I want to see a Truck Trend test of all half ton trucks, 4x4, with extended cabs and the most powerful engines available. Their methods seem good, dyno test them, run them in the quarter empty, and then again with 1000lbs in the back. Perhaps they could add an additional towing test. I'd wager the new F-150 would be at the very front of the pack or at least VERY close - despite being behind on horsepower. I hope they are working on it right now......

 

Yeah, I can't wait to see that test. Hopefully they will use comparable models instead of saying," The F150 we tested only had the 4.6L V8, while the others had their most powerful engine offerings." I think that new 5.4L will surprise most of them when its leading the pack.

 

Just for fun here are my "Joe Consumer" Predictions

Quarter mile empty
1) Dodge - Good job with that Hemi!
2) Ford - Closer than you'd think being down on HP
3) Nissan - If the power numbers are close to accurate
4) Toyota
5) Chevrolet - when will Chevy start using overhead cams?

Quarter mile w/1000lb. payload
1) Dodge - It was a real squeaker with the new F150
2) Ford - Ohhh so close
3) Nissan - again
4) Toyota - good power but down on torque
5) Chevy - getting left behind again

Towing
1) Ford
2) Dodge
3) Nissan
4) Chevy
5) Toyota

On road performance
1) Ford
2) Chevy
3) Toyota
4) Dodge
5) Nissan

Off road
1) Ford (hopefully)
2) Dodge
3) Toyota
4) Nissan
5) Chevy

Interior design
1) Ford - new design that works
2) Toyota - always in good taste
3) Chevy - hey it's comfortable
4) Dodge
5) Nissan - a new design that doesn't work

Exterior Design
1) Ford - BIG, BOLD, and BAD
2) Dodge - NICE facelift
3) Toyota - smooth but with style
4) Nissan - Hey at least it has a style
5) Chevy - To call it Vanilla is an insult to a perfectly good flavor

So there you have some "Joe (Ford) Consumer" predictions. Ford will be the best of the group overall and outdistance everyone in brute strength except the Dodge Hemi. Where is my DOHC 5.4 Triton in a 4x4 truck!!! Come on SVT!!!

It should be a great read from Truck Trend.

 

Dosn't Motor Trend only consider vehicles that are new or redesigned for that year?

If so that would leave the test down to what?

F-150
Titan
GM small trucks
Possibly Chevy half ton crew cab.

I can't think of any more feel free to chime in.

 

Truck Trend will do a test of all the half ton trucks out there, old, new, whatever. I want them to do the 4x4 extended cabs with most powerful engines first. Motor Trend? You mean truck of the year? Don't know and don't really care - perhaps because they only do newly designed trucks is the reason I don't care.

 

Hey SDDL-UP!

Go to the Nissan web site, look up the 4x4 of the year award that the TITAN just won and revise your predictions.


Boy am I confused as I'm sure alot of people are, because I have a buyer for my Land Rover so I can buy an FX4. I love the Ford and I love how it looks and I can't believe the Titan has so much more power than the Ford. One reason I need the power for is I need to tow, and if I believe the magazine article then then both the Tundra and the Ford won't get the job done which means the Titan and Hemi will. Now I know someone who just bought a '03 F150 SCrew and he tows his race car with it and he loves it. Any thoughts out there because I thought I had my mind made up but I may just wait until December and test drive the Titan to make sure.