Let's get this out of the way: I bleed Ford blue. I've been a Ford fan my whole life and will always be. My daily driver is '79 F150 and my wife drives an '02 Explorer. I grew up with late 70's model Ford trucks - best trucks ever made. I've owned a '95 F150, and 2 '97 F150s.

However, I've been looking into a newer truck and find myself gravitating to the '99-01 Dodge!

Here's what I'm looking for:
- 4x4 with a Straight axle in the front (or the venerable Ford TTB)
- Push rod V8 gasser
- 4-door extended cab
- Short box

So I'm left with only a couple of choices: a '97 and earlier F250 Crew Cab with a 460, or a Dodge.

Please, someone tell me I'm not crazy for considering a Dodge?!

 

Your not crazy for considering a dodge. I kinda am. you can get a base model ram for 14,000, or a base model ford for 16. I was lookin at a 05 dakota with the 4.7 v8 and 6 speed, and it was like 15,000 or so after the rebates and whatnot. That thing would get up and go! I also cought myself wondering why i would get a dodge. Well the late 90's dodge V8's prolly get the same gas mileage as a efi 460, so whatever floats your boat i guess.

 

94-01 dodge ram 1/2 tons were the only trucks that still used SFA during that time before switching to IFS in 02. I to admit that those years, Dodge rams looked good in appearance wise "IMO".

 

I'm in a similar boat as you. In all honesty the Dodge is a very reliable truck, and with any other truck out there it does have its share of faults. All in all, I've noticed some benefits to the 94-01 Dodges- SFA with coils,if you want the front end to stiffen up for plows, winch's etc. The 2500&3500 springs are a direct replacement. I've talked to plenty of guys that put the Diesel springs in their 1500's and it evens out the trucks level and really stiffens up the front end. Pushrod engines- very easy to fix, and very cheap to fix. Also, very easy to modify as the 318/360 have been around for a long time and has built up an aftermarket. I personally won't go back to the 97 and earlier Fords as I've owned 3 of them and personally feel they are very underpowered and have the most unreliable tranny ever produced-E4OD. They are easy to work on, but seemingly always have small things going wrong. I could always drive my F150's or Bronco with the small problems, but they became a nuisance. The front end also was a pain because if you replaced one bushing or any front end piece, it would affect the overall handling of the truck. And replacing some of those bushings is like going to h*ll and never coming back. These are Just my opinions though. Good luck on your decision.

 

Based on my brother's and my friends' Dodges, you need to own a gas station to feed them. The 318 is bad but the 360s are worse. They are dependable but thirsty.

 

The Dodge is known for its weak auto tranny as well. We had a 98 and put six transmissions in it before 250K. a new tranny every 40K is just a bit ridculous.

 

I had a 96 Ram 1500 Club cab short bed 4x4 with the 360 for 8 years, I just sold it about 6 months ago. It had 140,000 miles on it and never had one tranny problem. It was one of the most reliable trucks I have ever had and I have owned Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota trucks. I drove it hard but kept it maintained well. I had to replace both front hub bearings on it over that time and thats about it other than the usual oil, filters, tires, and brakes. I never got great milage, it averaged out around 12-13 no matter what but on long trips I could get up to 16 though. The 360 is a good motor but what kills them is the gearing, 3.55's. Most of the Ram guy's will swap in 4.56's to fix that. OR take the 360 and build a 408 stroker with it
The small block Mopar's are not the cheapest when it comes to add on's and rebuilds compared to the Chevy's.

 

If their trucks are anything like cars - I wouldn't buy it. I have 1997 Intrepid 3.5l, its junk ready for junkyard at 90,000 miles.

 

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Stay away from dodge they are the worst to many bad stories to tell just keep away stick with Ford or GM.

 

I have a question first?
- 4x4 with a Straight axle in the front (or the venerable Ford TTB)
I would too..
- 4-door extended cab
- Short box
Fair enough
- Push rod V8 gasser
This one has me bemused. I understand its what you are after - it is your choice - just curious as to why a push rod V8?

 

Oh your not crazy for thinking about a Dodge. The thought off a gas guzzling truck an a truck eats transmisions is not appealing. A friend off mine is a diehard Ford guy an bought a Dodge. He didnt have that too long. The thing literally fell apart on him. If it wasnt one thing it was another. He went back to Ford an never looked back. BTW my 96 F-150 with the E40d transmission has over 130,000 miles with no problems. Still shifting as smooth as it did when new. Im as loyal as ti gets. If you see me in a truck it will be in a Ford truck. Ive had 8 new Ford trucks over the years an no problems with any off them. No reason to switch. I doubt if Dodge could match that record. My advice is stick with Ford.

 

I'm asuming because its probably an easier engine for him to work on/understand. Coming from an older truck, he probably feels more comfortable staying with the pushrod engine. Plus, they are going to be cheaper/easier to fix than an OHC engine.
This is obviously your decision, and you should make a post like this at a Dodge truck forum so you can get both sides-obviously Ford owners are going to put down a Dodge and tell horrific stories about their friends, but those stories don't represent the population as a whole. I've personally owned many Fords and loved them, yes they gave me problems, but they were very reliable overall. I've also owned a Ram which also gave me no troubles-I too have friends with both- 1 is a Ford Tech and owns an 02 Ram 1500 4.7 Quad Cab and says he loves it without any problems etc, the other is a graphic design guy who has an 01 Ext. Cab 5.2 and loves it except the lack of power. I also have a buddy with a 91 F150 Nite who hates it, has been through 3 engines, a new tranny, and a new transfer case-he beats the crap out of it.His father owns a 97 F350 7.3 diesel and the only thing he has done was some front end work and a new oil pan-He uses it to plow for the town with a 9' blade, and all winter long drives with a 1000lb slab of metal in the bed, and still gets 18-19mpg, he's had no other troubles. I have another friend with a 93 Bronco 5.8 who beats it and its been through 1 tranny, everything else has been fine. This doesn't represent everyone because I never had any of these problems with my 92 bronco or my 94 F150 or my 97 Ram short bed regular cab 5.9.

 

First, thanks for all the input!

The reason I would rather have a push rod V8, like bigbluebronco said, is its simplicity. It is easier to work on, has more after market parts, and can be built up easier (and cheaper!). I had a '97 F150 with a 5.4 liter - ever do something as simple as change the sparks plugs on that motor? Or how about change the oil filter without the remote oil-filter kit?

I've considered the '97 and later Super Duty. However, I'm not a fan of the V10 (to me, the 460 is a superior motor) and have no need for the diesel.

Anyway, thanks again for all the input. I'm still weighing my options and am not sure I can bring myself to buy a Dodge.

 

Chrysler transmissions from my friends family:
3 in a 96 Caravan with about 120k
a 97 Ram 1500 with a 360 at 143k (right after he bought his Cummins 6-speed) probably the longest-lasting Chrysler OD tranny I've seen.
an 01 Ram 1500 360 at 58K (2 weeks after it was bought)
P.S. none of these were abused. These are under normal driving conditions.

Also, my co-worker has an 02 Intrepid that reverse gear might as well have jumped out of the case at under 100k. I know it's not a truck, but it's still a Chrysler tranny.
Seeing them go through 6 transmissions in the 6 years I've known him, each at nearly $1000 each, if not more, is enough to make up my mind. Personally, I won't own any Chrysler with an auto; I've seen too many broke down. In my search for a new truck, I don't shy away from Dodges b/c Cummins, but if I look in the window and see a shift lever on the steering column, I move on.