Big 3 Diesels aside...........

[CumminsPuller]

We all know and have been preaching it here for years. Of the BIG 3, Dodge has it hands down for their offering of the Cummins Diesel Engine. Reliable, Uprateable (sp?), and anything else one can come up with describing the love we have for this diesel engine.



But how about the other fuel. GASOLINE . If we were to buy a 1/2 Ton truck what would it be? The grocery getter, the take the kids to school, the errand runner, grandpa's truck. Granted this probably describes alot of the uses our Cummins is put up to daily. But if we were, or had to, choose the most popular truck size in America which of the Big 3 would it be?



Jason

 

[me4osu]

HEMI!!

'Nuff said.

 

[TxDieselKid]

GMC



After driving all 3 kinds of trucks this summer it was clear to me that Chevy/GMC has the best interior. I can't stand the new front clip on the Chevy's so GMC it is.



After the Dodge my girlfriend had, there is no WAY I would think about a gasser. It was a lemon, and did almost get bought back.





Andrew

 

[CumminsPuller]

I should have also posted what your reasonings are?



Jason

 

[jrobinson2]

DODGEOo. This '99 at 102,000 miles, and my '88 Dakota with 240,000 miles have simply been better trucks than my '92 F250 with 125,000, or my '90 Ranger with 130,000. My brother in law has a 2002 Chevy 2500 gasser with 55,000 and he is very disappointed with it, he's had it back to the dealer at least a half dozen times. I just don't see anything better about the other brands.

 

[klenger]

Dodge Dakota quad cab 4. 7L 4WD and some towing stuff.

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

There's no way I'd have another GM. Before I bought my Duracrap I had a 2001 Z71 that i bought new. The truck was sold with about 74k on it. When the truck had just 9000 miles on it the trannie went out... 2 sets of bands and a bunch of other stuff. The dealer rebuilt the thing and 2000 miles later the thing went out again... same issues. Put a reman trannie in it then (took a week longer because the idiots ordered a 2wd trannie for my Z71) and when the truck was sold it was starting to act up once more. Chevy's trannies suck big time. If I was buying a gas motor right now I'd definitely get a Hemi. GM's gas burners are very strong I don't doubt that, but the rest of the truck and the company backing it up are worthless.



Reb [><]

 

[dslmacdown]

If I had to buy a gasser. I would go with a 1/2 ton, hemi, reg cab, short bed. Like a sports car with a bed. I have driven a hemi and thought it was nice, not as strong as CTD but strong and I love the ride of the 3rd gens.



MAC

 

[Bill Lins]

I'd buy the...

Toyota Crew Cab 4WD. Tremendous quality, excellent mileage.

 

[MCummings]

Dakota R/T 5. 9



Then add a whipple supercharger,, or hey, maybe some turbo's, NOS, a transbrake, slicks, and a bunch of other goodies, a nice sound system, with a TV Screen, and have it riding on Air, and I'd be set to go.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

bicycle, maybe... ..... shoot, I can't imagine life without a Cummins in the garage

 

[duaneparks]

I'm with Bill Lins on this one. I'd buy a Toyota, but not from any of the dealers in TX (long story, I worked for their corporate office in 2002).



Reasons:

Durability (yes, they last)

Reliability (see above)



There are a few Toyota trucks in my family and they have all given great service. As a matter of fact, I would have bought a Toyota in 1997 if it weren't for the price. The dealer wouldn't work with me on my trade, so I went to the Dodge dealer and bought a 1500 4x4 CC SB 5spd for less than a 4x4 Toyota. While they're not as powerful as a Cummins equipped truck, they have a similar reputation for time/distance to overhaul.



Duane

 

[FFutch]

If I didn't care about fuel consumption... HEMI. Otherwise the 4. 7 is a good motor. Both of my brothers have the 4. 7 and they do O. K. on power and get 15-20 mpg. I think the 318 was possibly the most reliable gassers out there,but you can't get one anymore ... . Doug

 

[TowPro]

My brother works construction, he had a 2000 qc short bed with the 318, now has the 2003 hemi qc short bed.



We always record the mileage of our vehicals as a good indicatior something is wrong, so he has records on both trucks doing the same kind of driving. the Hemi gets 2 more MPG over the 318 all the time!

Originally posted by FFutch

If I didn't care about fuel consumption... HEMI. Otherwise the 4. 7 is a good motor. Both of my brothers have the 4. 7 and they do O. K. on power and get 15-20 mpg. I think the 318 was possibly the most reliable gassers out there,but you can't get one anymore ... . Doug

 

[FFutch]

I guess all I've heard about the Hemi being a gas hog isn't all true then. Nice to know you can get that kind of power with reasonable mileage... Doug

 

[nickleinonen]

either a dodge ram srt-10 sport truck, or the new 2004 ford lightning sport truck... , maybe the chevy silverado ss [awd ] but the engine needs a blower/turbo to pump the power output to compete with the other 2

 

[Hohn]

Well, I wish I could be original, but I would have to go with the Hemi and a QC SB 2wd Dodge in 2004 trim. It's only a matter of time until the aftermarket starts making these Hemis into Lightning-eaters.



I think the ride and interior on the new 1500 Dodges is every bit as good as the competition from Ford and GM. It might have fewer toys and gadgets, but it's just as good.



As for reliability, Dodge may be guilty of using the stone-axe method, but the end result is something that works.



I actually had this dilemma when I bought my CTD. I could have bought a decked out '03 1500 for about the same money as my '02 2500 CTD. I think I made the right choice. I may not have some of the niceties of an SLT plus, but my truck gives me more than I ever needed, and I am happy enough.



OK, I am actually tickled pink





Justin

 

[WMonroe]

It would definately be a Ram 1500 Quad Cab Hemi 4X4. Oo.

 

[dseabaugh]

Originally posted by Hohn

. It's only a matter of time until the aftermarket starts making these Hemis into Lightning-eaters.

That won't ever happen. My son had a lightning and for less than $1000 in minor bolt-ons you could get it in the low 12's. He has told me that the new Hemi's that are put on the dyno are only laying down 290 a the rear wheel. The 01 and up Lightnings stock are putting out 330 or so. This is just what he has told me

 

[mcoleman]

That's with a Supercharger on the Lightning. A good blower will add 100 to 150hp to the Hemi if it's internals will handle it along with another 3600. 00 to the cost. So far I have been unimpressed with the stock Hemi performance wise. I've watched loads of them race and none have bested a 15. 20 in stock trim regardless of the truck their in. I hear that headers and a different torque converter will do wonders for them. I guess we will see as they start getting modded. Mileage wise I'm hearing 13 to 15 mpg from most folks in this area. I'm guessing a base Ram with the only options being the Hemi and a 3. 92 rearend would run at least $10,000. 00 cheaper than a Lightning so you would have room to play a little.