Four Wheeler article

[dnitzel]

This is my first post to this forum. I like what I see!



I just read a review of the 2500 in the latest (Jan 2003)Fourwheeler (or I guess FordWheeler) boy did they NOT like the new 2500HD hemi. I know that this is a Diesel web site, but they did talk about the 2500HD. They compared it to the new Ford power stroke, Ford ranger and 1500 GMC Sierra and it came out DEAD last with very few words nice words about the 2500 other than kinda' liking the new sterring, storage, the new interior and that it can haul huge loads. Their quotes " Avoid it if you feel that a vehicle ought not to jar your fillings loose"... . "the Dodge did not compare well". Why did they not use a Cummins truck to compair to the Ford's and Chevys? And of course, the Range and Chevy 1500 is going to ride more like a car, cause they almost are cars. They also had mentioned in the piece about the PS that in the compairison stating "Check it out if you want a wheeler with one of the truck worlds great engines" and in another article that seemd like a four page advertisement that "Our judges fawned over the 6. 0L V-8 Power stroke like a bunch of school girls at a boy band concert".



It kinda put a damper on my plan to obtain a new '03 2500 HO with the new automatic after the first of the year. I'm getting tired of shifting the 'old 5 spd. , even though it still works great, just like the rest of my truck. The truck has never been in for a repair other than a new set of brakes. Do the '03's REALLY ride this bad? I don't at all plan to change brands as I really do like my '01 2500HD cummins.

 

[boonsur]

Welcome. The more you read, the more you'll see why (IMHO, of course), these are the best trucks out.



I think the new ones ride much better than the 2nd Generations. They have improved steering ratios, stiffer frames, and new, longer leaf springs in back, specifically for "improved ride". Take a test drive, and bring your check book

 

[jdh63]

I have test driven an 03 F-250 crew cab SB 4x4 and an 03 3500 quad cab SB 4x4 and did not notice any real difference in the ride quality between the two trucks.

 

[Parshal]

I think mine rides rather rough over some of our interstates here out west. They aren't the best roads due to snow plowing and stuff. On most roads, the truck rides very smooth, it's just on some road with obvious "seams" it can get rough without a load in the bed. I'm thinking about changing out the rear shocks and maybe some velvet ride shackles.

 

[chessie-system]

Re: Re: Four Wheeler article

Originally posted by Parshal

I think mine rides rather rough over some of our interstates here out west. They aren't the best roads due to snow plowing and stuff. On most roads, the truck rides very smooth, it's just on some road with obvious "seams" it can get rough without a load in the bed. I'm thinking about changing out the rear shocks and maybe some velvet ride shackles.

I agree.

One thing that may help is reduce the tire pressures if you are not running close to max weight. I have 50 psi in the front and 40 in the rear. It helped quite a bit on those concrete seamed roads in PA... not as bone jarring as with full pressure. I did this on my 95 Cummins as well until I put the BFG Mud terrains on .

 

[swexlin]

The whole comparison is useless. The Hemi is a nice engine, but don't compare to to the new 6. 0 PSD, nor is it going to have the balls of the V10.



They should compare 8. 0 V10 vs 6. 8 V10 vs 8. 1 V8

5. 9 CTD HO vs PSD 6. 0 6-speed vs. Dmax

5. 7 Hemi vs 5. 4 V8 vs 6. 0 V8.



Anything else isn't even relevant.

 

[Badunit]

I don't consider myself brand loyal (though I seem to only own Dodge & Jeep products at the moment). I looked at the Chevy and it looked and felt cheap. I didn't bother to drive it because I wouldn't want to own something so cheaply constructed. I drove an '02 Ford with the 7. 3L and, unless something has changed drastically (other than the engine), it didn't ride any better than the new Dodge. It certainly didn't track as well down the road or steer as well as the new Dodge. The Ford is a nice truck but I just don't feel like it fits me as well as the Dodge; it isn't as comfortable to me.



Dodge seems to get the shaft from most magazines. Even Consumer Reports, which I would have expected to be less biased, gives Dodge Rams the short end of the stick. I don't believe any of them anymore. I'll take the facts they may report (dimensions, Hp, torque, etc) and facts from better sources (like here) and come to my own conclusions.

 

[D808]

I'm wondering where the bulk of their advertising revenue comes from.



Federal Man

 

[FFutch]

They are a bunch of school girls . I think my old 99 rides just fine,even with the factory shocks. I test drove a new H. O. and thought it was a cadillac. These guys are just schills for the highest bidder ... Doug

 

[FFutch]

and another thing...

... they are already having problems with the new 6. 0 injectors on the assembly line. Not a good thing when the truck comes off the line and will not even start. This new transmission better be 100% better than what they got now,cause the 4r100,or thee40d aint much better than what we got... Doug

 

[Badunit]

Now how in the world could they possibly be having injector problems on "one of the truck world's greatest engines"? That kinda thing just can't happen, nope, can't happen, wouldn't be right, the Ford must be the best no matter what, they have to be the best 'cause they sell the most.

 

[MojaveJoe]

The power of advertising gentlemen!



Money can buy some very good advertising, even an allegedly unbiased head to head comparison (?) in a magazine article .

The better you make it sound the more of them you will sell.



It is just too much trouble for the common consumer to do their own reasearch on what is the best product for the money.



Lucky for us, we are not common consumers.

 

[lawdog1]

Boy that sounds like one heck of a good test: a PSD, against a Hemi, against a GM 1500, against a Ford Ranger... Sounds like the decision to conduct that ridiculous test was made a little to late on a "Straight Tequilla Night. "



Most "quality" automobile or truck magazines would not even conduct, much less write up a test of such widely varied platforms. It is kind of like a Corvette, Chevette, Accord, Lexus comparision... the damn things aren't even built to perform the same tasks, much less please the same kind of consumer!! Oh well I guess the old adage, "Garbage in, Garbage out" applies here.



I know what kind of truck I like...

 

[David Muench]

That was a really stupid article. Maybe next month we'll get to see a comparision of a chevy suburban, a subaru outback, a shopping cart, and a half eaten watermelon.



But anyway, did you see the picture of the Ram? That's almost exactly what my truck will look like! Oo.



Still KZ. .

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Four wheeler does crazy tests like that all the time. Yet another one of the reasons that I don't buy it any more. I love it when they compare the ride of a 1 ton truck to a 1/2 ton grocery getter.

 

[dnitzel]

Fordwheeler article

A coupe of years ago they were on a big Toyota kick. Heaviest duty, longest lasting, etc. WE had three of them in our motor pool at work, and they did not fair well AT all.

 

[Prairie Dog]

"Maybe next month we'll get to see a comparision of a chevy suburban, a subaru outback, a shopping cart, and a half eaten watermelon. "



:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[jimnance]

I find that writers tend to rave over the latest new technology gadgetry and knock anyone that sticks with proven technology. The fact is that old news isn't news, and they need new news to write.



It's a shame that they automatically favor the new over the old. We have found many times that the newest technology often has many "bugs" that destroy the enjoyment of our vehicles.



What I see from Dodge is a tendency to window dress older technology. I for one don't see anything bad with that. I'll go for dependable over some over electroniced technological wonder that is in the shop 1/2 the time.



A 3/4 ton truck is supposed to ride like a truck. I don't find the Dodge to be particularly harsh, though I'll admit that the Chevy's deliver a more car like ride. Put a 14K fiver behind the Dodge and you see the big iron shine.



Rather be 500 miles from home humming along the Interstate in your Dodge, or possibly stuck at a Ford or Chevy dealer 500 miles from home?

 

[Glen Pratt]

Four Wheeler what experts

In the same test, the article regarding the Powerstroke mentions the excellent compression braking of diesel engines. Yeah right, not if you are not using an exhaust brake or Jake Brake. Where do they come up with stuff. Then they mention that the Ford's steering sucks, but it's a better truck. Can you say FANTASYLAND. -Glen

 

[mdepot]

Even if you do find that the suspension is not to your liking , there are plenty of aftermarket options. Choose your drivetrain first, you can't change that afterwards (most people anyway).