It took me years of traveling in my 4Runner to get it built just right... Then my needs changed.
The 4Runner is just too small a vehicle for me to comfortably travel in with my family or friends. It's also far more capable an off reader than I need at this point in my life. I need a large, comfy 4x4 that can haul multiple adults out to remote kayaking put ins, hiking or mountain biking trailheads, and it has to return acceptable fuel economy. I require a solid, reliable drivetrain and plenty of payload. Given the fact that I have lots of friends and with dedicated wheeling rigs, my next vehicle will be expected to tow the toys out to the trails while fulfilling the role of base camp at the end of the day. I examined a options including the new Dodge Eco-diesel 1500, 2500, and 3500, Ford F-150, F-250 and F-350, Toyota Runner, and the DC Toyota Tacoma, in a quest to determine what would be the best fit for a truck that fits my needs now and gives me room to grow.
I spent hours and hours online, researching, "building", and working through the available options on the candidate vehicles plus the after market solutions. I constructed a matrix to rate the vehicles against each other, and a winner emerged.
I went to the the dealerships with a pretty exact list of requirements for my next vehicle, and one was able to deliver.
The "Mothership" is a 2014 Dodge 2500. Her stock equipment is as follows:
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine.
6 speed shiftable automatic transmission.
4 corner coil spring suspension, including new 3 link front.
Dual 220 amp alternators with factory dual batteries.
Tow package, including engine brake option.
Factory underbody armor
32" tires on 17" steelies
Bedliner
Back up camera
Mommy boards
Satellite radio
Power windows, doors, mirrors.
Cloth interior
3.42 gear sets with "locking" rear carrier (I don't have very high expectations).
White exterior.
She will be delivered next week. Pictures to follow.
The 4Runner is just too small a vehicle for me to comfortably travel in with my family or friends. It's also far more capable an off reader than I need at this point in my life. I need a large, comfy 4x4 that can haul multiple adults out to remote kayaking put ins, hiking or mountain biking trailheads, and it has to return acceptable fuel economy. I require a solid, reliable drivetrain and plenty of payload. Given the fact that I have lots of friends and with dedicated wheeling rigs, my next vehicle will be expected to tow the toys out to the trails while fulfilling the role of base camp at the end of the day. I examined a options including the new Dodge Eco-diesel 1500, 2500, and 3500, Ford F-150, F-250 and F-350, Toyota Runner, and the DC Toyota Tacoma, in a quest to determine what would be the best fit for a truck that fits my needs now and gives me room to grow.
I spent hours and hours online, researching, "building", and working through the available options on the candidate vehicles plus the after market solutions. I constructed a matrix to rate the vehicles against each other, and a winner emerged.
I went to the the dealerships with a pretty exact list of requirements for my next vehicle, and one was able to deliver.
The "Mothership" is a 2014 Dodge 2500. Her stock equipment is as follows:
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine.
6 speed shiftable automatic transmission.
4 corner coil spring suspension, including new 3 link front.
Dual 220 amp alternators with factory dual batteries.
Tow package, including engine brake option.
Factory underbody armor
32" tires on 17" steelies
Bedliner
Back up camera
Mommy boards
Satellite radio
Power windows, doors, mirrors.
Cloth interior
3.42 gear sets with "locking" rear carrier (I don't have very high expectations).
White exterior.
She will be delivered next week. Pictures to follow.