Current Issue of MotorTrend tests Chevy, Ford, Dodge, and Toyota 4x4 extended cabs.
The Chevy has a 4:10 gear, the Tundra a 3:92 rear, and the Ford and Dodge had 3:55 gears.
How can you compare trucks with this wide of a difference in gears, and consider it a 'fair' test?
It's like comparing apples to oranges.

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2000SC, 5.4, 7700lb 3:73LS, Class III tow pkg., 4 wheel ABS, K&N, airbox mod, Load Lok bedliner, Magnaflow 3' single exhaust, Bugflector, Sportmaster Tonneau, Superchip, Viper alarm system, Whistler radar detector

 

Simple....MARKETING
If they tested simular engine size, drive train,(2WD or 4WD) vehical weight, and gears, there would be a clear winner and the 'losers' would get mad and stop buying the mag.
This way there is always room for arguement for your favorite Truck. I have yet to see a fair test by a magazine myself. It is like a 'soap opera' for Trucks, keeping the interest up.
I hate 'soaps' and those 'tell-all' mags and I quit reading that stuff once I realized those 'Truck comparesons' sounded just like them.
Besides some of their advertisers may be one of 'the big three'.

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Andthensometoo ®
"Moonlight Blue" 98 F150 SC (FREAKING SUPER CAB!)
XLT 2WD 4.6, 3.55 LS Tow Pkg.
SUPERCHIP, K&N Airbox mod. w/ "Cool" intake,
Mobil One Oil, Bosch +4's, Throttle Body Spacer Plate. Lund Fastback, Lighted visor, Runninng Boards, Crome Taillight covers, Polished Steel Fenderwell Moldings, Smoked Bug and Rain guards, Shelf-it,
Carpet dash cover, "Andthensometoo" in silver Letters 3" tall on tail gate.
Red Wings license plate in front,
Red Wings license plate frame in back,
Little Detroit Viper hanging from mirror,
Oh yeah, and one "Blacked-out" grill.
Gonna get my Bed rails back on, Finally!
Couldn't find the right Polished steel design, so once I modify the powercoated ones I just bought, I will paint them.

Q: who wants my "Pocket Mount" chrome ones? Price:cost of shipping, or gas and maybe lunch if you live in S/E MI.

<A HREF="http://www.andthensometoo.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

"Rocks don't move unless pushed, and neither do chevys!"




[This message has been edited by Andthensometoo (edited 04-27-2000).]

 

I've often wondered why no apple/apple comparisons. Good point ATST on leaving room for debate to allow mag sales.

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Red '00 Lightning,
Adopted 4/19/00,
PSP Filter,
Track time pending...

 

What engines were tested in each truck?

 

Ford.....5.4
Chevy.......5.3 (285HP)
Dodge......5.9
Tundra..... V8, not sure of size

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2000SC, 5.4, 7700lb 3:73LS, Class III tow pkg., 4 wheel ABS, K&N, airbox mod, Load Lok bedliner, Magnaflow 3' single exhaust, Bugflector, Sportmaster Tonneau, Superchip, Viper alarm system, Whistler radar detector

 

The Tundra V8 is 4.7 liters.

 

Still, just because they loved the truck, doesn't mean anybody is gonna like it at 60,000 miles, or even more. I like checking out the used cars to see what to expect in a few years. They keep picking that darned Grand Cherokee as truck of the year. Every used one I have checked out is the biggest p.o.s. Nice when new, but that "nice" is temporary. The Dodge trucks seem to hold up nicely though. (But not as good as a Ford)

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Kenwood am/fm cassette head unit, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, Lund Premier tonneau cover, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

Another Joke was published recently in MT.
They actually tested a 4wd dodge durango VS. a 2wd Ford Explorer. And that isn't the best part, the test was OFF-ROAD!!!
What are these idiots thinking.

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stock 98 XL, Reg. cab,4.6, Auto, HD cooling package, 255/70R16 on styled steel wheels,3.55LS, Black with chrome grille and bumpers! MODS: custom stereo by me, building speaker box was a !@#$%. K&N air filter w/ airbox mod, a complete keyless entry system.

 

Motor Trend Car of the Year Past Winners. 1960:Chevrolet Corvair 1971:Chevrolet Vega 1974:Ford Mustang II 1975:Chevrolet Monza 1978 odge Omni/Plymouth Horizon 1980: Chevrolet Citation 1981 odge Aries/Plymouth Reliant 1983:AMC/Renault Alliance With this fine group of automobiles selected as "Cars of the Year" why would you even question their testing methods?

 

No Pinto??? I used to read all those CR and MT magazines, but I think they may be a little more biased than they claim. It's all crap now I think. I only go with opinions I know I can trust like the ones found here.....hehe

 

If you read the magazine, Then the artical was a good artical. It is all about sales $.

Do mags. really care who is better at what?
Or how much they can stir the Brand pot?

If anyone is unsure of the real score just pick a traffic light and do your own little test.

Redwing

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2000, F-150, XLT, SC, Flareside, 4x4, 5.4, 3.55ls, ORP,
Tow Package,BFG Allterrain T/A KO's
Downey soft tonneau, Black Westin step bars
Airaid FIPK from the Online store
Superchip from Mike Troyer
Bright REDWINGS red

Rewired driving lights from low beam dependant
to keyed toggle switch.

My Ford history; Started at Age 15 1965 f-100, 1976 f-250,
1979 f-150, 1989 Bronco2, 1990 full size Bronco,
1995 Explorer(wifes car), 2000 f-150

 

I subscribe to MT and C&D. It gives me something to read while I am .....well you know. I read the article, it was a joke.

 

If those mags really want to know what's the best trucks on the hwy they should do a test using ones w/some miles on them. In other words, go on the farms, on the road, or into camper sales places and check out the trucks that are working for their living. Most are Fords!!! And for all that my Brother still insists on driving a 1ton Chevy. His saying about his truck: It's a good day if it starts!!! I told him he should have gotten a F350 diesel!! (his big well truck is a Ford)

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2k F250 CC SWB 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate)

 

I live in Calgary Alberta. It seems to me that there are more trucks than cars in this "Oil city". A good deal of the truck sales end up in the hands of oil companies. They use them to go exploring for oil doing sizemic testing. After I bought my truck I met an oil worker. We asked him, "A Ford, Chevy and a Dodge go into the bush, who comes out? He said Fords always come out Chevy's mostly come out but Dodge rarely comes out. Chevy's throw transmissions but Dodges develope elusive electrical problems that are very hard to field service. Since going into the bush can mean up to 100 miles from anything, Ford dominates the industry.
Tell those little pixie magazines to come to Calgary, ride with a siezmic crew for a week. The bias will soon disappear.
Bruce

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'97 F-150 Lariat,4.6, S/C, 4X4, SB, 17"wheels, no mods.

[This message has been edited by Bruce (edited 05-07-2000).]

 

I always knew those canooks had *****!