It's new vehicle time, can't decide which.

[Tiger]

These are are my choices.

2002 Dodge Durango. Fulltime 4X4 with the works SLT package, flame red.

2002 Dodge Ram 2500 3/4 ton 4X4 SLT, loaded with the Cummins 5.9L H/O Turbo Diesel, same color.

I've always owned a pickup because I like the utlity factor.
I'm leaning towards the Ram just because of the diesel and the price is almost a push.

 

[ECN]

if it was me id take the ram because it looks tough

 

[datalink7]

RAM

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

Alright the mans looking for a real vehicle.

The 3/4 ton Ram is one bada$$ mofo.
Can haul anything you can throw at it.
Make people in Geo Metros cringe in fear.

 

[brown234]

I'd go for one of the new Chevy heavy duties, but if I had to pick one of your choices I'd get the Ram.

 

[treasurehunter]

Another vote for the Ram. . . .

 

[xraymongral]

Uh, ya might want to check out a modern pickup, it will make ya will wanna pass on the Dodge trucks. Sorry, but they are junk.

 

[PG]

With the price of gas going up and up with no relief in sight, I'd go for a diesel. I love the Cummins, but you might want to check out the Chevy diesel. It has a full 300 HP now compared to the Cummins' 235. I'm just not sure about the long term reliability. I don't know much about that motor except that it's got a ton of torque and power. I think it has 520 lb-ft of torque to go along with that 300 HP.

 

[Squisher]

Its hard to put a 1/2 yard of top soil in the back of a Durango, it can be done though.

 

[ArkAoss]

go ram, go diesel.
unless you need to look like a soccer mom.

 

[freebee]

Beware with both of these trucks are the inherent reliability problems associated with them. Lots of loose trim pieces, occasional electrical problems, though the main mechanicals (engine, trans, etc.) are very sturdy.

 

[xraymongral]

One friend went thru two automatic transmissions on his '97 Dodge in 14,000 miles. The only thing he ever towed was a small uhaul trailer. I swear he never carried a thing in the bed either. The interiour was real crappy compared to the Ford that he replaced it with.

Another friend uses his Dodge as a work truck. The brakes pull to the right all the time, even after having everything in the brake system changed, under warrenty. He has had a ton of other little problems with the truck.

In a word, Chrysler quality sucks. Heck, when I was in Detroit, several people I know that worked for Chrysler didn't drive Mopars. They new first hand of the poor quality.

 

[Soybomb]

xray your ancedotal evidence is suck. My dad works for ford but all we drive are mopars so ford must suck then right?

Go with the ram, that turbo diesel is so sweet, the sound of sitting next to one in traffic is enough to make me drool.

 

[Mister T]

Tiger,

For god sakes look at the Chevy 3/4 Ton Heavy Duty !!!!!!!!!1
The new Duramax Diesel with the Allison Tranny is to die for.
It gets 18mpg and has power like you can't beleive. 300+ HP and 500+ lb-ft.

The new Heavy Duty 3/4 by Chevy/GMC is undisputedly the best truck on the market.

 

[LAUST]

Wait and get a new motor Dodge, or if you have to now get the RAM.

 

[xraymongral]

<< xray your ancedotal evidence is suck. >>


It is not offered as evidence, rather just opinion.

Sorry that Chryslers quaility is not up to suff, it is not may fault.

Anyways, Dodge trucks pale in comparison to Ford, Chevy or Toyota. In a word, they suck.

 

[Soybomb]

<< Sorry that Chryslers quaility is not up to suff, it is not may fault. >>


In your opinion. I happen to feel that chryco uses some very high quality and beefy parts! mmmmm dana!

 

[Tiger]

Thanks for all of the opinions.
I've currently got a 98 Dakota 4X4 V-8 SLT. It's been bullet proof.
My father has the same vintage S-10, he's had nothing but trouble with it. He's also got an Chrysler LHS that's been perfect.

There are two versions of the Cummins engine available. They're both rated to 300K before overhaul.

5.9L 24-valve Cummins Diesel (M-5) / (A-4) 235 @ 2,700 460 @ 1,400 16.3:1
5.9L 24-valve High Output Cummins Diesel (M-6) 245 @ 2,700 505 @ 1,600 16.3:1

Mileage figures aren't available because the EPA doesn't rate vehicles over 8,500lb GVW. I do have a friend of mine who has the 1 ton dually version 4X2 with the H/O Turbo diesel. He says he gets 20mpg with no load and 14 pulling his 32' fifth wheel trailer to AZ every year.

I will check out the Chevy/GMC's just to be fair, but it's going to take some serious convincing to make me jump.

 

[LAUST]

If your comparing the Diesels I would go with the Duramax with the Allison from GMC.

pickuptruck.com did a independant review on all 3 of the big boys and if your into making it to the speedlimit by the bottom of the onramp while towing get the Duramax. I don't like Diesel that much cause I'm a big power freak but I was impressed with 300HP and 520LBS that Tranny is also the bomb too. I'd live to make a converion on mine.

 

[Mister T]

Tiger, this is a must read:

Chevy HD's

If you want diesel with the best powertrain you need to go Chevy/GNC.
The Duramax is in another class than the ford/dodge's... its even relatively quiet. And the Tranny, Allison, is awesome.

Definitely read my link.

 

[iamwiz82]

Ok, it seems that Tiger wants a really powerful vehicle. Now, this is jus tme, but if i bought a truck that powerful, i sure as hell wouldnt care what the interior looks like.

My dad leased his 97 Dodge Ram quad cab for 3 years, and changed the oil 2 times in the 37,000 miles it had. The last time was the day it went to the dealer, and we never had a problem with the transmission, or the engine. Heck, the poor trucks bed was so beaten up that my dad bought a liner and installed it so he wouldnt get charged extra for the damage.

The only problems that ever occurred were the horn shorted out once, and someone baked into it, cracking the left rear light.

Finally, has anyone else noticed that every truck on the road now has the same flare that Dodge introduced.

If nothing else, DC has made alot of innovations in design.

 

[Tiger]

I checked out the Silverado 2500HD.
The Allison tranny is impressive, so is the 6 speed manual that comes with the Dodge Turbo H/O.
The Duramax is a V8 w/ aluminum heads. I still remember the fiasco GM got had with the detroit diesels they put in passenger cars back in the 80's. Is this a retooled detoit design or something new? I was also turned off by the $6,000 bump in price between comparably equiped trucks. The Silverado 4X4 in LT trim is $36K before the $6,000 Duramax/Allison combo.

 

[Linh]

you could tow a big ass boat with the ram, i'd go for the turbodiesel

 

[Redneck]

go with the 2500HD. It has a real diesel in it, with 11 years of proven service in automotive and medium duty aplications, as compared to chevys record. The Cummins has been pushed to 50+ psi boost, 4000 rpm, and over 600 horsepower to the rear wheels with complete reliability in competition (drive it there and drive it back), with the only internal modifications being a new head gasket to lower comprssion and a ported head. Lets see a duramax do that. Then their is the hotshot that put over a million miles on his 92' with no major problems. V engines are good at building horespower and are lighter, but inlines are better at building torque, which is what you need in a truck (most heavy duty diesels, including the worlds largerst are inline), and they build it a lower rpm. Then there are the aluminum heads, again which no major diesel engine maker uses.

 

[Soujiro]

Hmmm, I'd go with the Ram too. Durango is probably more comfortable if you're lookin to drive the family around. Ram diesel engine is pretty loud too.