Chevy VS Ford VS Ram! The Future Of Trucks For 2027 And Beyond! | Ep. 329
TFL Talkin' Trucks
Chevy VS Ford VS Ram! The Future Of Trucks For 2027 And Beyond! | Ep. 329 TFL Talkin' Trucks · May 1, 2026
Chevy VS Ford VS Ram! The Future Of Trucks For 2027 And Beyond! | Ep. 329

Annotations will appear as you listen

0:00
66:37
Chevy VS Ford VS Ram! The Future Of Trucks For 2027 And Beyond! | Ep. 329
Topic

Chevy VS Ford VS Ram! The Future Of Trucks For 2027 And Beyond!

This episode is basically a head-to-head debate about Chevy, Ford, and Ram trucks. They’re talking about what trucks will look like and how they’ll change in the next few years.

Brand

Toyota

Toyota is a major automaker and is referenced here in the context of recent recalls. The hosts are using Toyota as an example of how recalls can affect public perception and business outcomes.

Concept

recalls

A recall is when a car company says, “We found a problem—bring it in so we can fix it.” It matters because it can affect safety and also how people feel about the brand.

Topic

FEMA

FEMA is a U.S. government agency that handles emergencies and disasters. Here it’s just part of where they went on a trip.

G-Wagans
Car

G-Wagans

“G-Wagans” is what people call the Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV. It’s a luxury off-road vehicle, and the hosts are joking that you see them everywhere in parts of Los Angeles.

Term

top speed

Top speed is the highest speed the vehicle can reach. It depends on things like power, gearing, and how the car is electronically limited.

Term

carburetor

A carburetor is a part that helps the engine get the right mix of fuel and air. Some older cars used it instead of modern fuel-injection systems.

Term

fuel injected turbocharged

This means the engine uses modern fuel injection and a turbocharger. The turbo helps the engine make more power by pushing extra air in, and the fuel injection helps it deliver the right amount of fuel.

Term

field economy

They’re asking about fuel economy—how many miles you can get per gallon (or how much fuel you burn). It changes depending on how you drive and what conditions you’re in.

Ford Excursion
Car

Ford Excursion

The Ford Excursion is a very large SUV. In the podcast, someone mentions it to describe the kind of size or style they’re talking about. The question “Like an excursion?” is basically asking if that’s the vehicle they meant.

Chevrolet Trax
Car

Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax is a small SUV-style vehicle. The podcast is just joking about how to say its name. It’s the kind of car people talk about when discussing compact crossover options.

Dodge Power Wagon
Car

Dodge Power Wagon

The Dodge Power Wagon is a special off-road version of a pickup truck. It’s meant for rough use and tougher driving than a regular pickup. The podcast brings it up because they might keep one for a long time to use it regularly.

Concept

spy images

Spy images are pictures people take of new cars while they’re still being tested. They’re usually covered in camouflage, and they help fans figure out what might be coming next.

Concept

prototype

A prototype is basically an early, test version of a vehicle. Automakers use it to check that the design and engineering work before they build the final version for sale.

Concept

current generation T1

“T1” sounds like an internal code for the truck’s current platform—the underlying design that shapes how the truck is built. Future trucks may use the same base, even if the styling and features change.

Concept

T1 trucks

They’re talking about a “platform” for future trucks—basically the underlying design that future models build on. The idea is the truck shape stays similar, but the important mechanical parts will change.

Term

new power trains V8s

A V8 is a type of engine with eight cylinders. “Powertrain” is the whole set of parts that take engine power and send it to the wheels, not just the engine by itself.

Concept

electrify everything, including all of our trucks

This means the company planned to switch its trucks to electric power instead of gas engines. They’re saying that plan didn’t go as expected, so they changed direction.

Term

V-Aids again

This sounds like they meant “V8s.” They’re basically saying GM had to go back to building trucks with V8 engines after trying to move everything to electric.

Term

four cylinder turbos

“Four-cylinder turbos” refers to engines with four cylinders that use a turbocharger to increase air intake and boost power. In truck applications, this is often used to improve efficiency while still providing usable torque.

Term

straight-six

A straight-six is an engine design where all six cylinders are lined up in a row. It’s known for smooth operation, and the hosts are saying they’re fans of it.

Term

new V8 engines

They’re saying the next generation of trucks will still use V8 engines, but updated versions. That usually means the engines get newer tech to meet modern rules and improve efficiency.

Chevrolet Corvette
Car

Chevrolet Corvette

The Corvette C8 Grand Sport is a high-performance version of the Corvette. The hosts mention it because it shows GM using a newer, bigger V8 engine, which affects what they expect for future truck engines.

TRX
Car

TRX

The Ram TRX is an extreme off-road version of the Ram pickup. The hosts are saying GM wants its next truck to be as capable—or more capable—than this.

F-150 Raptor
Car

F-150 Raptor

The Ford Raptor is a rugged, off-road-focused pickup. The hosts are using it as a “target” for how good the next GM truck needs to be.

Brand

GMC homer

“GMC homer” is slang for someone who strongly favors GMC. They’re saying GMC is being positioned as the top “showcase” brand for the most impressive trucks.

Term

zero to 1500

They’re talking about how fast the truck can get up to speed from a stop. It’s basically a quick “how quick is it” comparison number.

Term

bigger tires

Bigger tires usually help the truck grip better and handle rough terrain. They can also affect how the truck accelerates and how it feels on the road.

Brand

Corvette engine

They mean using a Corvette’s high-performance engine. The idea is that putting that kind of power into a truck would make it much stronger.

Term

clearance

Clearance is how much room the truck has between the ground and the bottom of the vehicle. More clearance helps when driving over bumps, ruts, or rocks.

Term

wide body vendors

A “wide body” kit adds flares and parts that let the truck sit wider and fit bigger tires. The “vendors” are the companies that sell those aftermarket kits.

Term

DSSV Multimatic suspension

This is a fancy suspension that can adjust how the shocks “push back” while you drive. Instead of being stuck in one setting, it can react to the road in real time to improve ride and control.

Term

actively adjustable

It means the suspension can change its behavior while driving. Sensors and a controller help it react to bumps and handling demands instead of staying the same all the time.

Term

semi-active

Semi-active means the system can change how stiff or soft the shocks feel, but it doesn’t actively push the car up and down with its own power. It mainly adjusts resistance to motion.

Term

live shocks

“Live shocks” means the shocks can change their settings while you drive. The car monitors what’s happening and updates the damping to keep the ride and handling steadier.

Brand

Fox

Fox is a company that makes shock absorbers and suspension parts. Here they’re mentioned because they offer shocks that can adjust while driving.

Term

electronically controlled valves

Inside the shock there are valves that control how fluid moves. When the computer changes those valves, the shock can feel firmer or softer depending on what the road is doing.

Term

four wheel independent suspension

Instead of both wheels on an axle moving together, each wheel can react separately. That usually helps the truck keep better contact with the road and feel smoother over bumps.

Term

Z R2 plus

They’re joking about a possible future name for a more expensive version of the ZR2. It’s basically “more stuff” on top of the current off-road trim.

Brand

general motors

They’re talking about General Motors and how it might use a naming scheme like “plus” to label different versions of the same model.

Term

naming convention

A naming convention is just the brand’s system for naming different versions of a vehicle. Here, they’re talking about how GM might label higher or lower trim levels.

Term

33-inch tires

That’s the tire size. Bigger tires can help the truck clear bumps and look more aggressive, but they may also affect ride and gas mileage.

Term

35s

“35s” means very large tires (about 35 inches). They can make a truck more capable off-road, but they can also make the truck feel different and may cost more in fuel.

Term

hybrids

A hybrid uses a gas engine plus an electric motor. The electric part helps the truck use less fuel, especially in city driving.

Concept

hybrid pickup truck

This just means a pickup that runs on gas and electricity together. The goal is usually better gas mileage without giving up the truck’s usefulness.

Term

power boost hybrid

Ford’s “PowerBoost Hybrid” is a hybrid setup in some Ford trucks. It pairs a gas engine with an electric motor to help the truck use less fuel and feel more responsive.

Term

electric motor

An electric motor is a motor that runs on electricity. In a hybrid truck, it can help the gas engine and make the truck feel stronger, especially at low speeds.

Term

drive shaft issue

A drive shaft is a part that sends power from the transmission to the wheels. If it has an issue, the truck can feel rough or make unusual noises.

Term

power train wise

“Powertrain” is the set of parts that actually move the truck. Here, they’re saying the mechanical drivetrain has been pretty solid, not the electrical parts.

Term

hypercar

A hypercar is an even more extreme version of a supercar—usually very fast and very expensive. Here, they’re just saying the call was about the highest level of performance cars.

Term

supercar

A supercar is a very high-end sports car that’s built to be extremely fast. The hosts are discussing the wording—whether they should call it a supercar or hypercar.

DB 12S
Car

DB 12S

The DB 12S is a specific Aston Martin sports/GT car model. The point of the mention is that the speaker was driving this particular car when the story happened.

Term

GT cars

“GT” means grand touring. It’s a type of sports car meant for long drives—comfortable enough for trips, but still fun to drive.

Concept

405 freeway

The 405 freeway is a big highway in Los Angeles. They mention it to describe where they were driving when the story happened.

Term

efficient diesel

They’re talking about a diesel engine that’s designed to use less fuel. Diesel engines often get better mileage than gas engines, especially when you’re driving at consistent speeds.

Term

hybrid power train

A hybrid uses two ways to move the truck: a gas engine and an electric motor. The computer decides which one to use (or both) depending on speed and driving conditions.

Term

turbo lag

Turbo lag is that brief hesitation you can feel before a turbo really “kicks in.” An electric motor can help by pushing right away, so the truck feels more responsive.

Gmc Jimmy
Car

Gmc Jimmy

They’re talking about a possible new GMC Jimmy coming back. The rumor is it would be built like a rugged off-road SUV, not just a small everyday crossover.

Jeep Wrangler
Car

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is a classic off-road SUV. The hosts mention it as the kind of vehicle the rumored GMC Jimmy would be trying to rival.

Toyota 4Runner
Car

Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged SUV that’s built for off-road driving. In this discussion, it’s mentioned as another model the rumored GMC Jimmy would be competing with.

Concept

body and frame

Body-on-frame means the vehicle has a strong “skeleton” frame underneath, and the body bolts to it. It’s often used for trucks and off-road SUVs because it’s tough and can take more abuse.

Concept

electric trucks

They’re talking about trucks that run on electricity instead of gas. The discussion is about whether GM will keep making them and for how many years.

Concept

electric platform

An electric platform is the “base design” a company builds for electric vehicles. It determines where the battery and electric components go, and it can be reused across multiple models.

Term

battery chemistry

Battery chemistry is basically the “recipe” inside the battery. Updating it can make batteries cheaper and sometimes better at delivering power.

Brand

Bronco

They mention the Ford Bronco, which is a well-known off-road SUV. The point is that it’s back, and that reflects renewed interest in this kind of vehicle.

Brand

Hyundai

Hyundai is one of the automakers mentioned as getting more involved in this truck/SUV segment. It’s part of the “who’s jumping in” conversation.

Brand

Kia

Kia is mentioned as another car brand competing in the same general space. The point is that more companies are joining the trend.

Ford Bronco
Car

Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco is an SUV built for off-road driving. The podcast mentions it because it has returned to the market and has become a talking point again. People discuss it when they’re comparing off-road SUVs and what’s available now.

Chevrolet Blazer
Car

Chevrolet Blazer

The Chevrolet Blazer is an SUV model. The podcast mentions it because Chevrolet is bringing it back. That matters to shoppers because it changes what SUV options are available.

Concept

unibody crossover

A unibody crossover is built with the body and structure combined into one piece, instead of using a separate truck frame. That usually makes it feel more like a car than a traditional truck.

Concept

electric one

An electric version runs on an electric motor instead of a gas engine. The speaker is saying the way it’s being presented or named doesn’t add up.

Concept

off-road systems

Off-road systems are the features that help a truck drive better on dirt, rocks, and uneven ground. The speaker is saying GM already has those features working well.

Concept

Take the cab and the bed off

The speaker is talking about using the same basic truck underneath, but changing the top parts (the cab and bed). The idea is that you can make a new off-road version faster by reusing what already works.

Ford F-150
Car

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is Ford’s most popular pickup truck. The hosts are talking about how Ford updates it in new generations and what that means for what might be coming next.

Term

all aluminum truck

“All aluminum” means the truck’s body is made mostly from aluminum instead of steel. Aluminum can help the truck be lighter, which can improve efficiency, but repairs can be different and sometimes more expensive.

Concept

generation of the F-150

A “generation” is a big update to a car or truck—usually a redesign with new engineering and features. The hosts are using the usual timing of those updates to guess when Ford will show prototypes.

Ford Raptor
Car

Ford Raptor

The Ford Raptor is Ford’s off-road-focused version of the F-150. It’s built to handle rough terrain better, and the hosts say Ford uses that kind of development to influence other trucks too.

Ford Ranger
Car

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger is a smaller pickup than the F-150, sold in lots of countries. The hosts say there’s already a hybrid Ranger overseas and they think Ford may consider it for here too.

Term

exhaust note

“Exhaust note” just means how the truck sounds from the exhaust. A performance exhaust can make it louder and deeper, especially when you accelerate.

Term

power on reserve

“Power on reserve” means the truck still has more power left even after you’ve been driving it. It feels like there’s extra acceleration available when you need it.

Term

light off roading

“Light off-roading” means driving off pavement on easier trails. Think dirt roads and mild bumps, not the hardest rocks or mud.

Term

off-road and on-road suspension

Suspension is what helps the truck ride over bumps and stay planted to the ground. A “blend” means it’s set up to work well both on rough trails and on regular roads.

Term

EcoBoost

EcoBoost is Ford’s name for turbocharged gas engines. A turbo helps the engine make more power without needing a bigger engine.

Term

skunk work team

A “skunk works” team is a company’s small group that works on experimental projects. They usually have more freedom to try new ideas quickly.

Term

electrification

Electrification means moving toward electric power in vehicles. That can include hybrids or plug-in hybrids, and it often involves lots of engineering work.

Term

plug-in

“Plug-in” usually means the hybrid can be charged by plugging it in, like at home. The point here is that people may not require that feature as much as before.

Concept

diesel was somewhere in your eight bucks

Diesel and gasoline are two different kinds of fuel. Diesel is common in many trucks, and its price can be higher or lower than regular gas.

Term

36 gallon tanks

That’s how much gas the truck can hold. More gas usually means you can drive farther before needing to stop for fuel.

Term

e-cout

It sounds like the speaker is talking about how you can stretch how far the truck goes by driving gently. The exact feature name is unclear from the transcript, but the point is better efficiency means fewer gas stops.

Term

twin turbo

Twin-turbo means there are two turbochargers working on the engine. The goal is usually to make power feel stronger and more responsive.

Term

V6 turbo

This is a 6-cylinder engine (V6) that uses a turbocharger. The turbo helps the engine make more power without needing a bigger engine size.

Term

8.3 litre durmaxes

Duramax is a diesel engine line used by GM trucks. People are talking about a possible bigger “8.3-liter” version, which could mean more pulling power for towing.

Term

8 litre power strokes

Power Stroke is Ford’s diesel engine line for their heavy-duty trucks. The “8-liter” talk is about a possible new, larger engine that could pull more effectively.

Term

7.2 litre giant commons engines

Common rail is a diesel fuel system that helps the engine inject fuel more precisely. The “7.2-liter” part is just a rumor about a bigger diesel engine size.

Term

Allison transmissions

Allison makes heavy-duty automatic transmissions—basically the gearbox that helps a truck shift smoothly under load. They’re talking about whether Allison will still be used in future trucks.

Term

spec sheet

A “spec sheet” is the manufacturer’s published list of technical specifications (like engine output, gearing, towing ratings, and emissions details). The hosts want to compare specs line-by-line to understand what the numbers actually mean in real heavy-duty use.

Concept

heavy load exactly

This refers to the gap between paper specifications (like towing ratings and torque curves) and real-world performance under sustained heavy use. Heavy-duty trucks can behave differently depending on cooling, gearing, driver inputs, and how the drivetrain is calibrated.

Topic

pre-order

A pre-order is when you reserve a vehicle before it’s on sale. The hosts are talking about whether someone is ready to do that for a future truck.

Dodge Ram
Car

Dodge Ram

Ram is the brand name used for Dodge’s pickup trucks. The podcast talks about it because someone wanted people to drive it and see it for themselves. That’s often how truck buyers decide if a vehicle fits their needs.

i8 (I12)
Car

i8 (I12)

The i8 is a sports car that uses a hybrid setup, meaning it can use electricity and gas. The podcast mentions it because someone had to drive one and is talking about that experience. It’s included because it’s a unique car to drive compared with typical vehicles.

0:00
66:37