Ram or GMC Sierra

Flame away I don’t care.

I will be in the market for a new truck in 2-3 years and with the roll out of the 3rd gen it’s got me looking around more when I always thought I would be going with Toyota. Now Im not so sure.

I really like the new Ram. I really like the looks of the Sierra.
The Ram seems to be a lot better reliability wise. I also really like the 5.7 in it as it’s proven and you can get it with a small hybrid.

I’m curious to get others thoughts. I know there’s plenty out there that have a wandering eye after the latest roll out.

 

Both the Hemi and the Vortec are proven to have lifter issues and drop valves. Sierra's have transmission issues, the Rams have arguably one of the best transmissions in the biz. Rams are hit and miss with interior quality, the new GMs have the updated interior that keeps it up at the top of the class with the ram. Both are nice looking trucks in my opinion. The GM Vortec valve problems are real. 3 of the 3 people I spoke to this weekend with new GMs (2 Silverado 5.3s and one Suburban 5.3) all had motor issues with the Suburban needing a new motor. One owner ditched the 5.3 and bought another Silverado with the 6.2 (not immune from the same issue). There is no perfect truck out there. The 3rd Gen Tundra has yet to prove it's reliability and has had a rough start out of the gate. How widespread the problems with all brands is is debatable, but EVERYONE knows the current GMs have lifter and transmission issues.

 

My alternate brand preference in the past would have been GM. If sticking with a half ton I like the looks of the 3.0 duramax, but preferably the 3/4 ton 6.6 gasser as I think they’re just built to a higher standard and have real payload capability. I don’t like ford but respect the 7.3 Godzilla offering. I’ve never had positive thoughts on Rams but maybe they have really turned it around. Alternatively just make the current tundra last, which shouldn’t be an issue.

 

Good info. Thank you.

 

no go on the 7.3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdODNCV1dis&ab_channel=FordBossMe

 

Both 2022 6.2 Denali's (employee vehicles) dropped lifters at ~5000 miles. no thank you.

 

No good.

 

I think 3 years is a lot of time for toyota to get the bugs fixed on the 3rd gen. V6 turbos are not going away.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a toyota guy. I owned a 2007 Tacoma Sport LB, traded in my 2016 4R Trail for the 2023 Tundra, and I'm looking for a 2018+ Lexus GX460 for my wife...I drove both a 2020 Tundra and the 3rd gen. The new tundra, in my opinion, is worse in trim and interior quality, but is better in driving experience, creature comfort, acceleration and towing.

I wanted to like ford for the generator feature of the powerboost but the transmission is terrible. You also add miles to the truck when using it as a generator.

GMC Duramax has injector fouling, hard start, need for DEF, not better towing than the 3rd gen tundra.

 

My brother's buddy had a Silverado and in 13,000 mi had the lifter problem twice. Needless to say he traded it in.

 

Yes, being a Toyota guy most of my life I am not giving up. I’ll take a good look in a few years. The interior comments you make are disappointing since my 2017 already utilizes cheap plastic. I did not think it could get worse.

 

Yeah when I say quality is worse, I really meant to say build quality is worse, but materials seem to be ok. My 4Runner was like a tank or like the vehicle was sculpted from a single piece of metal. I think highly of, and miss, japanese built toyotas that's why I'm looking to get a GX.

 

Really? Miles or just hours? Surely it doesn’t log time used in miles.

 

The odometer doesn't log additional miles when you're using the truck as a generator, if this is your question. There is a way to compute from hours of usage as generator, and convert that to miles.

 

I drive the best half ton out there for my needs. The only way I’d bail is if I needed to go HD. Still don’t think I’d get anything new. I’m not interested in any vehicle made in 2021 or later from any manufacturer for the foreseeable future.

If I needed to go HD, I’d probably go with a clean 5-8 year old GM. Probably a gasser.

 

I understand that Ram will do away with the 5.7 Hemi. They have an inline 6 turbocharged they call the “Hurricane” that is supposedly replacing the Hemi.

 

Get you a Nissan titan with 100,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty Naturally aspirated 5.6 endurance Motor and the new low geared ZF 9 speed

 

The new frontier is a Stud to if you don’t mind a little jap pick ups Has the same over built ZF9 speed transmission as the titan And the new 4.0 nonturbo is awesome sounds like a diesel idling

 

so, my Tundra is in the shop for some gauges, etc...

My "loaner" is a 2010-ish GMC Denali w/6.2 368k miles ~all hwy miles. trucker friend who owns a trucking company.

it got 20.2mpg on the way in to work!!

rode smooth and still peppy. interior in great shape

368k miles. only 1 transmission.

so there's that.

 

Like the looks of the rebels and the Chevy/GM 3.0 duramax setup appears good but time will tell..

I have not jump ship YET but also have been researching.

 

If your comparing something to Ram and Ram is winning on reliability….well let’s just say with the Ram track record it’s not looking good for the other maker.

Of the 2 - I’d gravitate to Ram overall actually - cost/features and the fact you know your playing Russian Roulette on reliability - might as well take that savings and buy as long of an extended warranty as you can and splurge for the option that gives you a rental while your truck sits in service awaiting parts.

Seriously - to me GMC high trim just feels like a Chevy truck with a Cadillac trim. Chevy makes decent trucks - but gets killed when they play around adding tech to their drivetrains that seems to fail way too soon.

Ram has issues - but at least they have had some time to work out some of the issues. As always - transmissions are a problem.

Ram has some good looking trucks - but resale and reliability kill them. GMC resale oddly lags Chevy - even when they cost more than their Chevy cousins. Never understood the attraction of a bow tie.

 

For the money of halftons now you can buy a lower trim godzilla f350, that’s what I’d be doing.

 

If you go GM, I'd recommend against the 5.3. Having had a Ram 5.7 and Toyota 5.7, the 5.3 is disappointing. Unless you drive like Pa Kettle, then the 5.3 might be OK. If you prefer a V8 and need to get on down the road today, go with Ram 5.7 or GM 6.2 (of the 2 manufacturers you're considering).

 

I’d take a ram over a Chevy any day. With that said, the chevy’s I’ve owned have been great trucks well into the 100k territory with nothing but basic maintenance. My dodges have been the same also. Disable the dod//afm in either vehicle and that solves a lot of their problems.

 

The 5.3 is out. Thanks for the info.
The Tundra will be a consideration but I’m not sold on the new power train. Plus, I think in the 70,000 dollar range the Ram is much better appointed.

 

Buy a used 2021 Tundra. We have a bunch of Chevy 1500s in our fleet. NFW would I buy one.

 

It’s the same as my 17 for the most part. I’ll be looking for a change in a few years. Thanks for the feedback on the GMs. It helps my though process.

 

The biggest question is this: What do you use the truck for?

If you don't actually need a 1/2 ton I'd give the midsize segment a look. Obviously I'm biased as I just moved from a Tundra to a Taco a few months ago, but only after some analysis on my needs. If you want to tow a bunch, even if the Tundra has done it well so far, I'd look at an HD truck. They just tow better, and have fewer limitations on the payload, unless you go diesel in a 2500/250 series. For reliability, I'd look hard at a more basic F250/350 with the 7.3 gasser. It's a simple design, and if you avoid the questionable electronics of ford, I think the engine has an edge because of the simpler design.

Another option, why not rebuild/motor swap the Tundra?



As always, even if you do get a different rig, don't bail on the community here. Not having a Tundra doesn't cost you membership.

 

Thanks Adam. I appreciate that. I tow a boat that weighs around 3000 and a small pop up. I do get close to the payload being that it’s on the low side.

No bailing for me. This is the only social media I use. I think my eyes are just wandering a bit after being underwhelmed with the 3rd gen.