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Looking@ F250/2500HD/1500/RAM1500 (4x4)

G

GalDemSuga

1/2 ton status
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ATLANTA, GA
Help me choose folks:dunno:. I decided to stop using the K5 and Yukon for work and getting an extended cab pickup. I need some help choosing which truck is worth it in terms of reliability and fuel economy. I'm looking at models between 1999-2004 with about 100K miles.

Thanks:D
 
I have owned several Dodge 1500's in this age group. They were sturdy and reliable trucks, with plenty of cab room. Watch out for cylinder head problems in higher milage vehicles, the valve seats sink in the heads and cause a cylinder miss. Other common issues are water leaks at the timing cover and some transmission issues mostly related to the torque converter. They have solid axles front and rear and good ground clearence. The 4x4 system is very good in my estimation, with a 241 transfer case in the models I had owned. My son drove (abused)these trucks exclusively from the time he was 16 till he was 23 so that speaks to the durability aspect of the vehicle. Fuel economy is in the low to mid teens combined depending on how much tire you have on them and gearing. My last 2001 Sport with 360 Magnum had 4.10's and 35's on 17 inch rims. It got about 12mpg around town and 14 on the road at 75mph.
 
Greg Ducato said:
I have owned several Dodge 1500's in this age group. They were sturdy and reliable trucks, with plenty of cab room. Watch out for cylinder head problems in higher milage vehicles, the valve seats sink in the heads and cause a cylinder miss. Other common issues are water leaks at the timing cover and some transmission issues mostly related to the torque converter:doah:. They have solid axles front and rear and good ground clearence. The 4x4 system is very good in my estimation, with a 241 transfer case in the models I had owned. My son drove (abused)these trucks exclusively from the time he was 16 till he was 23 so that speaks to the durability aspect of the vehicle. Fuel economy is in the low to mid teens combined depending on how much tire you have on them and gearing. My last 2001 Sport with 360 Magnum had 4.10's and 35's on 17 inch rims. It got about 12mpg around town and 14 on the road at 75mph.
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All the reason to stick with what I've come to know "GM/Chevy".
 
ryoken said:
Dodge with a Cummins..
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This would be my choice as well, as having just sold my 00 with 332,000 that averaged 20-22mpgs unloaded and would pull or push (had a plow) anything you wanted.

Gas truck wise, our company owns 2 Chevy 2500hd's , both extended cab short beds, one 4wd and one 2wd. The 4wd is my fathers, I just did the 360,000 mile oil change :eek1:, the engine has never been apart, I've down 2 water pumps, an alternator, a set of motor mounts, and a belt tensioner but thats basically it.
The 2wd has 300k and is following in the 4wd's footsteps, as almost the same parts have failed at very similar mileages.



Oh, the 4wd generally gets 14-15 highway (it has 4.10's and stock tire size) and the 2wd only pulls an additional 1-2 mpgs more
 
jt512 said:
This would be my choice as well, as having just sold my 00 with 332,000 that averaged 20-22mpgs unloaded and would pull or push (had a plow) anything you wanted.

Gas truck wise, our company owns 2 Chevy 2500hd's , both extended cab short beds, one 4wd and one 2wd. The 4wd is my fathers, I just did the 360,000 mile oil change :eek1:, the engine has never been apart, I've down 2 water pumps, an alternator, a set of motor mounts, and a belt tensioner but thats basically it.
The 2wd has 300k and is following in the 4wd's footsteps, as almost the same parts have failed at very similar mileages.



Oh, the 4wd generally gets 14-15 highway (it has 4.10's and stock tire size) and the 2wd only pulls an additional 1-2 mpgs more
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Man those two are reliable!! MPGs not so great but reliable:waytogo:
 
GalDemSuga said:
Man those two are reliable!! MPGs not so great but reliable:waytogo:
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Keep in mind, those are both totally stock. Im sure you could squeeze a little more mpgs from an exhaust ,air intake kit, or some aftermarket tuning. They have both been great trucks, and even tow decent, they dont hold a candle to my diesel when towing, but they do well with 8k loads and less.
 
do yourself a favor and get a 3/4 ton you will be much happier heres my take

dodge: 98.5-06 ram with cummins or hemi
gm: 01-current with duramax or 6.0 gas ( steer away from the 8.1)
ford:f250 0r 350 with 5.4 or a pre 03.5 with a 7.3 td
 
Had an 04 dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 6 speed cummins, sold it because I started a new job and was carpooling with the wife. The dodge set for two months and making the car payment and insurance payment cost me almost $1k so we couldnt justify it setting there and costing that much. I was making less money also so it was getting hard just getting by. It had a cold air intake, edge programmer, straight pipe, front leveling kit and 33s and I got 20 mpg on average loaded or unloaded. It pulled very nicely, I miss it almost everyday. But with making less money and it getting hard to survive, also the wife cant drive a standard, it was hard to justify keeping it since it wasnt getting driven. Also we had to drive it everyday the first month of my new job and it cost $400 in fuel that month. Driving the wifes car it is half that in gas and it gets better fuel mileage.

I would definitely buy another one.
 
i accually love my 05 f250 crew as a daily driver i average 21mpg in my 60 mile a day commute it has 180k miles and doesnt complain
 
jd70ssclone said:
do yourself a favor and get a 3/4 ton you will be much happier heres my take

Agreed

dodge: 98.5-06 ram with cummins or hemi
I think 04 or 05 was the first hemi that wasnt an abortion of sorts. I vote common rail way way before 24 valve for cummins.
gm: 01-current with duramax or 6.0 gas ( steer away from the 8.1)
Ask Larry about the 8.1's. I wouldnt steer away from them. One of very few motors on the road to pass the marine dock test.
ford:f250 0r 350 with 5.4 or a pre 03.5 with a 7.3 td
the 5.4 was way way out of its league in a 250
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