New GM Hd?

[rkj__]

I lose count how many empty bed trucks I see. We in 'Murica care about image...why else have the grills grown so much?

I bought a truck (1500) so I can have the capability to load it up with more stuff than a Subaru can haul, when I need to. A midsize would have been fine, but they were about the same price, and the 1500 was deemed more comfortable by a certain important passenger. Yes, it's true, I also commute in it with an empty bed (but I have a tonneau cover, to leave you guessing if there is anything in it or not, ha!). The only way to avoid that is for me to have a truck and a car. That means the purchase of another vehicle ($), paying more in insurance ($), and cramming my driveway to it's limit. Since my commute is so short, I would not save much fuel by driving a 4 cyl car to work every day. Or, I could commute with a bed full of camping gear, just for show...

My situation is representative of many I believe. If you are going to go with one vehicle to cover all your needs, you are going to have some capability that is not always used. I'd be very happy to have a small electric commuter, a midsize vehicle for long highway trips with only humans and canines inside, and a small truck for hauling small loads, and a big truck for hauling big loads. That way, I'd always have the right tool for the job. But, I've decided that is not practical / achievable. So, I'm going to keep driving my 1500, usually empty, sometimes full.

Also, if you ask GM, the big grille is for cooling. Customers keep asking for more and more power. To get that, you need more and more cooling.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Or, I could commute with a bed full of camping gear, just for show...

I used to think just leaving shackles hanging from your bumper was showing off. There's no reason to expose them to weather and theft. Now you see trucks with everything bolted on in the DQ parking lot. Fine if you're on your way in or out, but I know full well you're local 'cause I see you all the time. It's all about mall terrain cred!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Isn't the Ram's russian dial-a-matic thing an option? I could have swore I saw a regular shifter in a new Ram yesterday.

The dial-a-matic is on all the 1500's AFAIK. 2500's and up get a normal (correct IMO) column shifter.

I've never driven one of the dial-a-matic Rams but I prefer that to the console shifter that is on some F150's. I don't like console shifters because on long road trips the console gets used for other things and the shifter takes up space that could be used for a computer, iPod, phone, etc (wife likes to edit photos when we're on long drives.) On my 4runner I hated the way I had to take my eyes off the road for a second to "find" the shifter since I did a lot of downshifting going up steep hills.

 

[Clutch]

I bought a truck (1500) so I can have the capability to load it up with more stuff than a Subaru can haul, when I need to. A midsize would have been fine, but they were about the same price, and the 1500 was deemed more comfortable by a certain important passenger. Yes, it's true, I also commute in it with an empty bed (but I have a tonneau cover, to leave you guessing if there is anything in it or not, ha!). The only way to avoid that is for me to have a truck and a car. That means the purchase of another vehicle ($), paying more in insurance ($), and cramming my driveway to it's limit. Since my commute is so short, I would not save much fuel by driving a 4 cyl car to work every day. Or, I could commute with a bed full of camping gear, just for show...

My situation is representative of many I believe. If you are going to go with one vehicle to cover all your needs, you are going to have some capability that is not always used. I'd be very happy to have a small electric commuter, a midsize vehicle for long highway trips with only humans and canines inside, and a small truck for hauling small loads, and a big truck for hauling big loads. That way, I'd always have the right tool for the job. But, I've decided that is not practical / achievable. So, I'm going to keep driving my 1500, usually empty, sometimes full.

Also, if you ask GM, the big grille is for cooling. Customers keep asking for more and more power. To get that, you need more and more cooling.

No need to rationalize your purchase. I own and drive a truck because I want to....not because I need it. Could certainly get by with a Subaru...when the house needs a load of mulch, have it delivered.

Cooling, yeah right! Just look at the new Ram....lets make the grill even BIGGER and wrap it around the headlights. If that isn't an ad for viagra I don't know what it is. Speaking of increased power...no need for that much in a 3/4-1 ton truck. It is more about chest thumping advertising to sell more trucks. No different than the horsepower wars of the muscle cars.

It is possible to build a 1 ton truck without 1000 ft lbs of torque and massive grills. Toyota does it overseas. So wish we got the 70 series in addition to the Tundra.

Or, I could commute with a bed full of camping gear, just for show...

I used to think just leaving shackling hanging from your bumper was showing off. There's no reason to expose them to weather and theft. Now you see trucks with everything bolted on in the DQ parking lot. Fine if you're on your way in or out, but I know full well you're local 'cause I see you all the time. It's all about mall terrain cred!

I keep a little camping gear in my truck at all times, stashed in the extra cab portion, no one can really see it though....have been known to just take off after work at a drop of a hat to go camping, also will go "wheeling" on lunch....because of the area we live in. Went yesterday actually...even used my locker and 4WD to get to the trail head to do a quick hike. Suby would of gotten me there too...

...and went 2 days before.

 

[Buliwyf]

I use my truck every weekend, and often during the week. Lumber, firewood, mulchable waste to the cities WWTP's mulch pile. Not to mention mud and snow use that no car could ever handle. If jealous indentured servants, trapped in their little city vehicles , can't handle it, I don't care. Out of my way serfs.

I prefer the column shift as well. It looks clunky, but it's still the best choice for hard use trucks. I suppose a Ford GT paddle shift system would be better. But only if it's program makes sense. They'd likely mess up, 1st to reverse would be clunky and slow.

The old dodge looks better. Why is there chrome stretched around the new headlights? To make the lights look bigger? How is that cheaper than a bigger light? Looks like a pita to install fender flares as well. At least the mirrors don't look like they'll be on the wrong side of the double yellow lines, anymore.

 

[Clutch]

I prefer the column shift as well. It looks clunky, but it's still the best choice for hard use trucks.

I suppose a Ford GT paddle shift system would be better. But only if it's program makes sense. They'd likely mess it up a 1st to reverse would be clunky and slow.

I prefer manual trans in my trucks...does the new Ram 2500/3500 still have it, or did they finally kill it?

 

[Todd n Natalie]

I prefer that Ram over the Silverado. Curious to see the Super Duty refresh and the 2020 Sierra HD. Not that I'm in the market for any HD trucks... Or any truck for that matter. But, it's always fun to peruse..... My imaginary garage is full of fun stuff.

 

[Buliwyf]

That little Toyota ain't putting out 500hp and nearly 1000#'s of torque.

Today's trucks are too powerful. Our radiators are nearly as big as a semi truck's now. I remember my 6.0's temp gauge rising and falling on every freeway on ramp in Florida. It was very easy overwhelming the radiator on that truck. I'll bet that towing uphill in those conditions would have been a problem.

It's the AC as well. You'll notice your AC get weak when you overload a truck. That's when women start complaining.

 

[Clutch]

That little Toyota ain't putting out 500hp and nearly 1000#'s of torque.

Yep, as I said...it is possible to build a 1 ton truck without all that power. Here in the States it is more about looks and chest thumping...than actually doing work.

Today's trucks are too powerful.

Yeppers. Everything can be done with gearing. Seems like everyone is in a hurry these days...so they make excuses why they need 1000 ft lbs of tq. and 500 hp.

Need to yank that New York luxury appartment 5th wheel up the interstate at 90 mph...

 

[Buliwyf]

It's hilarious watching a guy make the choice between gas and diesel. The actual, visible, pain on their face.

They know they don't need a diesel. It costs more. It has half the reliability. But oh, 100 more HP and 400# more TQ.

Not as funny as the old timers that are scared of the rpm gauge on a gas truck though.

 

[usanumber1]

You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it!

 

[Buliwyf]

I could see that color, totally replacing Expo White, or Toyota Expo Brown.

 

[fitt]

Guys wait for more Real pics before you decide how they look. I work at the truck plant and we haven't built anything like the pic GM put out!! They are diff. but the ones with the color matched grill look good and I really like the GMC's that I saw.

 

[rkj__]

No need to rationalize your purchase. I own and drive a truck because I want to....not because I need it. Could certainly get by with a Subaru...when the house needs a load of mulch, have it delivered.

I know, I know...

Back on topic, here's the High Country

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Looks horrible IMO. Guys wants a taller truck so the manufacturers stretch the cab taller, probably still catch the chin spoiler on a curb.