What is the "toughest" 4x4 truck?

[SODak]

Well where I live you see more of those "sissy bowtie trucks" from the 70's and 80's still running than Fords from that same era, and in my area which is mostly farming and ranching they get used quite a bit. Another good example was our small town's mud bog competition. I saw a two Jeep cherokees, a Jeep wrangler, some sort of Toyota and the rest were Chevy's or GMC's, but not one ford. I can tell you where a good deal of older Fords are though, at a very small town, sitting there as junk. Roper, I know what you mean about those 60's pickup, we have a 65 chevy K10 that still runs. A little tricky to drive on the road but handles nicely in the pasture. Well that's my $0.02.

[Lawdog]

What people need to take into consideration is the experience of the driver in offroading. I have seen some of the toughest trucks go no where do to the drivers ability. What makes a taught truck is one that has the power, set up and ruggedness to last from the abuse from offroading. I still stick with my Dodge Ram.  

Again we concur.  First comes Dodge then comes Ford.  GM doesn't fit in, too many recalls in the last 10 years.  Lawdog
 

[DirtyHarry]

What people need to take into consideration is the experience of the driver in offroading. I have seen some of the toughest trucks go no where do to the drivers ability. What makes a taught truck is one that has the power, set up and ruggedness to last from the abuse from offroading. I still stick with my Dodge Ram.  

I agree, but that really goes without saying...

Again we concur.  First comes Dodge then comes Ford.  GM doesn't fit in, too many recalls in the last 10 years.  Lawdog
 

And to think Lawdog, all this time I had you figured as a ford guy for sure.  :shock:  

[ringo]

Dodge!

[MI VHNTR]

You see very few new DOdGeS here with snowplows on them. However, there are more new Chevies than the DOdGeS with plows. The new trucks that you see the most with snowplows on them are the Ford Super Duty trucks. Before you make light of this, consider that some snowplows on these trucks weigh around 1000 pounds. It does separate the men from the boys....      MI VHNTR

[DirtyHarry]

Before you make light of this, consider that some snowplows on these trucks weigh around 1000 pounds. It does separate the men from the boys....      MI VHNTR

My Cummins powered Dodge must be a heckuva man then since in the winter it pushes around a Meyer C8.5 plow along with a 1200 lb Cummins Turbo Diesel engine.. :wink:
Just to put that in perspective, the 426 hemi "elephant motor" weighs around 700lbs...

[BlkHawk73]

You see very few new DOdGeS here with snowplows on them. However, there are more new Chevies than the DOdGeS with plows. The new trucks that you see the most with snowplows on them are the Ford Super Duty trucks. Before you make light of this, consider that some snowplows on these trucks weigh around 1000 pounds. It does separate the men from the boys....      MI VHNTR

OK, I gotta jump in now..

  I work at one of the largest snowplow distributors in the northeast.  By far we install/sell more plow setups for Checvy/Gm than any other.  Ford second and then of course Dodge.  However, does that make them tough?  Not neccessarily.  Chevy/GM will drop alot more due to the softer suspensions they have.  Some really drop and need a crank on the torsion bars or a boost some how.  Just way too soft.  Fords barely drop at all.  Same with truck bodies, Fords will generally accept a larger body than the other brands given the same size chassis (3/4 ton, 1 ton) as it's competitor.  The average blade setup weighs around 800 lbs.  Not really alot of weight.  It's all dependant on the front axle rating.  Put a deisel under the hood and that'll limit the blade choices approved for that truck.    Heck I've seen customers put a 8' blade on a Dakota.  that make it tough?  no it makes the vehicle warrantee void and the customer an idiot.   Have seen 1/2 ton Fords and Chevy/GM trucks not be able to accept regular steel blades.  Customer thinks -"hey, it's a big truck, it can take one". Wrong!  They really get ugly seeing the blade they wanted on a Jeep Wrangler.  It's all dependant on that front axle rating.

Chevy/GM - nice soft cushy ride = less weight handling
Ford - stiffer suspension setup = heavier weight handling
Dodge is on the Chevy/GM end of this spectrum.

  Takes alot more than looking tough and apparant size to make it actually "tough".  It's quite funny listening to people try and brag up thier trucks at work especially.  You'd think they'd realize that we see thoudsands of trucks a year and there's always one bigger/badder and biger than thier little toy.   :wink:

[BlkHawk73]

Before you make light of this, consider that some snowplows on these trucks weigh around 1000 pounds. It does separate the men from the boys....      MI VHNTR

  When you get up to a 1000 lb plow set-up, you're out of the standard 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks.  you're up in the 4500 and 450 series trucks for a minimum.  Even the stainless 9' Fishers are under that.  
 What seperates the men and boys is that the men don't buy the biggest and baddest looking truck but rather buy the vehicle based on if it'll will fit their needs.  The boys buy the truck becasue they think it's the biggest and baddest becasue it looks that way.  Dealing with these types each day let's it become pretty apparant which is which.  :wink:

[Lawdog]

What people need to take into consideration is the experience of the driver in offroading. I have seen some of the toughest trucks go no where do to the drivers ability. What makes a taught truck is one that has the power, set up and ruggedness to last from the abuse from offroading. I still stick with my Dodge Ram.  

I agree, but that really goes without saying...

Again we concur.  First comes Dodge then comes Ford.  GM doesn't fit in, too many recalls in the last 10 years.  Lawdog
 

And to think Lawdog, all this time I had you figured as a ford guy for sure.  :shock:  

A Ford man __ Lord no.  Although I do own a 1976 Ford Bronco it is so far from originally equipped about the only thing on it that is Ford is the name.  Been a Chrysler man all my life.  Still have the 1970 426 Hemi powered Plymouth Road Runner Superbird I bought new in 1969.  Mopar to ya'.   :toast:   Lawdog
 

[MI VHNTR]

Boy, did I ruffle some feathers! Oh well....

"OK, I gotta jump in now.."

"The GM will drop a lot more due to the softer suspensions they have. Some really drop and need a crank on the torsion bars or a boost somehow. Just way too soft." "Dodge is on the Chevy/GM end of this spectrum." "Fords barely drop at all. Same with truck bodies, Fords will generally accept a larger body than the other brands given the same size chassis (3/4 ton, 1 ton)as it's competitor."

This could be used as another solid reason for buying the Super Duty truck. You may have jumped, but you didn't look before you leaped.  LOL!  

One more thing:

Before you make light of this, consider that some snowplows on these trucks weigh around 1000 pounds. It does separate the men from the boys....      MI VHNTR

  When you get up to a 1000 lb plow set-up, you're out of the standard 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks.  you're up in the 4500 and 450 series trucks for a minimum.  Even the stainless 9' Fishers are under that.  
 What seperates the men and boys is that the men don't buy the biggest and baddest looking truck but rather buy the vehicle based on if it'll will fit their needs.  The boys buy the truck becasue they think it's the biggest and baddest becasue it looks that way.  Dealing with these types each day let's it become pretty apparant which is which.  :wink:

We get winters here with 300+ inches of snow, so yes a "biggest and baddest" truck is a good thing to have. Yes, an F-250 Super Duty with the proper front end will carry a heavy plow just fine too. It'll STILL do it and be under factory warranty if it's properly equipped from the factory. Ford says my truck meets these requirements, even though you don't think so. It just shows exactly how little you really know about this subject.  


Furthermore, even though I didn't consult any "specialists"  :roll:  on the subject, I bought a truck to fit my needs. Since I've been pushing snow for more than 27 years, I've got a pretty good idea what works and what doesn't. I've tried the GM trucks with plows, DOdGeS too. They don't cut it. Use what you want, I could care less, since know-it-alls are a dime a dozen.    MI VHNTR

[BlkHawk73]

MI VHNTR:

Nope didn't ruffle any feathers at all. I own none of the aforementioned trucks.  Was simply mentioning what we at work (a truck equipment distributor) deal with day after day.  I would much rather have the Ford SD's than the Chevy/GMs just based on what I see at work regarding thier capabilities.



 

It just shows exactly how little you really know about this subject.  

  I beg your pardon?  Guess some feathers were ruffled - yours.    Yeah I guess your right, work at one of the largest plow distributors in the northeast, do designs for the manufacturers but know nothing on the subject.       We actully used to be a Meyers distributor but switched when demand waned and folks wanted another brand.  Not saying they're bad though.  

Curious what the weight is on that 8.5?  Looking at pictures of that set-up it appears to be lighter than what we sell of the equivilant size.  How common is that size up by you?  We only sell/mount a handfull of straight 8.5's but 1000's of 8's and 9's each yr.  Oh, we get 300+ " /yr too by the way.  

Oh, if biggest and baddest is what you say is required, why only a 250?  Why not got 450 or even 550?  They'll take the big boy blades.

[MI VHNTR]

MI VHNTR:

Nope didn't ruffle any feathers at all. I own none of the aforementioned trucks.  Was simply mentioning what we at work (a truck equipment distributor) deal with day after day.  I would much rather have the Ford SD's than the Chevy/GMs just based on what I see at work regarding thier capabilities.
 

It just shows exactly how little you really know about this subject.  

  I beg your pardon?  Guess some feathers were ruffled - yours.    Yeah I guess your right, work at one of the largest plow distributors in the northeast, do designs for the manufacturers but know nothing on the subject.       We actully used to be a Meyers distributor but switched when demand waned and folks wanted another brand.  Not saying they're bad though.  

Curious what the weight is on that 8.5?  Looking at pictures of that set-up it appears to be lighter than what we sell of the equivilant size.  How common is that size up by you?  We only sell/mount a handfull of straight 8.5's but 1000's of 8's and 9's each yr.  Oh, we get 300+ " /yr too by the way.  

Oh, if biggest and baddest is what you say is required, why only a 250?  Why not got 450 or even 550?  They'll take the big boy blades.

BlkHawk73, you sure didn't ruffle my feathers. Heck, just reading a good funny story brightens my day. I just wanted to set things straight. If you work at "one of the largest plow distributors in the northeast, do designs for the manufacturers but know nothing on the subject.", you'd know all about the truck specs and what truck will handle what plow.  Obviously, this isn't the case or you (one of the largest plow dist. in the NE.) wouldn't be putting 8" blades on a little Dakota. That's laughable at best and a great injustice to the truck owner. Heck, the dealers here won't even do that to someone, even if they ask for it to be installed.

Why a 250 vs. 450 or 550? Again, if you were as well versed on the subject the answer would be quite clear. It's not my job to educate someone that works at "one of the largest plow distributors in the northeast, do designs for the manufacturers but know nothing on the subject. "    Well said...    MI VHNTR

[BlkHawk73]

1.  The customer bought and mounted the 8' on the dakota himself.  We can't as it's not approved.  The customer can buy what he wants, what he mounts it on is out of our hands.

  2.  You yourself stated that a biggest and baddest truck is a good thing to have.  So that's why I inquired about a 450 or 550.  They're bigger after all.  Contradicting yourself here?   :wink:  

  3.  You are obviously the diety of plowing so I guess talking to you about this is like talking about physics with a 3yo.  Perhaps you should design and build your own plows.  after all, 27 years experience suerly would put you so far ahed of everyone else.      I can see it now... MI VHNTR Plows Inc.  "With our experince, we've got to be right." can be your slogan.  

   Be the bug!  :bye:

[MI VHNTR]

Obviously, since you're "the know-it-all-plow-expert/installer/designer, chief cook and bottle washer" it's plain to see that there isn't much that you don't know.  Then again, if you're so up-to-date on installation, mounting, vehicle specs, etc., etc., etc.,  why can't you figure things out for yourself? If you can  :roll: , compare the specs on the F-series Super Duty trucks (250, 350, 450, 550) and you should get your eyes opened.

As far as plow manufacturing, there's a pretty good one made/designed right here in the UP of MI. They work and they work well. Maybe you can get some at "one of the largest snowplow distributors in the northeast" and you can install a 9'2" v-plow on some unsuspecting person driving a Subaru.  Heck, maybe you can "design" the undercarriage for it all by yourself.   :-D   MI VHNTR

[IntrepidWizard]

Dodge full size pre 95 Cummins hands down I have two,I also have a 68 Chevy short bed with the best combustion gas engine made for a truck the 327,and I have a 70 chevy long bed with a 350 all still kicking.

[DirtyHarry]

IntrepidWizard: any particular reason for the pre 95 cummins?......

[VSSF]

Superduty.

[Griff, SASS93]

Well, I see that all you guys that spent the least amount for a truck gotta be very vocal about your support for it.  Dodge doesn't build the toughest trucks, around, they assemble some of the best components in the cheapest package and hope for the best.  (Yep I agree the Cummins is the best small trk diesel, too bad the rest of the truck ain't to my likin'.)
Ford does have a great 4X4, but a better sales/marketing dept.  I'd like to have a couple of the great packages they come out with (Harley, King Ranch to name a couple);  but...
I've owned 4 Chevys (same as GMC) 4X4s, & have not sold/traded one of 'em with less than 150K on the odometer, with 2 going over 200K before I got suckered into buying a newer model. (Yep, 35 years of marriage will make a guy consider the little woman's desires once or twice.)
Among all my friends, they have had all manners of 4X4s and all makes and models.  There ain't something about all of them that I wished mine had, and several things that I figured they liked what I didn't.
I'm just glad that all of my friends don't like Chevy's as otherwise, I'd have too much competition in picking up parts, accessories, and it'd probably devalue my trucks.
Viva la differences.

[Smokem]

94 Chevy S-10 pick-up ZR2. Plenty of off road power, 31" tires from the factory, big enought to carry me and a buddy hunting and fishing. But!, small enought to get me places where your "big" trucks can't go. Oh and with a 6' bed it can carry my deer out of the woods to the check station.

And by the way the Jeep CJ7 was the best off road vehicle ever made. It was just tough to carry the deer.

[WorkinStiff]

Another vote for Dodge......with the Cummins, of course...

[IntrepidWizard]

Have a 68 Chevy short bed 327 that keeps on a ticking and a 70 Chevy long bed with the 350 nobody comes close to the 327.I drive a Cumins Dodge off the ranch for dependablility.

[High Brass]

1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 ext. cab

5.2L engine, 5sp. manual tranny, Rhino liner

222,240 + miles!!!

If I can't DODGE it, I RAM it

[willysjeep134]

The deuce and a half doesn't count because it's a 6X6, so I'd have to say the Willys CJ2As or MBs, maybe even the CJ3Bs would have to be the most bombproof vehicles in my opinion. mine is a 1947 CJ2A, but I need to do some work on it before it's on the road again. Pretty good lifespan, seeing as the vehicle is as old as my dad!

The Stats:

weight - 2100+lbs
engine - GoDevil F head 134 cid 68hp
tranny - Borg-Warner T90 (3 on the floor)
transfer - Spicer 18
rear end - Dana 41  5.38:1
front end - Dana 25 5.38:1
hubs - solid, always engaged


Edit: I just noticed the snowplow discussion. My 2100 lb willys plows snow pretty well. The plow is an old short straight blade. The lift frame, blade, and all that jazz probably weighs around 400lbs at most. It's not like plowing snow with a dumptruck or anything, but it can easily keep up with the lake effect we see in the southern U.P. here.

[oneshotonekill]

A bowtie wearing, duramax powered, allison shifted, chevy 3500HD

[nomosendero]

I did find the discussion concerning the snowplows to be both interesting &
entertaining. An indirect benefit for me was learning a little more about
the trucks involved with these plows. I too, need a heavy-duty truck at
times. But concerning a plow, I would need one that is light with a sharp
blade to scrape dead Armadillo's off the highway!  

[cwlongshot]

My first love is the JEEP, No one who really knows, thier one end from the other, will doubt thier prowes off road...

 But you asked for durability...gotta give the nod to the Dodge!!! The POWERWAGON has stood the test of time!!!

I gotta say I am a bit bothered that NEITHER made your list!!! :eek:  :eek:

CW

[Nanuk]

Toughest truck??? Dodge WC. But my 72 3/4 ton DODGE Powerwagon is at the top of the heap. :twisted:

[Simple Man]

If I had my choice then I would probably go for a 2000 Ford F-350 extended cab 4X4 single wheel, with the 7.3 diesel.
I don't own this truck but I would sure like too.  

I have owned several truck and so far my favorite has been a 1997 Dodge 1500 4x4 lifted on 35's.  I don't know why but I just really enjoyed that truck.

[ronbow]

Had a 94 Dodge Ram - great off road but some small problems. Next a 01 Ford F150 in manual tranny- 4x4. When then tires borke loose the clutch smoked. Now own a 04 Dodge 4x4 hemi quad cab. Truck is 2 years old this month and not even a minor problem. The 2 Dodges had a much more solid feel than the Ford and much much more power. Course this one is a Hemi. Sweeeeet.

[poncaguy]

I've had a couple of Dodges that were rugged, but the body fit and electrical stuff sucked. My 98  Chevy Z71 with 150,000 plus has been excellent, no problems, 17-18 MPG on the road, and have never been stuck in it .......................yet :-D . My 89 short bed 2 wheel drive had 300,000 plus on it when I had to overhaul the engine, a ring had broke. I use Mobil 1 and I think that has a lot to dowith the long milage I get with my Chevies.