ndfinfan
★★★★★ Legendary Member
I have been doing "market research" on new 1/2 ton trucks for months now. I believe I have reached the point of "paralysis by analysis"...information overload. I have done all the reading/researching/video watching I can stand. Next weekend the wife and I are going to Bismarck...plan to drive the F-150 V8/5.0 and the Silverado/RST/Trailboss V8 5.3 & 6.2. I'll drive the Ram V8/5.7 up here in Minot. These are my thoughts just based on the research I've found:
Ford - the V8/5.0 is the only option...do not want the 3.5 EcoBoost/the 5.0 mated to the 10 speed transmission has gotten great reviews...few if any issues that I have found plus the 2021 now has 400HP/I currently have a 2014 F150 with the 5.0L/6 speed transmission 105K miles...zero issues/being a current Ford owner of course I am partial. The only trim package I like price/appearance/options considered is the STX or XLT...but I don't like chrome.
Chevy/GMC - Silverado/RST or Trailboss trim with the 6.2L is what I am looking at. Every review/video states the 5.3L...especially in the Trailboss trim is underpowered...355HP...so want to test drive the 6.2L...if I go with the Silverado paying $2.5K more on a $55K truck is really nothing to get the engine you want/I do like the GMC Sierra/Elevation trim package but cannot get it with the 6.2L...only the AT4...don't like the AT4 look.
Ram - like the Big Horn trim but again don't like chrome so have few options here except night edition or built to serve edition but they are tough to find/my only other concern with Ram is the fact the shifter is a dial...seems weird?
I prefer column shifter...so Chevy/GMC gets points there - Ford STX/XLT trims have column shifter too. Chevy/GMC gets more points for the tailgate/bed...like everything about that. Far as the interiors go...all 3 with the center console are good by me...like I said want a column shifter for more space in center console area.
Those are my general thoughts...will report more findings as I begin driving the different models. The timing of my buy will depend on truck availability/prices/etc. My hope is that in the next few months if the microchip supply shortage eases, maybe Chevy & Ford can push out all the 2021 trucks that are sitting outside at plants waiting. Do not want a 2022...want a 2021. Anyway, this will be my last full size truck new purchase...retire in 7 years - so I'm trying to enjoy the process much as possible. Oh yea - I have looked at the Nissan Titan/Pro 4X...I like the 5 year/100K bumper to bumper...the 5.6L/9 speed is a good set up/brand new 2021s are close to $60K...so considering I can get the Chevy with the 6.2L for $5K less can't see that happening. Anyway, that's where I'm at with this...sorry for the long post!
Ford - the V8/5.0 is the only option...do not want the 3.5 EcoBoost/the 5.0 mated to the 10 speed transmission has gotten great reviews...few if any issues that I have found plus the 2021 now has 400HP/I currently have a 2014 F150 with the 5.0L/6 speed transmission 105K miles...zero issues/being a current Ford owner of course I am partial. The only trim package I like price/appearance/options considered is the STX or XLT...but I don't like chrome.
Chevy/GMC - Silverado/RST or Trailboss trim with the 6.2L is what I am looking at. Every review/video states the 5.3L...especially in the Trailboss trim is underpowered...355HP...so want to test drive the 6.2L...if I go with the Silverado paying $2.5K more on a $55K truck is really nothing to get the engine you want/I do like the GMC Sierra/Elevation trim package but cannot get it with the 6.2L...only the AT4...don't like the AT4 look.
Ram - like the Big Horn trim but again don't like chrome so have few options here except night edition or built to serve edition but they are tough to find/my only other concern with Ram is the fact the shifter is a dial...seems weird?
I prefer column shifter...so Chevy/GMC gets points there - Ford STX/XLT trims have column shifter too. Chevy/GMC gets more points for the tailgate/bed...like everything about that. Far as the interiors go...all 3 with the center console are good by me...like I said want a column shifter for more space in center console area.
Those are my general thoughts...will report more findings as I begin driving the different models. The timing of my buy will depend on truck availability/prices/etc. My hope is that in the next few months if the microchip supply shortage eases, maybe Chevy & Ford can push out all the 2021 trucks that are sitting outside at plants waiting. Do not want a 2022...want a 2021. Anyway, this will be my last full size truck new purchase...retire in 7 years - so I'm trying to enjoy the process much as possible. Oh yea - I have looked at the Nissan Titan/Pro 4X...I like the 5 year/100K bumper to bumper...the 5.6L/9 speed is a good set up/brand new 2021s are close to $60K...so considering I can get the Chevy with the 6.2L for $5K less can't see that happening. Anyway, that's where I'm at with this...sorry for the long post!