It is a bit more than just a sheet metal change, the 6 speed trans & increased capacities come to mind....

But the Ford was the most capable truck until the Tundra came out. Sadly the 4, going on 5, year old Ford design still beats the Tundra & Chevy in most area's. Once the new 150 comes out it will lead in every aspect. ...And the looks are subjective, while the chevy has grown on me some I still hate the front end.

 

You know I took the time to watch all of the videos and for the first time I can remember, I can actually see a marked improvement from one generation to the next of a vehicle. Ford really nailed the engineering on this truck. My 2000 is quite and has a beautiful ride.
What sealed the deal for me had to be the driving test (silver creek). I was shocked to see the tundra twist like a soda can. I have read guys bashing the vehicle, but this goes to show that it isn't about haling a$$. The new Ford truck really dominates the competition from an engineering stand point. We can make her really move with the after market mods, but straight out of the factory you have one hell of a work horse and even at the base level! Payload, frame strength and suspension were the key reasons I bought the 2000. This new generation has really got it down. I don't feel so bad now when I think of the Tundra's mind blowing speed. God forbid you hit a "silver creek" in that soda can, you know you are nothing but recycled material when its all said and done.
Ford Tough, there is nothing like it.

 

They sold the Arizona proving grounds, now they do most of their testing in Detroit. My brother got to tour it for school 2 weeks ago, they got to drive F-150's over the washboard thing that they rip on GM and Toyota about. He said it was nuts, even though they look good in the video in the truck you are bouncing all over, it is quite a test for just about anything.

I think he said they have a typical 200k mile lifespan shortened down to 15k miles... by that time they are SHOT. Nothing of mine is going thru that.

 

My F150s, especially my '99 was totally abused... but it never gave me a problem... ever.

 

Yes, because you drove through proving grounds everyday with 3000 in the bed and 5000 on a trailer but didnt really feel it right?

 

They get 200k+ miles of wear in 15k miles, I have seen some pretty beat trucks on the street but most had alot more than 15k on them.

 

I will be totally happy If I get 200,000mi on my truck! However by then gas will probably be $40.00 a gallon!.........

 

I agree, my poor 06 just rolled over 48k. I drive it constantly for work, and it pains me to do so. I plan to drive it till it really start's to give me issues. The new 09's looks sweet, but I am sure they will still be around when mine wears out at the rate I am goiing

 

I actually watched it now, it is kind of funny how they bag on Toyota for having a flexy frame when Ford used to have the most flexable you could get, and the CAD front axle lockout thing being worse for fuel economy than unlocking hubs when between 97-03 that is all they made while preaching the benefits over having a lockout on each wheel. But their new trucks are getting better, which shows they are learning from what works the best and are willing to try different things.

It is also kind of funny how they bring up the floor shifter, I guess my Ranger is coming back into style as it has the modern floor shifter rather than the 50's and 60's design colum shifter.

All that said it is downright hilarious to watch him rip on the other trucks.

 

toyowned

 

LOL I love that one. I might have to get a sticker for the back window of my truck... wonder if the toy turd owners would get it?

 

Chevy is the same truck year after year with various styling cues. And yes, they change certain things, increase horsepower, add an extra gear, but does that always make it better? They just try to keep up with the competition. Of course, seemingly, they always fall short. Yep, I agree, every year it gets uglier and uglier. I won't lie my dad had a 1996 silverado with the 305 vortec. That truck only had 225 hp, but it held its own. If chevy would of kept that up, maybe I'd be driving one. But, The only time I'd drive a chevy would be to haul my trash to the dump so I dont get my fifty dirty.

 

x2

Nothing is test unless it does go through the hands of time.

No test can offer that. Only time.

Some of the stuff I put my '07 through already is bad enough... but it keeps getting beat on more.

I don't think a normal person would do this to their brand new F150:



I loaded my '99 and took it on a 300 mile trip with a 2400 lb load of wood pellets... about 100x when I had it. That's extreme duty for a light duty pickup. Heck, a F250 wouldn't like that even.

 

Well, them ain't wood pellets back there. And if you put the load as close to the front of the bed it isn't too bad. My father in law and I do 8-10 trips every season with a ton of pellets. You know they're there... but the truck handles it just fine.

 

LOL. When I was a kid my neighbor was patching his cracked driveway with quickcrete. He loaded a little Mazda b200 or b2000 something like that up with like 2 tons of concrete. I mean the truck looked like it was gonna do a wheely at any time. He drove it to the dump, crazy a-hole!

Ford trucks seem to not only haul an unthinkable amount, but handle well with the load.

I know once though I was carrying about 6,500 (give or take) lbs in the mountains, had the truck floored at 75mph, wouldn't go anywhere else. Pissed me off.