Thanks - Great Review.  I appreciate all the pictures.  I read it, and most of the other reviews out on the web.  It is an impressive truck.  Right now, my choice is down to the Chevy - But I'll be driving one of these next week. 

Can you offer an opinion on something?  After reading the reviews, and seeing the specs on several of the "1/2 ton" trucks out there... When is a half-ton no longer a half-ton?  The light models of the new Silverado and Tundra can both be equipped to carry well in excess of a 1/2 ton (just over a ton actually).  Both can be equipped to pull over 10,000 lbs. 

It seems to me that the manufacturers ought to adjust their marketing and come up with another classification system.  At least in the case of the Toyota, it really isn't a 1/2 ton truck.

Thanks, yeah, the 1/2, 3/4 ton isn't based on weight anymore. Calling them Class 1, 2, 3, etc doesn't help much either. Several of the 1/2 tons have the capacity of older 3/4 tons. But still 1/2 tons have semi-floating axles and  HD 3/4 ton's and larger have full floating axles supporting weight on the axle housing not the axle shaft. So HD trucks with FF axles can carry loads daily. That's the weak spot on the 1/2 ton, the rear axle.

My idea of impressive would be an all American made truck, with profits staying in America.

My ideas of impressive doesn't include a Japanese Company taking over two of the big three with sights set on the third.

I was impressed when Americans were willing to work hard, and produce the most impressive products.

I am living in the past, and will continue to do so, don't try to convince me that a Japanese truck is Impressive.

Not to get into an argument, I buy American when ever possible. Go through the parts department of your local Dodge, GM or Ford store and count the parts labeled "made in China". All your brake rotors, calipers, plastic connections, etc. come from China, not Japan or even Mexico. All three have major factories in Mexico for trucks. This year the big three announced more of the components coming from China to build cars and trucks. Dodge just made a deal with a Chinese car company to sell the Chinese cars at Dodge dealerships.

4 all new trucks where introduced this model year, 07/08. And of the 4 new trucks the Toyota impressed me the most. In 2000 the Toyota T100 was the worst of the lot. I'm rooting for the American Truck Companies, I want them to succeed. I bought an American truck last year. But that has nothing to do with judging a truck.

Back in the seventies, when I was in high school. They lowered the miles per hour to 55 a month before I got my drivers license. We drove boats that got terrible gas mileage, the "oil crisis" changed all that and Japanese car manufactures showed car companies how to improve. I would have thought they learned from that, but the big three thought they monopolized the truck market, so the dragged their feet. Just competing with each other.

Competition makes the world improve, embrace it. Change happens by forces larger than the individual. Because of this Tundra, Ford, Dodge and GM trucks will improve much faster just as they did in the late eighties with cars. I know how much time I spend with my trucks in the shop. Ask a Toyota owner when their truck was in the shop last. Do I hear an amen?

No Amen's here, I find it to be a very sad day because what you say is true.

I just hope we wake up sooner rather than later and start to right this ship.

Japanese auto makers don't have to spend one penny in retired worker benefits, General Motors is $1,100 per car.

The labor unions and fat cat top level managment are getting rich while the working folks are carrying the load.

It will probley take a complete overhaul(bankruptcy) of the US auto industry to get in back on track.

I, or you will not be alive to see this change.

I thank god every day that I am employed by a company that sells billions of dollars worth of equipment a year, manufactures 80% of it in house and 96.5% manufactured in the US. Is still a privately held company where the owners get up and go to work every day. Don't believe me, go to Crown Equipment Company in New Breman Oh. and visit with the Dickie family at the local restaurant for breakfast.

As I said earlier I am living in the past, don't try to convince me of anything different.

Actually you'll get an Amen from me... of all 4 (Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Toyota) I'll bet the Toyota has one of the highest, if not the highest American parts content.  And by American, I mean USA, not Canada, and not Mexico. Personally I don't know why Dodge is even included in a conversation involving "American" vehicles - Daimler bought them out years ago - That is a German Truck now.

Regarding Toyotas in the shop - I'm sure they've made some bad ones, but mine just turned 121,000 miles today - Never had a breakdown, Never replaced anything other than the usual fluids and brakes.  I'm still on the original exhaust, and it looks like it has a long way to go.  It's a great vehicle. 

With all that said, this is an emotional topic, and I know some folks get heated about it.  But the fact is the truly "American" car company went by the wayside a long time ago - and thank goodness, if they didn't we wouldn't have any of them here today.  Competition baby - it keeps everybody on their toes.

I read the C&D review last evening - what a joke.  I need to re-read it, but in my view - they don't know how to evaluate anything other than $40k and up cars.  The test had 2 "seasoned" truck users as observers, yet when the evaluations rolled on it became apparent that the magazine staff used some mythological yardstick to compare what are in reality work/homeowner trucks.   

Overall I can't find fault with some of their findings - but if you read their description of the Nissan it was less than stellar, and had a puny bed... so how does that translate to a #2 finish - because it was fun to drive... gimme a break. 

I'm looking at this class of truck for my next purchase - and I had to agree that as a work vehicle the Ford is in last place - they simply need to get up to the competition in regards to power and tranny - the Tow and Bed capacity ratings for the F150 are wildly optimistic.  It is the least powerful of the bunch yet it had extremely high tow rating, and it's cargo capacity is, if properly equipped in excess of 3000lbs - no way.  In reality the suspension may hold it - but with that engine you'd be clogging up the slow lane with your flashers on...

I also agreed with some of their assessment of the Dodge - it's interior isn't the best looking - but this is a truck afterall, and it needs to be able to work.  And the Ram can - I would have put the Ram up to the top 3 - it's a good driving vehicle and can get the job done.

Now let's talk about an ugly interior - Nissan - Phew that is one butt ugly interior - but it's a truck... as a truck it has a low payload capacity, but a decent tow rating... odd specs - I dont' know how they arrived at that setup with the small bed - overall I think it's a decent driver, and a good homeowner truck - but I can't see it being number 2 in the test.

For me, that left Chevy and Toyota - I've driven both - actually I've driven all these trucks recently while I've been shopping.  Those are my #1 and #2 trucks.  Both are great drivers - and I think either one would get the job done.  Toyota is clearly the more powerful, and I think, more "over engineered" than the Chevy is.  But for my purposes I don't really need the ultimate in power or bed capacity... but it's nice to have.  I"d be happy with the Chevy, Dodge, or Toyota.  I am a bit biased towards Toyota since I have a 2003 4Runner with over 123,000 miles on it and it's been nearly flawless. 

I have to say - as I get older I begin to realize we all look at these things "through our own set of glasses".  We all have different tastes and needs.  Someone else could look at all of these trucks and decide the Ford is their best choice.  Who knows - I'm no longer comfortable with these tests that claim one is "Best".  There really is no such thing as a "best" truck - just the one that fits our own particular needs the best.

Good point, you do have to judge trucks by how you use them. A truck I might think is the best may not be the best choice for someone else. One of the reasons I have not owned a truck in seven years, even though 3 new trucks are parked outside. When someone finds out what truck I owned they would think it's the best truck. Not true, the truck I bought last year was for an article and to test aftermarket products, but isn't the truck I would choose for someone else and not the configuration.

Can you imagine trying to judge 150 horse trailer brands? There could be 10 rated the "Best" there could be 50 rated "Excellent" and only 10 rated "Poor". It's all just part of your research. Still surprises me that folks well buy a truck based on what the salesperson says. They were selling cell phones last week.

Congrats on your new truck - The Chevy 2500 sure is a nice driving vehicle, and a towing monster to boot.

Good Luck with it,

Steve

My car, on loan to my wife till we find her a truck:

2001 Chevy Impala LS.  55,000 miles.

5,000 miles: new intermediate steering shaft, turned rotors due to rough stops

10,000 miles: rotors warped again

40,000 miles: transmission failure

41,000 miles: catalytic converter failure

48,000 miles: front/left hub assembly failure; tie rod ends needed replacement; full brake job required (fixed warped rotors again)

Would you buy another GM product?  My wife's '00 Silverado was traded on my '06 Ram 3500 diesel last year because at 120,000 miles it used LOTS of oil, had coolant in the oil, all the plastic parts were falling off (tailgate trim, side mirror inserts), turn signal relay clicked all the time, dash squeaked madly, seats had no padding anymore, and the carpet was faded from black to gray on a 5 year old truck.

A 3000 pound horse trailer steered the truck so badly that my hand was forced.  My wife wasn't safe pulling a small trailer with her SL trim Silverado.  I'd be dadgummed if I'd pay for a Z71 just to give her the capability to tow safely... this is a half ton truck rated to pull heavier than 3000 pounds... it should have done so safely.

You couldn't give me another GM product.  Out-of-warranty expenses on GM vehicles less than 5 years old have cost me nearly $7000 in 2 years.  No thank you.  The Impala wasn't even my daily driver--it was towed on a flatbed trailer completely ACROSS COUNTRY, TWICE, by my '91 FORD F-350 with 220,000 miles on the clock!!

Mike

Now that's funny !!   Thanks for the smile.

Yeah, she puts up with me... 

We'll get her back into a pickup soon... she just wasn't safe in that half ton.

In '97, GM built a truck!!  I'm looking for a '96-'98 GMC for my wife...