Speaking of "SMG", the DSG on my GTI had to be replaced at 20K miles! Good thing it wasn't my only car.Sure, I understand that until it concerns my M3 SMG but not a 4x4 vehicle that might be concidered as overlander. The rest I agree - U R >
Speaking of "SMG", the DSG on my GTI had to be replaced at 20K miles! Good thing it wasn't my only car.Sure, I understand that until it concerns my M3 SMG but not a 4x4 vehicle that might be concidered as overlander. The rest I agree - U R >
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
Many vehicles nowadays don't have a mechanical connection to the transmission, even if the gear selector looks traditional. The gear selector in my Mk7 GTI looks "normal" but it is fully electronic.
Dodge/RAM is using the rotary selector to free up console space. However, there have been recalls and at least one death of a semi-famous person over the design implementation.
As for reliability, I dunno. I have heard some pretty bad stories about newer RAM trucks, I would guess your chances of having any multiple of issues occur on a trail in a RAM are statistically worse than most other brands, not just the selector.
My co-worker has a 2016 Ram 3500. Beautiful truck, but always has expensive issues. However, he did buy the extended warranty and has saved him a few times. The truck has broken down twice on him while on vacation, once the turbo blew at 40k miles while pulling a pop-up trailer through a sparsely populated area in Nevada, that was a $6700 hit to his warranty, and another time his wiring harness was damaged, supposedly by a rodent, whilst he was out hunting. Couldn't get back home. This last one probably not fault of RAM. But, he just recently spent $5K to have the exhaust replaced because it rusted out and his diesel emission gear failed, he ended up doing a delete because the warranty is expired or didn't cover it.
So, his RAM left him stranded twice.
Good video about new RAM, don't buy one without the extended warranty, otherwise amazing vehicle:
No worries on flipping to RAM! Totally relevant to mention other full size trucks. My buddy has a Cummins, not EcoDiesel.ECO DIESEL - I knew better than that. I would not purchase a small diesel from the US, or certain foreign countries, they just can't get them right. The Colorado ZR2 has issues with it's little duramax. I got the hemi. Tried and true, been around for a LONG time.
Truth is, we can sit here and dig and dig, and pick every one of our rigs apart from the factory. I intend to replace the RAM suspension even though the REBEL has Bilstein all the way around, and I plan to make some very mild drive train adjustments that I have researched and deem necessary.
@SquishBang apologies for flipping your post from Nissan/Toyota to also include Ram.
Explorer I
23711
I certainly didn't discount the 2nd gens when I was shopping for mine. The major reason I ruled it out was the first 5 years had radiators that could fail and cause coolant to mix with transmission fluid, causing a very expensive fix. That, and all the ones in my price range were higher mileage, vs the 132k and excellent service history on the 2003 XE I ended up purchasing.Xterras are excellent choices for an option to a 4Runner or FJCruiser. The value is excellent.
However, I wouldn't discount the 2nd Gen Xterra as being too complicated. It's only slightly more complicated than 1st Gen and very capable with a huge boost in power. I remember renting one of them in 2004 (was a 2005 model) with the then new VQ40. Man, was I impressed by the power!
I do like the Gen 1 Xterra interior better, and the SC engine wasn't such a great improvement over the VG33 (am I right on that engine model? it's been a while!) Compared to a peer 4Runner I think they had similar on-road performance.
The Gen 2 Xterra and current frontier have horrible plastic interiors, and the orange lighting looks sickly. Somehow, when Toyota used orange lighting in their early 2000's 4Runners, it looked better, like more of a "Halloween" orange, whereas the Nissan orange looked more of a "excrement" color! Yeah, I make weird observations!
Jumping in waaay late here......
I keep focusing on sales, because that is what drives the aftermarket. More Toyotas are sold than almost any other truck so of corse there is going to be a huge aftermarket for them Compared to other makes. Toyota also moved thier production to the US in the early 2000 to be able to compete in NASCAR and NASTRUCK series. Which helped drive up US sales as well.
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
I doubt you will ever see a Tundra with a locker from the factory, but that's ok. ARB has you covered and if you end up modifying your truck with larger tires you might as well re-gear. There's your chance to install the locker or even a true LSD. Aside from more aftermarket support compared to the Titian, I'd take the Tundra's drivetrain over a Titian. For example the 10.5in rear end.I think it's beginning to get a bit more "clear" to me.
Out of the factory, a Tundra isn't any better than a Titan.
However, it seems there is much more aftermarket support, especially in the suspension department.
A big hang up for me, you have a fancy suspension and all, but why doesn't Toyota offer a locking rear diff?
Hopefully Toyota will offer a locker on the Gen3 Tundra. I'd buy one in a minute!
Hopefully the 10.5 makes it to the Gen3 TundraI doubt you will ever see a Tundra with a locker from the factory, but that's ok. ARB has you covered and if you end up modifying your truck with larger tires you might as well re-gear. There's your chance to install the locker or even a true LSD. Aside from more aftermarket support compared to the Titian, I'd take the Tundra's drivetrain over a Titian. For example the 10.5in rear end.