well seeing how this post is relating to dodge, I have some questions and observations...

MDS on the hemi is useless...IF you tow or stoutly Accelerate thiers no benifit, and how can a heavy truck cruse on less cylinders, also the hemi is a pig on flue and with 2spark plugs per cylinder, extra maintamce cost's.

Question...is the six speed manual trans the same threw out the 1500 to 3500?
I'm debating going to dodge for the bigger cab ( regcab) and the manual trans with the 4.7.....I drove a short box with the 3.7 and it had a lot of torque but quiickly ran out steam pulling a heavy truck...

 

I think Dodge has a good truck and alot going for it. Ive driven a coworkers and it drove more like a truck rather than a car and the power was just there. My truck is smooth like a car, accelerates like a honda, the interior looks nice but the seats are like sitting on a park bench. Guess you cant have it all, when the dust settles Im young, energetic, and would rather have the power at my right foot.

For those saying the Hemi sucks gas, well do you think the F150 gets any better? Ive driven a Hemi Quad cab on the interstate and got over 20mph, something I have not been able to reach in my F150 yet. I have a feeling with the larger tires my F150 might now get better mileage on the interstate due to lower rpms but then use more gas in the city. I will soon find out, Ive got a trip from ATL to VA this weekend, cant wait.

Can anyone convince me to buy an Edge tuner, is it worth the money?? Id like nothing more to get those 300 horses I paid for, I think some jumped off my truck before I bought it.

 

I know this may sound like I'm stretching the truth, but when I test drive vehicles, I do it just for comparisons on power (except for the titan, it had some luxuries I would have liked in my Lariat). I test drove a regular cab hemi and it was pretty quick, but I think it would have been REAL close to my truck with exhaust, intake and e-fans. Maybe even without the e-fans. I am a supercrew so thats saying a lot. I was just going by the feeling, but on the Titan I did a 0-60, and it ran almost an 8 second 0-60. I would beat the Titan I drove, and the hemi would be pretty close. With the flowmasters I just put on, I'd get smoked by the Hemi, but not the Titan. The one thing about the hemi is no matter where I punched it, it didn't really need to downshift and if it did it was quick and I didn't notice. I am still getting a 7.4-7.5 with the new muffler, but that's pretty crappy for what I've put in. I have not stretched the truth in ANY way shape or form, I am giving my genuine observations about these test drives. I've twice driven a hemi, the hemi was HORRIBLE on 35's, and 3.92 gears. The F150 I just test drove responded better in the low end, and it had 3.73's, and was also on 35's. The dodges look great on the outside, interior is not bad at all, and they're no slouches but they're not very quick. My buddy's lowered chevy with exhaust only would smoke all of these trucks I've mentioned, and he only has exhaust. He always points out how much money I've put into my truck and how he still beats me. I'm getting close though, hopefully after datalogging, it will make a little more difference.

Take it for what it's worth, but everything I've posted was in all honesty. I think my 04 is just much quicker than the 05's off the lot, when I test drove a stock 05 (before I bought my 04), it was a complete slug, I could hardly spin them on turns. When I picked up my 04 from Indiana it was quick as is, pretty quick. Maybe an 8 second 0-60, it was definitely quicker than the 05. I really like my truck but the lack of power increase is really killing me after putting so much money into it, I feel like I'm getting nowhere.

 

Ok, 2 possibilites here: (1) that is a totally fabricated and/or grossly exagerated story; or (2) there is something significantly wrong with your truck (hopefully it's #2, because I don't want to call anyone a liar)... 2 ATV's on a mid-length 14' trailer should in no way, shape, or form make a v8 'slow'. I tow a 5000 lb travel trailer, and while not fast, it certainly isn't slow either. It's what I expect towing that much weight. Now towing only 2 ATV's would be MUCH easier/better for the F150. Much less weight, and even more importantly, you're not trying to pull a brick through the air (surface area).

If what you're saying is in-fact accurate, I'd definatly make an appointment with the dealership, and not accept it back until you can acceptably tow your trailer & ATV's.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that my wife also has an '05 Pilot, and the power is NOWHERE NEAR that of my F150. Sure the Pilot loves to rev, but the low/mid power is terrible. Ever notice how your wife's Pilot downshifts at the slightest throtle increase? (or maybe my Pilot needs to visit the dealership )

 

yeah i rented a dodge 1500 hemi 2wd and got 14.5 on the highway from FL to NC. My 4x4 f150 gets 16-17 on the highway

 

tear it up

 

I went to the auto show last week and the new dodge truck is not all that bad. They got rid of the hard black interior plastic for some soft touch material. Much nicer. Still would not buy one.

 

I traded in my 2004 Dodge 1500 reg. cab 4x4 hemi for a 05 F150 screw 4x4. My dealer sells both. The fords interior is nicer, the dodge was more comfortable. The dodge had more power (lots) through the whole powerband. Gas mileage was always between 17 to 20. Never any problems, no rattles or vibs. It was a good truck and I do miss it.

 

Hey it's not the 5.4's fault, if our trucks didn't average 200-500 lbs weight disadvantages with the competition we wouldn't even be having this conversation. That engine does an admirable job lugging around all that weight, being down on displacement (compared to both the Dodge and Nissan), and short a forward cog does have a negative effect. With that said I would like a little more power, but I think its sufficent enough for what I need, anymore I'd probably cause an accident because bringing that baby from a stop at highway speeds aint exactly easy.

 

AHHH Yes, I remember my first f-150. A 1987 regular cab 4x4 XLT. Awesome truck but only got about 10mpg. Gas was only $.99 /g so there wasn't much of a problem with that, even with 2, 20 gallon tanks. The best of all, that beast of a motor, 5.0 302 V8 had a whopping 185hp. I didn't complain then, I'm definitly not going to complain with 300 and the "edge".

 

I used to have a 99 with a 4.6 and i could feel a lawnmower on a trailer. I have had my 05 w/5.4 and I have pulled the Fire Dept atv going on a call (lights and siren) and I had to keep reminding myself that it was back there. I had my computer reflashed and I could tell the difference.
As far as a Dodge goes, the outside is sharp. But i really dont like the inside. The ford looks much better.

 

Well, write me down as one who is crossing over to Dodge.

My 04 F-150 has been nothing but problems and I finally recieved word from the BBB that Ford is being forced to repurchase my truck. Unfortunatly, Ford isn't offering much as far as deals on the FX4 so I went to check out what I can get a Ram for. A fully loaded Ram (20" rims, 4x4, Hemi, towing pkg) is going for 270 a mth with 0 down for a 2yr lease.

I'll agree with most. The interior is sub-par compared to the F-150 (specifically the FX4). I wasn't a fan of the steering wheel feedback... the steering also felt a little loose and the ride is a bit rougher. However, that Hemi is awesome! I also think the exterior styling is a bit more sporty and aggressive.

I'll miss my F-150, but I'm excited to see how the Ram works out.

 

Just to throw another opinion in here. I have an 04 lifted with 35s on it and the SCT 1714 tuner. I tow my 20' runabout all summer long and have yet to have any complaints near yours. I think the truck is great towing and sometimes I think it even handles better and drives smoother with the added weight.
I did lose a lot of acceleration with the lift and tires but when the weather is right, or anytime the 91+ tune is in, I can chirp the 35s pretty well off the line. As all of you have said, I would always love for more acceleration and power but then again I would gladly give that up to have a better built, better looking and overall better truck than what Dodge and Chevy put out. Power hungry, yes, but if I want to drag race I will drive the vette, if I want to roll over some chevys I will drive the 150.