I need some help here. I'm not very truck savvy.I run a 250 Tarpon made by Stamas Yachts( 27 ft loa) Fully loaded I'm carrying 8,000 lbs. My 1997 Yukon just will not do the job(burned up the clutches in the rear end) I will let my wife drive the truck to and rom work( 2 miles) and only use the truck when I go fishing. I'll probably tow the boat 25 times per year. I really like the 4-door which means Ford is the one. I'm thinking v-10 since it is quieter and most of the driving will be only 2-4 miles/day in town(so I'm not too concerned about gas mileage)The 3.73 with the limited slip seems right for my application since this really isn't a work truck and most the ramps I use are pretty good. Im also thinking automatic with the v-10, just for the convience. Finally, the F-250 seems adequate for my needs. Can someone help this fishing fool out on his truck needs? F-250 vs f-350/ V-10 vs diesel( anyone know of any problems with the v-10), rear end??/ any help would be appreciated. Ask about info on Ponce Inlet fishing, Cedar Key, Jupiter Inlet, I'll be glad to share w/ you
I've been having the same questions. The only difference is I tow my boat long distances to different lakes, and most of the time it's through the mountains. The 3.73 LS ratio would be your best bet if mostly towing on flat terrain. Go with the 4.10 LS if towing through the mountains though. Definitely the Limit Slip (LS) if not a 4x4!!! I opted for the Diesel because of the improved mileage when not towing. This truck is my only vehicle. For your situation, I personally would go for the V10 instead of diesel if gas mileage is not an issue. Not ever station carries diesel fuel in my area! But the sound of a diesel coming down the road is kinda impressive!!! (laugh)
I'm an engineer and mainly care about technology, when buying something. I know many people will only buy that certain brand ... however do yourselves a favor and check out the Chevy Silverado page ... Announcements section I believe. Next year's Silverado HD trucks are coming with a new-tech diesel engine. Good luck in whatever you decide.
you can get a 350 or a 454 in the chevy crew cab, 3/4 ton or 1 ton. a 3/4 ton would pull 8000 lbs easily. the 350 would give you the best mileage of any brand in a gas powered truck that size, about 15 or 16. The 454 gives basically identical power and fuel mileage as the Ford v10, and its been around a LONG time. my dad just bought a '99 HD truck with 454. the truck weighs 14000# all the time, and the engine pulls the truck awesome. gets about 10 mpg with a 4.56 gear.
I think the Ford is a more stable towing platform than the Chevy: 10 years newer chassis.
Hey folks. I am new the the town hall and have enjoyed reading some of the postings. I am considering the purchase of a new truck. Can anyone tell me where I can find pictures of the new Dodge for 2000. I a particularly interested in the 2500 series 4X4 with diesel and standard shift. Any info will be appreciated. Edmunds does not have the 2000 info that I can find. Thanks Wormy. Oh by the way, one main reason behind the truck is for towing, boats, tractors, etc. Check with you all later. e-mail address is wstrcacc@core1.wwisp.net. Have a good day.
the 2000 ram will look the same as the 1999 rams. the base prices can be found at carprices.com. there are a couple of new packages that are offered. one thing that will look different is that the cab will be 5" longer. there will be a new trans offered for the diesel, but i dont think they will start building them until the beginning of next year.
If the numbers you quote are accurate (14,000 pounds, 4.56 gears, 10mpg), your dad gets better mpg than the Ford V-10. With my camper on, my 99 SD V-10 weighs 12,000 pounds. With the 4.30, I get 8.5-9 at 60-65. I just made a 450 mile round trip this weekend, including a climb through a good size mountain pass, and averaged 8.7. I could probably get right around 10 on flat roads at 55 mph.
From what you indicate, the 454 gets better mpg carrying more weight with a lower axle ratio. I'll admit, that's pretty impressive.
Before I bought the truck, I expected 10-12 empty and 8-10 with a load. Those estimates were right on. I will admit that the numbers I've been hearing with the 3.73 are higher than I expected. Then again, I'm not sure I believe all of those numbers. One guy said he was getting 16mpg. I'll buy 14, but not much higher. Regardless, because of the load I haul, anything taller than the 4.+ was never really an option.
I had the 351 in my 92 F-250HD 4x4 with the 3.55. I had friends that had similar year Chevys with the 350. They always got a litte better mpg than I did. The best I ever did was close to 15 on the hwy. I think I had a tail wind. My average hwy was a little over 14.
Brutus well the numbers are pretty much what I quoted. He does a lot of long highway, flat land driving in South Texas. In overdrive at 70 mph, I think its turning about 2200 rpm (don't quote me). If he does a bunch of shorter trips (5-30 mile variety), then he gets about 8-9 mpg. But most of his driving is the long stuff. I know he's pulled a couple of big trailers that pushed the total combination weight over 20K, but i never asked him if he checked mileage.
The 454 is an old engine platform (like Dodge), but its got the newest combustion technology working for it (unlike Dodge). It has an incredible powerband. This thing will outrun a powerstroke in the same weight truck from a dead stop. the 454 doesn't have the diesel's torque below 2000 rpms, but its not in that range very long anyway. Its got a great torque and hp curve from 2000-4500, and I kid you not, this 14000# truck will push you into your seat once the engine revs past 2500. The Ford V10 has a great curve also, its just not "quite" as wide as the Chevy's. But most definitely a workhorse, too, as it puts out the same hp and torque as the 454. I couldn't really advise or say anything bad against either engine. Like you said, for a long long time, the Chevys and Fords have had similar power, and the Chevy's always got a little better mileage. Seems to still hold true today.
My 97 has 225 hp at 3,000 rpms. I am not sure when they went up the 10 extra horse power but I thought it was in 97 but not sure. The cummins that I was talking about was not the 24v it was pryer to that. But I do know of several people that are not happy with there 24v compared with there old cummins doesnt seem to have the same power. You say that youre fords are costing you a fortune well I guess everybody puts out a bad one once in a while but as for mine after 20,000 miles I have had 0 defects other than a recall on the front drive line. I also know of 2 others that 1 has 100,000 miles on a 95. Just replaced glow pluggs That is only problem. another that has over 200,000 miles no problems so far. My son works for a large used car lot in our area & has had several ford on his lot & I asked him why they dont get many dodge trucks in & he said the cummins is a great engine but everything around it is terrible. They have had several dodges trucks they picked up at the auction ( same place as the ford & chevy)for a while and they all had problems. Premature brake wear wipers would quite sometimes power windows quite, bearings in front on 4x4 wrn out horrible problems with auto.I have 3 people that I work with 1 has a d350 cummins really loves the cummins but has had to rebuild front end (4X4) with only 70,000 miles on the truck. The other 2 people have had there auto. go out in less than 50,000 miles one was behind 360 d1500 the other was a d2500 v10 & this was replaced twice in less than 100,000 miles. Neither person abuses his truck but they do use them. I do think the cummins is a great engine But I also think the ford is as good. The new psd has more power in 99 & with the six speed & the new auto they have it will tow about any combination you want.
need advice. I am driving a 93 Dodge 250, 5.9 Cummins diesel and pulling a 11,000 lb 5th wheel RV. Feels like the truck is being over burdened. Would like to upgrade to a 350 Ford or Dodge. Everything I have read has extremely good words for both vehicles. I would like to buy right the first time. Any suggestions?????
only problem, you really do not know how any truck will handle until you hook up your trailer. The ride of the Dodge 350 is great as is the Ford. But the real test is putting your rig behind each. I live just North of Branson, MO and trying to navigate the roads between Springfield and Branson will tax any truck. We plan to start doing some long trips to include mountains. I just want to be sure there is enough guts in the next truck to do the job.
Remember, your Cummins was rated at just 160 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. A Cummins with stick is now 235/460, and a Powerstroke is 235/500. That extra 75 horses will make a HUGE difference for you when you're at the top of the powerband, and the extra torque will get your trailer moving much better. It will come down to your own comfort and personal tastes as to which brand you pick.
Your biggest choice will actually be transmission, not engine or truck. If you don't mind clutching, both the ZF 6-speed in the Ford and the NVG5600 6-speed in the Dodge are overkill - they will handle any situation, and have excellent gear spacing.
I have satretd lookign at the F150 with ther V8 engine to use to pull a 5000 lb boat. Should I go with the heavy duty towign package or is that an added expense that the dealer is thrwoing into the picture. According to the charts the f150 V8 4.8 l can tow the weight. Curious about any one else who uses the F150 to tow boat.
Chris, By all means get the tow package.It includes the wireing harness, hitch receiver, trans cooler, heavy duty shocks, and sway bar. The F150 should be able to handle the boat with no problem. I would go with the 5.4 V8 though. If you don't you will wish you had. Mike
They have been killing me over in the dodge vs.chevy topic. If you love dodge and think that they are better than chevy please join me in bashing the chevy lovers in to non-existance :-)
We had a 95 Dodge 1500 club cab, 360 engine, auto, 3:55 rear. Just hiway driving got 20+, no BS. In town, solid 13. towing, 7 - 10, depending on conditions and speed. On fairly level towing there was no problem. Up long hills slowed, some gear downs on passes. With head-winds slowed, or used much more fuel. We towed a 26 ft. terry with a big frontal area, and this probably affected mileage more than the weight. towed alot in overdrive. In 3rd, it had quite a bit of power for towing. We now have a 99 Quad diesel, auto, 3:54 rear. Yet to find anything it will not kill in 3/rd gear! We debated between a V-10 and the diesel. Didn't take long to figure out the V-10 would eat us up in gas mileage empty.
Just back from my first test real drive of a Y2K Cummins Dodge 2500. Fords next, but first... Couple questions: What kind of real world difference is the 24 valve going to make? are they going to need adjusted more often than the previous models? is it really that much more efficient (having problems finding EPs on these) Second, the warranty. Cummins backs this for 100k. Thats all good, but the dealer I came from said that they'll take a 500k motor and recycle it. Now those arent rebuilt and put back into the lineup, are they?...Naw, they wouldnt do that, right?
The only dilemma in my buying decision is, of course, the Ford. The 2 guys I know that have them are leasing...and really dont care about warranties because they plan on throwing the fish back after 3 years...Would that V-8 Eat itself alive after 3 years of tuggin? probably not. How about after a 72 month adventure in Payments?!!!
Sounds like you've got the truck I'm leaning towards buying. I've done most of the research and ready to test drive the Dodge and Ford this weekend. I drive 10 miles to/from work 4 days a week and on weekends load up the 10'6" Bigfoot Camper and head up to fish the lakes - as high as 7500' elevation at times. In the winter, 2 1/2 months of duck hunting sometimes driving in muck, but no snow. My first choice (I think) - Y2K 350 SD V10, Supercab, 4X4, 4.1 LS. Any comments? Have you had any regrets about your choice in truck or options? What options would you recommend? Thanks!
Would appreciate a steer to information on turbo diesel fuel mileage data. Have spent nearly 2 days searching but can't find anything about 3500 series Chev, Dodge and Ford trucks. All I could find was a post from a Ram owner bitching about front wheel brake problems, who mentioned he was getting 21 mpg highway. No clue if that was with or without a load. Any help would be most appreciated.
No regrets about the truck choice. By the way, the l/s options with the V-10 is a 4.30, not the 4.10. The 4.30 will cost you about 2mpg compared to the 3.73. On another website, I saw some mpg figures from a guy who was carrying a 10'11" Bigfoot camper with a 99 Superduty and the diesel engine. He was averaging 13.5mpg with the camper on, which is about 4-5mpg better than I am averaging (8.5-9) with the same load.
I would definitely give the duallys serious consideration with that camper. In addition to adding 1,000+ pounds in payload capacity, it also eliminates alot of the sway. I'm very satisified with the ride with the camper on, but I still think I will put some Rancho adjustable shocks on next Spring.
The camper package is a must, as are the trailer tow mirrors. I'd also get the trailer tow package. Although I got the Class IV hitch option, I haven't done any towing with the camper on yet. It's my understanding that I will need to get a Class V hitch since my camper sticks out the back of my truck by about three feet. If you plan to tow with the camper on, you might check with a place that puts hitches on before you fork out any money to get the Class IV hitch option.
If you decide to consider the diesel, it's always worth giving the Dodge a good test drive. The guys with the Cummins swear by them. If you're definitely going with a gas engine, it wouldn't hurt to test drive a Chevy. I believe they are coming out with their redesigned 3/4 and 1 ton models. They've always made some good gas engines that tend to get a little better mpg than the comparable Ford models.
It's best to approach the purchase with an open mind. I openly admit to a Ford bias based on previous experience with Ford, so I haven't really given Dodge or Chevy serious consideration in the past. Ford likely has me as a customer until they sell me a bad truck or until one of the competitors clearly proves an advantage over Ford in the model truck I am looking at buying.
I took delivery last week of a 2000 model Ram 3500 dualy 4x4 with cummins engine. Took it for a 500 mile trip and just got back. At 70 mph I got 16.5 mpg. Dealer said this would improve once it was broke in good.
if you don,t have a tru diesel wy spend the time. I get 20 empty. I hall a 30 ft fifth wheel with atip-out .at 75 i avereage 12 per gal see if a power stroke can do that.
Hi, I don't know much about trucks at all. I am considering purchasing a truck because I need something to haul camping gear, gardening/landscaping supplies, lumber and furniture. I am considering the Dodge Ram 1500 V8 5.2L (or 5.9L) Quad Cab 61/2 ft bed or the F150 Extended Cab (both 1999). Any info or other suggestions?
The new issue of Trailer Life magazine has a road test with the new Dodge six speed manual tranny. They used a 3/4 ton truck and pulled a fifth wheel that exceeded the factory weight limits. The same magazine also has a road test of the excursion pulling a 10,000 pound conventional trailer for about 4,500 miles. I don't think the magazine is on the newstands yet, but it should be out soon.
A year ago, I bought a '96 Club Cab (5.2L) with 40K. I was sold on the looks and roominess. Once the truck hit 50K miles it was apparent that reliability was a big issue. The truck has the same problems I've seen posted here and other Ram sites. The truck problems are a loud bang/popping noise from the left front under braking, 1st to 2nd gear problems, driveshaft noise, driver seat shifts under braking. I will not buy another GGPS (gas guzzling piece of ----) from Dodge. Looks will only get you so far in a truck.
It is on the newsstand; I actually bought it last week. TL's usually objective, reliable reporting had one really bad flaw right in the beginning of the Ram test. They mentioned very early that the NVG5600 was the "first 6 speed manual in a standard pickup". Hmmmm. I guess the ZF 6 speed that Ford has used in the Super Duty line behind the Powerstroke since January of 1998 doesn't count, right?
I guess I might question how objective they are. They stroked the Excursion pretty good. I think they might have a bit of a Ford preference. That makes it, kind of, interesting why they would miss your point.
By the way, congrats on the Community Leadership. You're not just a moderator, you actually drive one of these things!
Thanks - this is actually the most fun part-time job I could ask for I can talk cars and trucks all day.
The most objective mag right now is Open Road, by the few truck freaks at Road & Track. It's strictly for vehicles with a driveshafft at both axles, but they are not the least bit afraid to say something is bad. They tested a Ram 2500 Cummins and a Ford F250SD Powerstroke last year, and it was the best comparison I've read in ages. Now if only they published it more than 4 times a year and offered subscriptions.
Can anyone bring me up to date w/ the future of Rangers, and Dakotas will Ford & Dodge follow suite after the Nissan Frontier 4 door and manufacter mid-size 4 door crew cab trucks? I'm planning on buying a new truck in the next 6 - 12 months and if Ford & Dodge are planning to introduce this type of option maybe I'll just wait. thanks
The Dakota Quad Cab (full 4 door crew cab body style) will begin production in just a few months. Click here for more info. I happen to like the Dak over the Frontier in this configuration simply because the Dak has some bed space between the Cab and the wheelwell - if you look at the Frontier, the cab cut actually interrupts the body flare of the rear wheelwell.
my dodge 2500 4x4 (360) quadcab couldnt get out of its own way in the mountains this weekend, meanwhile the diesels where pulling fifth wheels in the passing lane. I rarely tow more than 2k should i fork out the cash for the cummins or look at the v10's. $4600 will buy alot of gas but i dont want to find myself at the dealer again next year.
I have a 99 QC 4x4 w/Cummins Auto 3.54LS. I tow a 6K# trailer through the mountains of KY on a regular basis. Things to consider when deciding between the Cummins Diesel and the V10...
I got 14mpg towing on the interstate and with a 35gal tank, I can go 490 miles before fillup. I'm "guess-timating" that the V10 would only get around 7mpg towing. That's only 245 miles per tank full.
Not every gas station sell diesel and most of the ones that do, locate their diesel pumps off to the side. It seems like I'm always "positioned" the wrong way (with my trailer behind me) to get to the pump. The plus side to this... I've become a pro at backing a trailer around corners!!!
If you drive the truck for every day use, will the "rattle" of the diesel bother you? I can't go through the fast food drive thru anymore because they can't hear me!!!
I've been told in these postings that it's not good to turn a diesel on and off a lot (e.g. quick run to the carry-out).
All-in-all, I like the truck. The diesel takes some getting used to, but I still prefer it over the V10. My only two complaints... I wish I had the 4:10 diff instead of the 3:54 and the Auto Trans. needs a 5 speed auto instead of the current 4 speed that was designed for the V10 and not the Cummins.
All this talk about diesel vs gas is to much. The same things are being said over and over. In a nut shell if your going to own your truck for a long period of time ie; 4or more years and tow heavy loads frequently then diesel is the way to go. If your ride is more for pleasure than work go gas. Believe me I've tried both and the noise of a rattling diesel is something you can't hide. I personaly agonized over my last purchase for quite awhile. I needed a truck with space(quad cab)that I could drive every day to work in comfort. But I also own a 5th wheel that weighs in at 95k loaded. I eliminated the Ford based on engine noise and cost. This left me with Dodge(I considered Chevy/GMC but just didn't like em.)which wasn't to hard of a choice seeing as I had previously owned a 94' RAM 1500 w/5.9L 2WD that served me well. When I factored in the average miles per year I would put on the truck would not exceed 10K, I figured the extra 4K for the diesel would be hard to justify. I finally bought a 99' 2500 quad cab 4WD w/5.9L SB automatic. I have pulled the camper four times and have found the engine/tranny do very well at about 60 mph. The gas mileage locally is about 12, towing is about 9.5 mpg. It's a matter of individual choice and how much you want to spend. I specd. mine with a special request 3.73 gears. Most sales people dont know what is available but service managers do. I've had mine for 9 months now with no problems and a whole lot of enjoyment. And I can still use the drive thru's.
good things to think about however when the dealership told me they would give me 19k on trade (for my 98 no door dings polished every weekend, synthetic oil only snug topped, everything but leather SLT 4x4 with only 11,400 miles) I burnt all bridges and told them to kiss my @%#. I plan to swap my gears to 4.56 and take my beating at the gas pump, what two less mpg's when your only getting 11...
anyone heard when the Ford y2k's will actually be available for order... how long to build? we're looking at DRW, anti-slip, (probably SWB), 4X4, F350, diesel, 6 speed with 4.1 axle(s) and doubt if we'd be finding this thing at a dealership fully loaded (Lariat). btw, all these postings have really helped in the decision making process & our only real concern is the actual height of the truck bed from the ground (as we'll be pulling a 10k 5th wheel country wide & the time to determine whether or not the thing "fits" is of course, b4 we order a rather expensive vehicle.
we'll also look at Dodge but am concerned about the lack of "real" beef of chassis, drive train components. we will, however, have-a-look. don't know what happened to Chevy... but we've a '92 2500 and had nothing but problems (just after the 3 year warranty decided to expire... those engineer's are truly amazing... the "plastic" parts last JUST long enough!). Chevy's really got to do something BIG to pique our interest. they seem to have completely missed it in regards to serving the larger RV rig requirements of towing that have come to pass these past few years. we also personally don't believe that any new design ought to be purchased in the 1st model year of availablity (& especially at these rather ludicrous price levels)... sorry GM.
Lets not forget rontor that cummins is 51% owned by FORD. I do like the Dodge for being a hauler but FORDS are by far the leaders in the truck industry. Next time you are at a intersection look around and see what thier is most of...there is a reason for that. FORD also has the fastest truck out and the most models to choose from.
Ford owned less than 10% of Cummins between 1993 and 1997. It was strictly to solidify their relationship with Cummins because Ford used Cummins engines in their heavy trucks. When they sold that line to Freightliner, they also sold back their stock to Cummins. They have never, nor do they have any intention of owning 51% of the company. Cummins has no intention of selling 51% of their company. Whoever told you this has lied to you. Click here for the CORRECT information.
kcram Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference (who is just dying to know where this rumor came from, as it has been around for YEARS, and really wishes it would go away...)
I'm new to this forum and don't know too much about trucks. I've been doing a lot of research on the net and have narrowed my choice to the above two. When I actually went and looked at the two I was a bit intimidated by the Dodge's front end. How is it to drive and park? Do you sit high enough that you can see over the hood? I would appreciate any pros and cons concerning both trucks. Thanks. T.
Tell us a little more about why you want a truck - hauling / towing / looking cool blah blah blah. You know the kind of stuff.
Also remember you have to make your own mind up, people will tell you both trucks are great / crap / not worth the sheet metal they're made with / worth their weight in gold etc.
That said you will get a lot of info, but if you can tell us a little more specifically why you want / need a truck we can target the info to those reasons.
For instance I have no problems with the dodge front end - but I'm 6'2".
As far as parking or whether you sit high enough, you can check both of those items out on the test drive. I would consider a 1/2 ton truck easy to park compared to my current 1 ton dually and my previous 3/4HD. However, if you've been parking a compact car, it will probably take some getting used to.
Like Andy said, if you give a little more info, you will probably get more useful information, especially in regards to engine size and axle ratios. Both of those impact mpg, power and towing ability.
We are looking for a truck that can tow fifth wheel trailers, 13,000 lbs plus. Mostly highway miles. From reading all the postings, we are looking at a Dodge, 4x4,quad,desiel,6sp. The question is which axle? is the 4:10 that much worse on fuel than the 3:54? Most of our trailer towing is 50/50. Also, we're confused as to the "little" items to request from the dealer that are NOT in the brochure. Is the ford SD PS basically the same fuel consumption? Should we wait for the new GM? email:mclennan@compusmart.ab.ca
Comments
Fully loaded I'm carrying 8,000 lbs. My 1997 Yukon just will not do the job(burned up the clutches in the rear end) I will let my wife drive the truck to and rom work( 2 miles) and only use the truck when I go fishing. I'll probably tow the boat 25 times per year. I really like the 4-door which means Ford is the one. I'm thinking v-10 since it is quieter and most of the driving will be only 2-4 miles/day in town(so I'm not too concerned about gas mileage)The 3.73 with the limited slip seems right for my application since this really isn't a work truck and most the ramps I use are pretty good. Im also thinking automatic with the v-10, just for the convience. Finally, the F-250 seems adequate for my needs. Can someone help this fishing fool out on his truck needs? F-250 vs f-350/ V-10 vs diesel( anyone know of any problems with the v-10), rear end??/ any help would be appreciated. Ask about info on Ponce Inlet fishing, Cedar Key, Jupiter Inlet, I'll be glad to share w/ you
Thanks
Skipper of " The End of The Line "
Good Luck...
I think the Ford is a more stable towing platform than the Chevy: 10 years newer chassis.
hope this helps
Eric G
If the numbers you quote are accurate (14,000 pounds, 4.56 gears, 10mpg), your dad gets better mpg than the Ford V-10. With my camper on, my 99 SD V-10 weighs 12,000 pounds. With the 4.30, I get 8.5-9 at 60-65. I just made a 450 mile round trip this weekend, including a climb through a good size mountain pass, and averaged 8.7. I could probably get right around 10 on flat roads at 55 mph.
From what you indicate, the 454 gets better mpg carrying more weight with a lower axle ratio. I'll admit, that's pretty impressive.
Before I bought the truck, I expected 10-12 empty and 8-10 with a load. Those estimates were right on. I will admit that the numbers I've been hearing with the 3.73 are higher than I expected. Then again, I'm not sure I believe all of those numbers. One guy said he was getting 16mpg. I'll buy 14, but not much higher. Regardless, because of the load I haul, anything taller than the 4.+ was never really an option.
I had the 351 in my 92 F-250HD 4x4 with the 3.55. I had friends that had similar year Chevys with the 350. They always got a litte better mpg than I did. The best I ever did was close to 15 on the hwy. I think I had a tail wind. My average hwy was a little over 14.
well the numbers are pretty much what I quoted. He does a lot of long highway, flat land driving in South Texas. In overdrive at 70 mph, I think its turning about 2200 rpm (don't quote me). If he does a bunch of shorter trips (5-30 mile variety), then he gets about 8-9 mpg. But most of his driving is the long stuff. I know he's pulled a couple of big trailers that pushed the total combination weight over 20K, but i never asked him if he checked mileage.
The 454 is an old engine platform (like Dodge), but its got the newest combustion technology working for it (unlike Dodge). It has an incredible powerband. This thing will outrun a powerstroke in the same weight truck from a dead stop. the 454 doesn't have the diesel's torque below 2000 rpms, but its not in that range very long anyway. Its got a great torque and hp curve from 2000-4500, and I kid you not, this 14000# truck will push you into your seat once the engine revs past 2500. The Ford V10 has a great curve also, its just not "quite" as wide as the Chevy's. But most definitely a workhorse, too, as it puts out the same hp and torque as the 454. I couldn't really advise or say anything bad against either engine. Like you said, for a long long time, the Chevys and Fords have had similar power, and the Chevy's always got a little better mileage. Seems to still hold true today.
I do think the cummins is a great engine But I also think the ford is as good. The new psd has more power in 99 & with the six speed & the new auto they have it will tow about any combination you want.
Mike
clinton
Remember, your Cummins was rated at just 160 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. A Cummins with stick is now 235/460, and a Powerstroke is 235/500. That extra 75 horses will make a HUGE difference for you when you're at the top of the powerband, and the extra torque will get your trailer moving much better. It will come down to your own comfort and personal tastes as to which brand you pick.
Your biggest choice will actually be transmission, not engine or truck. If you don't mind clutching, both the ZF 6-speed in the Ford and the NVG5600 6-speed in the Dodge are overkill - they will handle any situation, and have excellent gear spacing.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
Chris
Couple questions: What kind of real world difference is the 24 valve going to make? are they going to need adjusted more often than the previous models? is it really that much more efficient (having problems finding EPs on these)
Second, the warranty. Cummins backs this for 100k. Thats all good, but the dealer I came from said that they'll take a 500k motor and recycle it. Now those arent rebuilt and put back into the lineup, are they?...Naw, they wouldnt do that, right?
The only dilemma in my buying decision is, of course, the Ford. The 2 guys I know that have them are leasing...and really dont care about warranties because they plan on throwing the fish back after 3 years...Would that V-8 Eat itself alive after 3 years of tuggin? probably not. How about after a 72 month adventure in Payments?!!!
Sounds like you've got the truck I'm leaning towards buying. I've done most of the research and ready to test drive the Dodge and Ford this weekend. I drive 10 miles to/from work 4 days a week and on weekends load up the 10'6" Bigfoot Camper and head up to fish the lakes - as high as 7500' elevation at times. In the winter, 2 1/2 months of duck hunting sometimes driving in muck, but no snow. My first choice (I think) - Y2K 350 SD V10, Supercab, 4X4, 4.1 LS. Any comments? Have you had any regrets about your choice in truck or options? What options would you recommend?
Thanks!
I would definitely give the duallys serious consideration with that camper. In addition to adding 1,000+ pounds in payload capacity, it also eliminates alot of the sway. I'm very satisified with the ride with the camper on, but I still think I will put some Rancho adjustable shocks on next Spring.
The camper package is a must, as are the trailer tow mirrors. I'd also get the trailer tow package. Although I got the Class IV hitch option, I haven't done any towing with the camper on yet. It's my understanding that I will need to get a Class V hitch since my camper sticks out the back of my truck by about three feet. If you plan to tow with the camper on, you might check with a place that puts hitches on before you fork out any money to get the Class IV hitch option.
If you decide to consider the diesel, it's always worth giving the Dodge a good test drive. The guys with the Cummins swear by them. If you're definitely going with a gas engine, it wouldn't hurt to test drive a Chevy. I believe they are coming out with their redesigned 3/4 and 1 ton models. They've always made some good gas engines that tend to get a little better mpg than the comparable Ford models.
It's best to approach the purchase with an open mind. I openly admit to a Ford bias based on previous experience with Ford, so I haven't really given Dodge or Chevy serious consideration in the past. Ford likely has me as a customer until they sell me a bad truck or until one of the competitors clearly proves an advantage over Ford in the model truck I am looking at buying.
I get 20 empty. I hall a 30 ft fifth wheel with atip-out .at 75 i avereage 12 per gal see if a power stroke can do that.
5.2L (or 5.9L) Quad Cab 61/2 ft bed or the F150 Extended Cab (both 1999). Any info or other suggestions?
It is on the newsstand; I actually bought it last week. TL's usually objective, reliable reporting had one really bad flaw right in the beginning of the Ram test. They mentioned very early that the NVG5600 was the "first 6 speed manual in a standard pickup". Hmmmm. I guess the ZF 6 speed that Ford has used in the Super Duty line behind the Powerstroke since January of 1998 doesn't count, right?
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
By the way, congrats on the Community Leadership. You're not just a moderator, you actually drive one of these things!
Thanks - this is actually the most fun part-time job I could ask for
The most objective mag right now is Open Road, by the few truck freaks at Road & Track. It's strictly for vehicles with a driveshafft at both axles, but they are not the least bit afraid to say something is bad. They tested a Ram 2500 Cummins and a Ford F250SD Powerstroke last year, and it was the best comparison I've read in ages. Now if only they published it more than 4 times a year and offered subscriptions.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
Only two choices folks.....
Ford or Dodge?
GM is lost in never never land...out to lunch I say...the big sleep...cheap, cheap, cheap.......
we could argue Ford or Dodge all day long, but Chevy? Why bother? Not in the same class!
Of course that's just MY OPINION, you all are entitled to it!
The Dakota Quad Cab (full 4 door crew cab body style) will begin production in just a few months. Click here for more info. I happen to like the Dak over the Frontier in this configuration simply because the Dak has some bed space between the Cab and the wheelwell - if you look at the Frontier, the cab cut actually interrupts the body flare of the rear wheelwell.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
I have a 99 QC 4x4 w/Cummins Auto 3.54LS. I tow a 6K# trailer through the mountains of KY on a regular basis. Things to consider when deciding between the Cummins Diesel and the V10...
I got 14mpg towing on the interstate and with a 35gal tank, I can go 490 miles before fillup. I'm "guess-timating" that the V10 would only get around 7mpg towing. That's only 245 miles per tank full.
Not every gas station sell diesel and most of the ones that do, locate their diesel pumps off to the side. It seems like I'm always "positioned" the wrong way (with my trailer behind me) to get to the pump. The plus side to this... I've become a pro at backing a trailer around corners!!!
If you drive the truck for every day use, will the "rattle" of the diesel bother you? I can't go through the fast food drive thru anymore because they can't hear me!!!
I've been told in these postings that it's not good to turn a diesel on and off a lot (e.g. quick run to the carry-out).
All-in-all, I like the truck. The diesel takes some getting used to, but I still prefer it over the V10. My only two complaints... I wish I had the 4:10 diff instead of the 3:54 and the Auto Trans. needs a 5 speed auto instead of the current 4 speed that was designed for the V10 and not the Cummins.
Good luck...
Brett
If your ride is more for pleasure than work go gas. Believe me I've tried both and the noise of a rattling diesel is something you can't hide.
I personaly agonized over my last purchase for quite awhile. I needed a truck with space(quad cab)that I could drive every day to work in comfort. But I also own a 5th wheel that weighs in at 95k loaded. I eliminated the Ford based on engine noise and cost. This left me with Dodge(I considered Chevy/GMC but just didn't like em.)which wasn't to hard of a choice seeing as I had previously owned a 94' RAM 1500 w/5.9L 2WD that served me well. When I factored in the average miles per year I would put on the truck would not exceed 10K, I figured the extra 4K for the diesel would be hard to justify. I finally bought a 99' 2500 quad cab 4WD w/5.9L SB automatic. I have pulled the camper four times and have found the engine/tranny do very well at about 60 mph. The gas mileage locally is about 12, towing is about 9.5 mpg. It's a matter of individual choice and how much you want to spend. I specd. mine with a special request 3.73 gears. Most sales people dont know what is available but service managers do. I've had mine for 9 months now with no problems and a whole lot of enjoyment. And I can still use the drive thru's.
good things to think about however when the dealership told me they would give me 19k on trade (for my 98 no door dings polished every weekend, synthetic oil only snug topped, everything but leather SLT 4x4 with only 11,400 miles) I burnt all bridges and told them to kiss my @%#. I plan to swap my gears to 4.56 and take my beating at the gas pump, what two less mpg's when your only getting 11...
we'll also look at Dodge but am concerned about the lack of "real" beef of chassis, drive train components. we will, however, have-a-look. don't know what happened to Chevy... but we've a '92 2500 and had nothing but problems (just after the 3 year warranty decided to expire... those engineer's are truly amazing... the "plastic" parts last JUST long enough!). Chevy's really got to do something BIG to pique our interest. they seem to have completely missed it in regards to serving the larger RV rig requirements of towing that have come to pass these past few years. we also personally don't believe that any new design ought to be purchased in the 1st model year of availablity (& especially at these rather ludicrous price levels)... sorry GM.
Ford owned less than 10% of Cummins between 1993 and 1997. It was strictly to solidify their relationship with Cummins because Ford used Cummins engines in their heavy trucks. When they sold that line to Freightliner, they also sold back their stock to Cummins. They have never, nor do they have any intention of owning 51% of the company. Cummins has no intention of selling 51% of their company. Whoever told you this has lied to you. Click here for the CORRECT information.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
(who is just dying to know where this rumor came from, as it has been around for YEARS, and really wishes it would go away...)
Thanks.
T.
Also remember you have to make your own mind up, people will tell you both trucks are great / crap / not worth the sheet metal they're made with / worth their weight in gold etc.
That said you will get a lot of info, but if you can tell us a little more specifically why you want / need a truck we can target the info to those reasons.
For instance I have no problems with the dodge front end - but I'm 6'2".
Like Andy said, if you give a little more info, you will probably get more useful information, especially in regards to engine size and axle ratios. Both of those impact mpg, power and towing ability.
The question is which axle? is the 4:10 that much worse on fuel than the 3:54?
Most of our trailer towing is 50/50.
Also, we're confused as to the "little" items to request from the dealer that are NOT in the brochure.
Is the ford SD PS basically the same fuel consumption?
Should we wait for the new GM?
email:mclennan@compusmart.ab.ca