I'm looking at buying a new truck that I want to keep for 20 years. I bought my current one in 2007 so I like to keep them for a while.

I'm looking for 4x4 and crew cab. I also like the thought of Bluecruise or something similar. any suggestions?

1/2 ton? If so, I think your options are Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota.

Ram has never been a pillar of long time reliability.

Toyota would typically be the gold standard for reliability, but they have had some issues with the new turbo V6 in the Tundra. Maybe they're no longer as reliable as the past, or maybe they've figured out all the issues with the new engine. Time will tell.

GM seems to have had the most issues with their 1/2 ton engine line-up the past few years.

The Ford 2.7 ecoboost has been around a while now. It has had issues, but I expect they've figured most of them out by now. If I were buying with the goal of 20 years of reliable service, I think the F150 with the 2.7 is the safe bet. I would be sure to change the oil every 5,000 miles with full synthetic.

TxAg20 said:

---

1/2 ton? If so, I think your options are Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota.

Ram has never been a pillar of long time reliability.

Toyota would typically be the gold standard for reliability, but they have had some issues with the new turbo V6 in the Tundra. Maybe they're no longer as reliable as the past, or maybe they've figured out all the issues with the new engine. Time will tell.

GM seems to have had the most issues with their 1/2 ton engine line-up the past few years.

The Ford 2.7 ecoboost has been around a while now. It has had issues, but I expect they've figured most of them out by now. If I were buying with the goal of 20 years of reliable service, I think the F150 with the 2.7 is the safe bet. I would be sure to change the oil every 5,000 miles with full synthetic.

---

Thanks, Yes 1/2 ton

bam02 said:

---

All are a crapshoot now. A used tundra of the previous generation is probably your best bet. Or consider a gas 3/4 ton Chevy or ford.

---

Thanks for the info. Why would you expect a 3/4 ton to last longer?

They have far less EPA baggage on them. So things like DFM and auto start stop ( ASS) are not put on these.

And the Oem can spec the correct oil for the engine instead of 0w20 or lower.

lobopride said:

---

I'm looking at buying a new truck that I want to keep for 20 years. I bought my current one in 2007 so I like to keep them for a while.

I'm looking for 4x4 and crew cab. I also like the thought of Bluecruise or something similar. any suggestions?

---

How many miles in 20 years?

I drive 60-70K a year, so I'm at 200K by year 3 usually. I think a 20 year life expectancy is unrealistic in that case.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

---

lobopride said:

---

I'm looking at buying a new truck that I want to keep for 20 years. I bought my current one in 2007 so I like to keep them for a while.

I'm looking for 4x4 and crew cab. I also like the thought of Bluecruise or something similar. any suggestions?

---

How many miles in 20 years?

I drive 60-70K a year, so I'm at 200K by year 3 usually. I think a 20 year life expectancy is unrealistic in that case.

---

I've been averaging less than 10k miles per year.

Yep, fixer beat me to it. Their big V8's seem to be really reliable.

vmiaptetr said:

---

This is what you want.

Diesel. 5 speed manual. 4x4. 33,600 miles on the clock.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rE6MXWOR/2000-toyota-hilux-4x4

---

and right hand drive

lobopride said:

---

I'm looking at buying a new truck that I want to keep for 20 years. I bought my current one in 2007 so I like to keep them for a while.

I'm looking for 4x4 and crew cab. I also like the thought of Bluecruise or something similar. any suggestions?

---

If you can live with the fact that a Turbo is a wear component, and given you'll eventually have to replace them….then go for the Ford or Toyota. I've got almost $200K on a F150 boost with no issues other than swapping the Turbos around 140k miles. New Toyota will likely be the same. Toyotas tend to be less frills, so less issues with wonky electronics/computers.

Ford and GM have better technology in the trucks but also known to have wonky sensors and errors that become a pain to keep getting fixed. Even if not major, you still have to deal with it.

GM having major issues even in their ICE and 3.0 baby duramax. I'd stay away from GM for another year or two until they get that stuff figured out.

I wouldn't go 3/4 ton unless you tow often or haul heavy. The ride is stiff and turning radius is usually much greater (worse) than the 1/2 ton.

For those of you that run your cars until 300k+ mi. How do you know its time to get rid of er? And what do you do with it- trade in? Part it out? Clash for Clunkers type situation?

How do you know when its time to replace a turbo (say on the ecoboost)

Turbos let you know when they go bad. No guessing. They make annoying sound and lose a bunch of power.

Kyle Field Shade Chaser said:

---

GM having major issues even in their ICE and 3.0 baby duramax. I'd stay away from GM for another year or two until they get that stuff figured out.

---

Im looking at potentially a new Colorado, or possibly Silverado/Sierra diesel. Can you expand on your statement regarding the GM problems and why to avoid?

YouBet said:

---

Man, if one were to solely use this board for truck advice there is no way in hell I would ever buy a truck. Everyone seems to have constant issues with them. All models now suck and you are choosing the least of all bad options.

---

lol. Thought the same thing reading by this. It sounds like the EPA forced the end of the reliable V8 based drivetrains and the manufacturers haven't quoted figured out how to make a similarly powerful yet reliable turbo v6.

lazuras_dc said:

---

For those of you that run your cars until 300k+ mi. How do you know its time to get rid of er? And what do you do with it- trade in? Part it out? Clash for Clunkers type situation?

How do you know when its time to replace a turbo (say on the ecoboost)

---

Good rule of thumb is when the annual maintenance cost starts to equal a new vehicle's annual payment, time to make a change. So, if you're putting in around $4,000/year in maintenance (or more), make the switch. Less than that, keep running the old vehicle. I've had 3 F-150s and they all run to high mileage. Had an 03 that I sold after 20 years and 250,000+ miles. Had an 08 that I gave to my son, at 185,000 miles now. Have a 2010 with 275,000 miles and it runs great. Change the oil regularly and get an annual overall maintenance check.