I wll try not to bore you with too much detail. I know I am posting this in a partisan page...but it seems like the best way to get an answer.

I sell roofs. I use a truck to carry ladders etc. I need something that looks good will run forever. Right now I drive a 2004 Dodge 1500. What I really want is a cool unique older truck with some character. People I work with have newer lifted cool diesels...but I want something different.

The other part is that I have some horses...we used to have a 2002 Ford F250 with the 7.3, but when my wife got hurt we had to downsize...so we would like to get something to haul the horses around with better again.

So Here is what I am looking at. a 95-97 Ford F250 with the 7.3l in it...or a 91-97ish Dodge Ram 2500.

I am looking to find something with very little rust....4x4 (live in Nebraska) and regular or extended cab. I want to do a minor lift...redo the interior...maybe upgrade to captain chairs...nice stereo etc. I will be living in this truck alot. Engine wise I want it to be trouble free, and will do some minor mods...I want something that drives quick...but not trying to make it a race car. MPG's would be nice...but not the determining factor.

I have always been a Ford guy...but I do like the older Dodges...esp the 91-93s. I know the 99+ Fords are a little better....but I dont know how much. Likewise I know there are 12v Dodges and 24v...but I dont know if there is much I need to be aware of with the 12v.

What is going to be easier to lift? To make bullet proof? To customize? etc.
What do I need to be aware of out there on them? Any other advice or tips?

 

Dodge hands down. Easier to fix,trouble shoot on the road,cheaper than the older Ford's and better MPG. Both are great but if you have to change and injector or something on the road dodge will be easier to work pn

Sent from my DROID BIONIC

 

If you want turn the key and go reliability, 94 to 98 dodge 12 valve will be your best friend. I have two 12V's running in one GMC and the other one in a ford. Also a 06 CR in a ford. But you just can't beat the 12v.

 

ok, on the 12v...how many million bucks will I need to spend to make it not feel like a school bus to drive it? I am not looking for a 12 second pass at the drag strip...but I dont like being last across an intersection either. Also are lift kits, interior upgrades etc as available?

 

In my opinion, they both have positives and negatives... Look at both the guys above, they each told you the 12v motors were good, which they are... But you have to wonder how come Lorddiesel has the motors in anything but a Dodge truck... Need to get out there, drive them and find out what you want to drive. You will have to maintain and work on each of them regardless, that's a part of vehicle ownership.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention,I had a 99 ford and after replacing the glow plugs myself, and still having starting issues and the v8 I decided to change it up and haven't looked back I'm a die hard ford guy but I love my current cummins.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC

 

IMHO you can not beat a 96-97 Ford F-350 truck. They are tough as nails, will pull anything and are easy to work on.

Anything of that era Dodge is more then likely falling apart. There bodys are crap, there seats are worst and the interiors rattle themselfs to pieces.

Any Dodge guy that tells you different is lieing.

The 12v is a good motor, and can be modded cheap, but the trannys are junk behind them, the full time T cases are garbage...

The powerstroke from that era is just a better truck.

Notice I said F-350... The 250 use TTB front end, they are a pain in the ***. So unless you find one that someone has swapped a D60 into, stick with the F350.

 

i have both and i love both, that being said i wouldn't drive a dodge truck i just find the quality is junk, so i made the best of both worlds and used a 12v cummins a ZF5 and 205 tranfercase in my Bronco and kept my powerstroke all Ford.

 

What CSIPSD said. The ford is the better all around truck.

 

12v IN a OBS Ford

Problem solved!