Silverado vs. Ram vs. F-Series

cottrell1cottrell1 Member Posts: 39
I've been wondering this for a while. I hear alot
of things about the assets of each truck. Like that
the GM's have better front ends than Dodge's.
Can something like this be proven?
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Comments

  • 87lion87lion Member Posts: 166
    before I bought. The Chevy and Ford have newer engines - you decide if that's good or bad. Before I started shopping my order of preference was Ford, Dodge, Chevy. I liked the big rig look of the Dodge but when I drove it I was not impressed. Also seemed like the smallest x-cab. Didn't care for the aero look of the Ford but otherwise seemed like a good truck. The Chevy had the biggest x-cab and I liked the dash layout the best. I ordered the Chevy. After 500 miles I am pleased with it.

    I think they are all solid trucks with good engines. From reading the different posts they all have their problems but I believe the vast majority of owners are satisfied, regardless of the brand they own.

    Bottom line: Decide what you need, test drive them all and enjoy your new truck.
  • rrichfrrichf Member Posts: 211
    87lion,
    Superb advice!

    Bottom line: Decide what you need, test
    drive them all and enjoy your new truck.

    One other thing that I would do is that when driving one try to write down all the things that are better than the other. Don't write the negatives as you're trying to use you memory as a reference against the current experience. Also write down everything that annoys you. Try to make your decision based on the positive attributes. Finally take the annoyances into consideration. (Does that widget annoy you so much that you won't use it?) If there is something about one of the trucks that absolutely drives you nuts, buy another brand truck.

    In the end you'll be much happier with your truck.

    Also, please don't ask me which I would buy for me. I could give you an answer that would be right for me. That answer may not be right for you.

    Rich
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Dodge - nice styling...but getting old...do they know anything but this design that has sold more in one year than all Dodge trucks prior to 94?
    - Weak trannys...old engines that are under powered....cummins being the only engine worth anything..
    - very small ext.cab...almost useless
    - Cheapest in price

    Ford - Nice engines....bigger ext. cab...better styling

    Chevy - Biggest Ext.cab...newest engines..
    - Slow to catch up with 4 doors/diesel/etc....but usually better when up to par
    - Lowest ride...but still high
    - most expensive??....Ford close in price


    For what a truck should be...get a Chevy or Ford..
    ...for a truck company that started making real ones in 94 and sells on looks alone..get a Dodge.

    All have problems...but nothing in any serious numbers....it may seem like a lot here sometimes...but this is a forum to complain...not to praise...

    Good Luck

    - Tim
  • cottrell1cottrell1 Member Posts: 39
    What I really want to get is the stats and personal opinions of people to put on my website,
    on which I aim to have a page for each of the above Trucks plus the Tundra. So people who actually want to buy one of of these things doesn't have to keep looking around for the information on these things. Which as we all know can be a hassle.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    doesn't fit into this catagory.

    3/4 size trucks go with dakota sized trucks...

    - Tim
  • cottrell1cottrell1 Member Posts: 39
    It's 95% a fullsize truck the only reason I'm including it is I want to get a lot of people to my site.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Just weaken the comparison...

    There are only 3 makers of trucks....

    - Tim
  • eharri3eharri3 Member Posts: 640
    As someone said, the Dodge's engines are old... Poor fuel economy but you don't even get that great acceleration that usually makes it worth it. I prefer more advanced designs from the competition that can give me more power and better economy.
    Also has the leas backseat space in extended cabs.
    Chevy: Spacious and pretty efficient, but seems to have traded to much low end torque for acceleration and economy.
    Ford: Has the best balance of high revving acceleration and low end torque, and I could get comfy both in front and in back
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    back of a Ford is with the driver's and passenger seat moved almost all the way to the front. With an average male 5'10", the front seats will be in a position allowing about 6" for rear leg room. Maybe not comfy but cozy...
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    i rode in a new ford to a meeting 140 miles away.
    rode in the back and have to agree with obyone.
    back angle is liveable bought not that compfy.
    rode in the front on the way back and seat nearly
    broke my butt, not to mention that i felt about 2
    feet higher than the dash. gave me the feeling
    that if driver stopped suddenly that i would go
    through the windshield.

    my chevy gives the laid back feeling front or
    back.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Yeah dodge is a joke for engines..

    They put a 5.9 in a Dakota...big deal...the Chevy 5.3 has more power than the Dodge 5.9...

    As for Chevy sacrificing torque....My 5.7 and the current 6.0 have plenty of it..

    I can't speak for the 5.3...as I have not owned one...I have driven a few for a test drive...but never hauled or towed to tell how it's torque feels.

    - Tim
  • barlitzbarlitz Member Posts: 752
    Just read that Ford has developed a baby power stroke deisel engine that will be available in 2003 in the f150 and expeditions,it will be a V6 with 245 HP and 400lbs Tourque.Not bad for a V6 engine probably last forever to,Don't know if I'd want deisel but I'm sure it will sell especially for towing and hauling.
  • RoclesRocles Member Posts: 982
    Ford should be the first choice. Chevy is in a close second but failed to really "wow" anyone with their latest entry--remember the latest SHOULD be the best but GM fails to hit it out of the park.

    Dodge? Only if you really need the Cummins. After the truck falls apart--take the engine out and put it where it ought to be- in a Chevy or Ford.

    Toyota? Too new--not proven beyond half-ton applications.

    Dakota? Please.....is this comedy? (Bad enough that they ruined the looks and ripped off the Ram)

    I actually work these suckers and I generally "feel" more content in the Chevy but they cause far more headaches and bills than the Fords. My bottom-line has dictated Fords exclusively for the past 5 years.
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    I think if you look at the feature set and everything offered, GM by far hits it out of the park. the truck really is more advanced in several areas.

    Styling is where they didn't win over any Dodge or Ford faithful.
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    that, Chevy did'nt annialate previous chevy
    owners by making over radical design changes in
    apperance. FORD on the other hand went from the
    "box" look right on up to the Pacer look.
  • bigsnagbigsnag Member Posts: 394
    Yeah, Ford took a big step, but if there was any group of people more hungry for a change than Ford guy's, then I don't know who it would be.
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    i knew you'd be coming around right after i
    posted. i do gotta work on that spellin'.

    Good Luck On This One Now!!! he-he-he

    ...RED

    p.s. don't take things so seriously unless you
    really are a big crybaby. i mean really calling
    someone such a brutal name. these are family
    oriented forums. better stop hangin' out with
    budlitedude, or you're gonna get a reputation
    that goes along with what he stands for.
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    Red, I don't take anything seriously. I'm not sure why but your posts are so ignorant it's just embarrassing. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're going to knock something or someone at least try to get the things you're knocking correct on your own posts.

    BTW you never explained what a "lurd" was that you used over and over again. I think that was the first indicator of your "reputation" for lack of intelligence/humor. Using someone else's salutation doesn't help your cause much either.
  • RoclesRocles Member Posts: 982
    The new Chevy is no Homerun. If it was, they would be crushing others at the sales counter. I'd bet you've seen more Fords than Chevys on the road......


    Mod and Red,

    Take it outside..........
  • bigsnagbigsnag Member Posts: 394
    Up late tonight, huh?
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    you are totally right. it really does'nt matter
    what anyone thinks about the other makes, it's
    the numbers that kinda tell the whole story.
    right now for example, our company employs about
    80-90 installers and over 50 of those drive Fords
    then about 20 drive Chevys, the rest Dodge and
    then Toyota and Nissan. this does'nt speak for
    the whole nation but it does create some good
    debates at our company meetings. whatever
    comments at that time, good or bad, regarding
    looks, quality, performance, and
    dependability,etc., we all agree that if it works
    for you then enjoy it. without saying the words,
    the bottom line is, it all comes down to personal
    preference good or bad. i own a '00 Chevy right
    now basically because i wanted an ext. cab
    longbed and liked the looks of the Chevy over the
    other two, Dodge being second. Ford in reallity
    has an ext. cab longbed that to me really looks
    better than their shortbed. it was a hard
    decision for me since two previous Ford products
    did nothing but leave me stranded. after reading
    the Chevy forums, and hearing all those
    complaints, i almost skipped it too. if it lets
    me down i'll probably goe back to Toyota and a
    trailer.

    my .02's worth

    ...RED
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    sorry dude but, i can't respond to you anymore
    you get too upset. don't want to give you a heart
    attack or something. calm down now, t a k e a n
    i c e d e e p b r e a t h. see ya
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    The Ram is not even being talked about...as the topic mentions?

    Dodge is a joke....and only sells on looks...it has nothing else to offer.
    ...and the look is getting old...now all the Dodge trucks look like it...it's the only design that ever sold!...they can't change I guess!

    - Tim
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    Roc! look at the numbers this year! there ARE more Chevy's than Fords!

    technically, mechanically, GM offers more in the half tons, you can't argue that. i admit, its a very small advantage, but big to some. but that isn't the only thing that sells trucks. theres a lot of people who don't buy GM just because of the sheet metal or the stance of the truck.

    lets just leave it at the fact your homeruns go to left field and mine go to right! :)
  • cottrell1cottrell1 Member Posts: 39
    I've heard alot of good things about it.
    The thing with Dodge's current and older truck were built by a company with very little fiscal resources at the time of production and I don't think anyone who has read into their history would try to refute this point But, now that they have the resources they need their next truck will be class leading and just maybe they'll
    start offering a Crew Cab. The weird thing is it seems they've gone and finally realized that a 350 is the way to go. While GM has downsized to around the size of Dodge's 318 for their 1500 engines.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    put out more power than Dodge engines with 40-50 more cubes than it!

    - Tim
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    i'm a little confused. would you please explain
    how an engines horsepower is related to how lazy
    the owner is. also can you show a comparison
    between all 3. you know, chevy,ford, dodge.

    thanx.
    red
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    you've made a perfect argument against yourself cottrell. GM engines get their torque quick and hold it the entire RPM range. Yes, the peak is late, but at very low RPMs, it is only a few ft-lbs less than peak. You are basically AT peak hp at all cruising speeds. Ford and Gm figured it out. Dodge will next year.
  • richram123richram123 Member Posts: 35
    Hello All,

    I am here to defend Dodge

    I have a 98 Ram 1500 5.9 V8. Club Cab Auto 4x4

    I often go fishing with a pal who has a 99 chevy (similar setup as the dodge) with the 5.3l

    My boat is about 750 lbs heavier and we often race on the highway and from stop lights. I have always beat him. My truck even has 3.55 gears and he has 3.73.

    Chevy engines are more economical on Gas and have higher HP #'s on paper, but the Dodge is King when towing or hauling.


    I was watching TRUCKS on TNN and they put a chevy 5.3l on a dyno and it only produced 148 HP.

    I guess the chevy looses alot of power in the tranny

    Summary:

    Dodge= power and torque

    Chevy = B.S. HP ratings, but gets better MPG.
  • dbhulldbhull Member Posts: 150
    Oh geez......
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Cotty,
    Uh...45 HP is not going to be made up in those 800 RPM...if it isn't there at 3200...it ain't gonna be there at 4000 for Dodge either! Why not rate them at 6000 RPM??..maybe they will have 600 HP then!? Wow!..new idea!

    Dodge=Torque?....Only in a Cummins...which seems to be the only way Dodge can have any victory?
    I've seen a 350 4BBL lose to a 250 1 BBL....why?..both were manuals and the 250 driver knew how to shift better...(I know you said both were autos) Maybe your buddy is scared to punch it full throttle at take off?

    There is only and always will be only one comparison that ever will matter.....Chevy VS Ford...the only 2 makers of Power....

    - Tim
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    35 HP...
  • markcordmarkcord Member Posts: 113
    So 310 hp and 450 ft-lbs of torque don't count for Dodge either? How come?
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    .................
  • cottrell1cottrell1 Member Posts: 39
    When talking about Dodge engines this is a big mistake.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    6.0 V-8 just about equals that.

    How about the 8.4 Vortec...V-8...

    V-10's just by their nature have torque...due to 2 extra cylinders....only way Dodge can try to compete with Ford/Chevy V-8's..

    Next Contestant Please...

    - Tim
  • cottrell1cottrell1 Member Posts: 39
    Are the 8.2 Liter V8 which is just as powerful as the 502 in V form and even more powerful than it in the VI form. and the Viper V10 which gets 500 ft-pounds. The fact is that the Truck V10 is de-tuned. A good example of this is the Block which is cast in iron instead of a aluminum alloy.
    If DCX wanted to open the floodgates they could since the have the world's best enginners working for them, but don't choose to for one of reasons mentioned in the other topic. I disagree however that that they are a joke! Their just surfing along until they bust out with the new truck.
    PS:Also until someone can give me hard evidence on how Dodges break down I won't believe them.
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    How about reliability surveys that show unreliable transmissions. MSN Carpoint, mid to late '90's models. Consumer Reports surveys give same results.

    I never took any pictures of the Dodges that with shelled out trannies or electrical probs. Usually cuz we jumped in the Fords or GMs and went back to work.

    those were early to mid '90s models. haven't heard much reports on late models in the fleet/work industry.
  • RoclesRocles Member Posts: 982
    Oh man.....when you're taking stock of individual trucks owned by individuals--it's always possible to have a rosy picture of the brand.
    The true beauty of fleet results and sales is that it is a major indication on how a brand stacks up without personal regard to an individual truck. This is how I make my decisions. I have to take in consideration that my employees don't give a damn and drive the suckers into walls.
    The simple truth is that GM and Ford have higher resales and lower maintenance costs than Dodge for fleet sales. The only times we bought Dodge is when my partner(brother) gets weepy eyed for a Ram. (About once every three years)
    He owns them for his personal as well but always repairs the beasts. Somehow he ignores the wallet in favor of looks.
  • RoclesRocles Member Posts: 982
    Post script:

    Not that Dodge is the only looker in the mechanical world. Harley has marketed it's bikes on similar principles. Yes I own one. But...it's recreational and not utility. (Besides, I also own a Honda and BMW in case the Harley breaks down or if I want to do some REAL riding)
  • ford30ford30 Member Posts: 11
    CHEVY HAD TO COPY DODGE FOR THERE NEW TRUCK IF CHEVY SEE SOMETHING THEY LIKE THEY WILL ALWAYS COPY IT IT IS HARD TO TELL THE WHICH ONE IS A CHEVY OR A DODGE. CHEVY NEEDS TO GO DESIGN THERE ON TRUCK AND NOT USE THE DODGE DESIGN. BECAUSE DODGE HAS A MUCH BETTER TRUCK. WE ARE GOING TO RAM THE BOWTIE OUT OF HERE.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Just because "You know" people with Dodge who have had no problems....still has no effect on what the overall average is. Dodge is very well known for tranny/brake problems....among others..

    I used to own an 88 Silverado...this was a new model year and had "theories" about it. Mine went almost trouble free until I sold it with 156,000 miles. I know 2 people with similar trucks...both had engines replaced long before 100K.....so is this 2 out of 3 people had major problems?....just because that's who I knew??....No.....The real figures showed overall this truck was very reliable...

    Just cuz "you know" people that have no problems with Dodge....makes no bit of difference what the real overall numbers are..

    I go back to my statement....Dodge is a Joke for powertrains...

    ....Copied Dodge?....now THERE is a first!
    ...What you been smoking?....cuz I sure would like some!
    Another "long time Dodge truck fan....since all the way back to 1994!"........oh boy..


    - Tim
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    Roc, I see Ford has made a strong come back since i last looked. GM was ahead all of last quarter and the Jan and Feb of this year, but Ford had a hell of a good month. Kudos to Ford for one thing: the Supercrew is selling like hotcakes around here.

    Cottrell,
    don't know the sample numbers for Consumer Reports, but Carpoint gets millions of hits, and has quite a pool of people in its survey.

    I guess you are happy hearing these rosy stories from your friends. apparently that is enough 'good' solid experience for you. I have seen the Dodges put thru the extremes in the oilfield and construction industy all over South Texas, where the combination of dust, extreme heat, heavy heavy loads, high humidity, idiot drivers, and piss poor maintenance really test a truck. I will give you the addresses of several companies with large fleets of trucks, and allow you to ask them how many Dodges they own.

    And then you can ask them why not.

    (to save time: they just never held up like GMs and Fords.)

    I won't bad mouth any new Dodges, maybe they finally got it figured out and have the brake probs, front end probs, transmission probs, AC probs, electrical probs figured out. And maybe you and your friends will never have a problem driving back and forth to Home Depot and Walmart or hauling your Jetski to the lake. but until i see it proven like Ford and GM have, under the extreme use, I'll stick with what's never left me stranded.
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    GM must have copied that Vortec design from Dodge. no, maybe not. Well, surely they copied the 6 bolt mains--no, no that one either. Well surely Dodge has 4 wheel disc brakes--no, not there. Oh yeah, Dodge has the Tow-Haul mode that GM copied--oh, thats right, no again. Maybe GM copied the decision to build 3 mid-level v8's--No, wait, Dodge is doing that next year!

    Well I am confused!

    (what is the HTML code for sarcasm?)
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    the higher angle seat back angle they copied?..no..hold on..Dodge is doing that soon...maybe the rear seat head restraints?....doh!..nope..not that either.....

    ...What HAS Dodge came up with before anyone else other than 4 doors?....

    again....we are back to looks....all that dodge is fair at...

    - Tim
  • markcordmarkcord Member Posts: 113
    Or the first real diesel (yeah, I know they don't build it but neither does Chevy or Ford), or solid Dana front axles (no cv's or torn boots to replace here), or just plain larger front and rear axles (up to 11" rear-I would think you'd get a pretty good look at those in that low-rider), blah, blah, blah. Yeah, I had an 88 GMC that was pretty reliable (with the exception of a blown rear end, stereo that broke ((like every other Delco I've owned)), ball joints and idler arms that needed to be changed like socks, leaky cv boots, leaky rear axle seals, and the list goes on...). But the 350 was solid and so was the body. I just personally don't care for the new GMs and have never been a Ford guy. When it came time for me to order (7/99) I was mainly looking for the most powerful gas engine I could get. That title belonged to Dodge. And right now I'm as happy with my Ram as I'm sure you are with your Silverado and as Roc is with his Superduty. Just drive 'em and enjoy, I say. Now if you want to debate the merits of the 70 LS6 Chevelle (like the one in my driveway) then allow me to hoist that bowtie flag as high as it will go!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    That Bowtie flag still remains as high now as it did then..

    The V-10 may be the most powerfull??....gas engine you could get..(For a Dodge)...but look how close other Ford/Chevy engines are to that...and with only 8 cylinders!......I'd feel pretty little knowing that...

    If it's gonna be a V-10...then make it a REAL V-10!......sorry Dodge.....failure again..

    - Tim
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Well, right now, according to Consumer Reports (Gag) the '99-'00 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra are rated at worse reliability than the Dodge Ram.

    This Dodge bashing isn't going anywhere. Buy what you like and drive it.
  • markcordmarkcord Member Posts: 113
    But as always, nice to have you back Tim.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    where did I go?

    ....Hell with it....Zactly..buy what ya want...

    I don't care what Dodge does...or who buys them when ya get down to it...

    All 3 suck when you wanna nit pick....the issue is which sux less?

    - Tim
This discussion has been closed.