Ford to dodge?

1adam12

THE BEAST
Location
MAGNA
Hey guys im a ford guy looking at buying a dodge (cummins of course) I want a 5.9 with a 6 speed. All I have looked at have Super high miles. People keep saying not to worry about miles with that drive train . What issues do I need to look for. Miles on the 150k to 200k range.
 

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
I tried that once. I bought a 02. Truck drove great, ran good. But I couldnt get over the crap interior and after 6 months the wife wanted a Superduty again.



I would try a brand new Dodge but I cant even afford the down payment.
 

jeeper

I live my life 1 dumpster at a time
Location
So Jo, Ut
We did some shopping for the dodge also. Never bought because we felt that even though we could trust the motor/trans that the higher milage trucks were showing signs of wear.. Window motors/switches going out, burnt bulbs inside the dash, little rattles here and there, etc. It doesn't feel right to pay 10-15K for a truck that has those issues.
 

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
Mine was a basic stock 6 speed. I think it had a slightly bigger turbo. Honestly I dont think it did TONS better than my 7.3. Not as much as I was expecting. I went from a 02 7.3 auto to the 02 5.9 6 speed. the Dodge was a dually and I liked that about it. But it didnt pull the hills any faster and got about the same mileage. Just felt more stable.



My neighbor just put some 2010 Chev seats in his 00 dodge. Had to make new brackets but they are comfy! Something to consider. I will stick with my Superduty tho
 

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
But to answer your question....the drivetrain will handle way more miles than 200k if taken care of. Its the rest of the truck falling apart around the drivetrain you have to worry about.


The dodge front ends are problematic at best. You will be replacing a lot of parts up there around the 150k to 200k mark
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Does the dodge pull any better then the 7.3 ps?


I had a '99 7.3L, went to a 2004 Cummins and am back to a '96 7.3L. My observation are the F*rd are better trucks. Hard to say if either one pulls better. I've had 21k lbs GCVW on my '99 and was SHOCKED how well it handled that. The powertrain of the Dodge can take the loads but the chassis isn't quite as robust as the F*rd. You can read about my Cummins woes in other threads of mine, but I'll summarize by saying it'll take a miracle design to get me into another Dodge truck again (had a hard time buying a Jeep due to it's Chryslerisms...)

Both will pull fine for most loads. I wouldn't worry about either one to pull
 
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mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
If I had it all to do over again (and I might?), I'd snag a Super Duty 7.3L and just make it a good truck with a little $. To me, they have enough power to pull fine, are pretty comfy and had less maint. issues than the Dodge. Just my experience, I'm sure there will be some Dodge guys defending their trucks and their F*rd experiences will echo my Dodge experiences.

Both have unit bearings and they are maint. prone. Both have questionable automatic transmissions that cost similar to rebuild. Both can build respectable (or insane) power with some moderate mods. I just think the TRUCK is better for the F*rd if you can get past their stupid door lock switches and power window switches. The interior and the body of the Ford will hold up over time better in my opinion. The Cummins might make it to 500k miles, but your truck will literally be duct taped and baling wired together. I have a '96 F250 that's been USED with 260k and it's still fairly solid.
 

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
Im sure some Cummins guy will post up how he never had had a problem in 600k miles, has never even changed the oil...AND gets 45 mpg pulling a train car down the freeway at 95 mph...


:rofl:
 

1adam12

THE BEAST
Location
MAGNA
That does sound like a dodge guy,lol. I think I will keep my search to a 4 door ford. My reason for selling mine is the small back seat and growing kids. I love the bigger back seat of the super duty
 

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
Get a crew cab and be happy.


Ive been considering selling my 03 7.3 cc sb for a 08 Superduty.


I did have my motor go out last fall. But it was a parts failure. Im 99% positive that my glowplug relay was bad and causing the glowplugs to run constantly. One finally burnt off and fell into the cylinder and BAM.

I found a motor with 90k miles on it and swapped it in.


All trucks have issues. You just have to decide which ones your willing to deal with
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
.... You can read about my Cummins woes in other threads of mine, but I'll summarize by saying it'll take a miracle design to get me into another Dodge truck again.

Completely and totally agree... I owned 3 Dodges diesel trucks and loved the first 2, I was a big fan of them. The 3rd was a lemon and was one EXPENSIVE problem after another. Our '03 had low miles and the interior was falling apart, one piece at a time. I won't even mention the engine/drivetrain issues... I cut my losses soon as I could and based on that experience, I doubt I will ever own another Dodge diesel.
 

moab_cj5

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
My brother in law is toying with selling his 99 4 door Superduty with the 7.3. He takes IMMACULATE care of his trucks. I am not sure of the mileage, but I am positive it is a solid rig. What are you looking to spend and I will see if he is any closer to selling.
 
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