I am not trading off my Dart! Need a new truck.

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swies

swies

Wish I had more time.
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I am looking at replacing my 2004 Yukon Denali.
Last night I went and drove a 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum.
2009 GMC Sierra Denali (pickup)
2008 Dodge Ram Laramie.
All were nice trucks and in my price range.
All had Heated Leather, Sunroof, and NAV etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts / info before I spend my wad on a new truck?
 
I couldn't be happier with my '09 Dodge Ram 1500. The 5.7 gets around 15 mpg in town and over 20 mpg on the freeway if you drive it sanely.
 
I have a 2013 Hemi Ram. I love the looks, performance, interior, everything. What I hate is it has tire shake at 55 and up. Changes with different roads. I think it's a bad tire or a rotor. But I can't get it resolved because the dealers suck. Keep feeding me BS about how it's the balance. Then I need weight in the bed. That makes it worse. Got me for $500 so far with tire rotation, balancing twice. Once road force. Alignment. Then I get the I don't feel anything. Very frustrating. All vehicles have issues. It's the bastards at the dealerships. Had the same thing with the navigation system. Would just shut off for no reason. They told me it's cause I have the better system.??? Ever since I got the security update, I haven't had any more navigation issues.
 
talking about the 'death shake" or ^^^ tire shaking, from what I have found, it is in trucks with non standard size tires, AKA large tires. My fleet of Ram trucks, over the years between my brother and I at lesat 30 between 2005 and now, have had ZERO issues with the Death wobble. We keep the right sized tires on them. LOVE the Ram trucks.
 
I drive an 07 4X4 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 HEMI, I have over 150,000 miles on it now and it is still running strong. I have never had an issue with it, other than the usual rust problem around the rear box wheel wells. Like was said up above stay away from the 4.7 you will not be happy with it, gas mileage or performance. I have had some friends that bought the 4.7 and did not keep them long and went right back to the 5.7.
Good luck
Bob
 
Love the Ram Trucks...My 08 Dually had "death wobble" bad (stock tires) but there was a factory recall and they put heavier duty suspension parts on it and it quit.Loved that truck....pulled my 40 foot fifth wheel like it wasn't there...got 13 miles to the gallon(Diesel) empty or loaded. I hear Ram has improved a lot since then. Before I retired the company I worked for was big on Ford.They had good luck with them but I never felt comfortable in them.
 
Are they similar in price? Go with the denali, if its a 1500 it might have a 6.2 ls3 in it. Those denalis are very nice, stay away from the ford especially if its the 5.4.
 
no complains my 08 5.7 ram. 1500 quad cab 4wd. now has 80K miles, bought it with 30K. I believe the only thing i have ever done to it is a wheel bearing.
CAI, TUNE, exhaust, and i get about 17 combined, 20-21 hwy. ran 15.60's at the track. not too bad for the truck i pull the racecar with!
 
ILLDuster74 said:
Are they similar in price? Go with the denali, if its a 1500 it might have a 6.2 ls3 in it. Those denalis are very nice, stay away from the ford especially if its the 5.4.
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They are all similar in price. Dodge is a little cheaper, not much, Sierra is a little more, also not much.
Dodge it the 5.7 Hemi 345hp / 375ft/lb
Ford is the 5.4 320hp / 390 ft/lb
Sierra is the Denali with the 6.2 variable valve timing 403hp / 417 ft/lb

Why stay away from the Ford especially if it has the 5.4?
I have never owned a 5.4. I do have 7 Ford F-250's in my fleet but they have the 6.2 @ 385hp / 405ft/lb.
The reviews of the 5.4 I have read are pretty good. No real genetic flaws that I have seen.
When driving, it seems to do pretty well. Not the same as the Sierra but with the 6 speed, it hits the onramp just fine.
:happy1:
 
I have a 09 Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 with the 5.7 hemi.I love this truck ,great performance,and fuel economy.My only problems have been blend door motors(very easy job)and electric sliding window(still not working)...................................Jeff
 
Ford 5.4 has some issues that can be very expensive to repair

Changing the spark plugs are recommended at dealer, due to design

They are good engines but high miles will be costly

Mine is an old diesel, so know nothing of the gas ram but have heard lots of good things

Also have heard good things of the GMC
 
It is the spark plugs, changing them is about 2 grand and should only be done by a dealer. The engine has to be dismounted and moved to clear the rear ones. Just like the old mustang 427 and 428s. Pretty much what Wildcat said.
I would always get the biggest best engine and for my money it is the 6.2 LS in that Denali. I love the Hemis but you really almost have a corvette engine in that truck.
Best of luck though but i recommend the Denali, you know what they are like, then the Ram. Nothing ford unless it is an 03 or less Powerstroke 7.3, or the newer 6.2 gas or 6.7 diesels. and dont get me started on those eco boosts lol.
 
Look at a lot of trucks, don't buy the first one you look at.
You need to look at the cleanest, buy the one with the lowest miles, one owner with a proven strong power train.

Ford plug removal is a big "If" it not done by a dealer with receipts that warranted the repair.

Dodges beds rust out bad.

Chevy's, In my opinion are under-powered for what they claim, and just plain cheap in the interior.

Spend alot of time looking at alot of trucks, 75% of what you look at will be junk, you will know when it is the right truck for you, just by the feeling you get from the owner, not some car lot.
Just remember good ones are kept, the ones with "issues" get sold.
 
I have 2014 quad with 5.7 hemi and 8 speed that I love. I can not believe the mpg which runs around 21-22. I have got 24 on trip.
 

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sireland67 said:
Look at a lot of trucks, don't buy the first one you look at.
You need to look at the cleanest, buy the one with the lowest miles, one owner with a proven strong power train.

Ford plug removal is a big "If" it not done by a dealer with receipts that warranted the repair.

Dodges beds rust out bad.

Chevy's, In my opinion are under-powered for what they claim, and just plain cheap in the interior.

Spend alot of time looking at alot of trucks, 75% of what you look at will be junk, you will know when it is the right truck for you, just by the feeling you get from the owner, not some car lot.
Just remember good ones are kept, the ones with "issues" get sold.
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well, my 4.7 has had nothing but batteries, tires and front wheel bearings. 156000 and something and still has the original brakes on it, and I have done a fair amount of towing w/ it. the mileage is about like my sons hemi , but yes, it`s a little short on power. and after 13 yrs., the right side rear fender well is starting to rust. one of my friends as has an 02 chevy, and has had the fender wells, cab corners and front bottom of the bed replaced on his already. the trucks are the same age. the guy that's painting my barracuda did his body work, and it looks like a brand new one. I probly won`t buy another truck, but the alum. ford might be worth looking at.
 
I would recommend getting a '09 or '10 Dodge rather than the '08 if you can find one in your price range. Horsepower went up to 390. I have 3.92 gears in mine, which I love.

Btw, I get about the same mileage towing that Ford as the Ford gets running down the road empty.
Dallas
 

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MOBodyman said:
I would recommend getting a '09 or '10 Dodge rather than the '08 if you can find one in your price range. Horsepower went up to 390. I have 3.92 gears in mine, which I love.

Btw, I get about the same mileage towing that Ford as the Ford gets running down the road empty.
Dallas
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lol...thats a classic image.
my dad also has a "tradesman" if that what that is!...But man does it drive/tow nice compared to my 08...his is a 13. zero issues, and rides like a caddy with that 5 link rear.
 
Mopar Tim said:
talking about the 'death shake" or ^^^ tire shaking, from what I have found, it is in trucks with non standard size tires, AKA large tires. My fleet of Ram trucks, over the years between my brother and I at lesat 30 between 2005 and now, have had ZERO issues with the Death wobble. We keep the right sized tires on them. LOVE the Ram trucks.
Click to expand...
Mine has the factory 20 inch wheels and tires. Started at the same time the rotors warped. Had them turned. Stopped the brake pedal pulsing, but the wobble stayed. I would look at the Ford with the 5.0. Engine. The 5.4.i had was gutless. Had to floor it to make it go.also the spark plugs break in half, sometimes the tip falls in the combustion chamber. Requires a special tool to remove.
 
Those 5.0 trucks are nice, but usually really expensive, you can get a 3/4 ton ford with a 6.2 for practically the same price if not less.
 
1st i have to ask what are you going to be using it for ? I dont like any thing new. Its cheaper to find an older truck do alittle fixin on it . Make her your own . You can still find cheap low mile Dakotas. Ive had 2 wore them both out Between me and my famliy lol . Mine was all in the 90 to 96 years . Only weak spot bout them is the trans. both mine was 3.9s did every thing i Needed to toss at it. (Will pull a dart NP) The other that ive had is a 90 chevy 1500 v8. Likes its gas but i dont have to worry bout it.
 

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dont touch the f 150, ive owned several, nothing but issues. i used to work at dodge and i like there trucks but interior is bland. i drive a gmc sierra and personally they are the best riding truck you can get and the interior is very nice. just my opinion
 
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