Howdy guys,I'm looking to replace my current truck (Chevy 454)with another gasser. This truck will serve as my daily driver (short trips) as well as for towing the fiver. I have found two 1-tons that have caught my eye. The first is a 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab long bed with a big V10 (8.0L) engine in it and low miles (under 50,000 miles). The second is a 2004 Chevy LT crew cab long bed with the 8.1L engine and just over 100,000 miles.According to the tow guides, both can tow 12,000 lbs. The Dodge costs a LOT less than the Chevy, AND it has half the miles. I know absolutely nothing about the Dodge V10 engine. Can you give me any info on the reliability of the Dodge V10? It's power? Will one get appreciably better gas mileage than the other, or would that be a wash?I have driven a Chevy 8.1 (it was a U-Haul rental truck)and was impressed with its power. I don't know what size gas tank it has, but I believe the Dodge has a 35 gallon tank.Assuming both have 5 speed automatics and 4:10 gears, how would you rank the two in regards to 1. reliability, 2. towing power, and 3. gas mileage/range?

Hi.I have the 1996 version 3yr inproduction. V-10, with 281,000m. I am going to rebuild the engine before years end. It's a SLT extended cab. I pull a 31ft. 13,000lb 5th-whl. I have gone e-w, n-s coast to coast, border to border.

1) about even 2) about even 3) V-8 gulp, gulp / V-10 GULP, GULP, GULP:B

The Chevy will have the Allison transmission. That alone would make my decision easy.

Tankcar wrote:Hi.I have the 1996 version 3yr inproduction. V-10, with 281,000m. I am going to rebuild the engine before years end. It's a SLT extended cab. I pull a 31ft. 13,000lb 5th-whl. I have gone e-w, n-s coast to coast, border to border.Thanks for the input. I also checked out your older posts and gleaned a lot of info on the V10 from them. Thank you.

RCMAN46 wrote:The Chevy will have the Allison transmission. That alone would make my decision easy.x2 If it wasn't for the 4 speed tranny I would have an 06 Dodge in my garage instead of my 06 Chevy 6 speed.They are both good trucks I'm sure you would be happy with either.

2003 Ram V10 or 2004 Chevy 8.1 | Good Sam Community

Tankcar
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
Hi.
I have the 1996 version 3yr inproduction. V-10, with 281,000m. I am going to rebuild the engine before years end. It's a SLT extended cab. I pull a 31ft. 13,000lb 5th-whl. I have gone e-w, n-s coast to coast, border to border.
The_Texan
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
1) about even 2) about even 3) V-8 gulp, gulp / V-10 GULP, GULP, GULP

:B
RCMAN46
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
The Chevy will have the Allison transmission. That alone would make my decision easy.
rvrev2
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
Tankcar wrote:
Hi.
I have the 1996 version 3yr inproduction. V-10, with 281,000m. I am going to rebuild the engine before years end. It's a SLT extended cab. I pull a 31ft. 13,000lb 5th-whl. I have gone e-w, n-s coast to coast, border to border.

Thanks for the input. I also checked out your older posts and gleaned a lot of info on the V10 from them. Thank you.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
RCMAN46 wrote:
The Chevy will have the Allison transmission. That alone would make my decision easy.

x2 If it wasn't for the 4 speed tranny I would have an 06 Dodge in my garage instead of my 06 Chevy 6 speed.

They are both good trucks I'm sure you would be happy with either.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
Dodge will have a 4 speed auto, which worked well with the V10. Going from memory, it was just over 300 HP and 450 lb/ft torque. Neither is going to get great MPG.

1/2 the miles and much lower priced? If it is in good condition, I would go that way.
Lessmore
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2014
Ex rental truck...I prefer the Chevy...but wonder what it's life has been so far.
zogg
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
I used to have the v10 and my son had an 8L gmc. While both did a great job and were totally reliable, we both thought and felt the v10 had a little more torque and seemed to work a little less hard on hills....

Having driven both, I would opt for the dodge and so wool kfc my son, especially with that life mileage, even if it cost a little more...
samsontdog
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
Being a ex Rental truck and with the high mileage I would go with the Dodge for sure
The_Texan
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014
The way I read the OP, he did not say the GM was an ex rental, but he is saying he has driven a rental that had an 8.1.