I test drove a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Big Horn Edition yesterday (and I'm only 17). It had 20" inch wheels with 35" Nitto Mud Grapplers wrapped around them, I had to test drive it. It was very nice looking, but I have to tell you, that 5.7L Hemi was ******* the entire time. They had 3.92 gears, I would DEFINITELY not recommend this. It felt like I was towing a 3000lb+ trailer and if I really was towing that, I don't think it would move. Don't get me wrong, I am a Ford guy, but it had the mud grapplers which I wanted to see how they were on the highway, and boy do they howl

I was speaking to the dealer and he was coming up with all sorts of anti-ford/chevy reasons to buy this truck, I knew more about his competition than he did and I kept butting in and reminding him he was wrong. He told me a chip, K&N intake and exhaust would get that sucker 400+

I told him that gear ratio needed to be changed, 3.92 was just not enough to turn them 35's on 20's and I left with a new outlook on the grapplers. I am going to go test drive a new F150, which to this date I have never driven, and compare it to my 02 F150, so: 2005 F150 4x4 Lariat 5.4 vs. 2002 F150 4x2 XLT 5.4, I'll post my feedback here as well if anyone is interested.

They were asking about 36k+taxes and all that other financial junk for it.

Alas, some pics:

 

I drove a 2wd Dodge with the Hemi, 20's, and 3.92 gears. The Dodge felt big, heavy and bulky. 345hp in the Dodge does not compare to the 300hp in my S'crew.

 

Nice looking Ram.

 

well prior to my 04 I test drove a 3/4 ton 2wd hemi, don't know the rear gear raito, but that truck had a lot more acceleration/power than my Ford, I work with a guy who has a hemi ram quad cab, thier nice trucks, however, the ram is a fat hog on flue, also I have seen a lot of lifted F150 to F350 trucks on ford dealer lot's, if they still have stock gearing, they would be less than = to the ram...My F-150 with the 5.4 is awsome, great on gas, looks good and has held up well.....I got to thinking on a 3v V/10 for the f-150...

 

Offtopic question Wandell:
Is there anyway to get an older 5 lug rim (for an older bronco) to fit on the newer 5 lug axles? I have some great looking rims just lying around and would like to put them on my 2002 F150 but they are just a hair off, thanks.

 

i agree those dodges feel underpowerd and they suck gas
i did like the older dodges with the cummins in them thou

 

Well, at least you parked it on the curb.

 

There are places that sell adaptors for different lug patterns, but they usually create more problems than they solve. The will make the wheels "stick out" more than they should which causes fitment problems and increases wear and tear on suspension and steering components.

 

That dealer was asking $12k too much for my area. Sticker price may have been $36k w/ dealer marked up wheels/tires, but employee price + rebates should bring it down a lot.

Test drive an F-150 5.4L w/ 35" tires and compare.

 

i sold my friend some of my rims and 35" off my 03 F-150 that he put on his 95 bronco he got some adapters for it and it didnt cause any fitment issues for his, but he had one hell of a time getting it alianment on it and he snaped two of his studs getting the adapters tightened down, if you do this i recomend getting new studs also

 

I got denied at the Ford Dealership for being underage, I am going to go back there in less than a month and I'll update this thread, I turn 18 on Sept. 17.