I'm not here to bash F-150's. In fact, I've wanted one since I learned to drive. Now that I'm finally ready to purchase my dream truck I hear about quality and reliabilty problems with them (i.e. door and roof cracks, rust, interior noise, etc.) I'm really dissapointed with Ford. Not only have I learned that these problems exist but that Ford hasn't stepped up to the plate to help their customers. Now enter the Toyota Tundra! A full sized (almost) pickup with a hell of a V8 from a manufacturer known for it's quality and dependablity! What am I supposed to do now!? I've done tons of research and the Tundra definitely holds its own against the big three. I just can't see myself buying an import truck! My father-in-law would never let me in his house again! I'm really having a hard time deciding. I want the most for my money of course. I mean full sized pickups aren't cheap! I'm torn between my heart telling me to buy the F-150 out of loyalty and love, and my head telling me to buy the Tundra for the sake of my sanity down the road! What do I do?

 

Buy the F150, I have almost 24,000 miles on mine and the only problem is the door crack which will be fixed under warranty in a few weeks. Besides, the Fords look a heck of a lot better.
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99 F150 supercab, XLT, 4.2L V6, short bed, K&N filter, 50 series flowmaster w/delta flow best 1/4 mile to date: 18.122 @ 78.08mph

 

You gotta realize one thing. The problems you have been hearing about are not universal. The majority of the F-150 owners do not experience the problems that you have seen written about here. It just looks that way because in a forum such as this, you will mostly hear about problems. The vast majority who do not have any problems rarely find the need to post here.

The one exception is the door crack problem. Ford IS addressing that particular problem, but have not come up with an economical solution yet. I'm sure Ford will fix this problem as soon as they find a solution.

I'm on my third F-150. The second of the late model series. I have not had any of the problems you listed with either late model truck. The only problem I have had with my '99 is a rough idle situation that was solved with the help of this board.

Well, that's not quite true. I'm having a phantom wiper problem that the dealer will have a look at when the truck goes in for it's next service. In the scheme of things, a single swipe of the wipers every other day or so isn't all that major.

Not to diss the Tundra, but no way is that thing a full sized pickup. At least not by my standards! The interior looks small too. People driving the Tundra appear to be huge when driving one, whereas those driving the F series look normal.

No doubt, the Toyota reputation is for building reliable vehicles (you pay for it too in higher purchase cost). However, I'll put my F-150 up against a Tundra where it counts. Towing and hauling ability. That's where the F-150 (5.4L) really shines, even against products from GM and Mopar.

I drove for 8 hours the other day and the people in the back seat did not complain. I have a feeling the story would be a lot different if they were stuck in the back of a Tundra.

 

The Tundra has it's problems to. You need to check out this web site for Tundra info. http://www.tundrasolutions.com

 

The Toyota V8 without doubt will be good but did you take a good look at the two trucks? You can tell that the Tundra copied Ford for this truck. Also for the price of a Tundra, get yourself a Lightning!!! I checked out the Tundra more closely and the interiour feels really cheap.

I bought a used F150 (1997) last year it had 40,000 kms on it and now It has near 60,000 kms. During this time, I didn't have one problem. Yet according to these boards I have the most crappiest Ford ever! With the manual transmission, 4x4, first year run and the V6 engine. A trucks dependability really depends on the DRIVER! Sure every vehicle model will have its lemons but Ford trucks in general are one of the toughest trucks around.

I did have the door crack, but Ford had it fixed 10,000 kms ago and its still looking great! Never heared any interiour noises (and my truck goes into the mountain trails). Whats a roof crack?

I say go with the Ford and if you can afford a Tundra with little extras. Then get a freaking Lightning

Have a nice day! Onemilmhz

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Formerly known as 4byFord

Check out my site: eph1fifty.cjb.net My email: eph1fifty@hotmail.com
1997 F150 4x4 XLT with ORP 4.2L V6 and 5-speed manual.

 

Yea Fords do have there little problems here and there, but what automotive group doesn't.
I'm sure in six months to a year you'll here something unpleasing about the Tundra whether you buy one or not. I'm sure Toyota has a great product, but as every other truck, nothing is perfect. Now days just about everything will last 150+ miles with no problem. Hell my '89 F-250 diesel has 350k miles and the only thing done to it has been a new clutch.

Good luck in your choice

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My 2000 F-150

 

Go with the Ford it looks better is a better vaule and if you want a reg cab and V8. Ford has it the Toyota doesn't offer a V8 in the reg cab and they only offer one V8 not 2 like Ford does.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

Like Dennis said...the problems listed on this web site seem to affect every F-150 owner...but this is not true. Remember..there are literally millions of these trucks on the road right now. This is my 2nd 97+ F-150...and the ONLY problem I have had was the water channel roof crack on my 98...but it sat out for 2 summers in the Georgia sun and that was murder on a black truck (my 2000 sits in the company garage during the day - double parked ). I never had the piston slap/door crack/or leaking rear window problems in my 98 either.

I like the Tundra..and it would be my second choice..but I like the F-150 much better than any of the others. The F-150 seems much more durable than the Tundra, in my opinion.

FORD is fixing the relatively few problems with the F-150...but I must admit the door crack fix should have been fixed faster than this. This is the only 'potential' complaint I have about my 2000 F-150.

So I would suggest that you not write off the F-150 completely. In my driving experience...it really is the best full size truck that I have ever driven and it rides like a dream. Every vehicle has its own unique set of problems...no matter how well it is rated.

I don't buy out of loyalty...I buy quality and I am certian you will not be disappointed with a 2000 and soon 2001 F-150!!!

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99



[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 05-22-2000).]

 

That Tundra Solutions is the kind of site I hate. You have to scroll from the bottom up to read from oldest to the newest. I like the way ours is, you scroll down to read from oldest to newest. Its much easier to read it this way, thanks Steve.

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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster w/dual tailpipes, Bosch+4 plugs,Ford 9mm wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars. Rear seat lift 4".
Kenwood 4011 stereo, USAcoustics 2150 amp, Profile electronic 3 way crossover, 2 10" IDQ DVC's.

FUTURE STEREO MODS:
Memphis components in front, Pioneer 3ways in rear, amp for the components, and a cd changer.

FUTURE PERFORMANCE MODS:
4.10 gears, Edlebrock shocks, supercharger, Airaid, power pulleys.

OTHER FUTURE MODS:
Ram Air hood w/functional ram air, suspension lift, 16.5" polished wheels, 35" tires, and sunroof.

 

Buy the F150. I have a 97 and just rolled 66000k on it. Not a problem. Sure, I have a door crack, but it's so freakin small you never see it. And it's not like our doors are blowing off while we're driving because of them. Heck, I've got a 84 F250 diesel that I use as a fram/play truck that still starts with one crank, and it has 190k miles on it.
I've seen the Tundra parked next to GM's a nd Fords, and just looks like a panty waiste trcuk. And, import truck...unAmerican!

MrScot

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97 F150 ORP
Towing/trailer package, 3.55LS
34" Mickey Thompson Baja Belteds, Requisite K&N Airfilter
JVC Kamelon CD Player, CB, bug shield, window shields, and other goodies

 

If the Tundra was a bit cheaper, it would be a great contender, even if it is physically smaller. So far the only thing it can do better than an F-150 is park, stop and haul(not tow, unless it is the F-150 7700). Reliability of Fords has been good, though not as much reputation as Toyotas. I test drove a Tundra, and I wouldn't mind getting it. For a personal pickup it would serve you. You can have an easier time going downtown, and braking ability is said to be the best of the half tons. And it won't get overloaded as easily as the F-150 (if the Tundra is an SR5 and the F-150 is not the 7700). But beware, the bed is shallow and shorter, and the rear seat isn't roomy, but you have to expect that from an extended cab. 99 F-150 has a relatively roomy and comfortable seat. I am 5'll and spent 2 hours back there and my but doesn't hurt as much as riding in the bus.

Leo dC

 

'97 F-150 4x4 crew cab 4.6L V8. 27,000 mi - Moonlight Blue. No problems!

'99 F-150 Lightning 5.4L V8. 6600 mi - Black No problems!

Well, I do have to listen to people say "Nice truck" wherever I go!



adp

[This message has been edited by adp (edited 05-25-2000).]

 

Buy the ford. If you can afford the nice tundra, you can afford the Lightning. I test dorve one for my sister, and it was slightly wet out, and I had a hard time keeping the rears down around turns, I almost freakin pulled a broady! (doughnut). Jap parts are also more expensive I hear.



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99 Black Lightning
created 8/17/99, bought 9/25/99
#3681/4000
CD changer, Tow package, factory tonneau cover
100k mile warrantee, bed/under liner, paint protected
W:L ratio
1:1

 

Well, here in Canada we have been 34 years and running for BEST selling pickup. I am not sure about in the States but I am sure that they aren't far behind if not in front of that figure. I had a '87 F-150, 300 I6, 4 Spd Reg. Cab, Long box and sold it with 305,000 kms on it, bought it with 120,000 kms. My current '94 was bought with 94,000 kms on it and I plan on putting that much on it if not more before I get a Superduty F-250. If you need more conviencing then that look at the Rangers, Explorers, etc., etc.. Ford has out sold Chevy every year and out sold Dodge like 3 to 1 (if memory serves me) over the past years. Bottom line is Ford Pickup without a doubt, buy anything else and you will be counting the days until you get rid of it.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin' (Well in this case GET TRUCKIN')
Dean

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1994 F-150 XLT Supercab, Long Box, 302 EFI, Automatic, Royal Blue in and out, Captain Chairs. Chrome Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 105S 235/75R15 (Summer), OEM Aluminum Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 108S (Winter), Lightly Tinted, Soft Tonneau Cover, Ford Receiver Hitch Cover & Lock, Alpine CDM-7829 Head Unit, PPI 4800 Amplifier, Kicker 10" Solo Baric Sub with Custom Box and Kicker Impulse 6.5 Mid & Tweets.

 

i've had two toyota's previously. both sounded like great trucks until the problems started. wouldn't do it again for anything.
also don't forget insurance is usally higher on import vehicles.
bought my f150 used and will probably buy a new one when this one gets given to my son.......7 years from now