I read an article in the automotive section of my local newspaper describing the new four-door, half-ton Dodge pickup. Not a bad looking truck... much better then the four door Chevy is making called the Aztec (Aztec, Avalanche whatever. They both are equally as ugly!)

Ford had their full-size four door a full 18 months before the others and it still is the best looking, best built of them all.

 

not sure i'd agree with you, kkirt. imo, the new dodges are the best looking, ford is a close second. as for build quality, depends. i think gm has the best powertrains but worst build quality - ie...squeaks and rattles galore. having owned both a ford and dodge, i'd have to give a slight nod to dodge for cab integrity. but, my s-crew does most things well and is the right size vs the too small '02 dodge quad cab.

 

I'm with you TroyK,

I fell in love with the Dodge crew cab when I first saw it, especially with those huge 20" wheels. Man it looks good.

However, after close investigation, Dodge made a fatal mistake IMO, they failed to increase the back seat room to be like the Screw. They opted to keep the bed space the same as the extended cab and croud the passengers. They basically gave it a face lift and added the 2 independent doors for easier access.

I don't like to buy anything when it is first released as it almost always takes a couple of years to work out all the bugs. Rock-on Screw, especially KR.

DaveMan

 

daveman,

i think the new ram is more than a facelift. i have yet to drive one but i'm sure it's a very nice truck. afterall, it is the newest design and our fords are the oldest! however, agree that they should have made the quad cab larger. i think dodge would have if they'd known how big ford's and gm's would be. plus they have gone down to two models...quad and regular cab while ford offers three different trucks. the fact that the dodge is smaller and has inferior powertrain options prompted me to stay with ford and actually opt up for more luxury! now, if only the dealership could provide me with a build date...!

 

Hey TroyK,

I'm not bashing Dodge, okay just hear me out.

I'm sure the new Dodge truck is nice and I love it's looks, but there is no reason to give Dodge a break about the cab space being small just because they didn't know Ford, Chevy or anyone else was going to design with more space in mind.

Are they thinking out of the box or just making a "me-too" 4 door truck. Apparently neither since they could have easily copied Ford, and if they were thinking they would have considered rear passengers into their huge truck change investment.

Dodge could have changed the design at any stage and made more room and just postponed their release another year or so. I was a little disappointed when I heard they were building a production hemi to put into the new Dodge quad cab but that it would be some time before it's finished. Man, what a tease, just get it done and quit talking about it.

If Dodge would have done their own homework, I could have easily been waiting for an '02 Dodge Quad Cab with a hemi engine instead of an '02 screw.

To continue, Ford didn't copy anyone, at least I don't think so. I think they looked at what was needed and just did it. Ford may have asked themselves, well no one else has built a truck like this, we might fail here but they just went for what they felt was right. I think Ford made the right choice eventhough I wish there was more bed space, seems there is always a compromise when making progress and trying to please the masses.

My dollar two ninety eight's worth.

DaveMan

 

The new Dodge is a complete redesign and its Fugly. The front end is even more tacky than before. Turn off.

 

Dodge can be whatever it wants, the worst thing about any dodge truck has to be the interior materials. How come when I'm in any Dodge truck with cloth, I feel like yeah, this is from the lowest bidder.

 

Hey S'CrewLoose,

If the major problem with Dodge is the seats........then, if Dodge comes out with a King Ranch version of their new '02 quad cab, does that mean you are going to trade your screw in for one?

Just kiddin.

IMO, Dodge will be the underdog for some time to come eventhough I think they are trying real hard to come up with the right combination that will cause the 4 door truck market share to swing their way. Don't hold your breath!

DaveMan

 

Hey guys,
So far my truck has been everything I had hoped it would be. It has fit my needs just fine. I also saw the new Dodges, and thought that they looked interesting. To hear that the interrior is the same size as the old model makes me think, "that's about what you would expect". They come up with fresh ideas now and then, but it seems they don't try to improve their existing lineup. IMO.
I keep hearing people comment on the bed size of the screw. Although it's the right size for me, I can see where a larger bed would come in handy for others. I still hold onto the idea that Ford will come out with a long bed Screw. Since the Screw is built on the SB x-cab chasis, and they do make a long bed x-cab frame. Just my thoughts on a Sunday afternoon. Any ideas?

 

it's interesting to read your guy's take on dodge and comparisons with ford. i don't subscribe to the "ford guy" or "chevy forever" mentality and therefore i hope i'm being fair when i describe any kind of truck.

daveman,

i suppose dodge could have waited a year and produced a larger quad but with sales slipping i don't think they could afford to. from what i've been reading the new heavy duties are gonna have superduty sized crew cabs. but, i agree, the new quad should be a little larger than it is. dodge is trying to pitch it against trucks like ford's supercab. however, i'd be willing to bet that if you mention that you are looking at a dodge quad, a ford salesman would rush you over to an s-crew lickity split! for now the s-crew is the perfect size for me. large cab and just enough room in the box to haul small stuff...

as for dodge interiors vs ford. to me its a wash. i don't think one has better materials than the other. even though i currently own an s-crew, i still think ford could do something to break up that huge expanse of a plastic dash. i've gotten used to mine, but it still seems like i'm surrounded by acres of dull plastic.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DAVEMAN
[B]Hey S'CrewLoose,

If the major problem with Dodge is the seats........then, if Dodge comes out with a King Ranch version of their new '02 quad cab, does that mean you are going to trade your screw in for one?

Just kiddin.

DaveMan,

No Way, I love my truck, it is mostly what I expected with no big surprises. I had a y2k F150 before this one and didn't have it in the shop for anything, well if you don't count door cracks but that was just before I sold it. My buddy has a Dodge that has all kinds of problems...nothing big......just nit pickin......you know like 2 trans. a radiator.... driveshafts......nope, I'll keep my S'crew. I went through that $h!T in 99 with my Chevy Shakerado.

Ed

 

I'm with you S'CrewLoose about the Ford Screws. My '00 F-150 Scab has had zero problems thus far.

Just to give Dodge an "E for Effort".
I think Dodge is working very hard to gain market share but Ford is way ahead and it will be some time before they are close. I think that is evident with their new re-designed '02 quad cab. Even after a full re-design there still is no appreciable difference in rear passenger room. They shot their wad IMO.

DaveMan