPG, back and forth from south central PA to the Delaware shore. That one has the new fuel management system on it, mine doesn't.
Edited by dubePA (08/22/08 05:45 PM)
_________________________
If three or more people think you're a dimwit, chances are at least one of them is right.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2386424 - 08/22/08 08:19 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: Blaine]
|
mud_bogger
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 3148
Loc: Medford Oregon
|
|
Offline
|
|
I'll agree with you that the duramax is a good motor. Im just saying that up until our warrenty expired, we never had to wash it because they do that when you drop it off at the shop.
I do like the way the fords drive though. Guess they feel more like a truck to me (theres my biased opinion)
The 5.3 getting 20mpg? I wish ours was doing that. Were getting about 10mpg. Of course somebody decided a good idea was to put that motor in a c3500. Course what we do with it doesnt help
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2386460 - 08/22/08 08:33 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: Blaine]
|
mud_bogger
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 3148
Loc: Medford Oregon
|
|
Offline
|
|
They do tend to wander a lil. The chevy is tight and it rides soooo smooth. Still cant warm up to it though.
On a side note though, my ranger has very tight steering and it doessnt wander at all. My 87BroncoII was the same way.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2386480 - 08/22/08 08:42 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: Blaine]
|
mud_bogger
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 3148
Loc: Medford Oregon
|
|
Offline
|
|
Havnt drove the S-10's. My 99 ranger has the 4.0-OHV and 4.10's unfortunantly its got an automatic in it but oh well. Seems to rock along pretty well, and is still impressing me.
I'm looking into a programmer for it though. Its just hard to leave things alone. Im sure you know what I mean by that.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2386537 - 08/22/08 09:09 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: Blaine]
|
mud_bogger
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 3148
Loc: Medford Oregon
|
|
Offline
|
|
LOL I'll take ya up on that one of these days.
You ever swing into that lil gunshop called Flying Cloud Trading CO?
I forget the name of the road, but off the southern exit y go across the bridge an hang a right. Its down by the warehouses that are by the RR tracks?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2386650 - 08/22/08 10:55 PM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: mud_bogger]
|
Seafire
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 04/20/04
Posts: 1719
Loc: Southern Oregon USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Toyota!
88 4Runner......still zinging along.. just short of half a million miles on it... 490,000 plus...
2200 RE... it isn't a dragster, but it gets there, gets great mileage and is reliable as hell...
_________________________
" Okay Lady, its YOUR elk! Just please let me get my saddle off him first..."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2387021 - 08/23/08 08:23 AM
Re: 'tis ain't no chevy vs ford, which is best...it is ...
[Re: Blaine]
|
mud_bogger
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 3148
Loc: Medford Oregon
|
|
Offline
|
|
It is kinda a sketchy area. He does alot of supplying for the cops. An uncle of mine ownes/operates it.
By the way Blaine, the ranger spanked a chevy last night. He was game though an I think he would caught me once my govenor kicked in (really need that prgrammer)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: RickBin, SYSOP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19389 Members
65 Forums
204851 Topics
2527550 Posts
Max Online: 1366 @ 08/07/07 07:51 PM
|
|
|
