The Titan has Electronic Brake Force Distribution just like the F-150, but also has Vehicle Dynamic Control. VDC keeps the nose pointing forward and can also help prevent jackkniefing a trailer. The F-150 had the longest stopping distance of any truck in the Edmunds test with only a 161 lb weight difference between the two trucks and the Titan was the best with the exception of the dimunitive Tundra. Fourwheeler.com shows the Titan beating it again both with and without payload. That's numerical data, not personal preference. On top of that, the Titan has a dramatic advantage in engine braking that could reduce the need to even utilize the brakes when you are driving in places like the mountains.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta.../pageNumber=14
http://www.fourwheeler.com/2004toptr...ty/index5.html

Suspension? Many articles prefer one or the other. It's about equal in terms of who gave the win to who. The outboard shocks in the rear are really the only thing that separates the F-150. It increases payload capacity, but does nothing to towing performance or much of anything else. The Silverado, the Ram, and the Tundra out handle both of our trucks when it comes to getting frisky on the roads. Having a suspension that lets you carry more weight in the bed and has no additional benefits could be considered bragging rights, but others could brag about other aspects. Another topic that is clearly personal preference, but to each their own.

Your frame gives you no additional benefits. It is oversized and adds weight that degredates fuel economy and performance. By the time it would make any difference, you would have FAR exceeded the tow capacity and payload capacity of the truck. Maybe some people need the bigger frame to compensate for other shortcomings. Whatever the case may be, like I said before, there is engineering and then there is over-engineering. Many times, engineers simply over build something instead of putting in the time to research the needs of an actual project. It saves R&D time, but that's about it. The F-150 frame size makes about as much sense as a cup holder made out of boron steel.

Dodge redesigned their truck for 2006. Did they try to match the frame size or 1 up Ford? No. Chevrolet just redesigned their truck for 2007. Did they try to match the frame size or 1 up Ford? No. Toyota is attempting to make an actual full size truck for a 07-08 release. Did they try to match the frame size or 1 up Ford? No. Because it is just excessive.

If someone wants to post actual numbers to disprove me, be my guest. However, sitting infront of the computer giving your opionon is just hallow without some sort of factual backing. I've towed with the Fords and my Titan. I've hauled with the Fords and my Titan. The difference between the two chassis is negligable. However, statistics from multiple sources show the Titan do actually have shorter stoping distances, with or without a load.

 

As far as outboard shocks go, I would prefer inboard for articulation, but for ride it's clear which is better. No matter what you say, I can't get over that cheap interior. The vertical rear slider beats my power horizontal rear slider, and that ticks me off. I envy the Titan's cargo bedside box, it would be great for holding all my recovery gear. I am a sucker for power, and thats why I've spent a small fortune on performance...Titans blow us out of the water there. The exterior of a Titan is good looking, but I admire the exterior on the F150 tenfold, the wheelwell are also too tiny to be aesthetically pleasing on the Titan. Now as far as respect for the Titan owners go, all I see is many videos of a brand new Titan pulling off with an old body style F150. Not a smart move to attack us where we shine...obesity. I do have many friends on your Titan boards so I do get along with you, but those rear end failures scare the crap out of me. If ANYONE was to have a rear end failure, I'd be that guy. I sometimes wonder if my second choice Titan would have held up to the abuse and made it through what I've put my F-150 through. I just couldn't get over that interior, sorry bro.

Here is an F-150 outpulling a duramax diesel, and it's a regular cab. This is f'ing sad...it's no wonder there are no Titan's pulling off with the 150.

 

I can tell first hand. I've towed the exact same camper (~5500lb) with my '05 and with my '99. The heavier, bigger frame in the '05 makes a tremendous difference. The truck handles better, rides better, and just overall tows much better than the '99.


You lost all credibility right there...that's just plain stupid!

Yep, Ford over-engineers so that their trucks last. We know no-one exceeds the payload or tow capacity of their truck...ever!

 

And in regards to fuel economy, what are the 5.6's getting at best. I was getting around 23mpg before the lift, tires etc @ 55mph. It's slow but it's the sweet spot in the tranny. Even after I'm able to get 20mpg @ 55mph. I don't think your arguement against the boxed frame holds true, if you care enough you can get great mileage. Too bad it drives most of you speed freaks insane @ 55 or you could save a little dough!

 

The failures were mainly due to 75w90 instead of 75w140 for the 2004 models, and inadequate cooling on the differential. Most of these problems were also on units with the locking rear differential. Since then, Nissan has required synthetic only 75w140 and has added a finned rear diff cover to all 2005+ models. Heck, there are supercharged guys that haven't had issues. It's mostly something that got blown out of proportion. I had the imfamous brake problem, I got it fixed, and I haven't had a single issue since. I almost need new pads now.

Lets not forget that even the F-150 had a couple of issues in 2004. Ford quickly fixed the problems and made design changes on later models to keep further issues from cropping up. Nissan did the same thing.

Both companies do an admirable job fixing their ******* ups. In contrast, Dodge builds disposable transmissions, and GM includes piston slap with every product at no additional charge. And lets not forget that the reason that Chevy and Dodge cling to their pushrod antiques is because they both ration camshafts. Ford at least gives you two with each truck and Nissan gives you four.


The reason I bought the 04 F-150's was because Ford's been making them for years. The Titan had no history at that point. I decided to experiment and buy a Titan for myself because it looked good on paper. I try to kill this truck every day because my Fords have 130,000 - 180,000 miles each. They did their jobs well with minimal issues. They're beat to heck, but fine. That's why I had over a ton in the bed. That's why I pulled that 15,000 pound backhoe trailer. That's why I bought the base model. I've had no issues that haven't been fixed on subsequent model years. I may end up selling these Fords and buying Titans. Only time will tell. They all go bye bye when they need emissions next year.

To answer your question Josiah, my trucks are always towing or hauling building materials, so I can't really give you everyday driving figures. But, when the F-150's had comparable miles on them to my Titan, the Titan always got 1-2 more mpg. The gap is wider now, but an extra 100,000 miles will do that. The titan obviously enjoys less drivetrain loss (dead horse), it has a lower drag coefficient, less weight, taller gearing, more gears, and a newer engine design.

Also, EPA fuel economy estimates are worthless on trucks. The weight is not factored in. The drag for each individual vehicle is not factored in. The highway test is so slow that most trucks can't even get torque converter lock-up (ave 48 mph). Nobody has the air conditioning on. It's just garbage. On paper, the Titan should have a very significant advantage.

 

You are comparing a fully boxed frame to a NON-fully boxed frame. There is also very significant differences in the 05 as a whole. I would say the frame is only a single piece of this observation.

That was meant to be a joke. Who buys a truck with a big frame because they have a small manhood?

When is the last time you've seen someone bend their frame? Seriously. Frames never wear out for the most part. The engine and the transmission will be replaced 5 times before the frame ever gives any grief. People replace trucks because the mechanicals act up. How does a frame make the truck last longer? It doesn't. That's rediculous.


And in all fairness to the videos with the truck pulls. They are just a traction contest and nothing more. A purpose modified Ranger could beat a 600 horsepower powerstroke with a third of the power.

 

I too hope when they get their production lines up to produce enough transmissions (6 speeds) they will offer it in the F150. They should have done that before the Expedition, but the Way Forward has a way to go.

 

You're fighting an uphill battle, some of these guys are relentless (no offense to anyone). About the video's, it's based on traction you're right, which branches off to weight (LSD's, etc), and power is probably about last on the tree of importance. It's still used by Titan ravers as a means to shoot us and our F150's down. I haven't heard you compromise one bit with us, that might help your arguement ending with what you like best about the F150 over the Titan. Be smarter than the Ford owners, a little social engineering never hurt anyone.

 

How about this. I have 5 trucks nearing 200,000 miles and they still run well. That's got to count for something. No major repairs.

The King Ranch leather is like a sitting on a nice couch everywhere you go.

The Audiophile package sounds better than the Rockford Titan system. IMO

Ford has more body styles and trim levels than anyone. This lets everyone have a truck for their specific needs.

I like the F-150. If I didn't, I would not have bought so many. I would say they are like the old guy at work that is reliable, but he's not really superior at any one thing. He's just well rounded. The Titan would be the new hire that is fresh out of college. He had a few issues in the begining, but now he's got it figured out and works just as well or better than the old guy. He's also specializes in a few tasks. Time will tell if he is reliable, but we will just have to wait.

I wouldn't say that. I roll my eyes when I see these videos. Get a ranger, add 5 tons to it, lock the differentials, put racing slicks on it, and hold your ground until the other guys looses traction. Now floor it. Congradulations, you just pulled a Peterbuilt.

 

EPA fuel economy estimates are worthless on every vehicle.

You put up a good solid arguement and fly a worthy flag for the Nissan Titan.

Truth be told - for the most part - I like the Titans. Love the power they have, love the torque they put down, love the acceleration and pick-up they're known for and the [relatively] smooth ride, but good God, they look like crap!

Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you seriously gotta question the [Titan] beholder.

To each their own.

 

I know the Titan's paintjob is terrible, hell the owners admit it themselves here. How about this one on for size...

The powertrain is everything for some, and the Titan's has held up well in this dept...nobody is arguing that

And this just cracks me up.

Now you can find the same for us F-150's but I don't think quality is going to be one of them. The black lariat interior is a work of art. Coming from a traildriven F-150, the paint is not terrible. It has held up ok but I'm not absolutely impressed either. I have too many scars to argue otherwise, and I've spent the entire weekend buffing and hiding them as best I could...it lasted for a good day and looked great...went mudding again today to pull a friend out in her Jetta (don't ask) so back to work I go. The finish doesn't last, but it's not terrible...that is pretty important to me.

A lot of folks are just not impressed with the quality of their Titan, and I honestly can't say the same for my F-150. Someone might argue different so I'll hold my tongue.

 

its ashame to let this one slip into oblivion. its been so civil.

fact.. this truck rides like a luxery car with the capacity of handling a ton of cargo..

this is due to frame/suspension strength and those darn bastard shocks that ford mounted on the outside of the frame
our leaf springs are also 3'' wide.. same width as the superduty's

you cant compare a titans powertrain to any half tons.. there awesome..

but you cant compare an f-150's suspension and frame to any other half tons..

o btw ford up'd the anty on F-150's max towing capacity to 10,500 for 2007..

and i have the new 2007 catalog of F-150's i'll be scanning and posting pics soon

Cheers!

 

Cool! A half ton truck that could pull my mother-in-law and her broom.

 

lol

 

Thats one large lady you got there Mister!