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I have been looking at used F-250s, I came across a '02 ram 2500 clean with all the bells and whistles 66k mi. I am also looking at a plain jane '01 F-250 with 84k (a couple grand less than the Dodge). Both are 4x4 and clean. I have always liked Ford trucks and don't know much about Dodge.
My wife likes the Ram, thinks its sexy
__________________ Stratos 2500 wa
Twin 225 Johnsons
What is that sucking sound?
Loaded question.....diehards for both.
I prefer Ford.....owned Ford and Chevy.
not that it matters...but dodge is in trouble, GMAC not far behind....both need Obama's help.....but not Ford....thought it note worthy.
Loaded question.....diehards for both.
I prefer Ford.....owned Ford and Chevy.
not that it matters...but dodge is in trouble, GMAC not far behind....both need Obama's help.....but not Ford....thought it note worthy.
I know there are diehards for both, I have owned/driven many Fords so I know a bit about them. I am mainly looking for more info on the Ram, problems to look for etc. It it a gas, not sure the size of the motor but it says 'magnum' on the side of it.
__________________ Stratos 2500 wa
Twin 225 Johnsons
What is that sucking sound?
Yes, such a loaded question. You left out the most crucial point in the selection, in my mind. Which engine is in each truck, and what is your intended use?
I'll give you an opinion, based on the diesel engine in the Dodge and the Ford. Dodge uses the Cummins engine, the best small pick-up diesel in use today. Unfortunately, they put it in a truck built by Dodge. Ford builds a far superior truck, but the Powerstroke engine is not as good as the Cummins.
Yes, such a loaded question. You left out the most crucial point in the selection, in my mind. Which engine is in each truck, and what is your intended use?
I'll give you an opinion, based on the diesel engine in the Dodge and the Ford. Dodge uses the Cummins engine, the best small pick-up diesel in use today. Unfortunately, they put it in a truck built by Dodge. Ford builds a far superior truck, but the Powerstroke engine is not as good as the Cummins.
That's my two cents worth.
Both trucks are gas engine, the Ford has a 5.4. Not sure about the Dodge, may be Hemi. Truck will be for personal use, and to tow my boat a few times per year, not work.
__________________ Stratos 2500 wa
Twin 225 Johnsons
What is that sucking sound?
02 is 5.9 Magnum. They are ok trucks, front ends are weaker then the ford if you are going to push any snow. Towing they arent bad, just keep in mind, the tranny behind that dodge is still the hated dodge automatic.
I am a die hard dodge guy, I even drive a 3500. I gotta say though, pick the ford on this one. Much better truck.
I have a 2500 Dodge 5.9 (magnum) just dropped in an auto rebuilt tranny, and put a new heater/a/c core, new brake lines, tie rods. The truck gets 10 mpg. If i had to do it again, I would have looked to get the cummins. I tow a 8000 pound boat and it does a good job doing that!
richinct I can't understand why you want a GAS engine in a 3/4 ton Truck ???
Both the F250 and 2500 are good trucks but I would prefer to have Diesel engines in any 3/4 Ton or Heavier size Trucks.
1/2 Ton F150 or 1500 P/U GAS engine would be perfect for a everyday user and will have plenty of power for your towing.
Atleast it's been best for me and my uses, here's what I have.
2007 Ford F150 Crew Cab 5.4L FX4 Gas for everyday and loads <9900 # and
2003 Ford F350 Crew Cab 7.3L Diesel Dually for my LARGE LOADS.
There are plenty F150's and 1500's on the used market for sale with a lot of color combinations. I think you might even save a few extra bucks as well. Good Luck.
richinct I can't understand why you want a GAS engine in a 3/4 ton Truck ???
Both the F250 and 2500 are good trucks but I would prefer to have Diesel engines in any 3/4 Ton or Heavier size Trucks.
1/2 Ton F150 or 1500 P/U GAS engine would be perfect for a everyday user and will have plenty of power for your towing.
Atleast it's been best for me and my uses, here's what I have.
2007 Ford F150 Crew Cab 5.4L FX4 Gas for everyday and loads <9900 # and
2003 Ford F350 Crew Cab 7.3L Diesel Dually for my LARGE LOADS.
There are plenty F150's and 1500's on the used market for sale with a lot of color combinations. I think you might even save a few extra bucks as well. Good Luck.
Regards,
Big R
I need the f-250 to tow the boat a few times a year (almost 10k lbs) I have a 150 now 2 wheel drive with a 5.4 gas (company truck), milage is not too bad, sucks in the snow. I need the 4 wheel drive for the snow.
As far as gas vs diesel, I don't want to spend a lot of money for a truck, 10k-12k because I am not going to be using it full time. All the diesels I have seen are either a lot more money or beat to hell work trucks.
__________________ Stratos 2500 wa
Twin 225 Johnsons
What is that sucking sound?
I've both both ford and dodge as new trucks since 1977. I musta bought 10 of them. Dodge has moved way ahead with their last 2 modle lines. I use 150s and am getting 21ish mpg at 55mph with the hemi. Ford isn't anywhere close to that. The wife is right. Dodge looks better too. Ford is FUGLY!
I guess it is an individual thing, I like the look of the Ford Super Duty line, clean lines, simpler, more rugged looking than Dodge or Chevy.not so much the F-150s
__________________ Stratos 2500 wa
Twin 225 Johnsons
What is that sucking sound?
I need the f-250 to tow the boat a few times a year (almost 10k lbs) I have a 150 now 2 wheel drive with a 5.4 gas (company truck), milage is not too bad, sucks in the snow. I need the 4 wheel drive for the snow.
As far as gas vs diesel, I don't want to spend a lot of money for a truck, 10k-12k because I am not going to be using it full time. All the diesels I have seen are either a lot more money or beat to hell work trucks.
Your 25' Stratos w/ Twin Johnson's, Trailer and all your Gear is 10K lbs.... Wow, I sure would like to see the scale weight on that, I would have guest more like 8K.
Your trailer a Tandem or Triple Wheel ??
When you said Truck will be used for personal use, I thought everyday use...Sorry that was my bad, guess I thought of my uses...
So let me stick with Your Choices that you mentioned in your Post:
2001 Ford F250 5.4L Gas Plain Jane w/84K miles
or
2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Gas (engine size?) All Bells & Whistles w/66K miles
Both trucks you said are 4x4 and are in clean shape. I would verify that the Dodge has the largest V8 engine in it for that year and would be Driving that one home. You already know your wife likes it so go for it......It's a good Truck, just make sure of that engine and who's going to service you.
The 02 Ram is going to have the 5.9 Cummins, which is probably one of the best motors every made. The Ford however is a good truck too. I drive a dodge now. 07 ram 1500 Hemi with 95k miles. Been a great truck and pulls anything I have ever tied to it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either trucks, I think it would come down to a road test and pick the one you like the best.
Edit.
Sorry I didn't really see that it was a Gas Magnum motor. For Towing that is a strong motor, but you would be way better off with a cummins. That 5.9 motor will drink gas faster then you can put it in the tank. This information is coming from a DieHard dodge fan.
__________________ Captain Todd Dempsey
USCG 25 Ton Masters
I have a gas 1999 Dodge 2500 with 241,000 miles on it and 2002 Ford F250 diesel (for sale, btw) with a little less than 80k on it. Both great trucks, IMO...
the dodge trucks have been known to have tranny and front end problems after about 60k miles, especially on the 4x4s. I am sure there are known problems with the 1/2 ton Fords too but I can't think of any off hand.
I once had a 2001 1/2 ton dodge, replaced tranny, transfer case, steering gear box, both front hubs and for some reason that thing munched down on some tires. this was all under 80k miles.
I have a 04 2500 diesel and love it. Get over 22 mpg combined hwy/city, and have over 130000 miles and only replaced the oil, tires, and water pump
I have a 2003 3/4 ton Ram with the high output diesel with auto and 90,000 miles which is used mostly for towing hitch type trailers from 9,000lbs to 15,000lbs. Besides matinace items the water pump is the only item that has failed but was covered by the warranty. Our Chevy's have been almost as good but do not tow near as well. Ford's for us have only been problematic with engine and transmission problems.
Dodge vs Ford 
