Sounds like a nice color. I never drove a new Ram yet, the Ram Box is pretty sweet i'll give it that, though its also nice having that wide bed floor. Only thing I really dont like about the new Dodges is the rear coils, that kills the ability to tow over 8,000lbs right there, and with everything that engine has to offer... doesn't make sense. If I was them, I would have used traditional thick leafs.
...looks like I am leaving the Ford family for a bit.
As most of you know, I tend to go through vehicles like water (I am somewhere north of 65 vehicles owned to date). Well, even though I just sold my 08 F250 FX4 and just finished my 08 F150 XLT project truck, I went and did the unthinkable (from a Ford truck perspective); I just bought a brand new fully loaded 2009 Dodge Laramie Crew 4x4.
Please don't start talking trash about the Dodge. I know a lot of folks have actually spent time behind the wheel of the new Rams with the Hemis and have been impressed with the turnaround compared to the previous generations. I have been on the Dodge forums and a lot of folks there have done the same with the new F150s and have come away super impressed as well. And I am not going to bloat about all the things about the Dodge I like except that, combined with the new design features and greatly improved fit and finish with the Employee pricing, rebates and special financing, it was enough to pull the trigger.
The new F150 was neck in neck with the Dodge (the Chevy/GMCs were second, the Titan third, and Tundra last) as far as my final short list of full sized trucks were concerned. All the media information was back and forth between the Dodge and Ford too, depending on the way you like/need to use your truck (I don't haul much other than dirt bikes and trips to Home Depot).
Anyway, I am still a Ford guy and will be back. But wanted to say goodbye (for now) to all the friends I made on this site. Hope everyone stays healthy and safe, and keep the faith for everything American!
Paul (aka Desert Dawg)
It's OK. No need to worry. My best friend went from an F150 to a Silverado and we're still friends.
Dawg, feel free to stop in anytime. Also I won't turn my head if you post up a couple of pics of the new Ram. Last Dodge I had was a '95 conversion van that the wife drove for a year and we sold it and bought one of the first Expeditions in Sept. 96. Maybe in a year or two you'll be back in a Ford!
__________________
2004 Lariat 4x4 Screw, 2 1/2" Daystar leveling kit, K&N drop in, American Racing "Crater"" 17x9 wheels with 295x70x17 Toyo MT's, SI/DO Magnaflow exhaust with 3 1/2" SS tips, PE Jackrabbit Cover, Edge Evo Programmer, , Bilstein shock's.
Sounds like a nice color. I never drove a new Ram yet, the Ram Box is pretty sweet i'll give it that, though its also nice having that wide bed floor. Only thing I really dont like about the new Dodges is the rear coils, that kills the ability to tow over 8,000lbs right there, and with everything that engine has to offer... doesn't make sense. If I was them, I would have used traditional thick leafs.
Yeah, like I said, I don't tow much so not having the F150's capabilty was not an issue, and the bed with the Ran Box is pretty sweet and leaves enough room for hauling my dirt bikes or loads from the lumber store when I need it. The rear coil suspension is what gives the Ram its superior ride but you are right in that if you have heavy loads then the rear coils won't cut it. I don't haul heavy loads, and most of my drive time is around town, so the coil setup works great for the way I use the truck. That is what Ford did right for folks who need to haul heavier loads; the thicker springs really make a difference and improved the ride stability as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealth
It's OK. No need to worry. My best friend went from an F150 to a Silverado and we're still friends.
hehe...now I don't feel so bad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ATOM
congrats on your new toy i have seem some new ones i liked and didn't the only thing that bugs me is the exhaust tips mold into the bumpers on some of them. what color did ya get? post some pics of that beast...personally i would only own a 2500 dodge, but my '96 laramie was a awesome truck, but i was lucky enough to put the 7th tranny in it as 68k miles......i didn't know that the trans were that bad, but being 20 and doing 4x4 slides on blacktop didn't help it any
i will be having a post like this soon too
Thanks Atom! Umm...you let the cat out of the bag on something???
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARK KNIGHT08
Best of luck. If you don't mind me asking what did you do with the F150???
Thanks Dark Knight. I traded the F150 in. We were stuck on the deal with the trade in since we were still $1500 away from the price I wanted (my break even price for all the mods I put in), but when I went down to the dealer to pull the plug on the deal, they coughed up another grand to make their month end quota work and I was happy coming within $500 of my retail price since a buyer may have negotiated me down that much as well.
Actually, it turned out to be a sweet deal for me. The truck stickered at over $52K fully loaded, including the Hemi, cooled/heated front seats, heated rear seats, navigation, backup camera, sunroof, Ram box, 3.92 rear end, auto 4wd, skid plate group, pearl paint, and so on; I walked away right at $20K with 0% interest so that was icing on the cake for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PawPaw
Dawg, feel free to stop in anytime. Also I won't turn my head if you post up a couple of pics of the new Ram. Last Dodge I had was a '95 conversion van that the wife drove for a year and we sold it and bought one of the first Expeditions in Sept. 96. Maybe in a year or two you'll be back in a Ford!
Thanka PawPaw....well for one thing, if I do keep the Dodge over some time, I still want a real weekend toy and have my sights on the Raptor, so I know I'll be around one way or the other.
Last edited by Desert Dawg; 04-29-2009 at 01:12 AM.
Have fun modding the new truck.. I to after test driving a 09 dodge almost made the switch. The new interior and all around package looks great. Motor feels strong, but all in all i am happy i did not make the trade.
I love my f150.
Stop by from time to time. Even though you are a dodge man now, i am sure you stil have plenty of helpful info to spread on these forums.
Actually, it turned out to be a sweet deal for me. The truck stickered at over $52K fully loaded, inclduing the Hemi, cooled/heated front seats, heated rear seats, navigation, backup camera, sunroof, Ram box, 3.92 rear end, auto 4wd, skid plate group, pearl paint, and so on; I walked away right at $20K with 0% interest so that was icing on the cake for me.
What would the price have been without your trade? Just curious as to what they are really selling for. Thanks!
__________________
2006 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat 4x4
Auto Spring 2.5"
Auto Spring AAL
275/65/20 Goodyear AT/S
Air Force One 3" Intake
VMP Tuned
well I will tell you this, I think you did a outstanding job colaborating different schemes on both of your trucks. I have actually been wondering where you were at and I haven't heard much talk of the F250 now I know.
Dude stick around man, im sure we can get at least a few F150 parts to fit a Ram some how. I am kinda interested to see what you do with your Ram since you had your F150's, and F250 looking sharp as a tack.
I understand completely. I always had a phobia about Chrysler products until I started looking for a suitable replacement for my independent rear suspended rear drive Mark VIII with the 32valve DOHC engine. So I test drove a hemi powered Dodge Magnum. I was really impressed. That hemi is awesome. I've put 61k miles on it so far and I don't know of any car in its price range that compares in my opinion!!!!! Still love my Fords though! I test drove a Lincoln LS V8 and it was impressive but was a little small and I wanted to be able to pull a uhaul and the LS has to have a hole cut in the rear valance to install a hitch. The Magnum pulls my 3000lb boat just fine.
not to be negitive but my sister bought new durango with the hemi and it bend a rod just one, i told her im supercharged im the one that would bend a rod, but her husbamd worked for crysler, at least you have a hell of a warranty, best friend had cummins and dodge bought it back six months later good luck, dont be a stranger!
Thanks guys. I do enjoy this site, and love seeing and talking Fords, so will be hanging around some.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chaos08
Have fun modding the new truck.. I to after test driving a 09 dodge almost made the switch. The new interior and all around package looks great. Motor feels strong, but all in all i am happy i did not make the trade. I love my f150. Stop by from time to time. Even though you are a dodge man now, i am sure you stil have plenty of helpful info to spread on these forums. Good luck.
Thanks...well, I did have second thoughts seeing my F150 outside while signing the papers. And it didn't help seeing the sales people purring over the Ford. I felt the same way when I traded my Range Rover Sport for the new F150 King Ranch I was buying. The showroom folks were hovering around the Sport while I sat doing the deal, so started questioning myself. But then I drove away in my brand new King Ranch and all was right with the world....lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strikeswiftly
well I will tell you this, I think you did a outstanding job colaborating different schemes on both of your trucks. I have actually been wondering where you were at and I haven't heard much talk of the F250 now I know. Dude stick around man, im sure we can get at least a few F150 parts to fit a Ram some how. I am kinda interested to see what you do with your Ram since you had your F150's, and F250 looking sharp as a tack.
Thanks! It is going to be tough matching the F250. That was still my favorite truck of all time (except for the pain of getting 9.9 mpg right when diesel was heading towards $5/gal....lol).
Quote:
Originally Posted by mnponds
...What would the price have been without your trade? Just curious as to what they are really selling for. Thanks!
mnponds; I got the Dodge with Employee Pricing and $2000 in cash rebates, and another $1000 in dealer coupons, for almost $11K under sticker before trade. That seemed fair to me plus the fact I got pretty much covered for my costs in the F150 without the hassle of selling it.
Thanks! It is going to be tough matching the F250. That was still my favorite truck of all time (except for the pain of getting 9.9 mpg right when diesel was heading towards $5/gal....lol)
I was about to ask that question about how the Dodge compares to the F250. I guess that answers the question though. It does make me wonder why you went for the Dodge instead of another F250 though. Was price the deciding factor or were you just ready for a change?
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i have seem some new ones i liked and didn't the only thing that bugs me is the exhaust tips mold into the bumpers on some of them. what color did ya get? post some pics of that beast...personally i would only own a 2500 dodge, but my '96 laramie was a awesome truck, but i was lucky enough to put the 7th tranny in it as 68k miles......i didn't know that the trans were that bad, but being 20 and doing 4x4 slides on blacktop didn't help it any 
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