Who owns a Dodge PU??

RattlerXX

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Nov 7, 2000
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I have got the new truck fever, and I'm torn between the big three. In the past, I have owned and driven new Chevrolet/GMC 4x4's, and Ford 4x4's that were great vehicles. The new Dodge 4x4 HEMI has gotten my attention, and I just wanted to know your thoughts on the new Dodge trucks since I have never owned one. These are the four models that I have my eyes on:

Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 HEMI

Doge Ram 2500 4x4 HEMI

GMC 2500HD 4x4 V8

Ford F250 Super Duty V-8
 
NEVERMIND.............I can't figure out what I want, maybe a new Jeep Rubicon since I sold my CJ7...I don't know..I'll figure it out, but I would like to know if anyone has had any problems with the Dodge.
 
Well, no expereince with the Dodge, but it certainly seems real nice with the HEMI. I have driven a new FORD F-250 4x4 Super Duty, and it was very nice. The guy I used to work for bought one new in 2002, and I drove it a bit, but he went crazy and got the V-10 gas engine. What a waste of money, a V-10! Filling that thing was like close to $100 two or three times a week, but real fun to drive!:D
 
V-10! Last year we bought a plain Jane 02 Super Duty 350 flat bed with a V-10 that we use on the farm, and I keep the gooseneck hooked up to it most of the time. Between it, and my Z71 I keep the local gas station in business.
 
I've had three Dodge P/Us, the last one a '96 extended cab.

Good ground clearance(I stuck my '02 Chevy in a place I'd been 50 times in the Dodge).

Lots of room inside(I couldn't get all the stuff I had in the Dodge into the Chevy).

Tighter turning radius than the Chevy, it's fast and it corners like it's on rails(I am a pursuit driving instructor and it really suprises the guys in the cars).

The down side? The air conditioner in the Dodge won't freeze you out on a hot day.

The Ford is fast and handles great, but it's about the same size on the inside as the Chevy.

The Chevy has great air conditioning.

If I was spending my own money, I'd buy the Dodge.
 
Father-in-law is a die hard Chevy man. Always buys the GM stuff, and he is happy with it. But his best friend just bought a big Silverado, and neither of them like it. They say the ride is just too stiff. I've ridden in it..... I agree with them. Father-in-law just bought a Tahoe, and his buddy is thinking of getting rid of the Silverado for something with a better ride.

Lady at work bought the Ram 1500 club cab. Rode like a car, even when we took it hunting out on the logging roads. I liked it alot, and if it had a hemi in it, I'd have probably LOVED it. So I went to the Dodge dealership and drove 'em. I ended up buying a Dakota Quad Cab 4X4 with the V8. I liked the way it rode, and the visibility out of it was superior. Way easier to maneuver around in town and in parking lots too. A hemi? Far too much for a li'l ol' Dakota, but it woulda been right at home in the 1500.

Next guy in line is a buddy who works at the company next door. He went out and bought a big ass F350 Super Duty with the diesel motor. He dislikes only two things about it. The doors lock when you get driving down the road. (Mine did the same thing, but the owner's manual gives you directions on how to disable it.) The radio stays on and keeps playing until you open the door. He doesn't mind this feature unless it's hunting season. He also sez it maneuvers like a boxcar, but he knew that going in, so it don't bother him.

In the end, I can offer you only this disclaimer:

Trucks are as subjective as food, wine, and music. One man's neato gizmo is another man's pain in the ass. Talk to people who own them, (which is what you are doing now, good man) and go drive 'em. In the end, one will stand out above the rest for you.

But that hemi sure would be cool. :D
 
get a chevy with the 5.3 or 6.0 if you want an all around good dependible truck. what im about to say is a sacrelig if you want a truck that has decent get up and go and rides like a car get a toyota tundra.
 
I've got a 98 Dakota with about 55k on it and I'm thinking of trading it.....for another one! :) Great truck, just wish it got a little better gas mileage. And my air condito works like a champ. :p
 
I made my mind up today that it will be a Dodge. I really like the looks of them over the Chevrolet, and the Ford. The HEMI is pretty quick also:D,(Much quicker than my Z71 with a 350)and I believe it has 345HP if I'm not mistaken. I'm going to order my new 4x4 Dodge next week!:D

Thanks for the info on your Dodges. This will be my first, and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love it.
 
In general the half tons ride like cars. The Toyota Tundra is a really good "soccer" mom type of pickup too.

When you move up to the Heavy Duty 3/4 ton pickups, you are getting a work truck even if it has leather seats and a CD player ;) That hard ride gives you payload capacity.

How do the Dodge's hold up when you exceed a 100,000 miles? Do the electrics (windows, defroster, windshield wipers, lights, etc.) still work reliably? How about the new series Chevy's and Ford's?

My experience with older generation Chevy's was favorable until about 60K miles when the steering column started to rub through the wiring harness and all the stuff on the stalks started working inconsistently and required maintanence. Never had that problem with Fords personally.
 
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