I am thinking about buying a new Dodge. I currently have a 99,that has been a pretty good truck. What are the major flaws or consistant problems you guys are seeing with these new trucks? I am torn between the Dodge & the room the crew cab ford has to offer. Any dirt on the new Fords? Thanks

 

I just sold my 99 for an 05. The difference in ride and handling is huge. The ford gets you about 4 inches more. If its that big of a deal, get the Megacab in June.

Lots of probs with the torqshift right now. There's a thread on it.

 

What is the torqeshift you are referring to?

 

The torqueshift is the auto tranny in the Fords.

 

I know the Dodge isn't perfect. I am still looking for some problems, so I know what I am up against. Can I get some honest problems with the dodge, not attibuted to adding HP Gadgets to it?

 

Honest problems. My truck had 3 powersteering pumps and is still leaking, multiple attempts at an AC repair won't know if it is fixed till summer when it gets hot and humid out, rear slider latch broke "was repaired", lots of trouble getting the tranney in gear 1/2/3 from a stop, a rear transfer case seal was replaced due to a leak, valve cover gasket replaced, and finally the bell housing is dripping oil.
Now, I am the exception to the rule. If you ask me would I get another one the answer is yes if I could get a new or better dealer to do repair work. As of tonight I am no longer a Dodge/ Cummins owner .
I think if you have a good dealer on any make or model that will fix your problems then you are good to go. None of them are goign to be problem free although I still think I would saty away from the F@RD for the time being.
Hope this helps

 

My 04 has been to the dealer twice.

1. TSB for the transmission line
2. TSB for the weather stripping on the doors

neither gave me any problems just wanted to get the work completed. Been a great truck so far 33K on the clock

 

I was a loyal ford owner until I bought my CTD in 03. I had a backup light switch go bad and the 2k rpm vibration that I had to fix on my own. (The TSP is for 03 and my early 04 does not have the weighted hose to the brake booster) Other than that, this truck is fantastic. In my opinion, the dodge is a truck made to work! I am very happy with my CTD and plan to drive it a very long time.

 

Hey there,
I was (sort of still am) considering a new dodge to replace my 02 powerstroke at some point in the not too distant future. My neighbor got an 04 CTD in August and shortly thereafter spent 5 weeks in the shop with less than 1500miles on it. All 6 injectors were replaced because the originals were leaking. He didn't have a problem for awhile, then it had to go in for a TSB for the white smoke. We bought an 05 350 powerstroke and took delivery in november and so far it has been absolutely trouble free. Obviously, there are many 6.0s that have spent a lot of their life in the shop, and from what i understand more than a handful of common rails that have logged some not so standard shop time as well (hopefully not as many as the # of bad 6.0s i've heard of). Seems like today you're taking a gamble either way, for every horror story there is someone who has had no issues whatsoever. Gems and lemons in every bunch.
good luck,
chase

 

"Anybody who is towing anything drives a Dodge",
" We see a couple of Fords but mostly Dodges"

Say's it all,
this being a bunch of 5th wheel owners Yuma Az Dec 2004.

Drive both through the twiSties,( turns for you flat landers), then you'll buy a Dodge. No joke No kidding hands down.

Doing the lame duck baseball style in my Dodge!

 

The Dodge has the largest brakes, simplest engine and the most power. Look under the hood of a Chevy or Ford and ask yourself if you would like to work on anything under there- can hardly see the engine.
With that said, I am obviously biased as I have an '05 Dodge quad 4 by- because their the best

 

My '04 H.O. has been trouble free! Awesome truck. When I got mine, I wasn't even in the market for a new rig (helping my sister-in-law test drive 3/4 ton diesels). We were unimpressed with Ford (was fast though) & GM. We were awe struck with this Gen 3 Dodge (fit/finish, handling, power, etc.). We both bought one. And I didn't think I'd ever own one cuz I hated the front grille (compared to the Gen 2 trucks). Made the truck look like a guppie, IMO. I still think the Gen 2's are one of the best looking trucks ever made. Anyway, I like the grill now...

Unless your kids or regular passangers are > 6'2" & 230lbs+ the rear area is plenty big. Like some one else said, wait for the Maxx Cab if needed.

 

Well, I'll chime in...

I also come from a Ford family, and I wanted a full crew cab. I looked at Fords, but at that time the rear seat did not fold out of the way and there were no storage bins under the seat, which to me was unacceptable (since changed). Then my employer bought a bunch of early 6.0's and several now have replacement engines...

I thought the not quite full size cab of the Dodge wouldn't work, but a buddy of mine had a gasser and I got to check it out for longer than a typical test drive. We are both over 6'2, and I could adjust the seat so that I could be reasonably comfortable driving and he could be reasonably comfortable in the seat behind me. Granted, the extra 6" of the Ford or Chevy would have made it nicer, but I was surprised that the Dodge wasn't as cramped as I figured.

My Dodge has been trouble free, except for the 2,000 rpm buzz/new brake booster hose thing. Several of my friends also have 3rd gens, and they have all been trouble free. It has a generally more refined feel than the 2nd gen I sometimes drive at work (though to be fair, the work truck has a lot more miles on VERY rough roads).

When a deer jumped in front of me, I had really written off the front of the truck, but it stopped in time. Like Comstock said, the brakes on these trucks are amazing.

In short, I would recommend the Dodge to anyone looking for a new Diesel.