Many of you might know I've been here a while reading, gathering information on the Dodge diesel, and diesel technology as a whole. Today I am actually going to go test drive 2 different trucks.

One is a 2000 f250 w/ the 7.3 PS. 6spd manual, extended cab (not the crew cab, which is what I'd perfer). 2wd.

The second is a 2001 Ram 2500 w/ 24v 6spd manual, 4x4.

The only difference is one is 2wd the other is 4wd, and the Ram is 1550 more. Oddly enough, they are at the same dealership so I thought this would be a great opportunity to test drive them both at the same place, same day, to get a idea of what I'm liking. Wish me luck!

 

Alrighty folks, I have returned. Here are my thoughts and results. This might help for someone considering between a 12, 24v, and a f250. Maybe.

F250: The first one I drove. It is a 2000, extended cab, 6spd. 2wd. All the comforts of a XLT. Original owner swapped out the front cloth seats with Lariat leather seats. Nice touch, very comfortable.
First impressions: WOAH! I had heard the 7.3L PSD to be sluggish, had some ***** as far as pulling power, but otherwise a little sluggish. I was GREATLY, and happily I think, suprised to find me thrown back in the seat. It took some getting used to with the 6spd positioning, but once I did I was flying, and fearing getting a ticket. I was quite impressed with it, as well as the condition of the truck at 108k. Two thumbs up here.

2002 24v: Okay, so they didn't have the stickshift one anymore. So I had to settle for a auto. It had 4wd though, and 138k. Not very good turning radius. The seats were uncomfortable. I had to turn overdrive off to really get it going. It never would puff even a little smoke out the back. Not overally impressed. Transmission was weird. I think it was on its way out. 1 thumb up. I want to try it with a manual when I can.

1997 12v: Also 4wd. Much better turning radius (why is it different between 97 and 02? maybe something was wrong with the 02). The steering wandered a little bit. It had 178k, and I bet it was the original front in parts as much as it wandered. This one was a auto also. It performed much better than the 24v, especially with overdrive off. Had no problems getting it to smoke a little. *evil grin* 1 and a half thumbs up

Overall: I really, really enjoyed the F250. Yes, you read that correctly. Enjoyed it. To me, one thing I want in a vehicle is enjoyment. I didn't find that in the two Dodge's. However, I'm still holding out. I think I might have gotten some not so good Dodge's. Plus they were Auto's, and I won't be getting a Auto so its a different. I looked at a 2001 and 2000 Dodge that was also there. I was not impressed how the interior was not kept up well, as compared to the F250. Do Dodge owners not take care of their interior's? They had a 04 F250 that had a not so good interior also, but it was a 6.0 and I didn't even bother with it.

 

No superduty has a better turning radius than a dodge, so the one to complain about is the ford. As far as power, try a cummins with a stick behind it because the autos stink and really hold them back. If you get decent mileage out of the 7.3 it's only because it's a stick and 2wd otherwise they'll never get the mileage that a cummins will. The dodges will go through front ends like it's their job. If you buy a 7.3 you'd better keep a couple camshaft position sensors in the glovebox because they go very often (easy to change though). At least in my experience with 7.3's my cummins always had to jump it in the winter when it was cold (although there may have been a faulty battery contributing(?) to the problem.

I feel obligated to warn you about a 2wd diesel truck. I don't care what anybody tells you about getting good tires and being fine. Having the heavy diesel up front causes these truck to plow into lose material with the front instead of driving up on stuff this makes 4wd an absolute necessity for pretty much anything off of pavement and basically anything involving using it as a truck. My old dodge would get stuck on a wet kleenex if it wasn't in 4wd . However, this may not be a concern where you live and under your circumstances.

As for bombing (if that's your thing) the ford bottom end will drop out at about 450 hp according to some sources. With the cummins the bottom will drop out of your wallet first! I hope this wasn't too much reading, I'm just trying to give you my experience and the help you asked for.

 

No its cool. And I was refering to the 97 12v having a better turning radius then the 02 24v. No the turning radius in the F250 was terrible. In the same circle that I turned around in, in all 3 trucks, the F250 I almost hit the curb. Whereas the Dodges I never had the issue.

As far as 2wd vs. 4wd. I would say I am 99% on pavement. That 1%, if you wish to count it, is various family members that have dirt driveways. Including my own that I'll be moving too in the next 4 months. Would that count for needing 4wd? Otherwise, if I do get the PSD, I'll just aim for 2wd. I automatically assumed I'd get a Cummins with 4wd just because of the less effect on mileage versus the mileage of the Cummins.