On Monday I am trading in my 2000 Ford Excursion 7.3 PSD on a 2006 Mega Cab 2500 Laramie CTD.
My last experience with a Chrysler product ended really bad: Dodge Grand caravan, 4 transmissions, 2 engines, multiple CV joints, all in 80000 miles.
So, based on past experience, I am not a big Mopar fan, but I do really like the Mega-Cab and the Cummins engine.
My Excursion had 128k on it and never skipped a beat, didn't burn a drop of oil and got 16 mpg. Towed my 5000lb sled trailer at 75 and didn't even know it was back there. It is the only vehicle that I truly loved.
Unfortuntely, the rest of the vehicle wasn't built as well as the engine and it is time to let my baby go. The Ford 6.0 diesel is not even an option (too many headaches), and the Chevy's are too small and ugly, so the Dodge Mega Cab was the hands-down choice.
Now I need all you Dodge fans out there to convince me that I am doing the right thing...

 

Trust me, going from a powerjoke to a cummins is always the right thing to do and the Mega Cab is a really nice truck.

 

it will not be long before you feel the dodge/cummins sickness seeping into your veins. it took me about 3 months back in 1999 before it was in me. before that i was a proud chevy z71 gasser man.

dude these new dodge trucks are bad Edit the previous trucks dont even compare i have had them all 97,99,03,03

 

I liked the 7.3PSD that I left behind for the 04.5 that I have now and I don't look back... Great Trade!
So Far what I like better is:
Better Looks!
Better Mileage!
It is Quieter!
More comfortable interior!
Better turning radius!
Better handling!
Cheaper Maint. Cost
Better Mileage! (sorry... really happy about that!)
More Power!
4x4 works better!
I haven't had to replace the Tranny!

There is more but what I miss about my Ford is:

The extra 5-6" in the back seat.
Tires were cheaper 16" vs. 17"

Ahhh... Thats about it!

Congrat's on the buy.... It is nothing like the caravan 3.3L POS... I am in the service industry and I see lot of those falling apart... the only thing they have going for them is the moms that drive them don't drive them like I drive my truck or they wouldn't last to the 2nd oil change!

Oilguy

 

There is more but what I miss about my Ford is:

The extra 5-6" in the back seat.


Won't miss that with the MEGACAB!!

 

Your going to find this same thing about the Dodge, and probably every mfgr out there is in the same boat. They are all making the trucks as cheap as possible. You'll love the Cummins, learn to live with the plastic crap, and keep an eye out for the steering system issues that have been around for so long.

 

To those that responded, thanks for the boost of confidence.
The new 2500 Mega Cab CTD, is now in my driveway and I love it.

 

Tell me I am doing the right thing...

You are doing the right thing!

 

YES, YEs, Yes, yes,....

 

Well good for you.IMHO you made the right choice.I have owned nothing but Fords and chevys (1 toyota)the last 30 plus years and I love my 2004 dodge.coobie

 

Is this anything like having your own support group?
D...T...R

Diesel..Truck..Rehabilitation

 

I have a 2001 Excursion w/ the 7.3 & a 2004.5 Ram w/ the Cummins & 6 speed. Overall I have been disappointed with the fit and finish of the my RAM, cheap paint that scratches too easy, and multipe things that Dodge just cannot fix (it's been in six times to try to fix water leaks). The engine & drivetrain has been great & milage is good.

If I had to do it again, I would buy a new Ford instead of the Ram & hope that the issues on the 6.0 have been worked out. Really wish you still could get the 7.3. Anyway, I hope you will be happy with your choice, whatever it is.

 

At least Ford circles the problem - their emblem right on the front of the grill.

 

They haven't fixed the 6.0L in 3 years and now Ford is junking it next year for 2007. You can keep on hoping, dreaming and waiting. In all the years, have I have never seen a website with the words "lemon law" or "buyback" on it so many times as on the ford diesel sites. Its simply amazing that anyone would ever THINK about driving a ticking time bomb with their families on board. Going to the lake, family outing........or for that matter, trusting it to make you money every day hauling or driving to work.

I would rather be able to drive to work and have a small scratch on the door, than have a check engine light in my face, with misfires, low power, puking head gaskets, puking turbo's, no start's, plugged/failed EGR's, white smoke, hard to start when really cold, 100 different reflashes, poor MPG, service advisor's and tech's ever so ready to void a warranty on a stock truck because the tech has given up on the POS, because wont pay for the diagnostic on a truck becuase its the same issue for the 3-5th time.

A 6.0L is JUNK!!!!! JUNK JUNK JUNK! Boat Anchor, POS, Olds 350 Diesel.....its all the same thing. Its like beating a And Ford doesn't give a rats ***. Build them...and maybe we'll get lucky and get a fool who doesn't know its broke or hopefully not buy it back.

I'll take my CTD anyday....

 

If I had to do it again, I would buy a new Ford instead of the Ram & hope that the issues on the 6.0 have been worked out.



That's taking a very expensive bet, with really poor odds!