Ford vs Dodge - Need you're input!!

[JBSmith]

Ok, I just sold my 2008 Ford F450 and I have to say that I loved that truck! The 6.4l engine was just a little small to be hauling our GD Solitude 377, but it did a great job. Now I'm looking at a 2013 Ford F450 King Ranch with the 440hp 6.7L and 53000 miles, I'm also looking at a 2020 RAM 3500HD dually with the High Output 6.6L I6 with the AISIN tranny with 65000 miles. For me the difference comes down to better turning radius with the F450 being the major difference. I would really like to hear your opinions and reasons between the two! I know there are some ardent RAM owners out there so convince me!

Thanks in advance!

Jim

 

[Steven@147]

Ok, I just sold my 2008 Ford F450 and I have to say that I loved that truck! The 6.4l engine was just a little small to be hauling our GD Solitude 377, but it did a great job. Now I'm looking at a 2013 Ford F450 King Ranch with the 440hp 6.7L and 53000 miles, I'm also looking at a 2020 RAM 3500HD dually with the High Output 6.6L I6 with the AISIN tranny with 65000 miles. For me the difference comes down to better turning radius with the F450 being the major difference. I would really like to hear your opinions and reasons between the two! I know there are some ardent RAM owners out there so convince me!

Thanks in advance!

Jim

I am a RAM owner and I would advise you the 2019 and 2020 RAMs had the bad CP4 fuel pump in them. If the CP4 fuel pump goes out, which it will, it contaminates the engine fuel delivery system with tiny metal particles, it's a very expensive and time consuming job to replace the entire engine fuel delivery system.
It was that only RAM dealerships could repair the fuel system because RAM would not provide the fuel pump to outside repair shops. I don't know if its still that way or not. I did hear that there was a retrofit for the 2019/2020 RAMs to convert back to the CP3 fuel pump, but I have no first had knowledge of this.

I would do a lot of research before I bought a 2019/2020 RAM. The CP3 fuel pump is the good one.

I will tell you our 2018 RAM dually cummins diesel (CP3 fuel pump) with AISIN transmission now has well over 100K miles and is still running strong and has never had a problem so far even with the emission and the DEF system.

Yes I do hear that the Ford F450 turning radius is better than RAM. I guess I just have gotten use to driving our RAM .

 

[JBSmith]

Greetings! Thanks for the comment. Is there any way to determine if the RAM I'm looking at has the CP4 fuel pump...without having to pull the tank?

 

[el Rojo]

Steven is correct that all 2019 and I believe most 2020 Ram's have the CP4 fuel pump, but Ram is changing them out no cost to the customer. I don't know if this is true for second owners or not.

BUT all the Fords have the CP4 fuel pump in them and there is class action suit against them and Chevy for the pump. I have a 2019 Ram HO and had the pump changed out free of charge. I've had all 3 brands but as of now I will stick with Ram.

Check with the seller to see if that pump has been changed.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Don't know how many but there are reports of dodge truck frames breaking in two right behind the cab. On top of that dodge is not doing anything for the people with a problem.

 

[JBSmith]

<nods> Ok...I did go out and check the VIN of the RAM I'm looking at to see about any recalls, and the only one listed for that VIN is about the tailgate latch being misaligned. I get that doesn't really mean that this one doesn't have the CP4, but I don't know how to determine that for sure without having the tank pulled and the dealership will not do that for me...unless I buy the truck

 

[Wileykid]

The change to the CP3 from the CP4 on the 2019/20 RAM is a recall, so if it hasn't been done yet, you should have no problem getting it done.

You have an interesting "problem", having that turning radius is great, RAM, like all the others measure turns in blocks. I would look at the payload, and if you don't mind the turn radius, I would go for the newer truck.

I had a 2019 RAM 3500 SRW with the HO, and it was a good truck. Had the EGR valve go out, and be warned, that truck only likes factory OEM air filters. Great chance (took me two times) that even a good air filter will get a code. Although you will be out of warranty, I found that trying to get service at the dealership took a lot of time, they are usually backed up, or parts are hard to come by.

 

[Bungy]

Fargo all the way!

 

[Wileykid]

<nods> Ok...I did go out and check the VIN of the RAM I'm looking at to see about any recalls, and the only one listed for that VIN is about the tailgate latch being misaligned. I get that doesn't really mean that this one doesn't have the CP4, but I don't know how to determine that for sure without having the tank pulled and the dealership will not do that for me...unless I buy the truck

The CP4 is a recall, if it doesn't show up on the VIN, it has been done. The pump is located on the engine, not in the tank. There are pictures out there on what it looks like.

I am surprised that the dealer didn't just run the VIN and see if the pump has been done.

 

[Dutchman2]

Ok, I just sold my 2008 Ford F450 and I have to say that I loved that truck! The 6.4l engine was just a little small to be hauling our GD Solitude 377, but it did a great job. Now I'm looking at a 2013 Ford F450 King Ranch with the 440hp 6.7L and 53000 miles, I'm also looking at a 2020 RAM 3500HD dually with the High Output 6.6L I6 with the AISIN tranny with 65000 miles. For me the difference comes down to better turning radius with the F450 being the major difference. I would really like to hear your opinions and reasons between the two! I know there are some ardent RAM owners out there so convince me!

Thanks in advance!

Jim

There is a visual difference in the pump housings. to determine if the recall was performed already. A quick visual check should be all that is needed. I attached a quick YouTube video on a pump side by side review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG1knMt0kR8

Dutchman2

 

[JBSmith]

Thank you for the comment! Looking at the payload, the F450 comes in at 5800lbs while the RAM comes in at 6570lbs. Pin weight for my rig is right at 2700lbs which means with either truck I'll have plenty of weight left after hitching, more so with the RAM.

One further thought, the RAM has a "Branded" title due to an accident that took off the front bumper, and damaged the driver front wheel. Insurance wrote it off, however the repair was done at a Carfax certified repair shop. No frame or structure damage, and the airbag did not deploy. Does this change anyone's mind regarding the RAM?

 

[jleonard]

Don't know how many but there are reports of dodge truck frames breaking in two right behind the cab. On top of that dodge is not doing anything for the people with a problem.

I heard of only one and saw the picture. Likely any truck would have broken if the picture was accurate.
I have a Ram 2500 with the standard output diesel and 68 RFE tranny and have not had any issues ( other that the few minor recall things). But im only pulling a 7000 lb TT.
By the way it has been Ram, not Dodge for quite a few years now.

 

[Gronk1]

My '15 Ford didn't explode when I drove it off the dealers lot. 74K miles later it still hasn't exploded. I see for sale Ford diesels with 125K plus on the ticker.
I do have an extended warranty on it 'cause I bought into the hype that the engine would grenade when the manufacturer's warranty expired.
Does it happen? Sure. Is it frequent? No.
I may have missed it, but I have yet to see anyone post that their fuel pump took their engine out on this or the two Ford forums I belong to.
I guess it belongs in the same category as all Solitudes have cracked frames or will have

 

[traveldawg]

If you liked the old Ford, you would most likely really like the newer Ford. While not as new as the RAM, and while it does have a CP4 pump, I wouldn't be basing a decision on a pump so common that everyone uses them. And - you said it - the turning radius would be a great asset.

oh - my feeling about the pump is that if RAM is replacing them and other manufacturers aren't then there is some subtle difference in them that is driving those decisions. I know lots of folks don't like them. If you are worried I bet the money you save buying the Ford over the RAM would offset a new/different pump strategy from D&S (I think that is the company). Or - get an extended warranty.

 

[JBSmith]

Thank you for the comment! You are correct, I loved my previous F450 and the turning radius came into play far more often than I thought it would. Some Fuel stops and campgrounds are just tight and not having to jockey the truck and rig made a big difference. Having said that, being able to have the power to pull our rig effectively has become one of my primary concerns. The old '08 F450 just didn't have the horses or the torque to do that. So, looking for that power is what lead me to where I am today and why I'm asking opinions from everyone!

One item of note, is that both of the trucks I'm looking at are the same price...exactly the same price. So, this decision comes down to, at least in my mind, reliability and getting the most truck for what I'm spending.

 

[Najataagihe]

It sounds like the REAL determining factor is: Which one is more comfortable and won't make your backside numb on a long drive?


Hmmm?

 

[alias100]

One further thought, the RAM has a "Branded" title due to an accident that took off the front bumper, and damaged the driver front wheel. Insurance wrote it off, however the repair was done at a Carfax certified repair shop. No frame or structure damage, and the airbag did not deploy. Does this change anyone's mind regarding the RAM?

I looked into "Branded" trucks for a while but ended up going with a new 2500. At least some insurance companies and banks don't like branded titles so you may want to check out you can get both insurance and a loan before committing. This was about 4 years ago so things might have changed or be different in your area. Good luck either way.

 

[SSROSS]

As far as the story and picture of the RAM that had the frame break behind the cab, it turns out the truck was over loaded by nearly 1000lbs and the owner had drilled the frame to install some after market items. From what I have read the other reason the CP4 pump fails more on the RAM trucks is because Cummins runs a higher pressure on the fuel rail and it stresses the CP4 with the bearing redesign. I own two RAMs with the Cummins engines and was told by a Cummins mechanic that if you change oil every 5 to 6k miles you should never have a problem with engine wear. My one RAM has 400,000 miles and going strong the other only has 64,000.

 

[RV2600RB]

Thank you for the comment! Looking at the payload, the F450 comes in at 5800lbs while the RAM comes in at 6570lbs. Pin weight for my rig is right at 2700lbs which means with either truck I'll have plenty of weight left after hitching, more so with the RAM.

One further thought, the RAM has a "Branded" title due to an accident that took off the front bumper, and damaged the driver front wheel. Insurance wrote it off, however the repair was done at a Carfax certified repair shop. No frame or structure damage, and the airbag did not deploy. Does this change anyone's mind regarding the RAM?

Never, ever buy a wrecked vehicle, no matter what the make or model is or what the damage is.
If you do you will regret it.
Advice from a retired professional auto technician.
Rich

 

[BigSwick]

Ok, I just sold my 2008 Ford F450 and I have to say that I loved that truck! The 6.4l engine was just a little small to be hauling our GD Solitude 377, but it did a great job. Now I'm looking at a 2013 Ford F450 King Ranch with the 440hp 6.7L and 53000 miles, I'm also looking at a 2020 RAM 3500HD dually with the High Output 6.6L I6 with the AISIN tranny with 65000 miles. For me the difference comes down to better turning radius with the F450 being the major difference. I would really like to hear your opinions and reasons between the two! I know there are some ardent RAM owners out there so convince me!

Thanks in advance!

Jim

Maybe I am old school, but what it comes down to for me is: made in USA or made in Mexico, and USA company vs foreign owned.