Chevy Silverado or Dodge Ram for 2000

wildmanbaker

This may seem basic, but drive each brand, more than once, and more than one of each. Make a list of what you like about each one. A list of what each one bothers you with. A list of what you don't like about each one, and a list of what you think you cannot live with. Drive each one again with the lists in hand/mind. Compile another list, good/bad/acceptable for each one. Check available room in each, reach around and try to do things that one would normally do in a truck (keep it clean guys), like opening the rear vent windows, or the rear slider. Check the "seat" room, shoulder room, are the seat belts easy to get too. You will be surprised at how some of these small items will began to bother you after a while.
After you have made a choice, look at the interiors again, but this time push and pull on things that would get normal use/ware and tear. Will these parts hold-up?
After you have weight all the points, make your choice. All the beating of the keyboards here will never give the answers you will get by accutally researching them.

By the way, do not go by any printed measurements of size or the like. Really try them for yourself. and be happy. Get the DODGE!

Good luck.
Wildman.

kernick

Now if we would only put that much effort into picking a girlfriend or wife. Many of the same points apply.
How many of us were happier the day they picked up their new truck, then when they got married?

gwmoore

What about brakes & transmitions failing at 5,000 to 10,000 miles? How a truck handles with big loads, towing, off-road? Dealer negotiating. Upcoming changes or options. Seems like there are plenty of things that don't magically appear during test drives, things that are difficult to research, or things that screw up after it's too late. I guess if a truck is going to be used for nothing more than commuting, a simple test drive might tell you most of what you need to know. If you are planning to actually use the truck though, a little bit of people's personal experience is nice to know.

Obviously, don't take everything said here as gospel, but it is a good airing of ideas and problems to look further into. I've learned a heck of a lot from these forums that would have taken much longer to find out otherwise. I don't think I would trust the salesman to provide much of this info either.

I don't think there was a forum set up to discuss experience with my wife before I married her. Might have been interesting!

Rocles

I would still get married--just that the warranty would have been used.....

andy_jordan

I too think that you are in danger of devaluing the value of forums like these. Of course there are people who prefer one type of truck to another, and good and bad experiences for all trucks. However we have all learned from here, and try to share knowledge when we can.

gwmoore, if you would like to start a discussion on your wife's experience before you married her, I would be glad to share what I know......but that's another story.

rocles, agree with you on the warranty - and it just goes to prove that test drives don't always tell you about handling and performance (not to mention ride height) after purchase.

BTW, if any one was wondering my wife doesn't visit this site - could you guess?

mgdvhman

This sounds more like bar discussion.....over many beers...

andy_jordan

Tim,

I think I must have been drinking anyway, can't believe the post survived, still as you have the open invitation....

Mind you I think I'll supply the stogies - Cuban's legal up here in the frozen wastelands.

trucklover

Well, I got the misses straight from the factory and was the first to drive her. I purchased an extended warranty (huge single family home plus two kids), and road side assistance (She makes really good money .

So far, she has been pretty reliable. About 5 yrs ago before I actually made the purchased(married), I had to put her in the shop (sent her home to her mother) but I got a loner for the week-end

andy_jordan

is that the mileage is easier to fiddle than on a Ford!!!! Bear that in mind trucklover

madmack

I got a good deal on my vehicle. Straight from the factory (undriven)...i got to drive it for 7 years before I had to buy it. Performs excellent with no break downs. Of course I don't let anyone else drive her besides me. I keep it indoors. Its got big wheels and looks awesome with its sports bra. Will be buying larger wheels soon due to wear.( front wills only). Wouldn't mind buying another one just like her. I could see myself driven two.

kernick

Don't forget to change the oil often, and rev the engine once in a while. Remember too a good warmup before taking off is important.

wildmanbaker

Ha Ha Ha, He He He, weeeeee. Sooo much for devaluing this forum. This is great fun, as long as no one takes it personal. Tim, you seem reservered on this subject.

Wildman

trucklover

two of them, and your truck. That would be a perfect world. I try to put oil in her everday or so and she purrs like a kitten.

I have found that too much oil can lead to deposits. Two so far (both boys)

also be careful, if you put the wrong gas (beans, ice cream)in them, they will tend to backfire!

Timmy how does your baby ride? I heard she has had a few owners but is still big and roomy, enough room for five or six guys!

:0

kinda like my Dodge.

Just having some fun Timmy
Go ahead and give me your worst I deserve it.

mgdvhman

I told someone what I think about someone slurring my family (i think it was you?/)

..The meredith police came and wiped it out.

So why bother?

I find all these comparisons funny...and admit I have said similar things....but when you go deep below the surface of the wrath of tim...you will find a man who does love his wife very much so...and does not slur his own wife on the Internet...I mean come on.....That's Hard evidence man!

LOL

- Tim

andy_jordan

****************
Wednesday, pm

Top Priority Release

Tim shows human side

Could he be softening in his old age???

Will he be buying a proper truck next?????

Our expert says:

"I think it was an imposter, Tim would never be nice - kinda sweet that he loves his wife though. Probably means she reads the posts"

Newsflash ends

*****************

mgdvhman

I doubt she ever visits here.

I am the most disgusting wrath of filth at times...but also the best Husband alive.

Certain things just demand respect in life..like a marriage.

My 2 cents.

....And I ALREADY bought the proper truck.

- Tim

Rocles

Tim,

You're right again only half the time. Marriage? Yes. Truck? Not the one you have! LOL!

mgdvhman

Perhaps I'll send Red White and Blue..instead of Dunkell.

heheheheheee

- Tim

trucklover

you must be really happy these days. you actually let me get away with that. I actually feel bad now. Damn if buying a chevy can make you that happy maybe I should go and buy a ...... nah! it can't be the truck.

Your wife must really be special. I am happy for you Timmy. I love my wife too, but I have got to make fun of her occassionally or she gets to arrogant.

Your choice in women must be better than your choice in trucks. Chevy SUCKS!!!!!!!!!! ;0

Andy, Its not an imposter you can see the old timmy in his

"I am the most disgusting wrath of filth at
times...but also the best Husband alive."

statement. see the arrogance and conceit. That's old Timmy poooh!

andy_jordan

Tim must have many faults, (he bought Chevy), but we all have to admit he has to be a nice guy, he puts up with us lot.

mgdvhman

heck,

These bouts are small time...compared to what I usually get myself into.

Slurring the Old Lady (oops!!)..ain't my style...heheh

Your comment went right past me boss....I mean come on..consider the source...it's from a Dodge owner.

- Tim

trucklover

good old timmy.

gwmoore

I just checked out KelleyBlueBook.com and they have the 4th door as an option on the 2000 Sierra/Silverado (as of the 9/9/99 pricing). The 4th door option costs $288-invoice/$330-MSRP. It looks like it will be available on both the 1500 and 2500 models. They don't have an order code for the option yet though, whatever that means. Maybe someone was watching this forum and got sick and tired of the 4th door griping.

Tim, do you know if you can get the heated mirrors with the sliding rear window? The option list says the heated mirrors must be ordered with the defrosting rear window option. I've never understood why the sliding rear window isn't standard. I wouldn't mind a defrosting sliding rear window, but I don't think that is an option, is it? Hey, maybe I have a new thing to gripe about.

Anyway guys, sorry about interupting the wife forum with pickup talk.

mgdvhman

A sliding rear window is not available in an LT. Some suit thinks the upscale trim level should only have a defroster window....so it must not be a slider. The rear window in a pickup does not need a defroster. GM is supposed to offer a power slider (non de-froster) soon...and a buddy of mine is supposed to get me a "sample" window for my LT. We will see what happens?

I dunno if you need a defroster window for heated mirrors? the defrost switch is what turns them on. I know Rwagoneer has an after market slider...and his heated mirrors still work...I think?

- Tim

gwmoore

That is one of those topics that can get me on my soap box. I can't believe the slider is an option. Not having a slider would piss me off to no end. I have always had sliders in my trucks and use them all the time. Especially when I have a canopy on the truck. What's with the idiots deciding what goes on these trucks (now I am directing my wrath at all the manufacturers, since sliders are always options). Do they ever USE trucks. If they did, sliders would be standard.

Then, when you want two options, you can't get both because one option requires another option that conflicts with the other option you want. AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! Serenity NOW!! (Kostanzaism for all us Seinfeld people)

kernick

GWMOORE
You do need to buy the rear defroster to get the heated mirrors. I did on my 2000LS.

I'll be able to tell everyone in about 3 months whether you actually need a rear defroster in a cab as big as the Silverado ext. cab. I've had some cars with about the same size interior and I've needed it. Once the engine warms the air, it melts the front and keeps it clear, but when you're driving, the cold air flowing over the front quickly conducts the heat away - so it isn't very effective quickly in the rear, or that far away. I live in New Hampshire and every morning it is frosty or iced from Dec. thru March.

dave40

I thought you might be interested in this truck I spotted up in Williams Lake B.C. Canada. It seems the dealer (Caribou GM) offers this special "ZE5 Grappler" package on their 3/4 ton 4x4's. It is very popular with all of the loggers in the area. There are tons of these trucks up there. The package includes stainless steel rocker covers, aluminum bed rails, rear window protector, BFG AT's and, in many cases, custom wheels and a grill guard. It's a pitty you can't get it down here in the states. Picture at Truck Force
http://community.webtv.net/dp2000/TRUCKFORCEACTION

mgdvhman

You have the heat coming up rom between the cab and box. besides..that flat of a window doesn't need one!

...GW....I'm the wrath giver...remember?

...Options are what make money boss....just like a house or whatever.

- Tim

kernick

Yeah I hear what you're saying, and you're probably right that it will defrost or melt with the standard system - it's just that it may take 10 minutes on a 0 F morning. I don't want to scrape, and sit and wait for the engine to warmup, then the air in the cab, and then finally the windows. An electric defroster will do that in about 2 minutes.
Also I definitely wanted the heated mirrors, so the defroster was necessary.

mgdvhman

In all my years of living in michigan with a truck...I can't remember needing a rear defroster. My LT has one...but it will be on it's way out soon for a power slider.

- Tim

gwmoore

Why don't they let us pay for the heated mirrors AND the slider? It was easier to design the truck with just one switch, I guess. At any rate, I guess I will have to do the aftermarket slider thing. Oh well, that gives me something to gripe about now that the 4th door is an option. --

mgdvhman

Some Suit thinks it should have a defroster....I mean come on...a slider is for the low class...the upper class should have a defroster!

Get real...let us pick what we want..

kernick

You may be right. Just wanted to ask was that truck an extended cab?
It's too late for me to change. I didn't want to take the chance of needing one, trying to save $100. Also I REALLY wanted those heated mirrors.

Dodge Comment
Oh, getting back on topic - my wife went to her dentist today. He has a Ford pickup right now - not the best choice as we all know. He said he had owned a Ram for 5 years, and he was going broke putting money into it. Apparently he had to put on a whole new frontend amongst other things. He also knew a few people who had nothing but trouble with them.

gwmoore

Are you saying the Ford needed a new front end, or was it the Ram?

I have sure had a good experience with a '97 Ram 2500 4x4 Club. I have heard (just in the magazines and some on these forums) of problems with, but I don't know if a lot of those problems are on the 1500. The 2500 with the Cummins seems bullet-proof.

Well, I guess I should say I did find out the Ram isn't deer-proof. I was going on a fishing trip with my pop here in Oregon, with camper and towing boat. While passing a slow car at about 65 MPH, a large mule deer decided to run out from behind a set of trees and test the laws of physics and centerpunched the front end of the Ram. The deer did not have quite the GVW that we did, and we couldn't even really feel the impact. But the Kamikazi expert crunched the grill back, ruptured the radiator, transmition radiator, and intercooler. Presto, with a new hood and bumper skin, came to over $4,000 in damage.

mgdvhman

My old one?....No regular cab. This is my first extended cab now. Won't make any difference though....an outside window going straight up and down is the same on all type of cabs.

- Tim

kernick

gwmoore
It was a Dodge extended cab. It must have been a '93 or '94 if he had it 5 years.
Sorry to hear about that deer. Was there anything left to have a good dinner?

gwmoore

I wasn't about to goof around with that mangled mess of venisen. Besides I was a little more concerned with getting the truck back home.

mgdvhman

Check the manifold under the hood.

Those little chunks of venison that go thru the grill get cooked just right on the manifold!

LOL

- Tim

zigster38

...that new Audi S4!

Rocles

doodad,

So you are telling us you bought your truck because of the way it looks?

mgdvhman

Did your wife say it was the one to buy?

gwmoore

Doodad, if the appearance of size is so important, you better forget the Ram and get the Superduty. It looks lots bigger and trucklike than the Ram. Oh, maybe it's not cute enough for your wife.

trucklover

ford stole that look from the Ram, but the back seat is too small. It is huge though and the look is SCAREY!

I think on looks alone the Dodge is the prettiest. Ford second and Chevy last. Do I even need to mention the Tundra? Hell no ;0

gwmoore

Trust me, I was not saying I like the gangley and awkward looking Superduty. Just making a point to Old Doodad. This whole arguing about looks has no point. Its all purely subjective. What I think is too much busy chrome on the Silverado front end looks cool to Tim. I like the Sierra's looks, but I have heard it looks like a catfish, or something. The Ram is so distinctive people either love it (like me) or hate it.

No point in arguing about looks. Look at Jaguar cars. Commonly thought of as some of the best looking cars of all time, but probably the worst engineered scrap piles ever to see the road, er uh, the service bay. I don't care what my truck looks like if it breaks down 100 miles out in the Eastern Oregon desert.

Rocles

Sounds like my point as well. Looks are subjective. Function can be debated.

gwmoore

I just took some time to look around at the forums and read some of the ones with the most traffic. A few observations.

1) The new Silverado/Sierra 1500s have more rattles, vibrations, clunks, clanks, shutters, and wind noises than I could possibly list here. Go see topic #654.

2) It looks like the new Silverado/Sierra 2500s are pretty sound. As Timmy will attest, the heavier duty truck seems to be just that, heavier duty (and better built). (Good news for me 'cause I want a 3/4-ton anyway.)

3) There are not a lot of problems on the modern Dodge 1500s, 2500s, or 3500s. Not much talk about bad trannys, body panels falling off (I never got that one), brakes, steering, or anything else consistent.

This is not a scientific study, but there are plenty of people over on Forum #654 that would advise waiting to give GM your money for a 1500 until they fix the problems. There are other good trucks out there.

tweverts

Just wanted to let you know that the 99 Chevy 1500 4wd LT that I purchased last month has been flawless. 2900 mi and not a hiccup, vibration, wind noise, or clunk. It does appear that there was a problem with vibration on certain configurations but if you actually read the entire board on that one then you know that there is also a fix which applied to the early 99's (B8 vs. B9 hubs). Go test drive all the competition and buy what's best for you like I did. Especially true since none of these folks here on the board have to be pleased with driving what your $25 - $30K was spent on. I drove them all and the Silverado was certainly the best all around. Good Luck.
Tony

quadrunner500

1500's outsell the 2500's by about 5 to 1. From those numbers alone, you're going to generate 5 times more complaints than a 2500 even if as a group, they are built as well. Love your 2500's, but I'm glad you, and not I am buying the gas.

trucklover

You have only had the truck for a month. wait another month or two before you start spouting off about how your 1500 has not sqeaks. Some a hiccups, vibrations, wind noises, or clunks come after you have been driving the vehicle for more than 2900 miles. Good luck!

BUT, you should have gotten a DODGE!!!!!!!!!! ;0

mgdvhman

To worry about Gas.

- Tim