heath
because you have an '09 dodge ram ,speak up then. Why is everybody ignorant? And dont bring your aerostar into the equation

 

I have to disagree with Dwrestle a tad on the interior of the Ram insofar as crew cab. Have you guys noticed in Ram's commercials they say they have built their first true "crew cab"? I had to drive a rental Ram 1500 and in comparison to my Screw FX4 the interior seemed like a shoe box vs. the Ford's interior rear. I'm sure it wasn't this new true "crew cab" but that's all Dodge had before this scramble to keep up with Ford. As to HeathK2003, I disagree with you completely. Must have a Dodge and are nervous since you're keeping an eye on the Leader...Ford F-150.

 

Well I have actually only seen pictures of the interior of the newest Ram 1500, but the 02+ body style Dodge makes me feel small(so does the 97-04 Ford), and I'm a fat sombich so I just figured the newest ones would too. I do like the look of the interior on the Ram though. I think my 3 favorite truck interiors(1/2 ton) that I have actually sat in are the 02-08 Dodge trucks, the 97-04 F-150, and 95+ Chevy.

 

I think Dodge did an excellent job redesigning their 2009 1500. They made HUGE strides in safety. Check out their front framing in front of the engine. Hmm, looks like they learned from the 04 F150 design and added in some of their own tweaks. I am not fond of the coil rear of the Dodge. As someone said earlier, it was made for people who drive a truck to drive a truck. It gives an very good ride. However, if use the truck for what a truck is supposed to be used for (ie, you load it) the ride turns to crap. My 2010 F150. The unloaded ride is ok, but you load it, and it smooths the ride out. If I was EVER to buy anything Chrysler, it would be their new designed trucks. I wouldnt have ever even looked at them in the past because of crappy reliability. I can't wait until the 6.2 is put into the F150. For years FOrd has been the upper end engine weakling in the half ton arena. I think that is about to change.

 

I think Ford will always have the best all round truck, and most likely the most heavy duty trucks, but they will most likely always be on the short end when it comes to horse power. When it comes to Dodge I perfer the 03-08 models, or 7?-93. I think as soon as Ford comes out with a superior engine the rest will pump more power out of theirs, and Ford will once again be playing catch up, thats the way it always is. The best you can hope for is that Ford isn't as far behind as they have been recently. That being said Ford still has the best overall truck, with the most towing capabilities, and I think they always will.

 

Actually, DWrestle, Ford did it's redesign in '04. So, an '04-'08 were all the same until '09 when they extended the Screw cab, and I think the Super Cab by 6 inches.

 

Your right 97-03, 04-08(they did have the heritage model though), 09+. I like the 97-03 interior better than the 06 I had, the 97-03 seemed much roomier, and cleaner on the inside.

 

I loved my '04 Lariat. I just can't get over the nose and the tail of the '09. Still hasn't grown on me. One thing I will say about Dodge, even though it pales to compare to the Ford, but they have worked on what I used to call "nose" heavy steering. It isn't as blatant as it was before but an improvement. Still not as predictable feeling as the Ford.

 

it wasn't until you showed up...

 

Why would you say that? It's a thread of opinions.

Tim

 

I will never tell anyone to buy a Dodge or even recommend them. My Mother and Father bought a 2007 Cummings Diesel dodge they opted for the extended warranty. However about the time the entire intrument Cluster stopped working Chrysler filed bankruptcy and did not honor the warannty. The repair bill cost $2300 dollars and my dad is still made at me for convincing him to buy a dodge Cummings Diesel instead of an F250 Powerstroke. I wont make that mistake Twice. Dodge In my opinon is not even a truck its a Fiat on steroids.

 

[quote=dwrestle;8233212]they will most likely always be on the short end when it comes to horse powerquote]

I wish Ford would make a truck like what I have. The 1986 1/2 ton with the 6-300 and NP435 in it. That's a truck. Who cares about HP? I got torque! Enough to pull a freaking semi if I can catch traction!

 

Well let me clear some things up. I don't have a 09 or 10 Ram. I do have a 07 Ram Quad cab 4x4 with the hemi. I have had zero problems with either of my last two Dodges. I have driven both the 09 Ford f-150 and the 09 Ram. I think they are both fine trucks. I probably get a little defensive when i hear that Rams get 12 mpg highway empty or that the tranny is junk. Heck i get over 13 pulling my 4000 lb boat and never get below 18 highway empty. As far as the tranny's being junk, the 5rfe's have been very good transmissions and have held up as good as anything out there. The only downfall is that it is a 5 speed auto vs the 6 speed in the new f-150. I have been looking at trucks because and only because i would like to get a true crew cab truck which the Ram now has ( i'm tired of the kids kicking the back of my seats ) I will admit i like the Ram a bit more but that is only my opinion and i can see advantages to both trucks. I don't do construction or need a work truck so the Ram fits my style a bit more. I need something to haul my boat, 4 wheeler, camping gear, etc. People are on here posting about transmission issues from 10-15 years ago. Claiming the hemi won't last very long ( its been on Wards 10 best engines list 5 out of the last 6 years ) and say it can't haul jack ( the Ford lariat supercrew i test drove had a payload rating of 960 lbs according to the sticker on the door jam ) which by the way is over 400 lbs less than my wifes GMC Acadia which i know doesn't have leaf springs in the back. As far as towing either the Ford or Ram will do what i need it to do and for the guy claiming that the Rams max out at 8500 lbs and are weak, take a look at the edmunds review where the weak Ram towed a 6500 lb travel trailer better that the strong F150. Don't believe me here is the link.
2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck Comparison Test and Video on Inside Line

Oh Btw the 2010 Rams have a tow rating up to 10450 lbs and the model i was looking at which is a Crew Cab 4x4 with 20 inch wheels has a tow rating of 9650 lbs. With that said, I still haven't committed to buying either truck yet. I do like that you can get the F150 with a 6'6" box with the crew cab and the Ram only has the 5'7" box. But then again for my needs the RamBox would come in real handy too. I don't come to this forum to start trouble, but to educate myself on each truck as much as possible.

 

Does my memory serve me right, but when DODGE came out with the "new generation DODGE", wasn't the design originally done by FORD, and they sold/got rid of the design, and DODGE got it ??

 

Well I for one would love to have an 03-08 Dodge with the Hemi(or Durango). I think most vehicles made today are reliable, and I wouldn't hesitate to own a 03-08 Dodge, and I have heard of 20 MPG from the Hemi.

I think the newest Rams sucks overall, and I would rather own a Dakota. Yeah the Ram may have had more power to pull 6500lbs a little easier, but put 11,000lbs on both trucks and see what happens, just because one truck gets up the hill faster doesn't mean it is better at pulling a load.

ClassicFord don't worry about getting a new truck you old 300 6 will last forever anyway.