The Ram 1500 was my second choice, i drove my friends while at the river about a month ago, it drove nice, but didn't seem to have the refinement of the F-150, its defineatly a bigger truck, and i like the center console better. I would have no problem owning one, but in my opinion, overall the F-150 was a better pick for my needs. ie: exterior looks, smooth ride, less cluttered dash.

 

While the RAM is good... I think that you will get more for your money with the ford. This is just my opinion, but the extra $ spent on the Dodge is for the HEMI name. Good luck in anything you buy.

 

i would have loved to get my hands on a 2004 Ram crew with a hemi. i think they look awesome and it would be cool to own a hemi. (want indicators = look good, hemi is cool)

but i have had so many problem with dodge 76 ramcharger and 78 power wagon i just couldn't bring myself to try them again. if i would have bought a ram and it had problems i would have kicked myself in the butt.

i fought off my "want indicators" and went with the more mature reasoning and purchased a 2004 screw 4x4 lariat. might not look as "bad-a**" as the ram, and it doesn't have a hemi...... but i bet it will still be running fine in 20 years.

age tends to curb your "want indicators" and helps you make more mature choices.

 

All I can say is if you get the ford don't try to outrun or outpull a dodge with the hemi because you will get your A@@ handed to you! I've allways bought ford and always will but the dodge has the edge right now. But ford is working on a new engine and I hope it comes out with enought power to put the dodge in it's place, but time will tell.
My father-in-law has worked at dodge for 5 years and now he works for ford and it's nice because I can get all the ''INSIDE INFO'' on whats wrong with stuff and whats not, and all he does is transmission work all day everyday, and he said the dodge has as good a trans as the ford does. But he did say that the ford has had some trouble with the rearend leaking around the pinion seal.

 

Just drove a 04 Lariat and an 03 2 wheel drive Ram Quad cab.

Only advanatge I can give Dodge is acceleration. Ford's 3 valve V8 is not a slug, it's just tugging a lot of weight. As others stated the F150 offers better quality and refinement. To me I was never satisfied with the Hemi's so called 5 speed automatic. The shifts were way to slow for the purposes of longevity. I also didn't care for the Dodge dealers selling tactics or service dept for my experience.

To me I felt the new 5.4 was adequate, not sure how satisifed owners are with the 4.6. Would be nice to have a turbo diesal for more performance and better fuel economy. F150 interior is no comparison - it's in a world of it's own.

Strange that you can't get an XLT with the audiophile pkg.

Here's another serious issue in my area - everybody that I know with a Ram on the factory 20's has had there truck and/or rims stolen. eally sad when the chrome is nothing more then a plastic cladding. THis is hoe Dodge uses the term chrome cladding. Smart to keep warranty cost down from peeling. Many owners actually believe they have chrome wheels, it's a plastic cover.

I did a search but is there a BIG difference in terms of ride quality btw the Lariat and FX4 ?

 

I like both of them. Lets be real about this. It really does not matter which truck you buy. It is all a matter of taste. You can buy Chevy, Dodge, Ford or Toyota (Sorry the Nissan is just too damn ugly to be in this catagory) and there will be things you like and things you dislike. I chose the Ford over the Dodge strictly because I have had 4 other F-150s that I have been very pleased with. I could have purchased the Dodge for less money, and I still think it is one great looking truck. The Ford to me drives better than the Dodge. The interior is bar none...the best looking truck interior out there. When it is all said and done...no matter which one you purchase, you will be very happy.. I love my F-150...my .02 worth.

Philip

 

I did test drive the both of them.... I did like the New Dodge compared to the 03 Ford, but the new 04 Ford I found to be better than the 04 Dodge... GG

 

I drove both-

For the savings- you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to give the Dodge a serious look, especially if it's discounted to 20K with the crew-cab and Hemi.

The Dodge's are without a doubt the best looking trucks on the road, and they're good trucks. No one can poke fun at Dodge quality because if you review the web sites you'll see owners of every brand complaining about something. (Tranny, vibration, shudder, control arms, etc..)

After driving both, I thought the ride was about equal. I didn't drive a Hemi- it had the standard V-8 engine, but they both (F-150 & Ram) feel pretty good as far as acceleration goes. The Hemi should be even better. On the outside and overall truckness- the Dodge is the equal of the F-150.

However, when it comes to overall smoothness, and interior ergonomics- the Dodge is a distant 5th place alternative to the F-150. It becomes very much the "delivery truck" when interiors are compared. I’d rank them:

1*.) F-150
1*.) Titan
3.) Tundra
4.) Silverado
5.) Ram

*- Tie

So, if all you want is a truck- I'd rank the Dodge very high on the smart buy list. If you want a really nice truck; and don't mind spending 26 - 31K, I'd suggest the F-150 or the Titan.

But, as you've been told often in this thread; Test them for yourself, then pick the one you like.

 

A Dodge will be cheaper every time.

I have taken many a Dodge trucks in on trade.
The main things I notice is that the front suspension
is "loosie goosie" compared to Fords of equivalent
mileage and wear.
You will also notice the quality of materials on
the interior are substantially inferior, giving
the truck a really cheap look and feel.
Dodge has always done a really good job with
their motors, no problem there.
They also do a great job with wheels and tires from the
factory. Where they miss the boat is in suspension.
The F-150 suspension is much more sophisticated.

 

but the ram is the best handling truck out of the bunch hands down.

 

Thanks for all the replys guys! For the person that asked what I will be using it for, just for weekend trips to home depot and other various things (no major towing). I had a 99 silverado and traded it in for an explorer in 02( had kids and needed 4 doors), and in two years realized how much I miss having a truck. I can probably get a SLT Hemi Ram Lone Star edition for about 20k and an XLT SCREW with no options and the 4.6 for about 22K. I like the F150 most, but it's kind of hard to pass up the Ram for the price! I'm trying to keep the price down because I still have 3 yrs on the Explorer and don't want to wait on my truck any longer. I'll be test driving soon!

 

I would look at the true pricing of the F-150. When you inquire through the internet, the dealerss will give you invoice. Once you get one local dealer to sale it to you at invoice, the others will follow. Most will not tell you about their invoice pricing. They will not tell you about the holdback either. With the F-150, the hold back is just over $900.

I bought a 2004 Lariat Scab w/tow. I got it at invoice then took off the rebates, plus my trade (93 Escort) and only paid 23,900.

Kevin

 

Why did dodge stop producing their version of the supercab?

 

That was pretty much my reason for skipping dodge, I really like the way it looks (tied to the F150 for badass look) but I didnt want a screw and I like big tires not big wheels. I actually didnt even test drive anything else because I was so impressed with the F150 when I got to the dealership.
I dont like the Silverados looks, I wont buy a foreign full-size truck...I dont care what others say it just doesnt seem American to drive a Nissan pickup (IMO). Dodge looked great, but the new Fords were in my dreams with a lift and a roll bar since I first saw them on TV. Besides I dont really plan on doing hole shots with $800 35" tires...unless I am in a mud pit!

 

I like them both, but Ford's interior is while the Ram has the better (exterior) looks!