time for a new (or new-ish) truck

I would echo the comment above about comparing new and used prices. When I bought last time I started looking at used but I wanted a diesel and I wanted a truck that wasn't too old or with too many miles. Turns out the savings were extremely minimal compared to buying new with a big volume dealer, so I went new. Just something to consider.

sure wish the Canadian dollar wasn't in the crapper. bad timing for me for sure. a year ago I could have got 0 percent and 5k off the top. no such luck now

Both are good trucks, so is the Chevy. I think you'll get a better deal on the Ram, but with the 18 f150s coming out, there may be some deals on the 17s.

I would not reccomend that ecoboost.

Go on YouTube to ford tech maculocos page and watch some of his videos on them.

Agree on avoiding a DI engine also. No fuel washing the intake valves and they will sludge/carbon up over time. Pleanty of videos about that out there.

The 5.3 Chevy is DI, i do not believe the 5.7 dodge is (the 6.4 is not), i don't think the 5.0 ford is either.

I'd strongly recommend you crunch the numbers before you buy a used truck. With the discounts and rebates out there, i think you could get brand new for close to the same money and have a full factory warranty and know exactly how the trucks been maintained and subjected to.

I didn't drive the 5.7 ram, but I'm sure it's got a lot of juice, the 14 Ford f150 with 3.73s and that 5.0 was very stout.

Chevy 5.3 is too, but it's masked by all the stupid torque management and the lazy, laggy throttle response that GM puts in their trucks. Having just traded out of a 15 Silverado, your smart to avoid them.

Good luck

^ well going this afternoon to get a better idea of what im after. thinking I might go with a 2014 to nip some depreciation and afford a few more toys but I have a few new to kick the tires on as well

Hemi/8 speed is a pretty nice setup. No personal experince with them though.
I have run the snot out of a couple 5.0 F150s and even not being a Ford guy, I'd say those were on par or as good as any half ton I've owned or driven. I think the 5.0/6speed combo forget what gears it had, but it pulled as hard or harder than the 2 6.2 F250s I had after it.
Right now though, I don't believe theres a turd in the bunch except maybe the Titan.
Pick which ball cap you like the most and buy the truck that matches it.

patriotgrunt wrote:
Ford F-150 with the 5.0 is a great truck especially if you can find one with a 3.73 rear end. It'll give you the towing performance while also still providing good fuel mileage.

Yep. Mine has the 3.73, and it goes up the hill better than you can believe. It is simply great towing a 31' 6000+lb TT

MPG towing is not better than most others, around 10 MPG, Non towing highway is around 20. I have the 7350 GVWR package. 1650 LB of payload. Could have more if it wasn't 4x4.

Ford F-150 with the 5.0 is a great truck especially if you can find one with a 3.73 rear end. It'll give you the towing performance while also still providing good fuel mileage.

F150, payload, and more choices of configurations. One thing I dislike about 4 door half ton trucks is the small bed. With the Ford you can opt and get a full 6.5 foot bed. I don't know about the dodge. Both engines are good. I have rode in both, and I suggest u do the same. May come down to best deal for the pocket book. My likes is the Ford even though I like GM trucks. If I were to go back to a 1/2 ton I would go Ford F-150, that's only my opinion. But I would drive both and see who gives you the most payload for the pocket book.

If you aren't concerned with payload, they are both great trucks. The 5.0 engine from Ford sure seems like a winner, lots of people are happy with them. The 5.7 with the Ram has been around for a while and puts out good power. The 5.7 will probably ride a little better (softer) due to the coil suspension and lower payload rating. Good luck with your purchase!

Jebby14 wrote:
ecoboost has carbon problems and I don't trust it to hold up into high milage. would love one as a lease but for the long haul ill take displacement over boost.

You have obviously done your research.
I would not buy a DI engine or the diesel in the half ton ram.