Originally Posted by drewactual

tatiup8: just an fyi, which will likely cause me grief with the mods and admins here, but you posed a question in the 3rd gen section.. beware.. there is ONE person in that section who knows his stuff (Hammer).. the rest are questionable at best..

anyway- the 4.7 is a horrible engine.. terrible.. timing chain issues, lash adjusters (lifters) suck, it's terribly underpowered, valves clack.. I'd rather run a 3.9L magnum ANY DAY.

the hemi is a great engine.. the power curve is a bit higher than the magnums, and they have some valve clatter issues (hemi tick), but all in all, it's a great engine..

third gens in 4x4 1/2 ton are tricky.. if you go '06+, you'll get springs in the front.. 02-05 have torsion bars.. I'd rec springs.. the 1/2 tons don't have solid axles.. that solid axle is a heckuva advantage for a truck- not so much for a car, but for a truck? YES..

02-04's have electrical issues.. 04.5-05's w/ 5.7 engines are considered by some (as in Dodge too, because of customer satisfaction and maintenance records) the best trucks dodge ever made (axle and torsion bars not withstanding)..

this part is pure opinion: If it were me, and it isn't, but if it were- I'd aim for a '02 2500.. you get a second gen body style, with most of the bugs worked out of the engine and chassis.. the second option I'd target is a 04.5-05 Hemi 4x4.. I'd swallow the split axle and torsion bars, because those trucks had other things going for them too..

if you want to talk to someone who has knowledge of all things dodge, (he likely isn't as knowledgeable as some here about the second gens, or others about the third gens, but he likely has more working knowledge of all of them in comparison), seek out Hammerz71 and hit him up with some questions.. He's worth his salt.. take everything else you pick up from the 3rd gen section with just a grain of the stuff..

mods and admins: sorry, I call 'em like I see 'em.. that section needs help.

Originally Posted by dodge dude94

The 4.7 isn't as bad as some people think. Plenty of power for most use, reliable if you don't abuse the thing.
The thing with the 3rd gen is the CV joints in the front axle, those things go.
The Chevy will be a hog. Sorry, besides, I see too many of those around Tyler to suggest one.
*EDIT*
How 'bout this?
http://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/2616905518.html

Or this:
http://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/2629151198.html
lol, the lady took that in front of Broadway.

Originally Posted by dodge dude94

you're looking for something under 9 grand right?
To be honest, there's a lot of fords out there....

Originally Posted by dodge dude94

^It's a PITA to find something in good condition for cheap in East Texas.

Originally Posted by tatitup8

Don't really want a longbed.. And tht other one has way too many miles. I'm willing to drive up to around 1hr away or maybe 2 if the deal is worthy.