Hello,

As you can see from my username, I have been a Chrysler man for some time, having owned and built several late '60s musclecars. These days I drive a '96 2500 Ram with the V10, which I bought new. The truck has lots of power and has been very reliable. But I do have 2 complaints. First, the gas mileage is only 10 mpg. Second, I now have a son, with another on the way and I really want an extended cab or crew-style cab.

So I will soon be in the market for either a Dodge or a Ford, probably 3-4 years old. The cost of a new truck is just too much, especially when you consider how much value they lose in the first couple of years. The key features I will look for are: 3/4 ton or better, extended cab, 4x4, and diesel engine. I want the diesel because I live in a mountainous area, drive lots of highway miles, and want better fuel economy. I also would like the extra torque of the diesel when I use the truck for work.

I would appreciate any advice you can give me about the pros & cons of the Ford vs the Dodge. I have heard some say that the Cummins is a stronger, simpler engine, and I have also heard some say the Ford is a better truck. Personally I have no complaints about the quality of the Dodge truck, but I don't have 200K miles on it, either. Brand loyalty aside, I am very much interested in hearing feedback about these topics. I intend to keep this truck for a long time, and I don't want the truck to fall apart long before the engine does, or vice-versa.

Thanks!

Doug

 

Sounds like you need a 1999 F250 crew cab (long bed?) 4x4 with PS diesel. I live in Colorado and there are TONS of them. If I had to pick between the Cummins or PS, I'd pick the Cummins, BUT as far as a truck goes, Ford all around is a stronger truck than the rest. I don't have specifics, I just have owned a Dodge 1500 and 2500, and had a F250, now a 150... the reliability of a powerstroke is the same as a cummins.

 

I would have to say I was torn between the two just like you were, honestly I went to the Dodge Dealership first and was expecting to drive one home. Did a lot of research, specs don't roll off the tounge anymore. Personally, I think where the PS lacks it makes up for in reliability. One thing that the F250 has on its side it versatility, when you start to upgrade in power and size with Dodge you can literally watch the dollars go up and the mpg go down, which means its really gonna cost you more in the end for a truck that isn't really all that great. Although they are roomier. Not only that the Powerstroke rocks!