Looking to buy a new full sized rig this year and have my eye on the Dodge. Anybody out there have one or have any comments on them? Thanks.

Jigman, I just posted this for you on the other site also. look into the fords. I have a 2000 supercab powerstroke and love it. My first diesel and cant believe how much power and the mileage it gets. If you go to www.ford-diesel.com there is great info on there, even info on how to order a new one. If nothing else you can find out what guys do and dont like about them and even some discusson on the dodges. As far as ride and milage go, my F-350 rides great and will haula house if need be. I have had over 2000lbs of dirt in the bed and it doesnt even know it. I get close to 20mpg if i keep my foot out of it and drive 65 or lower, even above that which is what I moramly run it gets 16-17. I cant complain about that a bit. These are great trucks and you are going to find a lot of opinions going all three ways, we all have our favorite brands.

[ 05-28-2001: Message edited by: Firedog ]

Go with a Dodge. I have over 200,000 on a '92 Cummins and it just keeps on rolling. Know of people with 300,000 - 450,000 miles on these pigs. The fuel ecomony is better than a Powerstoke too. At least they are before they went to a 24 value.

Jigman, I came within a gnat's a$$ of buying a full-sized Dodge 4X4 several months ago. I've been thanking that gnat ever since. A bad experience with the Dodge dealer in Renton bought me a little more time to consider my choices. I ended up purchasing a 2001 Ford F150 4X4. Since I've only owned the rig for two weeks, I can hardly pass myself off as an authority, but I'm pleased with the purchase. My brother has a 2000 F150 4X4 and he's satisfied with his truck. If you haven't heard already, Ford put standard 1" radiators in most of their 2000 & 2001 trucks that were equipped for tow and were supposed to have larger capacity radiators. This is a serious concern, and as a buyer you would not want to accept delivery on a tow rig until this problem was resolved. Gas consumption was an issue for me, and the reviews I read said Dodge engines were gas-guzzlers. Consumer Reports questioned the reliability of Dodge trucks in general, and a brakeshop mechanic told me that Dodge trucks have "notorious" bad brakes. The Dodge salesman told me that the ONLY difference between 2000 and 2001 Dodge trucks was a serial number. I've heard a major redesign for Dodge pickups is planned for 2002. Good luck with whatever truck you decide to purchase.

I have a 2001 Dodge with the 24 valve cummins. The ride is fine. Fuel economy with teh 20ft Custom Weld and 8.5ft Northland Camper on it is about 12 when I run 65mph and 14 at 60mph. Empty at 75mph I get 17 and at 70 I get 19.

Performance wise I like it. Tried riding in a Ford but by the time we got back to dealer my back was killing me. Something about the way the seat is setup. I also was not impressed with the ford fit and finish.

my 2 cents worth

Desertdog

Jigman,

I recently made that plunge into the rem of the "BIG RIG". After months of talking to people and shopping around, I ended up with a 1997 Ford F250 Crew-Cab short bed. The Crew cab was the key selling point! Some of my friends have the Dodges. They are good trucks and the Cummins motor is excellent but the extra cab was just too cramped for guests or clients. I am a small person and even I was very cramped for leg room. The crew cab is like having a living room in the back seat and a bedroom in the back!

The Powerstroke is also an excellent motor! It is produced by International Harvester (IH), very reputable in the diesel world for many years. The other thing that made my decision was that the dodge AT was far more prone to problems and at an earlier stage than the ford AT. The AT is the common weak link in all diesel trucks, just a fact! This may be the ONLY advantage the Chevy has but still too early to say for sure.

Bottom line is I LOVE MY PSD! Post or e-mail if you have any questions.

Happy hunting!

Thomas

I can speak of experience,
My brother in law has a dodge 1/2 ton with the 360 and another buddy a 97 cummings. Both are nice trucks, but if you are looking for the all around ride my experience can speak. I've owned a 99 F250 powerstroke and traded it in on a 2001 Chevy 2500HD Duramax. I've put 8000 miles on it and still can't believe I how amazing the ride is! I put a 6" lift and 35" Goodyear MT/R on it and it still rides smoother than my powerstroke did. It's as smooth as my brother in laws 1/2 ton dodge. It has amazing get up and you can actually hear yourself talk. If you were to walk up to it you would second guess it as a gas motor it's so quiet. The independent front suspension is absolutly amazing. If cost isn't an issue it's second to nothing!! Good luck and take your time, don't let the salesman get to pushy. Oh and the allison transmission is amazing also, when I pull my sled and am going down a hill as soon as you tap the brake it down shifts like a jake brake and you don't have to ride the brakes, absolutely amazing.
Keith

[ 05-30-2001: Message edited by: stlhdr1 ]

Jigman,
My fishing buddy has a Dodge.....what a lemon. Its been in the shop alot of times. I got a Ford Ranger and never had a problem with it. Not the full size like you are looking for, but I like Fords quality these days.

Thanks for all the input guys! Looks like I'm going with the Silverado....still haven't decided weather the crew cab or extended cab.

Jigman,

The crew is the ultimate in luxury, your family and friends will love ya for it!

Thomas