2004 Ram vs. Ford

[thepipe1]

Hey, All:

I decided to take the day off from work today and truck shop. On the way to the Dodge dealer, I went into a Ford store on a whim and test drove an '04 F-250 crew cab. All I can say is :--) WOOOWWW!! Lots more power, a 5-speed auto and a REAL crew cab for about the same money. Although I am on my third Dodge/Cummins now and love it, I am seriously thinking about going over to the dark side. Talk me out of this... please!

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by thepipe1

Although I am on my third Dodge/Cummins now and love it, I am seriously thinking about going over to the dark side. Talk me out of this... please!

6. 0 Powerstroke diesel.

 

[Pug59]

Answer this question first..... have you driven the new Dodge?

 

[dpatt67]

I agree with pug59. At least drive the new Dodge if you haven't. I actually drove the new Ford and didn't care for it much, Although i am definitely prejudiced! Get the Dodge.

 

[crabjoe]

I gotta agree with Crunch. The only reason I'm a member with a '04 Cummins Ram on order is because of the 6L PSD.



The new PSD might have lots of power when it's running right but why take a chance? I must admit that it does fly once the RPMs are 2000 or higher.

 

[Boonieman]

I test flew a B1 bomber today and WOOOOOOOW! It has lots more power and room for a whole crew... not just a crew cab! Then I got to thinking about the multitudes of mechanics required to keep it running and also it's track record is pretty miserable. So, I decided to go ahead and just keep my raggedy ole Cummins. That's not advice, just an opinion.

 

[y-knot]

Hey when you went "shopping" did you take a purse or a wallet?? Come on your a grown "man ?" make up your own mind. If you like the danm thing I say go get it. I'm not hear to talk you out or into anything. And I don't come on this site to be talked into anything. If I get an new part, it's because I wanted it, not because joe smoo got one, hell I could care less. The FORD has as many or more good points as the dodge, I happen to believe if they get the little problem with the diesel eating itself under control, it would be "in my opinion" the better deal. I was very disappointed in the half hearted effort dodge put fourth with is latest version. It is cheap looking inside, has 2 puny little things they like to call doors, a twenty five year old, warmed over and worn out transmission, with a gasser torque converter, no dual alternators, and nothing near as comfortable as the fords captain chairs. I think they have been riding on the coat tails of the second generation for much to long. And if it wasn't for the "almost blind loyalty" to the almighty CUMMINS, they would be hard pressed for sales. I do feel better, I'm steeping down now, thank you

 

[thepipe1]

Test Drives

After I drove the Ford, I went to Dodge. I drove the first one and it was so lame that I asked to drive a second. That was a little better but neither was close to the Ford. All vehicles were equipped similarly: diesel (HO for Dodge) 4x4 automatics with 3. 73 gears.

I wasn't as comfortable in the Ford, but I suspect it's because I've had Dodge since '90.

Regarding reliability, I suspect that Ford will have 6-liter "issues". However, Dodge has no room to talk: my '90 (completely stock) and my '95 ate a total of 5 (yes, five) transmissions. I seldom tow and was relatively easy on them until the bombing bug bit me in late '98.

 

[thepipe1]

y-knot:

Yes, when I went "shopping" I took my "wallet". I also had my '01 "title". I wasn't out to "waste" anyone's "time", including my own. It's just that the Ford really "knocked me for a loop".

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I can't believe you would consider the 6. 0 L Drof, with all the major problems that engine is having. Check out the Ford site (dieselstop.com).



OK, who is the most die-hard fan of the double obsolete 12 valve Cummins? Who wouldn't even look at overvalved Rams? Yeah, lil ole me. Who just bought an 04 QC 4x4 SLT HO 6 speed on Monday?



And you

DARE consider a Drof?

 

[rmcnamee]

I test drove a new 6. 0/5-speed auto F-350 4x4 Crew Cab/Short bed that a friend mine (commercial fleet manager) was demo-ing when they first hit the dealer lot. It sure was fast! I was real impressed with the power, but was hesitant on trading my 2001 CTD for it because of all the problems I had with my 2001 F-350 Powerstroke. When all the problems started popping up with new 6. 0, I went for the new Dodge instead. Yeah the Dodge QC isn't as roomy as a crew cab f-250/350, the rear doors are disappointing and it surely isn't as fast as the new 6. 0, but the new Dodge is a real nice truck and the mighty Cummins has never let me down. More importantly, if I'm spending close to 40K on a vehicle, you can bet that I want that truck start every time... no excuses, which is exactly what every Cummins I've ever owned has done. Bottom line, buy what ever vehicle you like the most. In all honesty, if Ford gets their act together and resolves all the problems with the 6. 0, I'll probably trade this truck for an F-350 crew cab in a few years. Good luck!



Ryan

 

[FDavid]

I'll be honest, if Ford put a cummins in its trucks I would be a ford man ASAP. the only reason i bought the dodge was because of the cummins. My dream truck: a ford chasis with its solid FRONT and rear axles, sunroof, reverse sensors and other superduty goodies , with a Cummins engine, Chevys Allison transmission and the dodge's looks.

 

[bish777]

Hello all. I've been tending to my dad's 2003 F-250 for the past month while he's on vacation, heres my story.

Trucks engine blew with 2000 miles, fuel in the oil. Three weeks later new engine, ford tried to blame it on my dad for not smelling the diesel in the oil when he checked it! It now has 10,000 miles most pulling a 10,000 5er. Its been back into the dealer for several reflashes for both the engine and transmission. The engine still hard starts and kills every now and then or stays running when i put my foot down on the peddle. AC has had several problems, last time it was in the shop they said it was overcharged, still not fixed right. Lots of creeks and rattles for a new truck. My dad said the oil filters cost like 45 bucks, and they are not the spin on kind so changing the oil is a pain. I don't like the seat, on trips over an hour it makes my back sore for some reason. Even with the auto its hard to drive around neighborhoods due to no power untill 2000rpm, its like i have to stomp on it to get it going, then i'm going to fast.

The good, the truck halls ass, transmission shifts like a car when not loaded, Ford knows the screwed up with this so when ever its in the dealer getting fixed they are very nice.

Personally i don't like the way the Ford looks, and with the 4 door its to long for my needs compaired to the 4 door short box Dodge.

 

[ttreibel]

If you get a Ford get the V-10 stay away from there Diesel they are POS's. Ford strings out the owners with talk about a magical "Fix-all-flash" that never seems to come. The Ford 6L drives like a gas truck anyway.

 

[Bertram65]

Dodge does not make a crew cab truck, they make an extended cab truck, if you have to have a crew cab you cannot get it from Dodge. It get's so old people saying it's not a true crew cab, Dodge never marketed it as a crew cab.

Compare the wheel base and overall length of a Ford extended cab SB and Dodge quad cab SB and the Ford is actually a couple inches longer in both. Compare apples to apples. Even though the Dodge looks like a crew cab because it has 4 real doors it's still and entended cab truck.

 

[Swayse]

Dodge don't make a crew cab, it's a quad cab. I don't want or need a crew cab. I traded in my Duramax Allison on this truck, but I had a 2001 Dodge Diesel before that. I drove everything before I bought the truck I'm driving, Dodge has hands down the best TRUCK. Steering and brakes are much better than the other two, and the inside of the truck looks and works better.



If you like the Ford, get it. If you have trouble with it, get it fixed. My Nephew has a 6. 0 PSD and loves it, 20,000 miles and not a bit of trouble. He runs a chip in it, and runs it pretty hard. I like his truck, but I wouldn't buy one, not my style. Of course I will never buy another diesel with an auto behind it.

 

[Rosco]

First off let me start by saying I like the look of the Superduty. Heck, I like all trucks in some way, shape, or form. That said, when I bought my first Dodge diesel I had criteria that needed to be met. At the time I was in the landscaping/ snowplowing business that supplemented my full time firefighting job. To me the Cummins was the attractive choice since it made tons of power right out of the hole and when your pushing and stacking snow low end power is the best.



Recently, I sold my business to spend more quality time with my wife and soon to arrive baby. However, now I am in the market for a fifth wheel so we can travel. Again the Cummins is the obvious choice since it's the king of grunt.



As far as the Dodge truck itself is concerned I think it's just as good as the rest. I drive Ford's at work and the are not perfect by any stretch. Also, I tend to go down the road less traveled and to me it seems the GM and Ford road is rutted. Ever notice how you pick right up on a Dodge that's heading toward you but the Ford or GM just seem to pass by unnoticed unless they have something to set them apart like a lift kit or aftermarket bumper. The Ford and GM trucks are like Camry's and Accord's, everyone drives them.



One final thought, if I were buying a truck to dragrace instead of using it to work or pull I would consider a 6. 0 Ford but only after they worked out the kinks.

 

[chipmc]

I've been a Ford guy for 20+ years. I worked in the parts department of L-M and Ford dealers. I've owned 3, 6. 9L, and '99 7. 3L. I loved them all, but I know the problems Ford has had with first and second year transmissions in the diesels (it paid my bonus checks for a few years). So, when it came time to replace my 85 4x4, I drove several ford's, GM's, and Dodge's. The power of the 6. 0L Fords is nice and its comfortable for me to drive, but there have been reliability problems from day one.



I bought the Dodge and the only complaint I really have now is the rough ride with a light load. The choice is yours, I just prefer the fact that my Dodge has only been in the shop of oil changes and steering problem that went away on its own for the 3 months and 11,000 miles I've owned it.



Oh, my son says to add, the back seat is more comfortable in the Dodge than the Super-cab Ford.



Thats my 2 cents worth. Good luck, it was a hard decision for me.

 

[boonsur]

I stuck with the Cummins because of its robust-ness (MUCH beefier components, longer rebuild life expectancy, I6 vs V8, etc. ). Also easier to work-on/maintain (very important!). The new truck that Dodge puts it in is also much improved (handling, quality, etc. ).



The downsides, no crew cab (however, I love the size & manuverability of my truck with the long bed), and the Auto-Trannys are still a "black-eye" for Dodge. I'd say they have never been able to build one that can take the torque of the Cummins. HOWEVER, I haven't heard of any major problems with the new 48RE (except the check valve, early-on). Still, I'd recommend getting the New Venture (manual) transmission. They really know how to build 'em (it's their business).

 

[TCDiesel]

I think the true test for the 6. 0 will be longevity and extreme cold,will it start or will it fly apart,Cummins at one time had a reputation,If the sun goes down it won"t start, not so with the ISB. Maybe it is just to risky to invest in the 6. 0 right now. I also hope Ford get thier problems work out. That way cummins/Dodge won"t get sleepy at the manufacturing wheel.