Just in: Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500

With General Motor's redesigning its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, and Toyota launching an all-new Tundra, it goes without saying that Consumer Reports is gearing up for a good, old-fashioned truck showdown. How important are these mammoth vehicles to the automakers (and our readers)? Full-sized trucks account for 1.25 million sales every year, and a fair number of them are in our subscribers' driveways. We even receive enough survey data to give reliability predictions on heavy-duty models. Trucks generally represent the largest profit margins of any other vehicle type. And with the unveiling of the Tundra, the stakes are higher than ever.

The previous Tundra faced its full-size competitors with a distinct size disadvantage. Redesigned for 2008, the Tundra is larger and more powerful than before. Similarly, Chevrolet has stepped up its game with the redesigned Silverado, while Dodge and Ford both continue to update their models.

So, to welcome the newcomers, we also bought two other competing models: generously equipped Dodge Ram and Ford F-150 crew-cab, 4WD trucks.

Our Ram SLT is equipped with the ubiquitous 5.7-liter Hemi V8, good for 345 horsepower. We also opted for stability control--newly optional for 2007--as well as the "Thunder Road Value Group." The $500 package includes 20-inch wheels, Sirius satellite radio, and a 3.92:1 axle ratio, though no Bruce Springsteen CD, as the name may suggest. Bottom line for the Ram: $38,370.

The F-150 is an XLT model with the 300-hp, 5.4-liter V8. With a bunch of options added (including a power moon roof and premium audio package), the grand total came to $36,705.

We just purchased a new Silverado, and we'll buy a Tundra soon.

Cue music... With Toyota upping the ante, we'll see if the screen door slams on the domestic trucks. Will Roy Orbison be singing for the lonely F-150 buyer, because they aren't that young anymore? Will GM's sales numbers improve to the point where Detroit isn't praying in vain for a savior to rise from Woodward Avenue? Will Dodge trade in its horns on some wheels, and are they down to their one last chance to make it real? Will other automakers draw inspiration from classic American songs? Be sure that the car- (and truck) crazy folks here at Consumer Reports will hear these engines roaring on as we thunder down all the roads in and around our test track to see which of the pickups now stands as king of the hill.

--Mike Quincy