the dodges are heavier but the engines can be tuned and ajusted through the computer to put them into the proper timing for the weight and help fuel economy I used to drive a 95 it had 220560 miles on the orig engine and tranny before i wrecked it now I have a 77 chevy cheyenne and I live in the rust belt i got a good find its rusty but solid  

If you plan on putting on larger tires I'd suggest getting the V8 in a full size. Diesels might be a little more at the used car stealer, but in the long run they are cheaper, last longer, and are really easy to work on. That is the dodge CTD I know of. A  private seller will sometimes give you a really good deal. When the mod bug bites you a diesel is cheaper, and easier to mod. Most mods you can do in your drive w/ basic hand tools, and a general knowledge of diesels.  

Thanks for your advice Dodgedually!

 So diesel Dodges are cheaper in the long run or diesel pickups in general. I wouldn't ever need to work a truck hard. Most I might do is put 800-2000 lbs in the bed and only on rare occaisions.

I don't think I'll plan on putting on larger tires. Though I'd like to have them, I also dream of leaving Canada and moving somewhere a lot warmer like the southern U.S. I have no idea how much that'll cost me, but I know it'll likely cost more than if I was an American citizen already. Plus it'd be nice to save extra to compensate for having to pay for unexpected medical bills. This dream is more important to me than being able to go 4wheelin'.

I like learning about 4wheeling because it looks like a lot of fun, but for now I'm satified to know how things work (ie. locking diffs, gears, mud tires etc.) and watching friends or people on TV or the internet do it.

Just keep up w/ maitmence, and it should last you a long time. Not uncommon to hear of a diesel  going 300,000mls. There is even a Dodge CTD w a million miles.   

I agree about the older trucks. I know' it's personal preference. I've had Ford F150's and 250's and you just can't compare. I had a 77-cheyenne for years before It got rolled on the highway. I salvaged what I could and found me another '77 Cheyenne for $1500 (fulltime 4X4). It had about 6-inches of travel (felt like) on the steering wheel- typical off-road hit by a big rock just under the front sway bar. It cracked the Pitman gear mount - hence the big travel. This is a known weak spot on these frames and a weld on plate 'fix' is available. I took it to a well known 4x4 shop and they told me if this hard a hit had been taken on a Ford Frame of similar age, you might as well junk it. I mainly used it to pull a big offshore boat at the time, but I've started to fix it up. The only other weak point I've found over the years is the stock fuel pump - especially whem pulling a load. I averaged one a year until I went to a mechanical HD Holley. Afer that I never changed a failed fuel pump. I did the same on the boat so I could have road/off-shore swappable  parts. It had a 350 GM with a Carter AFB. I've got a Holley 750 CFM double-pumper in the K5 with a 350 GM. The truck's not much on fuel economy but I don't use it as a daily driver either. If I could, I'g go with a diesel engine for reliability and economy - not that the 350's not reliable - I'm a die-hard Chevy guy. On the rust issue - there are plenty of shops out there that sell you fit's like a glove replacement floor boards and lower door & 1/4 panel skins. This truck was from Tennesee originally so I had to change the front floor boards. If you know how to Mig weld it's not a big deal either.

As far as economy, you have to watch what you wish for, 'cause sometimes you get it!  I though I was getting fuel economy when I got an S-10 4/cyl for my daily drive to work - 40 miles each way. I might as well have bought a full sized Silverado with a small V8! The S-10's engine is not an overhead cam engine so you get the worst of both worlds - It eats a 1/4 tank of gas a day- at todays prices, and has power like a lawnmower - sort of sounds like one too. The moral is: don't trade away what you love for the appearance of fuel economy. I'd rather drive my K5 gas hog to work than one of these rice-burnin 'pissed off lawnmowers' you see on the road everywhere.

DOESNT FORD OWN CUMMINGS DIESEL ?  

No. They use to own a large amount of stock. If ford owned cummins don't you think they would use the motor in there trucks instead of the 6.0l Powerjoke. The 6.0 has really hurt ford truck sales. That is one reason I got the Dodge CTD. You can get a Ford w a Cummins in an F-650.  

i didnt realize            if ford still offers cummings engines then they probably still own stock in them       sure they downsized from a 7.3 liter to a 6.0 liter but given the right amount of time im sure ford will refine the engine so that it will be the measuring stick that all light truck diesels are modeled from    i mean ford has been at the top of the #### heap for over 100 years obviously ford understands the earning potential in owning stock in a rival company's brand   hopefully that will fund the develpoment of a new generation of ford diesel engines  

I hope ford gets on the ball w/ there diesels. I love my cummins dodge. Ford lost a lot of buisness w/ that 6.0. The thing I love the best about the big three is the competition. Ford has just made it to easy for the chevy, and dodge guys to bash there trucks. Althoe chevys IFS on a diesel was a big mistake. I'd like to see ford get back in the game w/ there diesels. To many unhappy customers.  

i would have to say the only thing ok about a your doge is the motor and thats cuz FORD owns cummings dodge has  a contract saying only dodge can have the moter in there trucks  

For the last time Ferd does not own cummins. Cummins owns cummins.  

Also there is no contract saying only dodge can have Cummins. You can get a f-650 w/ a cummins from the factory as an option.  

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/products/dodgeram/faq/answers.cfm?uuid=000C518F-094B-1E31-850880C4A8F00000     there.  

Oh there is no g in cummins. Put in a g, and you get a slang term for the male ejaculation. Sicko.....  

You've got it right.  I have owned all, and now drive a 01 Dodge 1500.  Absolutely no complaints.

Mods:

4.56 gears

Auburn limited slip in front Dana 44

Detroit locker in rear Corporate 9.25

Cold air intake

Dual flowmaster exhaust

Front end receiver hitch

37x12.50x17 Bfg At Ko's

3" Rancho lift

Bump stop extentions (to prevent rubbing)

This truck will go anywhere.  Plenty of power, very athletic and comfortable.

Mopar Lives On