Project: Metric Mule

[xvxax]

3k miles in 1 month?

Holy smokes. No wonder I can't find a decent used car to save my life.

[Kaan]

I usually do about 15k miles/year.... this month was a little different. we had a couple of trips on the weekend, I had to drive into DC twice, and the boss took it to work a couple of times.

[.RJ]

I've barely put 3k miles on the car I bought in August.

[Kaan]

a toy for the Metric Mule...

2003 something or other trailer... brakes and bearings serviced last year (and then parked). 15 foot (its small... thats what she said), 77 inches between the fenders and a super winch already mounted... needs a little TLC and tires. but it was a good deal none the less (love the friend discount).



I have to pick up the light replacement kit, brake controller, etc that came with the trailer. I'll probably chassis save it, find a new home for the spare tire, and get inventive with strap storage.

[Kaan]

The Tundra is finally getting long in the tooth... 157k miles... should provide me with a couple more years of trouble free service but I'm hunting around for "whats next." This truck as been 100% amazing... oil change, tires (3 sets in 100k miles... but one set was forced due to nails getting picked up on the way to VIR), still haven't needed to change the brakes though, drive it, don't pass gas stations when towing... all that I could ask for.

The only modifications made were a brake controller and a Pioneer system (with the factory backup camera added). For a while i thought the speakers were dying in the truck but after switching head units the sound clarity came back... the non premium Toyota sound system must degrade over time.

This truck is nearly unstoppable in the snow/ice. that's been great, considering where we live. I drove (in a snow and ice storm) from our house to Philly to help out my cousin and never broke a sweat. when the plows get stuck in our neighborhood I hook up all my straps and go out and snatch them... on E rated standard tires. Most of my neighbors still get stuck in their trucks... between the jeep and the Tundra we smash the snow and can get where ever we want (except when the snow is over our bumpers).

I'm following Jakes thread and watching to see when Ryans Ford implodes.... I've also been asking around and talking to some of the HC guys with "new" trucks... and the mopar king pin Jeff.

I was in love with the idea of a 3 pedal dodge 2500... but the newer 3 pedal trans weren't that great and Spencer said you cant get a true HD trans (auto) from dodge in a 2500 anymore... you have to go single/double axel 3500 or bust. prices on both good 3 pedal and 3500 single axle HD trans trucks are extremely high.

I'm still debating spending too much money on a single axle 3500 dodge vs. getting a newer Tundra and putting the 36 gallon aftermarket tank in it. we are 100% going to an enclosed trailer... and with crossing Afton Mountain every VIR event... i'd like to go diesel (EPA and no more bulletproofing be damned).

[navin]

Newer Tundra's (2016+) have the larger gas tank stock, ~38 gallon stock?

[rherold9]

I hear the only time to really worry about the 1st gen ecoboosts like mine is over the 100k mark. Timing chain stretch and cam phaser issue related to oiling. It doesn't happen to all, but something I will be looking out for and keeping my oil changes religious at 7500 miles or sooner. Or just get rid of the truck for a newer ecoboost. My 2014 is on the edge of the updated arm/higher weight oil than the 2011-2013 so we will see in the long term

Other than that I don't think you can beat the ecoboost for 1500 towing. I'd highly recommend an ecoboost if you wanna stay 1500. It will will pull an enclosed without major issues. I don't really see the overheating issues on the 2nd gen ecoboosts in hot weather when I search on forums so I'm maybe they fixed it on the redesign after the complaints? Still, a 1st gen will climb at 55-60 up mountains to PittRace in upper 90 degree temps without a hiccup.... you can't just do 70 like I wanted to

2017 2nd ecoboosts can be found for decent price

[Kaan]

Newer Tundra's (2016+) have the larger gas tank stock, ~38 gallon stock?

i'll have to look into this... because this really looks like the next option for me. i surely cant worry about a 100k mile truck (ford)… not the way we put miles on vehicles.

[ScottyB]

light the Denbigh-signal and see how his has been. i think he's still thrashing his 2011 FX4 agroboost 4x4. if it has survived this long under his right foot i think you'll be fine.

if you require a V8 i'd stay in the Tundra family. you know it'll never, ever need a second thought.

[.RJ]

Last I saw him he said it was going in for something, either turbos or cats or something that he was farming out but otherwise solid. And that thing is uh... used in ways Ford never intended.

[ScottyB]

either turbos or cats or something

if that's all, i'd call that truck a success story

[Jake]

I spent time in a brand-new Tundra earlier this year. You'd be certified stupid to spend money on a brand new Tundra when you currently own the same truck. The only difference is the tweaked interior and revised rear suspension design that makes it more comfortable unloaded. Just update/maintain the one you have if you want to stick with Toyota.

The Ford EcoBoosts are freight trains and towed my enclosed really, really well. The 6R80 6-speed trans is reliable and the 10R80 10-speed has been doing a pretty good job so far, too. It had a few teething pains that were worked out with software updates to the TCU in early 2018 model year trucks.

My Ram has been good to me although I managed to get the one ZF 8-speed that did wacky things. My dealership is replacing the whole trans this week. Nothing outright failed, but it was engaging reverse very harsh when fluid was cold (you saw the forum thread). In general though, the 8-speeds are known to be very good so I guess I just got one built at 5 PM on a Friday. My truck tows incredibly well with the Hemi/8AT/air suspension. I also drove the new Ram HDs this year and they're quite nice. You can do diesel power in the 1500 (3.0 V6) or HDs, although I don't think the cost of entry is worth it for the 1500 in most cases. You do drive a lot so perhaps your math is different from mine.

The Ram 1500s all use the ZF 8-speed.

Heavy Duty Ram 2500s (prior gen, 2014-2018) have either a Chrysler or Aisin 6-speed automatic, the Aisin is built to handle more torque and comes in the High Output diesel trucks. The 2019+ trucks get the ZF 8-speed paired to a 6.4L Hemi V8 or the Cummins diesel + Chrysler 6-speed from the last-gen trucks. The High Output (1000 ft-lb torque) diesel is only on the 3500 and that comes with the beefier Aisin.

Nissan also makes the Titan.

[Senor_Taylor]

Why Ecoboost over 5.0? I love mine. I guess thinking enclosed?

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[Kaan]

I spent time in a brand-new Tundra earlier this year. You'd be certified stupid to spend money on a brand new Tundra when you currently own the same truck. The only difference is the tweaked interior and revised rear suspension design that makes it more comfortable unloaded. Just update/maintain the one you have if you want to stick with Toyota.

SO... a 200k mile Tundra is still pulling $10k (yes even my SR5)… which would go a long way toward a newer, less used, Tundra/ecoboost/3500 dodge. I DO NOT BUY NEW... someone else can take the depreciation hit for me, thanks.

My current truck is a set it and forget it. I'm not sure there is another truck out there that matches it for reliability. but at 200k, towing enclosed, id rather get a newer one to minimize potential risk. Sure the "newer" everything out tows it... but they all take more X, Y, or Z from what i can find.

My truck doesn't just tow the race car... It hauls wood, furniture, home renovation supplies, etc. every weekend. I'm not the guy that pulls up to Lowes with a trailer and wont let them load anything in my truck (i see it all the time)… if i'm pulling a trailer the truck bed is loaded already.

I'm away from home 14ish hours a day. I put a premium on turning the key and going. I have to maximize my Saturdays and Sundays and having my truck down is not an option I like to think about. I know the Tundra is likely to become less reliable at 200k-ish... how much is undetermined. That's why i'm planning to "upgrade" in a couple of years.

I borrowed Derens truck (f150 5.0) to make a parts store run... the Fords are WAY nicer than my older Tundra. I get it... But he has a lift and a place to work on his... wheel bearings, hubs, ball joints, etc.

Again, my Tundra has taken oil, tires, rear brake pads, 100k mile service, and light bulbs in the last 105k miles (i probably just jinxed myself). I live 1.5 miles off a real paved road... with massive pot holes at times... I wont drive a truck that has known ball joint issues (see older Dodge trucks). Whatever truck i get has to take abuse... leaving my neighborhood is more abuse than most trucks see in NOVA all day.

getting the Fit has changed my outlook a little. we would be okay having the truck down for a week or so... but that's only opened the door to heavier duty trucks like the 3500. I've looked at the ecoboosts mostly for the low price. I really like the 3500 because easier towing and more bed space (with an extended cab). if i did end up in a mopar 3500 i'd take into account some bullet prood balljoints from day 1.

[Senor_Taylor]

Your simple lifestyle out in the woods seems very complicated.

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[rherold9]

2014+ ecoboost if you really want to try to avoid problems. It does indeed look like the issues were common in 2011-2012 trucks. They updated oil weight and parts in 2014's. Preferable one owner to know they actually changed their oil not at 10-11k miles like the Ford oil monitor system says to.... Direct Inject = oil dilution from the fuel. If you get the new ecoboost it's port injection so maintenance isn't as worrisome from an oil change perspective. Ford kinda messed up with oil monitor and the average consumer is brain dead so you see a lot of problems you wouldn't normally see with at least someone like us who are car people.

Just buy one in the 40k mile range and ride it out a long time. You'll be fine. Obviously you can get a bad egg with a vehicle (aka Jake's RAM), but I just wanted to point out potential issues which were know TSB's to look out for that were at the Ford dealers. Doesn't mean you should write it off

Example - bought mine one owner at ~45k miles. Has 71k miles now. Just oil changes/alignment/tire rotation since 2017 September. Hopefully won't have anything major besides 100k maintenance in the next couple of years

If you like your Tundra get another, imo. Although, for me personally, as Jake mentioned I just can't get behind spending truck money on the same truck you have with just updates. Although it would be reliable I'd assume. I haven't looked into new Tundra's problems yet if there are any TSB's and such

[Kaan]

Your simple lifestyle out in the woods seems very complicated.

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it does take work to manage 5.5 acres of trees. I could ignore it and let it all go to crap.

my simple life requires a truck that simply works (all the time).

[ScottyB]

wildcard: would a 2.7 Ecoboost be useful? for as much driving as you do, and hauling a light racekar on an open (although soon to be enclosed) do you need the extra punch of the 3.5? the small engine seems plenty capable

[Kaan]

If you like your Tundra get another, imo. Although, for me personally, as Jake mentioned I just can't get behind spending truck money on the same truck you have with just updates. Although it would be reliable I'd assume. I haven't looked into new Tundra's problems yet if there are any TSB's and such

The newer Tundras and the Dodge 3500s are in the same price range... around $35k for a 4wd southern truck. You can find non tradesmen 3500s for that price but they are rare. I'm torn because you are both right... it is basically the same truck with upgrades and i only paid $21k out the door for mine... so the price differential makes me look at the diesel... sure i'm giving up the interior of the newer tundra +limited but i get a diesel.

the F150 ecoboost in XLT trim is about $27k right now... but in Lariat trim its up with the Tundra/3500.

the maintenance schedule on the dodge is terrible though... 30k mile trans fluid changes, 60k mile axle/transfer case changes, 15k mile fuel filter changes... good god.

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wildcard: would a 2.7 Ecoboost be useful?  for as much driving as you do, and hauling a light racekar on an open (although soon to be enclosed) do you need the extra punch of the 3.5?  the small engine seems plenty capable

the timing chain/cam phaser stuff has me reluctant to deal with any ecoboost. they seem like a really good truck overall but I've heard (literally heard the engines) and see the work it takes to get that done... /sigh

[Jake]

The 2.7L EcoBoost is supposedly the best option in the 2018+ F-150 if you don't want to deal with the chains/phasers/etc that seem to have affected the 5.0 and 3.5 alike. I drove one and really, really enjoyed it. Plenty of go-juice and I think it'd be fine with a smaller enclosed behind it. You can get the 2.7 in a Lariat if you want nice toys/features.

https://outmotorsports.com/2019/02/2018-...ot-bougie/