Laramie1997
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2010
- Posts
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 103
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri
- Ram Year
- 1997 Ram/2013 Charger R/T Super Trak Pak
- Engine
- 5.2 (318ci)/5.7 (345)
Note, there is no order to this AT ALL. Just some random thoughts that have been running through my head the last two days.
Over the last few days, I have had the opportunity to drive a couple different models lines of trucks that are in competition with our Rams.
I have a family member who is in the market for a new one ton truck, so out of curiosity, I decided to see if Ford and GM would allow me to drive their trucks. I know, it was more of a joy ride type of situation, but I did indeed want to compare the three now that Ford has their new motors on the table only because their 6.2 and their 3.6 eco boost had my curiosity up. As some of you know, my current truck is a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.7L 4x4, with 3.92 gearing.
The first truck I drove was a 2011 Chevy Silverado LTZ with the 5.3L. I am unsure of the gearing, but I believe that it was was higher than the standard 3.11:1 that they offer. I will give props to GM for taking the LTZ's interior up a notch. It is fairly pretty, but it still feels quite "plasticy" It seemed that everything I touched was a plastic coated plastic something or another, and I really don't like that feel. I will grant though that all the big three's interiors feel just about the same right now.
When it came to the ride of the truck, all I could think about was how soft it was. It felt like I was riding in Grandmother's Caddy the way it floats down the road. The motor, while I know it's outdated, simply cannot perform to the same standards that Dodge and Ford has produced. If you've ever driven a car or truck and floored noting how you were making all the noise in the world, yet just didn't seem to be getting anywhere fast, then you know exactly where I'm coming from. For the price and the cost, I simply cannot see where you're getting your money's worth. You can record though that I am not a large GM fan. I haven't liked their trucks since the mid 90's and even then they weren't that great compared to what other vehicles were being offered.
Next we went to Ford. The first truck I drove was the new F-350 with the 6.7L diesel, but I will not be talking about that truck until I have had some seat time in GM's option for the HD line and Dodge's. After I was done with the one ton, I then test drove a Ford Lariat with the 3.6L V6 ecoboost system. This is the motor that really has been spiking my interest since I have always been a fan of forced induction in the regard of engine longevity, and sheer power that can be made from it. I was really looking to be amazed with this truck; hoping to feel what others have been raving about in the Taurus and the Mustang. Knowing that the truck version of this motor wouldn't be quite as untamed, I still expected better than I saw and felt. I am not quite sure what Ford has that motor tuned to in terms of what PSI the twin turbos are putting out, but I can tell you that you really can't hear them, and you really can't feel when they kick in and out. Comparing the motor to the 5.3 from GM, I feel that the V6 completely and 100% out performs GM's offering at this point and time. (5.3 only) I don't have a lot to say about the 6.2 that Ford is offering as well. It did indeed to seem to have the power, but to me, it feels that Ford has decided to be conservative about how much of that power dissipates in the drivetrain. Overall, compared to both the power and the fuel economy of the 5.7, I still feel that the Hemi is on top in this category. Even if on paper the Ford is making best power out of the three, Dodge has been able to get what feels to me, more power to the road than the other two do. The only place that the 6.2 seems to really shine is in higher gears when the 5.3 and the 5.7 seem to fall on their faces.
As for the interior, I would rank both trucks about the same in terms of quality with a slight edge given to the Ford. Which I only dole out because of the console shift option. Speaking of, I don't know how many of you have noticed, but I do seem to feel that Ford went an interesting route with the shifter build. Trying to mimic a pistol grip design just didn't feel right to me, but I'm sure that some people love it. There is a seemingly tough or work truck feel to the overall build of the Ford though. In terms of ride, the Ford is indeed the stiffest of all three trucks. Whether or not this is a good thing is entirely up to you. Personally, I thought the ride was a little too stiff for a half ton, but for those that need to tow the 10K that these trucks are rated for, I would think they would appreciate the differences.
As a little side note, I stand 6'3 and weigh in at 275 right now. Most of my height comes from my torso and up instead of leg length, so I need some head room. When I sit in both the Ford and the Chevy trucks, with the seat ALL the way down as far as it goes AND the seat reclined back as much as I can tolerate, my head still physically touches the ceiling of the truck at all times. Something that I find overly annoying. In the ram, I do not have this issue. I thought I would when the 4th gen ram came out considering that they chopped nearly two inches off the roof line, but with the seat low but not all the way down and the seat back almost erect; my head still clears the ceiling by a good inch or more. Which I can live with.
When it comes down to it, I feel that if you are looking for a truck that is capable of towing 10,000 pounds easily and one that looks like a truck and not a sporty rendition of what trucks used to be, then Ford is probably for you. If you find yourself asking the question," I don't know when or if I'll ever tow and or haul" then the Dodge is going to be your option I would think. For me, I was more interested in ride, cornering and overall looks than I was sheer performance in stock form. I know, these trucks are not performance minded at all, but if I can take a corner at 60MPH where I would have to slow to 45-50MPH in the Ford, then it is indeed worth it in my book. As for the GM option, I can't think of one area that it outshines what Ford and Dodge have on the table right now. They lack the power, they lack the looks, and they lack the capabilities of the Ram and the F150.
At any rate, I am glad that I took the time to drive the other two trucks. It makes me feel that I made the right choice overall concerning my needs. I don't need to tow and I don't need to haul anything. I have two other trucks that I can have access to at any time I need them so it's a null issue for me. My main reason for picking this truck up was looks, safety, and my own personal preference for driving a large vehicle over a small car.
I know I've posted a book here, but this is just random observations that I've had and I know that I'm not the only one that has been questioning themselves about their decision to buy that they bought, or people who are on the fence about what to get.
With this in mind, if you like what you read, then stay tuned because I am hoping to have the HD line comparison done by Sunday.
Over the last few days, I have had the opportunity to drive a couple different models lines of trucks that are in competition with our Rams.
I have a family member who is in the market for a new one ton truck, so out of curiosity, I decided to see if Ford and GM would allow me to drive their trucks. I know, it was more of a joy ride type of situation, but I did indeed want to compare the three now that Ford has their new motors on the table only because their 6.2 and their 3.6 eco boost had my curiosity up. As some of you know, my current truck is a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.7L 4x4, with 3.92 gearing.
The first truck I drove was a 2011 Chevy Silverado LTZ with the 5.3L. I am unsure of the gearing, but I believe that it was was higher than the standard 3.11:1 that they offer. I will give props to GM for taking the LTZ's interior up a notch. It is fairly pretty, but it still feels quite "plasticy" It seemed that everything I touched was a plastic coated plastic something or another, and I really don't like that feel. I will grant though that all the big three's interiors feel just about the same right now.
When it came to the ride of the truck, all I could think about was how soft it was. It felt like I was riding in Grandmother's Caddy the way it floats down the road. The motor, while I know it's outdated, simply cannot perform to the same standards that Dodge and Ford has produced. If you've ever driven a car or truck and floored noting how you were making all the noise in the world, yet just didn't seem to be getting anywhere fast, then you know exactly where I'm coming from. For the price and the cost, I simply cannot see where you're getting your money's worth. You can record though that I am not a large GM fan. I haven't liked their trucks since the mid 90's and even then they weren't that great compared to what other vehicles were being offered.
Next we went to Ford. The first truck I drove was the new F-350 with the 6.7L diesel, but I will not be talking about that truck until I have had some seat time in GM's option for the HD line and Dodge's. After I was done with the one ton, I then test drove a Ford Lariat with the 3.6L V6 ecoboost system. This is the motor that really has been spiking my interest since I have always been a fan of forced induction in the regard of engine longevity, and sheer power that can be made from it. I was really looking to be amazed with this truck; hoping to feel what others have been raving about in the Taurus and the Mustang. Knowing that the truck version of this motor wouldn't be quite as untamed, I still expected better than I saw and felt. I am not quite sure what Ford has that motor tuned to in terms of what PSI the twin turbos are putting out, but I can tell you that you really can't hear them, and you really can't feel when they kick in and out. Comparing the motor to the 5.3 from GM, I feel that the V6 completely and 100% out performs GM's offering at this point and time. (5.3 only) I don't have a lot to say about the 6.2 that Ford is offering as well. It did indeed to seem to have the power, but to me, it feels that Ford has decided to be conservative about how much of that power dissipates in the drivetrain. Overall, compared to both the power and the fuel economy of the 5.7, I still feel that the Hemi is on top in this category. Even if on paper the Ford is making best power out of the three, Dodge has been able to get what feels to me, more power to the road than the other two do. The only place that the 6.2 seems to really shine is in higher gears when the 5.3 and the 5.7 seem to fall on their faces.
As for the interior, I would rank both trucks about the same in terms of quality with a slight edge given to the Ford. Which I only dole out because of the console shift option. Speaking of, I don't know how many of you have noticed, but I do seem to feel that Ford went an interesting route with the shifter build. Trying to mimic a pistol grip design just didn't feel right to me, but I'm sure that some people love it. There is a seemingly tough or work truck feel to the overall build of the Ford though. In terms of ride, the Ford is indeed the stiffest of all three trucks. Whether or not this is a good thing is entirely up to you. Personally, I thought the ride was a little too stiff for a half ton, but for those that need to tow the 10K that these trucks are rated for, I would think they would appreciate the differences.
As a little side note, I stand 6'3 and weigh in at 275 right now. Most of my height comes from my torso and up instead of leg length, so I need some head room. When I sit in both the Ford and the Chevy trucks, with the seat ALL the way down as far as it goes AND the seat reclined back as much as I can tolerate, my head still physically touches the ceiling of the truck at all times. Something that I find overly annoying. In the ram, I do not have this issue. I thought I would when the 4th gen ram came out considering that they chopped nearly two inches off the roof line, but with the seat low but not all the way down and the seat back almost erect; my head still clears the ceiling by a good inch or more. Which I can live with.
When it comes down to it, I feel that if you are looking for a truck that is capable of towing 10,000 pounds easily and one that looks like a truck and not a sporty rendition of what trucks used to be, then Ford is probably for you. If you find yourself asking the question," I don't know when or if I'll ever tow and or haul" then the Dodge is going to be your option I would think. For me, I was more interested in ride, cornering and overall looks than I was sheer performance in stock form. I know, these trucks are not performance minded at all, but if I can take a corner at 60MPH where I would have to slow to 45-50MPH in the Ford, then it is indeed worth it in my book. As for the GM option, I can't think of one area that it outshines what Ford and Dodge have on the table right now. They lack the power, they lack the looks, and they lack the capabilities of the Ram and the F150.
At any rate, I am glad that I took the time to drive the other two trucks. It makes me feel that I made the right choice overall concerning my needs. I don't need to tow and I don't need to haul anything. I have two other trucks that I can have access to at any time I need them so it's a null issue for me. My main reason for picking this truck up was looks, safety, and my own personal preference for driving a large vehicle over a small car.
I know I've posted a book here, but this is just random observations that I've had and I know that I'm not the only one that has been questioning themselves about their decision to buy that they bought, or people who are on the fence about what to get.
With this in mind, if you like what you read, then stay tuned because I am hoping to have the HD line comparison done by Sunday.
Guess I won't go look at a Chebby or a Ferd (not that I was thinkin of it!)
