I’m interested in your opinions on these 2 popular pickup trucks. I’ve gone back and forth between them. I know they’re available in a wide variety of engine and trim styles, so just include what year, trim (if you know) and engine size.
I’ll be using it for camping and carrying bulky items. I’d like to have something that is comfortable enough for day to day commuting on a very short commute, doesn’t guzzle gas, and doesn’t cost a fortune to repair.
I’m probably going to buy a recently used 2008-2011 model.
It will be replacing a 2006 Dodge Dakota.
If you’ve got another full size pickup to recommend, such as the Toyota Tundra or another, feel free to state your opinion as well.
IMHO as a long-time truck owner, I don’t think there is a quality concern with either the 1500 Dodge or the F150 Ford. However, generally speaking I think your research will reveal the Fords get better mileage. This assumes, of course the engines are similar (6 cyl/8 cyl). Regardless of which you choose, make sure there’s plent of warranty left. There are some great deals out there on used/late model 1/2 ton trucks. Autotrader.com is a great place to get a feel for the market.
Depending on what year you get, the engine and transmission options are going to be wildly different. In 2008 the Fords were mostly on 4 speed autos and 5 speed manuals, while the Dodge was on a mix of 4 and 5 speed autos and a 6 speed manual depending on engine. It probably helps if you have a look at the market, decide what your choices are and narrow it down beforehand, because describing each one would take a while, especially since everything has changed up a lot since 2008 as well.
The major difference that I can spot between either is that the from 2009 onwards the Ram sits on coil springs and a 5 link Panhard rod rear suspension, similar to a Mustang or SUV, while the Ford sits on leaf springs. The Ram setup has been universally acclaimed by all the magazines and reviewers as offering superior ride and handling over its leaf spring competitors with no downsides. People also like the Ram Box option, which are lockable storage boxes on the sides of the bed. Generally speaking the Ram’s 5.7l HEMI engine is superior to the Ford’s 4.6l OHC, but Ford’s new 3.7l V6 is superior to the Dodge V6, it all depends on the year really.
In terms of safety, the Ford does slightly better than the Dodge depending on cab/bed choice (crew/quadcabs are quite a bit better, single cabs about the same), but neither are particularly good - GM’s trucks are actually much better than both in this aspect.
I recently spent a few months evaluating those two half-tons, along with the Toyota and Chevrolet models. I was trading down from a crew-cab 1-ton* and wanted something smaller and more comfortable (along with better mileage). IIRC, my research showed the Toyota as the winner on reliability, with the Chevy leading the pack on fuel efficiency. Also, I should point out that the differences were pretty minor. Best I can tell, they’re all very good trucks.
One difference you may not have noticed is the changes in bed dimensions and height. I was trying to match an already purchased 5th wheel trailer and found the bed/height changes were a deal-breaker. I already had the hitch, and didn’t want to change the suspension on my trailer(s) to keep things level. The Dodge was the only truck that maintained the older bed dimensions. All the others had raised the sides of the bed to a point that made them (imo) unusable. When you look at the trucks again, try placing a small object in the bed, near the edge. For me, the Dodge was the only one in which I could retrieve a tool from the bed without climbing up on the bumper.
I should also point out that the Dodge has coil springs and the ride was more like my Lincoln than my old truck.
The depths of the new truck beds are as follows (bed floor to top of bed rail, according to my tape measure):
Chevrolet- 21.2"
Dodge-20.2"
Toyota-22.2"
The heights of the top of the bed rail from the ground (all 4WD, btw) are:
Chevrolet-54.5
Dodge-55
Toyota-56
An inch or two doesn’t seem like much, but unless you’re an Orangutan, it could make the difference between reaching into your truck bed, or climbing onto the bumper every time you need to retrieve something.
I don’t know if this aspect matters to you, but I thought I’d point it out.
I bought the Dodge 1500 quadcab, 5.7L (w tow package). Real world mileage is 18 combined, 21 highway.
Sorry, I should also point out that I ruled out the F150 early in the game due to its excessive height. I’ve got to run to an appointment, but I’ll try later to compile a list of what I don’t like about the Dodge, now that I’ve had it a few months. This info could be useful to you as well.
Sometimes, owners’ dislikes can be more informative than their ‘likes’. As promised, here’s what gripes me about the Dodge.
Sunvisors are too small. There’s an overhead ‘console’ that takes up the middle of the ceiling (headliner?) and in order for everything to fit, the sunvisors are unusually short. This is a pain when the sun is in the side window(s).
At night the headlights don’t illuminate very much to the sides. I find it difficult to turn confidently at night (I’m talking about moving slow and trying to turn into a driveway). They’re quite adequate for straight ahead, but my former truck gave me a little better glimpse into turns.
The radio/clock display is difficult to read, the numbers are too small and the clock and CD time counter actually switch places at different times (I haven’t figured out the logic yet, but it’s irritating).
When in tow/haul mode, shifts are pretty “sudden” for lack of a better term. You can really feel the hard shift going from first to second to third. This doesn’t happen when in normal mode (and not towing).
All the other trucks I tested had a dampener for the tailgate. You could just open it and allow it to fall. Some sort of gizmo slowed things so it would open smoothly and not bang down. The Dodge doesn’t have this and there have been several times when I’m struggling with a toolbox and would prefer to just let go the tailgate.
The headrests are of the modern “tilt the driver’s head so far forward that his neck hurts” design. This is true of all new vehicles I suppose. In my test drives, I found that all the trucks except the Toyota had uncomfortably “forward” headrests. I’ve since turned them around backwards so that I can drive comfortably.
The mechanism for lowering the spare is bewildering, and the instructions are pretty vague. I always practice changing a tire when I get a new vehicle, since a dark rainy night is not the place to figure out how it works. It took me awhile to figure out how to assemble and use the multi-piece rod that cranks everything down. Also, instead of a built-in spare-tire lock that fits your truck key, the Dodge just has a cable and a padlock. Woe to the person who loses his padlock key.
None of these are really dealbreakers, but I thought I’d pass them on for your use.
On the plus side, it rides and tows like a dream. I pull some pretty heavy loads, right at the upper tow limit, and the Dodge handles it well, even in 100+ heat.
It’s got more ponies on paper but there isn’t much of a difference in torque which is what trucks need. It does get better fuel economy because Ford has 6 speed trannies across the board while the other base V6s are still on 4 speeds. However base V6 Ford is also much more expensive than the other base V6s, for the starting price of the V6 Ford you could be getting a Dodge with the Hemi.
