Another new Sheriff in Town?

[Pullstart 63,215]

Ram TRX... 702 hp, 650 lb-ft of torque.  It’s battling the Ford Raptor for the off road market.
 

I heard there’s a Chevy truck with 800 hp coming?  My guess is that’s a street machine?

Edited August 24, 2020 by pullstart

[Pullstart 63,215]

@ZXT what’s your take on this Mopar?

[bottjernat1 2,190]

Oh Yeah Im a dodge guy for life. And this truck is sweet 

 

[ebinmaine 68,920]

I don't have the brand loyalty that I have had in the past.

Because I am not rooting for any particular make or bottle they are all very interesting in their own right.

 

Cars. Trucks. Even farm tractors. The horsepower war... it's getting kind of interesting to say the least.

 

All of which sort of begs the question. How much is too much?

Of course the little kid in me says that there's no such thing as too much.

 

That said though, there's only a certain amount of power that you can get to stick to the ground given a million different variables of course.

 

I read an article a few weeks ago in which the writer got his hands on 2 Porsches of similar body style. one of them had maybe 385 horse. The other one closer to 700.

 

It goes without saying that the more powerful one went quicker and faster in a straight line but overall road performance was nearly identical.

 

I don't really follow automobiles very much as I have in the past so I only found out about these high horsepower trucks within the last few weeks.

So in a truck... I wonder what the actual practical usable limit is?

[ohiofarmer 3,280]

I wonder how many Wheel Horse tractors will fit in the bed??????????

[Pullstart 63,215]

Hopefully more than 4...

 

... though I will not be the guy to find out!

[Alex175 784]

17 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Cars. Trucks. Even farm tractors. The horsepower war... it's getting kind of interesting to say the least.

 

All of which sort of begs the question. How much is too much?

Of course the little kid in me says that there's no such thing as too much.

 

Man, if this isn't how I feel in a nutshell.  On one hand I applaud the fact that these manufacturers are pushing boundaries and trying out new things.  I kind of feel like we are in an automotive renaissance right now, akin to 60's and the muscle car movement.  Right now between the offroad movement (Ram TRX, Raptor, Bronco, etc.) and the modern muscle (Camaro, Challenger, Mustang), there are a lot of really cool things going on in the automotive world.

 

BUT, and this is a big but, like you said how much is too much?  The other part of this is that these vehicles tend to be extremely niche and a majority of the people won't ever use them to the full extent of what they are designed for.  I love the new Ford Bronco, but if I owned one I can virtually guarantee that I wouldn't take it offroad much, and for sure nowhere near to the limits it is capable of. 

 

And the problem with all of this is, they are pushing these as the mainline options, and prices are skyrocketing because of it.  Gone are the days of an affordable base model option I feel like, especially with trucks.  I mean there are places in this country where it is cheaper to buy a house than it is a truck (I know that is stretching it a little bit, but it's also not far off).  Looking right now at Ford specifically, their least expensive option is the new Ranger with a base price of $24,410, full size F-150 $28,745 and if you want to look at a performance truck like the Raptor, that's $53,455 base.

 

So all that being said, I love what they are doing but it does make you think.

[WHX?? 49,515]

I wonder how much $$ when it breaks! Gotta feeling Ben Dover will be the mechanic..... 

[ebinmaine 68,920]

5 minutes ago, Alex175 said:

prices

Two or three years ago now one of my co-workers started shopping for a new Chevy truck. He's the kind of guy that will keep something 15 or 20 years.

He's in his early to mid fifties and fully expected to retire using the truck he was about to buy.

 

He wanted a three-quarter ton, 4WD, no options except the air conditioning and maybe a radio that worked. Vinyl or rubber floor. Read that last sentence carefully. That was the tough part.

Ended up spending somewhere near $38,000 and then another six on the plow.

 

[pfrederi 18,019]

The classic big blocks of the muscle care era were something the average guy could work on with a socket set, dwell meter, and timing light.  With these things after you drop huge bucks for the truck you will need a lot more for the electronic diagnostic  equipment and other special tools,  Not for me.

[12Horse Paladin 1,038]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Two or three years ago now one of my co-workers started shopping for a new Chevy truck. He's the kind of guy that will keep something 15 or 20 years.

He's in his early to mid fifties and fully expected to retire using the truck he was about to buy.

 

He wanted a three-quarter ton, 4WD, no options except the air conditioning and maybe a radio that worked. Vinyl or rubber floor. Read that last sentence carefully. That was the tough part.

Ended up spending somewhere near $38,000 and then another six on the plow.

 

EXACTLY.

[12Horse Paladin 1,038]

1 hour ago, pfrederi said:

The classic big blocks of the muscle care era were something the average guy could work on with a socket set, dwell meter, and timing light.  With these things after you drop huge bucks for the truck you will need a lot more for the electronic diagnostic  equipment and other special tools,  Not for me.

EXACTLY #2

 

[12Horse Paladin 1,038]

I have a Bud who lastyear was shoppin for a 3/4 ton Chev, n yea, gotta have the bling n whistles too. Ya couldnt touch what he was lookin at for under 65k. Payments north of 600 a month.

You gotta be outta yer ever loving MIIIINNNDDD.

I looked at the 1st Jeep Gladiator i saw last yr...certainly no 3/4 ton Chev...55, 000?

Before taxes n all the other nonsense?

Forget that nonsense.

Not worth it, n i dont care how you tryn spin it.

....Perhaps, if union assemblers werent makin 36bux an hr puttin the wheels on, as they come down the line, the prices might reflect that n be possible for the common man.

Ya think?

(For the record: not tryin to slam unions or their workers...i was in one for 3yrs. But...i also saw how it works, natch😉).

Everybody's gotta make a buck, i know that.

But its gotten waaaaay outta hand.

N thst's a fact.

Edited August 24, 2020 by 12Horse Paladin

[squonk 41,661]

Trucks cost so much because people gotta have it and pay for it. I started working at a dealership right out of college in 79. A fully loaded Olds Toronado was about 12 grand. Most of the trucks on the lot were the average Custom Deluxe 10 model with the rubber mats, cheesy seats. Some didn't have a radio. There was maybe 1 or 2 Silverado's on the lot and that was it. Basic truck was maybe 6 grand. When GM redesigned trucks in 88 a fully loaded one was maybe 20. But then EVERYONE HAD TO HAVE A TRUCK! GM saw that as well as every other make. Gas prices would slow it down but as soon as gas would come down, truck sales would go up. Now everybody has to have a diesel. 75% of those buyers don't need a diesel. They just want to put a tuner kit in and blow black smoke all over the place. Trucks cost so much because of demand. And with lease deals a lot of people can make the payments. Never mind you're married to payments for the rest of your life. New truck every 3 years and constant payments may work for some. I paid $22,000 for my 2013 GMC last year. Had to finance 8 thousand of it and paid it off in 10 months. I like not having payments.

Edited August 24, 2020 by squonk

[JAinVA 4,629]

Earlier this year i had my 16 at the dealership for service and while waiting I wandered the new truck lot.Salesman comes over and sees me looking at the Rapters lined up.He says hello and tells me that a Rapter is a great truck and i should take one for a drive.I look at him and ask what the hell am I going to do with a truck like this? These trucks cost 10 times more than my 78 F150 4wd and I stlll have it.They bring my truck out and I pointed it out to the salesman.That 3/4 ton truck has a 10,000lb GVW and will tow 10,00lbs all day long. It gets 14.5 mpg on the highway and has been timed at 15.2 seconds at 97mph in the quarter.Some muscle cars in the day would be hard pressed to keep up  with this 6400 lb empty,385 horse 4wd.

Edited August 24, 2020 by JAinVA
Trying to get it to flow across the screen better.

[SylvanLakeWH 26,161]

Just spent some time looking into a pick up...

Walked away in disgust at the base price units alone, (which you can not beg, borrow or steal from any lot)... They are very expensive and loaded with crap I don't need and won't use... Sigh... Will keep using the old 5 x 8 utility trailer. With permanent plates in Michigan its FREE...

[squonk 41,661]

Last year while out on back surgery,I started looking at used trucks. My 06 Tundra had 210,000 on it and it was still in good shape and never broke, but Toyota seats are crap. And the newer Tundra interior's weren't impressive to say the least. I needed 6 way power drivers side seat and many GM's had it. I spent days looking at every dealer within 50 miles from me on line. What I wanted was going to be between 20 and 27,000. I found my truck at a local shop and the seat is like a Lazy-Boy! 

[12Horse Paladin 1,038]

21 minutes ago, JAinVA said:

Earlier this year i had my 16 at the dealership for service and while waiting I wandered the new truck lot.Salesman comes over and sees me looking at the Rapters lined up.He says hello and tells me that a Rapter is a great truck and i should take one for a drive.I look at him and ask what the hell am I going to do with a truck like this? These trucks cost 10 times more than my 78 F150 4wd and I stlll have it.They bring my truck out and I pointed it out to the salesman.That 3/4 ton truck has a 10,000lb GVW and will tow 10,00lbs all day long. It gets 14.5 mpg on the highway and has been timed at 15.2 seconds at 97mph in the quarter.Some muscle cars in the day would be hard pressed to keep up  with this 6400 lb empty,385 horse 4wd.

Im NOT a Ford guy (tho i owned a '79 f150 for a woods truck, n a '86 tempo)...that Tempo is what soured me on Fords, among other things...

But ya got any pics of that '78?😉😁😊👍🏼

Edited August 24, 2020 by 12Horse Paladin

[Tractorhead 9,065]

2 hours ago, pfrederi said:

The classic big blocks of the muscle care era were something the average guy could work on with a socket set, dwell meter, and timing light.  With these things after you drop huge bucks for the truck you will need a lot more for the electronic diagnostic  equipment and other special tools,  Not for me.

 

I‘m in.

 

My wish where a simple to fix reliable pickup Truck without all that Electronic crap they built in the Actual Vehicles.

The little Boy in me screams oh yes, let me try, let me try... my other part of Heart tells me - huh, senseless.

Here on German Autobahn we be able to ride as fast as your vehicle can do - as long as the roadtraffic allows it.

We fired today except few parts with a Topspeed of 260km/h back home, for that Speed are 240 HP more than enough for.

I love it to see what is possible, but i‘m far away from the Wider, Higher and Faster on Roads - with Speed Limits.

Sorry, but that is completely crazy without any sence in my opinion.

 

I have two healthy hands, so a simple window crank is all i need, maybe a Sunroof as a „Goodie“ on top.

160HP are enough for me, maybe in a nice 3 Litre V6 Engine with a good Accoustic with double Exhaust.

i like a good sound on a Car or even Truck, Automatic or shifter, doesn’t really matters, i can drive both.

On some Trailerjobs a Automatic can have it‘s advantages, but i drive also Shifters since i have my License with heavy Trailers.

 

I would wish, they will built leightweight but reliable and not that much of Safety trash you must buy this times.

I don‘t need Airbags ( never see one in my whole Life popped up) 

All things they tend to trouble with felt zillions of Data Busses, in a Car where more Computer trash

is built in than in any other thing we had arround in our Life - who needs that.

For a disabled person’s this electronic gadgets can be surely senseful with all the gimmicks they followed your talking wishes,

or even self driven by an „Autopilot“, but i like to drive a car completely under my own control.

With a little look ahead and a little safety ride, you can drive a whole life without a Crash.

 

I don‘t want to work just for a Car or a Truck „half of my life“.

I would like to sped that money better in Wheel Horses or similar Fun Projects.

 

If i like to Race, i grab my KTM and put it on a Supermoto Racetrack and burn a set of tyres down,

that make more sense and even a lot of Fun.

 

 

[8ntruck 7,191]

Remember the horsepower rule, folks:  if some is good, more is better, and too much is just enough!

 

A number of years back, Cadilac was messing with a 1000hp engine.  I think it was a V12.  My friend had an opportunity to drive one of the test mules.  It was nominally a 4 wheel drive Tahoe with modifications to let the larger engine fit.  He  said that when he learned into the gas, it felt like he was driving on gravel, even though he was on pavement.

 

I'm driving a '15 Ram 1/2 ton with the 5.7L Hemi.  It is rated at just under 400hp.  Nice exhaust note, it will set you back in the seat, and gets impressive gas mileage in the 4000lb truck - about 23mpg highway.  Seems like the high horsepower trucks are more for barging rights and advertisement more than anything else.

 

It just turned up 60,000 miles, so I took it in for scheduled service.  Was $400 bill for spark plug replacement (16 of them!) and checking of the other systems.

Edited August 24, 2020 by 8ntruck

[JoeM 7,874]

Cut my teeth on Dodge, then I bought a new F150 cause my daughter in-law worked for Ford and the deal was pretty sweet.  I must say, the Ford tows better then the Dodges. I had a 5 ton tandem dump. Would haul around 3+ tons and the Ford was by far more controllable. 

I did hear Ford is coming out with a electric F150 that will run 0-60 in less than 6 seconds with a bunch of torque. Might be interesting. 

[JAinVA 4,629]

Only picture I have I can find on that isn't on film is this one taken in 1982.Thats about 8,000lbs in tow.It has a 300 straight 6,NP435 4sp,NP205 transfer case and 3.50 open differentials

.

Edited August 24, 2020 by JAinVA

[Pullstart 63,215]

38 minutes ago, JAinVA said:

Only picture I have I can find on that isn't on film is this one taken in 1982.Thats about 8,000lbs in tow.It has a 300 straight 6,NP435 4sp,205 transfer case and 3.50 open differentials

.

Not my brand choice Jim, but I gotta respect that haul!  Short wheel base too!

[953 nut 56,227]

8 hours ago, pfrederi said:

With these things after you drop huge bucks for the truck you will need a lot more for the electronic diagnostic  equipment and other special tools, 

Paul summed it up for me. The type of technology that is being stuffed into these trucks and cars will need to be serviced and unless your dealership has a huge service department you will be watching the "Keystone Cops" in action. The only way around the problem would be to trade it in before the warranty expires or when it gives you trouble.

When the Chrysler Crossfire came out our small local MOPAR dealer had to buy a ton of specialty equipment and have one of his mechanics go for special training at the dealer's expense. He never sold a Crossfire, the mechanic moved on to a bigger dealership and the big box of useless specialty tools has been collecting dust since 2008.

My eleven year old no-frills V6 Dodge looks great to me!   It will pull my trailer loaded with . The new whiz-bang high power truck will be likely to pass me by but I will catch up to him at the next traffic light.    There is no way I want to buy a new truck the way things have been going.

[ZXT 2,401]

@pullstart I haven't been on the internet much in the last week or so and didn't know that it was official! It'd been being talked about since the hellcat came out a few years ago.

 

What do I think of it? I think it's frickin' cool. Love the supercharger whine. Only thing I really dislike about it (and the rest of the 5th gen half ton Rams for that matter) is that it is 6 lug.. Been big ford 5 lug forever but they had to change it. 

 

Now all we need is for Chevy do to the same with one of their trucks, and we'll have a good old fashioned brawl.. I've heard that the Raptor will have a v8 next year which will be cool. Never liked that they put a V6 in it. 

 

The EcoBoost is cool and all, but anyone that i've ever talked to said they were gutless for towing even though they had good torque numbers.. 

 

I can't really say I get where some of you are coming from when you're talking about it being difficult to work on/diagnose if it ever has any issues. All cars 1996+ are OBD2 and all you need is a simple tester to find out what is wrong for the most part. The fact that it "goes fast" doesn't make it any different than any other modern car that relies heavily on electronics.