Non-Diesel Dodge Truck Advice....

[GGill]

Morning Guys... Trying to get my Dad into a new truck...



He is a MOPAR man as well, but has been out of the new truck market for quite some time (me too I guess :{ ), but does not want to go w/ an oil burner, I was thinking of trying to get him into a "leftover" 03 model for the sake of economy as he is a major cheapskate!!!



Any ideas, opinions, websites to check out ect...



Also... should I stick w/ Dodge when it comes to a gasser, I don't want my own predjudice to mess things up if there is a better alternative in the full-size gasser truck world.



Thanks in advance,



Greg

 

[Hohn]

What is he going to use it for? Odds are that it won't see much exertion, so I would say to go tame on the engine and transmission and deck it out with luxo options.



I would recommend he go with the top-line Laramie, but stick with the 4. 7 V8. Alas, the wonderful 318 is history, but the 4. 7 is a good engine also. It will also give quite a bit better economy over the Hemi.



Plus the 4. 7 comes with a trick auto transmission-- the 5-45rfe.



Stick w/2wd also-- simpler, better mileage, cheaper, etc.



I dunno if I would really consider either a Gm or a Ford. I generally prefer GM over Ford if I had to choose, but I gotta say that I would check out that new F-150.



Yes, there are always a bunch of irritating negatives on a lot of Mopars, but I can't see myself in another kind of truck. I am much less brand loyal with cars than I am with trucks. Generally, I would go with an import (heresy!) car over an american brand. But American companies are getting there.



I would personally spec out a Dodge truck with the 4. 7L, auto transmission, all the luxo goodies, and the 17"wheels (NOT the 20" wheels).



Those guys who opted for the 20" wheel because they are cool sure got a real eye opener when they went to buy tires!



Justin

 

[GGill]

Thanks for the input Justin... You are right about the non-HD application... a 1/2 ton would do just fine. The 4wd expence is unavoidable due to his location. (we get MAJOR lake effect snow from Erie). Are the auto trannys worth anything? They seem to be the biggest problem no matter what the truck model.



I've never bought a new vehicle in my life (buy 'em used, run 'em into the ground, repeat... ) so I'm interested as well in any "tricks" that may help me at the stealership.

 

[RustyJC]

I may get run out of here for saying this, but if I only needed a light duty 1/2 ton 4x4 "grocery getter" and were going to consider something other than a Dodge, I might take a look at the new Nissan Titan or Toyota trucks.



JM2CW



Rusty

 

[Hohn]

I have to agree with Rusty in part. If the truck is REALLY never going to see work, get an import. For light duty stuff, they're plenty capable and seem to be put together a lot better.



We will ALL win when the imports venture into the REAL full size market. It's about time for the big 3 to be set on their ear, and re-learn the lessons that they didn't learn in the 70s.



Quality, Quality, Quality..... Hondas command a premium, but they never seem to have a problem with sales... hmmm.



But I am partial to Dodges, so I would STILL probably recommend one over the imports, but definitely would consider an import over a GM or Ford.



Justin

 

[TowPro]

Get the Hemi! It will make him feel like a kid again. It comes with that new 5 speed auto as well.



My brother traided the 318 for the hemi, and gets 2-3 more MPG with the hemi over the 318, until his wife drives it, then the MPG goes way down (she has a real heavy foot)



He's around 20K miles so far, not a lick of problems.



Well he did have it idle real rough on a cold start 1 time around 15K miles, sort of like it was running on 4 cylenders. Before he bought the truck, I was reading the posts on the internet, and found all the hemi's seem to do this 1 time around 15K miles (I told him what I read), and sure enough, right at 15K it started and ran rough, he remembered what I told him, restarted it and its been fine since.

Wierd.

 

[GGill]

Man O' Man what a HOT topic that would be w/ the 'ol man, he would sooner give up his "left one" before driving Jap c**p as he puts it.



He nearly dis-owned me when I got rid of my leaking and rusting Chevy 4x4 for a Toyota, which I loved and drove for over 350 K till the body fell off of it.



Good advice, but I gotta choose a domestic model.



Greg

 

[klenger]

What about a 4x4 Dakota with a 4. 7L?

 

[GGill]

Sounds like it's time for a field trip and a test drive...



I hadn't thought of the Dakota... he is 6'4, as long as the head space is OK maybe.



I bet the Hemi might put him in the mood to open up that dusty wallet however

 

[jrobinson2]

My brother traded the 318 for the hemi, and gets 2-3 more MPG with the hemi over the 318, until his wife drives it, then the MPG goes way down (she has a real heavy foot)

I have a relative who just traded a 2002 1500 5. 9 for a 2003 2500 Hemi and he is also seeing 2 mpg better mileage with the Hemi, and way more fun.

Jared

 

[Wheaties]

It probably wouldn't matter if the Toyota pickups are domestically produced, would it? I think they are made here in the US. I drove two Tacomas before I got the Dodge/Cummins and never had much trouble with either. The Tundra is highly rated, supposed to be safer too.



Your dad probably figures a ricer is a ricer... oh well



Matt

 

[Steve M]

I like your dad. The only vehicle I ever lemon lawed was a Toyota. That was in '89. We've been Ford and Mopar since and happy with both. Since '94 we've been all Mopar. I have no regrets and no transmission trouble. It's "in vogue" to say Dodge transmissions are junk. I'm not a trendy person so I don't participate.

Three friends have bought Dodge trucks based on my experience with them. One's a 1500 with 5. 9 gas. One's a '03 QC 1500 with 4. 7 and auto. The last one is a 2500 Laramie QC LB HEMI auto with just about every option for $28,800. They're very happy with them. The 5. 9 V8 just turned over 100k miles with only a waterpump over normal maintenance. No transmission touble.

Check the price of those little Tundras. They like 'em a whole lot more than I do...

My vote goes with a Dodge 1500 or Ford F-150. The 4. 7 Dodge and 4. 6 Ford has plenty of power for light hauling or a small trailer. A HEMI would definately light him up!

 

[SEmerson]

We had a 4 door Dakota with a v6. We really liked it. It had great interior. BUT the 3500 we bought later gets better mileage. I would get one again if I was to get a gasser.