hey whats up guys I just had a few questions. first off i know searching is a big deal on most forums and I usually do alot. i mean i spend alot and alot of time searching but i figured this type of questions probably wouldnt really be covered because its such a broad topic. 2nd i realize this is a dodge forum and I am no way looking to come here and put down dodge or say how any other truck brand is so much better im just looking for solid advice. im a sophmore and college and im selling my car as we speak to get a 4x4 truck. im either looking to get a ford 150 or dodge 1500. my 2 must are it has to be 4x4, under 100,000 miles and not a long bed, for some reason I never liked the look of them. but any other thing from reg cab to quad or extended to crew or however you want to say them all. for this section im looking at 99 to 01 1500 with the aabove things. I understand that you all are going to be partial to dodge or ford, or over gm etc but please dont make this into a fight of whose better. me and my parents have had 2 chevy's, 3 fords, and 2 dodges all of which have had their share of problems as well as share of good things about each so im not one to say ill never buy a chevy or ford or dodge. it just has to look good and work good for my needs w.e they may be. each company would not be what they are today if it wasn't for the competition between them all. . i have always been into for's myself just because the 2 cars ive owned since first driving but my dad has his 06 cummins quad cab 3500 and I do like some things about it but bear with me as I learn. but im looking for the pros and cons of 99 thru 01 4x4 1500's and things i should look for and take into consideration. what are the good and bad things that would make this truck a better choice then lets say the f150. one thing i do hate about the f150 is the vacuum actuated 4 wheel drive systems which can cause problems. i dont know if dodge uses the same but I was just using this as an example stating that im not here to say fords better, fu** dodge. so please save the fighting and flaming and just help me learn what I need to make the best decision for myself, whether that be dodge or ford. thanks Zach.

 

I believe the Dodges use the same 4x4 system.

Without going into reliability between the two, as you said, they both have their issues...

The F150 will get better MPG. The Dodge will have better low end torque and power, especially if you get rid of the "death flash" and leaking plenum gasket.

I've never liked the 5.4L V8 the Fords use. Underpowered, IMO. Back before the programmer, when all I had was the Volant CAI and exhaust, I beat a 2008 F150 5.4L V8 truck in a "up to the speed limit" street race. He beat me off the line, and I caught up and passed him. Didn't blow his doors off, but clearly beat him.

Either way you go, research the truck you are looking to buy and make a smart choice based on previous owners (POs), maintenance records, etc. Either truck can be decent if put into the hands of the right owners.

 

thanks for the advice, thats the kind of answer I was looking for but if you all want to go into detail by all means do. ive spent countless hours on ford forums researching and learning everything I can. i guess im weird but ill get on here every single day just about like clockwork and sometimes read for hours just learning everything I can. i read about the plenum gasket blowing while waiting for a reply lol. im either going to buy this bodystyle in cash which is like 8 grand or get a small load on like 3 grand and spend about 11 on an 02 or 03. do the trannies seem to be weak and have to be rebuilt before 200,000 miles almost everytime. basically im just hear to learn every thing I can to make the wisest decision for myself. it seems to me that around me dodges are laways cheaper, or for lack of better words being able to get more truck for the money. any particular reason why. I was searching for f150's with the same price comparisons and i couldnt find f150's for sh88 for good prices but ive found countless 02 and 03 dodges 4x4 with like 80,000 miles for flike 12 grand around me and thats asking price at a lot so I could def get down to 11.

 

I think the tranny issues in the 2nd gen Rams are hit and miss. Some have 3 tranny replacements before 100k, some go 200,000 on the original. Keep up with the maintenance on the tranny (fluid/filter swap, adjusting bands). Mine has 93k on it and is still doing well (original tranny). I had a F-150 and had problems with the 4x4, tranny and a leak between the windshield and body that caused 2 GEM modules to fry. Plenum problem is pretty much on all of the V6 and V8 (5.2/5.9) engines, and its not a hard fix if you take your time and have a little mechanical knowledge. I have read many posts about people wanting to do a auto to manual swap, so maybe try and find a manual? 2nd gen's have a rep for a cracked dash also (mine isnt, but many are). Also, if the timing chain hasnt been replaced by 100k, it might be a good idea to do so as they normally have some slop.

All vehicles will have their quirks. I love my Dodge and will run it into the ground.

 

yea thats basically my main issues im trying to go about. the 4x4 systems because fords seem to have tons of problems, tranny problems, and also hows the gearing and axles, will 35's need to def be replacing gears or can you get by witout burning up the rearend or tranny. i figd its prolly the same like everywere else. if you keep up with good maint. on them then you usally wont have many problems.

 

If you find an off-road edition, it comes lifted with 4.10 gears. I think some others come from the factory with 4.10s.

Dodge Rams are much safer than Ford F150s.

 

the transmissions are known to go out but more than likely a truck with this body style may have already had it rebuilt (dont hold me to that)... im not sure on the vaccum system they use in fords are used in dodges but most fords i have seen had the push button 4wd which i heard that if it didnt engage properly could possibly mess up the front end and for dodge they have the shift lever in the floor

 

yea the f150 also has the shift on the floor but its only available in the xl basci work truck package which is bare bones rubber floor, no automatic locks and no automatic windows, not even a tac lol. you could get in on the xlt as an option but basically if your someone wanted alot of nice options but still get the strength and better performance out of the shifter on the floor then its really not an option.

is their any particular years I should try for, what motor and tranny combo. me being in college I def cant afford to be dropping a tranny anytime soon.

 

98-99 has single piston brakes. 00-01 are duals and are noticeably better.
transmissions are prone to failure in all. a truck with an advertised rebuilt trans might or might not be better. it just all depends on whether is was actually rebuilt right or just had a kit put in and hope for the best.
front ends have a lot of moving parts and might need some very very expensive parts - bearings, axle u-joints, ball joints, track bar, steering box. if you had to have these replaced at dealer expect $2000-3000. diy for 1000.
4wd problems are usually just the stupid vacuum lines on the cad.
front and rear diffs are strong enough.
t-case is stong enough.
5.2 and 5.9 are pretty solid and reliable, but poor mpg, and a little underpowered with stock 3.55 gears.
interiors are roomy and comfortable.
dash's suck. most crack like and egg. very expensive to replace. $400 in parts plus several hours of labor.

the best truck of the 2nd gen is the 2001 offroad with 2" factory llft and 4.10 gears. expect to pay a premium price for it. forum member hometheater has one for sale. its in perfect condition with new $3000 transmission.