Debating between Toyota and Ford

[Alan]

I need something reliable that can handle rough roads to hunting spots. Toyota guys say Tacomas last forever. Ford guys say F-150s are the only real truck. I just want something that won't leave me stranded 30 miles from nowhere. What would you buy and why?

 

[scooter1954]

Toyota all day long. I own two

 

[Mike6158]

I have a 2000 Land Cruiser. It doesn't travel as much as it used to but back when I was roaming Death Valley, AZ, UT, NM, CO, etc It literally never let me down. When I changed the oil (engine, differentials, gearbox) I sent samples off to Blackstone Labs. Every sample they told me to go up on the oil change interval (Mobil 1). The engine oil was changed on mileage, about every three months, sometimes sooner. I haven't driven it a few months and I guarantee you it'll start up like normal. I've driven Ford, Chevy, and GMC trucks all my life. I'll probably get a Taco when the GMC is done.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Both should do the job. When talking rough terrain, normally the really important stuff is what you bolt on yourself like tires, wenches, lifts, etc…

 

[TADD]

Ha, I'm a Ford and Toyota fan. It depends on the job I need the tool to do. If I am towing, I go with the Ford diesel. Since you said F150, I assume towing isn't a significant consideration. If I am not towing, I go with the Toyota gas model. The only caveat to that are the year models that had the engine recall. I think those were 2022, 2023 (maybe some 2024) Tundras, but I think some Tacomas have the same engine. JMHO.

 

[Drycreek]

Never had a Toyota, but I hear that those Tacos used to be the berries. Not so much anymore. I’m a Ford guy, I have two now, but I don’t think any brand is as good since covid. That’s true of other items too IMO.

I won’t fit in a Taco, therefore I wouldn’t consider one, neither would I consider a Ford Ranger. The only F150 I would own would be one with the 5.0 engine. I have put nearly 200 K miles on one, sold it to my son, he drove it to almost 300K, and his buddy is still driving it. That was a 2012 model, and you can’t beat that. I don’t know if it has been worked on since his buddy has had it, but when I had it, tires and batteries were all I ever did to it.

 

[Raven]

Let me start by saying I never owned a Toyota. I've owned Ford's and Chevy's for going on 40 years. Both companies have their pro's and con's.

I supported all the US, European and Japanese auto makers with electronic components (Semiconductors for engine and transmissions controllers, body control and more recently radar applications). The expectation for auto grade Semi's is a 20 year life expectancy. The companies all have an approach to design and quality that are quite different from one another.

Toyota for example is slow to develop and adopt leading edge innovations. Once they lock in a product with meticulous testing to a very high quality standard, they are slow to modify or change that product. Rightfully so in my opinion. This is why you rarely see massive recalls or high numbers of recalls from Toyota. Their focus is on getting it right and building in quality that will stand the test of time. I spent time in their San Antonio truck factory. The systems and manufacturing discipline was world class for assembly line manufacturing.

So why haven't I owned one? Purely economics. GM and Ford both offered generous supplier pricing programs. With all that said, if I was the guy who bought a gas truck to keep beyond 200K miles, I wouldn't hesitate with the Toyota. The other players have lost their way on the quality road. Too many recalls on major components since the COVID years.

 

[GaryS]

Toyota. If I went off road, it would definitely be a Tacoma. In fact, I don't go off road (on purpose) and it's still a Tacoma. I would just have a TRD instead of a SR-5.

 

[LDB]

My solution was (is) Honda Ridgeline. Swing open tailgate and waterproof lockable trunk FTW. If I had to choose Ford/Toyota it would be Ranger/Tacoma to stay in the same size class. Or maybe Jeep if I really needed off-road rugged. Don't know that it really is but it looks it and it's Jeep. Good luck deciding.

 

[GaryS]

Someone I met showed me how the storage worked on his Ridgeline. Pretty neat, but if you need to carry a lot of stuff I'm not sure that it would have the load capacity.

 

[LDB]

I don't carry anything other than groceries home, once in a great while the two of us to breakfast and once in a blue moon three of us to dinner. I think the specs are similar to Tacoma/Ranger but can't quote any numbers. I can say the ride is better than the CR-V it replaced and at least as good as the Pilot I also drove. And the versatility of that trunk is pretty awesome, more than anticipated prior to actually having it.

 

[RF2650]

My Ridgeline, the older series, threatened to overheat the transmission with even a small enclosed trailer. I had to watch the trans temp with a scan gauge on the highway.
https://www.scangauge.com/
It accomplished it's primary mission which was me getting in and out of the thing without too much grunting and groaning. I am used to American pickups with a real steel body and full frame so the Ridgeline never seemed quite right. The fiberglass coated aluminum bed is easily damaged, it is not a work truck. The rubber timing belt on an interference engine seemed like a bad design. Going more than 80.000 miles without changing the timing belt is not recommended! I changed that timing belt once and when the miles built up again I got rid of it. Have not checked but hope the newer 6 cylinder does not have that issue. It was a very nice comfortable machine. I liked it despite being more like a SUV than a truck.

To the OP I would suggest Toyota is the best thing going now.
AVOID: Anything that turns off some cylinders for economy.

 

[LDB]

On the day of 54 weeks since purchasing my odometer turned 3500 miles. So I might replace the timing belt once around 50k miles due to age, not miles. I won't last long enough for more than that. I have a super bright tail/brake light in the hitch receiver. I don't tow anything. And can unplug it if I need to. Also replaced the two bumper reflectors with bright LED tail/turn/brake lights. Anyone behind me can never have an excuse of not seeing me. I know it's in no way a work truck but it's great for my EDC vehicle.

 

[lubbockdave]

toyota every time...my tundra 2007 model has 250k on it and is still running stong. paint is peeling, tailgate dented, and could certainly use a scrub down, but never has it left me stuck or stranded.

Had a ridgeline one myself-one of the first models-it was a woderful little get around truck that also never left me stuck in the mud or broke down somewhere. Bonus was my wife liked to drive it-easy to manuver, park etc...I'd still have it if a hail storm didn't total it.

 

[LDB]

If I couldn't have my Ridgeline I guess I'd settle for a Toyota.