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Old 01-30-2016, 08:29 AM   #1
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Looking at new trucks

Well I have decided to start looking at replacing my 01' F150 (210,000mi) and have been torturing the local sales people. Best deal so far is on a Dodge Ram but this truck is a Ram 1500 5.7 full crew cab and 5.5 foot bed. I like to have a cross bed tool box and carry my 2 Honda gens in it along with some other stuff. The sales people are looking for an extended cab 6.5 foot bed which would be better for what I need.

I may have to bump up to a 2500 but I don't need all that much truck right now. They do have a used 14' 2500 diesel for about the same money but it's a little tall for my short legged round bottomed gal to climb into.

I tried to deal with the Ford dealer on a 15' F150 with the 5.0 but the are $2500 higher than the Dodge guys.
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Old 01-30-2016, 08:36 AM   #2
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Could be the best $2500 you ever spent. Loved my Ram trucks for the ride but not for payload numbers or how they would squat with weight. For a daily driver they are hard to beat but for towing I prefer Ford or GM....
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Old 01-30-2016, 08:44 AM   #3
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We recently traded our '03 F150 for a Ram 2500 and the one we test drove did not have running boards. That was not going to work for my wife to be able to climb in to.
The one we bought had the running boards and is no problem now.

We did not need the 2500 for the one we have this morning, but bought it for the one we hope to have this afternoon.
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Old 01-30-2016, 08:50 AM   #4
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I am not going to suggest what truck to buy, but I do wish to address the issue you posted.

Most of the newer trucks are fairly tall now days be it a 1/2 ton or a 1 ton.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...vHxODwlT8pV3rg

I watched these working and seem to do a fine job for an older lady I watched climb in to a Chevy 4X 2500.

IMHO they would be a great addition to any rig and if it makes it easy for the boss so much the better.



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Old 01-30-2016, 08:53 AM   #5
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Does the 2500 diesel have running boards and would that help? If so go for it. Later RJD
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Old 01-30-2016, 09:39 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackrock View Post
Well I have decided to start looking at replacing my 01' F150 (210,000mi) and have been torturing the local sales people. Best deal so far is on a Dodge Ram but this truck is a Ram 1500 5.7 full crew cab and 5.5 foot bed. I like to have a cross bed tool box and carry my 2 Honda gens in it along with some other stuff. The sales people are looking for an extended cab 6.5 foot bed which would be better for what I need.

I may have to bump up to a 2500 but I don't need all that much truck right now. They do have a used 14' 2500 diesel for about the same money but it's a little tall for my short legged round bottomed gal to climb into.

I tried to deal with the Ford dealer on a 15' F150 with the 5.0 but the are $2500 higher than the Dodge guys.
Cummins kicks butt. But it's still a diesel. If the extra expense of driving and maintaining a diesel don't bother you, go for it.

I think I'd ask the dealer why someone would trade in a perfectly good CTD, though. Of course, you won't be able to trust the answer but still....

The $2,500 extra for the F-150? It will be worth twice that much more at trade in time.

Aluminum body, more payload, better fuel economy in the real world, much more modern design and construction......

Ram and GM make good trucks but Ford is way ahead of them in -- Everything.

And the 5.0L is a proven engine. 385 HP and 387 ib-ft of torque in the F150. Not too shabby. In the Mustang GT it makes 435HP.

I would, however, check to see if the new 5.0l requires premium fuel or not. I doubt it since it's still at a reasonable (for these days) 10.5 Compression.... Where other manufacturers have to push their CR to 11.0 in order to boost power..... In their pushrod motors, that's living on the edge, IMHO.

It might be that, that's how it makes its best power. Which is understandable. If you're going to put a load in back of you, nothing wrong with hi-test. For every day driving....? If you don't need it, don't burn it. Except for once in a while to clean things out a little bit. But not all that much.

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Old 01-30-2016, 09:52 AM   #7
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Running boards or nurf bars are relatively inexpensive and very easy to install with basic hand tools. My dealer wanted $600 to add as an option. I added for under $200 and about an hours work. I would not let that keep from buying the truck I wanted.
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Old 01-30-2016, 10:10 AM   #8
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Running boards or nurf bars are relatively inexpensive and very easy to install with basic hand tools. My dealer wanted $600 to add as an option. I added for under $200 and about an hours work. I would not let that keep from buying the truck I wanted.
X2

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Old 01-30-2016, 10:10 AM   #9
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Every Ram except 1 I had came with factory running boards. The dealer had an aftermarket bed liner installed that was OK but never fit 100%. The aftermarket running boards started to show their cost in a year.
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Old 01-30-2016, 10:15 AM   #10
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The aftermarket running boards started to show their cost in a year.
Buy Westin Platinum Series and you won't be disappointed.

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Old 01-30-2016, 10:26 AM   #11
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I have recently retired from the AZ dept of trans where I worked as an eq repair tech for 26 years maintaining and repairing everything in the state fleet. If it rolled or had an engine I worked on it. And I do mean everything from Waukesha to Honda. Out of all the pickup trucks I rate them as 1:Ford 2: Dodge 3: GM in how they were in terms of repairs up to the 200K mile point.


Ford diesels are junk, GM early ones were junk with the later Duramax a little better, Dodge with the Cummins were damned near bullet proof.


All in all they are machines and if used and maintained well will do what you need.
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Old 01-30-2016, 10:30 AM   #12
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Buy Westin Platinum Series and you won't be disappointed.

Bruce
Have the Westins on my 2500 Duramax & they work great. You won't find many people who go to the diesel that would even consider going back to gas. I've said it before & I'll say it again, I would not trade my diesel for a golden monkey.
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Old 01-30-2016, 11:00 AM   #13
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I've never owned a diesel but have driven many of them and as I have said I will never own one.

As far as running boards or the tubular I never buy chrome always black. Chrome will get rusty in a hurry. The running boards I have now had ordered with the truck and they are one heck of a nice set. Maybe spent $100 more than if I'd gone and bought them but hey did not have to shop around and then install. Yep I use to do a lot of my own work but getting like a lot of senior folks let someone else do. Later RJD
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Old 01-30-2016, 11:43 AM   #14
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I made sure the Ford came with factory boards ~~ especially since the F250 is a little taller.
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Old 01-30-2016, 11:51 AM   #15
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I made sure the Ford came with factory boards ~~ especially since the F250 is a little taller.
I did not like the ones offered from the factory, bought some aftermarket black round ones.

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Old 01-30-2016, 12:03 PM   #16
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I have a dually 4x4 with factory running boards, so the truck sits high. My wife has had both hips & knees replaced so it would be hard for her to climb up onto the running boards. We remedied that with a fold up stool. She uses that to step onto the running board and then into the truck. I fashioned a rod with a hook on the end so she can reach down and grab it, haul it up, fold it and then she places it down beside her leg. Works for us.
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Old 01-30-2016, 12:40 PM   #17
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We just bought a 2015 Cummins RAM 3500 4x4. I have had both knees replaced and my wife is short with bad back and feet. The dealer wanted nearly $800 for running boards. I purchased running boards and put them on myself for less than $400. It is now VERY easy to get into the truck. The Cummins pulls our 33' fifth wheel like a dream. I average about 14.5-15.0 MPG towing @ 55-60mph. The Diesel is WELL WORTH the expense and pulls up a 8% grade at 60mph with little effort.
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Old 01-30-2016, 12:51 PM   #18
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My thoughts

I just finished researching trucks for about a year. I decided the GMC 2500 w/diesel is the way to go. I don't need that much truck either but who knows what you'll be pulling next. My wife is short also at 4' 11" but the optional side steps take care of that. I pull through hills a lot and suspect the diesel will handle them much better than my 5.3 L.
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Old 01-30-2016, 12:54 PM   #19
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Running boards or nurf bars are relatively inexpensive and very easy to install with basic hand tools. My dealer wanted $600 to add as an option. I added for under $200 and about an hours work. I would not let that keep from buying the truck I wanted.
Yep! True dat . . .
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Old 01-30-2016, 12:55 PM   #20
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I added running boards to my 2015 ram 2500 diesel. I do not tow my camper as much as i like but my truck gives me good m.p.g. And when i tow i have what i need. Up keep maybe alittle more but worth it. I will never own gas again
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