Really Important truck features. :-)
A totally silly, but all too real topic as we are looking at a new pick 'em up next year. Plus it's a slow thanksgiving.
Having the Ford vs Dodge discussion in my head. Solid axle only please and thanks. Both great trucks. Both will do what we need. So what's the big decision point?
Is it payload? No, they both have plenty.
Is it torque and POWER? No. Both will go faster than we need.
Is it style? Nope. I think they both look great.
Brand? Nah.
Reliability? Both draw even in my head. Plus there are lots of other threads about that.
So what is it? I'm almost embarrassed to tell, but it's the real deal... And it's going to swing the deal one way or the other.
It's the stupid radio. Or infotainment as it's now called.
Having been through a couple vehicles, with these things. One 2006, one 2011, and one 2013. One from each brand actually. I can state categorically that any factory installed infotainment thing has a shelf life.
Oh they will work fine. But the tech gets old fast. It's like having a cell phone from the last decade that you can't upgrade.
Our 2006 truck got a nice Sony upgrade, as did my 2015 Wrangler. (UConnect cannot suck enough by the way) Now here's where I bring it around, so stay with me.
As of right now, CarPlay and android auto are where it's at. So that's a must. Advantage Ford. But who knows what's happening in a few years. So Ford takes a piece of technology with a finite life and builds their whole **** truck around it.
That's right, the radio thing can't be swapped out for aftermarket. Totally stupid. Whoever approved that design should be punched in the neck.
Advantage Dodge? Not so fast. Their unit is replaceable, but requires MAJOR surgery and and aftermarket front dash replacement. Again, a punch in the neck should be mandatory here.
TL/DR:
Memo to OEMs infotainment is a short lived technology. Please make them easily upgradeble to aftermarket in the future.
Thanks for paging through the rant and have a great Thanksgiving.
Having the Ford vs Dodge discussion in my head. Solid axle only please and thanks. Both great trucks. Both will do what we need. So what's the big decision point?
Is it payload? No, they both have plenty.
Is it torque and POWER? No. Both will go faster than we need.
Is it style? Nope. I think they both look great.
Brand? Nah.
Reliability? Both draw even in my head. Plus there are lots of other threads about that.
So what is it? I'm almost embarrassed to tell, but it's the real deal... And it's going to swing the deal one way or the other.
It's the stupid radio. Or infotainment as it's now called.
Having been through a couple vehicles, with these things. One 2006, one 2011, and one 2013. One from each brand actually. I can state categorically that any factory installed infotainment thing has a shelf life.
Oh they will work fine. But the tech gets old fast. It's like having a cell phone from the last decade that you can't upgrade.
Our 2006 truck got a nice Sony upgrade, as did my 2015 Wrangler. (UConnect cannot suck enough by the way) Now here's where I bring it around, so stay with me.
As of right now, CarPlay and android auto are where it's at. So that's a must. Advantage Ford. But who knows what's happening in a few years. So Ford takes a piece of technology with a finite life and builds their whole **** truck around it.
That's right, the radio thing can't be swapped out for aftermarket. Totally stupid. Whoever approved that design should be punched in the neck.
Advantage Dodge? Not so fast. Their unit is replaceable, but requires MAJOR surgery and and aftermarket front dash replacement. Again, a punch in the neck should be mandatory here.
TL/DR:
Memo to OEMs infotainment is a short lived technology. Please make them easily upgradeble to aftermarket in the future.
Thanks for paging through the rant and have a great Thanksgiving.
