Looking at Titans.....

Greenlawnracing · Mar 10, 2010

Hey guys

Sorry for the newbie post - I've been looking at threads trying to learn as much as possible about these trucks.

I currently have an 01 F250 diesel. I'm ready to get something newer and am looking at Titans.

Its a second vehicle that is used primarily for towing my 16 X 7 enclosed trailer with a few bikes in it.

I think I'd like bed space vs interior room, so I'm looking at KCs.

I know I need the tow package. Will probably get 4WD. Wouldn't use it much, but wish I had it on my Ford a few times this year.

A little concerned about getting a "smaller" truck and not having the power of a diesel, but I think the Titan is the best bang for the buck from what I've seen. A newer diesel would be well over 20K, I'm seeing nice Titans in the mid to high teens at the auctions.

So....probably an 06 or 07 KC.

Anything I need to know?

honda250xtitan · Mar 10, 2010

I have an 06 king cab. tow, four wheel drive. the truck is a beast when pulling trailers. mileage sucks though so watch out. lots of people report diff problems, spider gears apparantly are pretty bad in these trucks. I've never had that problem even though i tow alot during the summer. axle seals also tend to go out, which mine did but had warranty on it still. the truck rides real nice, up front there is tons of room for the driver and passenger, just not so much in the back seat. get lots of compliments on the front seat room even from my dad and brother who have a mega cab and super duty, both diesels actually, and they say the truck has lots of power. the bed has alot of room and the tie downs with the rails are so amazing, especially with bikes, I took out one of the rails i didnt use and bolted it down where i needed it.
So its a great truck with lots of power and torque, it does have its issues, but every truck out there does.

DeadRiver · Mar 10, 2010

You can have an abundance of leg room and a long bed with the Titan and a crew cab model.

I don't have the big tow package and my truck pulls things great.

4wd is great. I don't use it all the often except in heavy snows and when I hit the beach; however when I need it I'm glad I have it.

Pops · Mar 10, 2010

If you're towing less than 6,000-lbs then you can benefit from the better MPG the non-Tows have. The tow rating for the non-Tow is 7,000-lbs and the only real differences have been the gear ratios, trans temp guage, tow mirrors, and trailer hitch.

tbeaton · Mar 10, 2010

my buddy went for a 99 f-350 diesel to a titan and couldn't wait to get back to the diesel. i have towed with both and prefer the diesel, but thats just me. i prefer a 2500 to tow over a 1500 as well. you should have no problems towing with a titan, but i don't think your going to be to happy going to gas from diesel. now i have had the differential problems and mine is an 06.

Greenlawnracing · Mar 11, 2010

Tell me more about these differential problems. What exactly do they entail?

I'd rather stick with a diesel, but the money just doesn't make sense. 17K would buy a decent Titan, but it would only get a high mileage or older diesel.

I have two friends that went from diesels to Titans. One got a tow package and weight distributing hitch - said it towed better than his F350. The other one had a no tow package and just bought a Duramax.

Pa Bird Man · Mar 11, 2010

Just switched this week from a Dodge 2500 with a 6.7 cummins (had enough of the dam emmisions bull **** and and the never ending ungreasable u-joint problems on every Dodge I have owned!) to the Titan PRO4, pulled my 20 foot enclosed trailer today and got 10mpg over a 150 mile trip, the motor has plenty of power, it's not a diesel though, and I feel the difference in the suspension between this and the Dodge. I think overall the Titan will do fine though and what I save in fuel non towing and the price difference in fuel and maintainance costs the Titan will be cheaper to own in the long run

Greenlawnracing · Mar 11, 2010

Pa Bird Man said:
Just switched this week from a Dodge 2500 with a 6.7 cummins (had enough of the dam emmisions bull **** and and the never ending ungreasable u-joint problems on every Dodge I have owned!) to the Titan PRO4, pulled my 20 foot enclosed trailer today and got 10mpg over a 150 mile trip, the motor has plenty of power, it's not a diesel though, and I feel the difference in the suspension between this and the Dodge. I think overall the Titan will do fine though and what I save in fuel non towing and the price difference in fuel and maintainance costs the Titan will be cheaper to own in the long run

How big of a difference? Do you miss the diesel?

What kind of mileage do most of you guys get towing enclosed trailers?

Good aftermarket stuff available for these? Any intakes, exhausts, tuners, etc that help w/ mileage?

Pa Bird Man · Mar 11, 2010

I've only had the truck a couple of days, and so far so good, I live at the top of a mountain and the Titan will pull the trailer up the mountian at the same speed the diesel would, but you can tell it's working harder to do it. Horsepower is about the same and about 100ft .lbs of torques less then the 6.7, the Titan definately has more spunk from the line then the diesel did though. I was only getting 11 mpg with the diesel towing and 13-14 the rest of the time, so to me it was worth trying to go back to a gas motor, at least until these manufactures get this emmisions stuff figured out. I've owned diesels the last 10 years so this a big change for me, I must say overall I'm very impressed with the Titan so far. I think there is plenty of aftermarket stuff out there for these trucks from the little bit of reading I've done.

Greenlawnracing · Mar 11, 2010

Pa Bird Man said:
I've only had the truck a couple of days, and so far so good, I live at the top of a mountain and the Titan will pull the trailer up the mountian at the same speed the diesel would, but you can tell it's working harder to do it. Horsepower is about the same and about 100ft .lbs of torques less then the 6.7, the Titan definately has more spunk from the line then the diesel did though. I was only getting 11 mpg with the diesel towing and 13-14 the rest of the time, so to me it was worth trying to go back to a gas motor, at least until these manufactures get this emmisions stuff figured out. I've owned diesels the last 10 years so this a big change for me, I must say overall I'm very impressed with the Titan so far. I think there is plenty of aftermarket stuff out there for these trucks from the little bit of reading I've done.

You actually get more spunk off the line than the diesel did? I would have thought it to be the opposite due to the characteristics of a diesel motor. Keep me updated, I've just started my search for a new truck!

I've owned a diesel for about five years, and only compact trucks before. This would be a big change for me as well.

Does it feel cramped with the smaller bed and interior?

Quartz · Mar 11, 2010

Greenlawnracing said:
Does it feel cramped with the smaller bed and interior?

If you are worried about interior space and bed space take a look at the crew cab with a long bed. Honestly, anybody that needs more room than a crew cab has needs to go on a diet.

Greenlawnracing · Mar 11, 2010

Quartz said:
If you are worried about interior space and bed space take a look at the crew cab with a long bed. Honestly, anybody that needs more room than a crew cab has needs to go on a diet.

I'd like a CC LB, but I'm looking at 06s.....IIRC that option didn't become available until 08. I would assume that these would be out of my price range.

NBhunter80 · Mar 11, 2010

My last truck was a 2003 6.0 F-250 diesel lifted and tuned. The Titan definitely can tow, but not like a diesel. You will be fine with a Big Tow Titan for anything under 8k pounds. I do miss the diesel sometimes, but the Titan rides infinitely better than a superduty...that's for sure. I definitely enjoy the Titan much more overall than my old truck, even though nothing compares to the power of a tuned diesel.

Here's some things to consider when looking at Titans.
04-07 Titans had problems with the rear dif spider gears blowing up and destroying the rear end. Look at the wheels and brakes and look for signs of axle seal leaks (oil on the rotors and wheels). Stay away from trucks with potential axle seal leaks. This could mean there are more problems. Also some earlier Titans had brake issues with warping rotors, so test drive and watch for vibrations or juddering when applying the brakes. My 2005 Titan has 76k miles and no problems (knock on wood). I change the dif fluid every 25k miles with royal purple synthetic 75w140. IMO you have to change the dif fluid often to avoid problems on the earlier models....especially if you are hard on the truck like I am. My brakes lasted 70k miles so I can't really complain there either, but other owners have had problems.

There is quite a big difference between the 2006 and 2007 models. In 2007 they introduced Variable Valve Timing, upgraded the intake manifold, and put a much better exhaust system on the truck. All of this gives you about 12 extra peak hp, but more power throughout the entire range of rpm. The '07 Titans are definitely faster than the earlier years.

But the best Titans to look at are the 2008+ model years. They upgraded the brakes to a much bigger system, and also the rear axle to a heavier design in 2008 (gets rid of the weak dif problem), and they also have the VVT, good intake manifold and good factory exhaust (same as 2007).

But every truck has its issues, and IMO even the earlier Titans are great trucks...you just have to know what to watch out for. But if you want the best Titan...you should look at a 2008+ model. I have seen some decent prices on used 2008 trucks, so that's something you might want to consider. Good luck shopping!

Pa Bird Man · Mar 11, 2010

Greenlawnracing said:
You actually get more spunk off the line than the diesel did? I would have thought it to be the opposite due to the characteristics of a diesel motor. Keep me updated, I've just started my search for a new truck!

I've owned a diesel for about five years, and only compact trucks before. This would be a big change for me as well.

Does it feel cramped with the smaller bed and interior?

It doesn't have that house moving torque from the line like a diesel, but you can difenatley spin the wheels and take off quicker with the Titan. Interior feels bigger then the Dodge, I kept my rubber floor mats out of the Dodge and they are actually a little too small in the Titan, so that tells me I have more leg room too. Bed size, we'll I'm sure I'll miss those extra couple inches at somepoint, I know I did when I went from the 8ft bed to a short bed, but I survived, and will here too I guess. The tie down system on the Titan is the best out there from what I've seen.

junxion · Mar 11, 2010

for 17k you should have no problem finding an 08 KC 4X4 and low miles just check one of the online car sites-yahoo, cars etc...

slwilson6 · Mar 11, 2010

also check the exhaust manifold for cracks or leaks on 07 and older. especially if it has over under 80k. should be warrantied if under 80k. check the plastic tank radiator for leaks where the plastic and aluminum crimp together. there is an all aluminum replacement out there. i pull about 6000lbs travel trailer and never had any issues with my non BT. i also change my diff fluids religiously at 15k-20k. i have always had an extended cab before this one and will never have less than the crew cab again. seats fold up or down to allow more storage options in the back seats.

slwilson6 · Mar 11, 2010

there is a 2004 titan kc 4x4 red in a lot near my house for $12k. looks pretty clean if anyone is interested.

Greenlawnracing · Mar 26, 2010

Another member advised me of this today:

08 TITAN LE 4x4

I just called the guy and it sounds pretty good. Has a scratch in the bed and one of the front bumper pieces is badly scratched - should be replaced to look perfect.

Its an 08, not 08.5.

What do you guys think? Its got 61K on it, alegedly highway miles. Fully loaded.

NBhunter80 · Mar 26, 2010

Sounds like a great deal! Pick up the extended warranty and you will have no worries. At that price you really can't go wrong. It's a King Cab Long wheel base with 8 foot bed, so just remember you will be driving a land yacht!

I don't think I have ever seen a KC LWB LE before. Definitely unique.

junxion · Mar 26, 2010

just make sure you get all the pics and info you want/need. and run the vin on carfax.

it should be highway miles. I live kind of close and well -nothing is exactly close around here. lol.

also unfortunately there are no dealers close. the closest one(jeff city) is probably an hour or more from him. but maybe offer asking price if he can get it inspected at the dealer for you-since they know what to look for. inspection is like $30or less and whatever in gas to get there. so would be worth it imo.

Looking at Titans.....

Greenlawnracing

honda250xtitan

DeadRiver

Pops

tbeaton

Greenlawnracing

Pa Bird Man

Greenlawnracing

Pa Bird Man

Greenlawnracing

Quartz

Greenlawnracing

NBhunter80

Pa Bird Man

junxion

slwilson6

slwilson6

Greenlawnracing

NBhunter80

junxion

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