BenK wrote:
I'm not blindly loyal and do acknowledge preference for GM...if the
architectures were switched...I'd prefer the Ford...
I own a 67 F100 with a 300 straight six and a 72 F100 with a 390 so maybe I can be accused of being partial to Ford. When it came time to buy a modern reliable used truck for towing I researched for months. The Duramax and Cummins engines were the obvious only intelligent choices (I might prefer Ford but I am not stupid!) I didn't want to buy a used diesel pickup only to have to rebuild the transmission so I went with my 2006 Duramax and its Allison transmission over the Cummins and its then somewhat weak transmission. I honestly believe I have the best truck of the period and absolutely love it. I honestly believe GM changed the industry when they came out with their Duramax / Alison combo.
At one point I had a 92 Chevy Astro. I was really turned off Chevy when my Astro started running really bad sucking down fuel only to find the "Fuel spider" GM used for years was made out of plastic and had about a 100K mile expected life before it would inevitably get brittle and break exactly like mine did. Trust me changing the fuel spider in a van is not a fun operation especially due the the motor being under the wind shield.
The completely miserable engineering in the PLASTIC GM fuel spider (most likely engineered obsolesces in my opinion) went on for years in millions of GM engines and really pushed me towards Fords. At least util Ford started producing their plug popping engines and Ford didn't man up and do the right by their customers.
So my vote for best truck manufacture is International. My 76 Scout has never given me a lick of trouble and I have beat the heck out of that truck on the lumber roads in Oregon forests.
My interest in this thread and my interest in the EcoBoost is that an American auto maker is finally seeming to make real advances in engine technology. Another big old V8 in a truck is just another big old V8 in a truck and this seems to be where GM is stuck. From everything I have read Ford seems to even be out doing the Japs in the 1/2 ton market as far as having a tow vehicle that can also be a fuel efficient daily driver... and I am a Jap vehicle lover!
I have a somewhat fuel efficient Jap car for getting me to work and back on a daily basis and a big pickup for going to the lumber yard, steel yard and towing a big trailer (The old Fords still get the enviable job of hauling horse crap). I find it impressive that Ford has come up with a vehicle that does a respectable job of getting people to work and back with decent mpgs and is also able to pull a decent trailer. I find it particularly delightful that Ford is even showing up the Japs in this market. It almost gives me hope for the future of American vehicle manufacturing!
