I am in the market to purchase a new 4x4, what should I buy?

Question

While truck searching, I have found two trucks that have really caught my eye. The 07' Ford F-150 FX4, and the 07' Dogde Ram Hemi 4x4. I have likes and dislikes in both, does anyone have any insight as to the durability and off-road characteristics of either truck. Over all which truck will handle the abuse of off-roading?

Answer 1

To answer your question for off-roading purposes:

Frame:
-Ford has a Fully Boxed frame, actually they are the only ones to have a fully boxed frame. However, this is awesome for towing it isn't the best for off-roading.
-Dodge has a 100% Hydroformed frame, only ones to use a fully hydroformed frame. This is best for all around purposes.
-For an off-roading frame start with the Dodge due to the fact that the Ford fully boxed frame can claim that it is the strongest but not the most rigid. The hydroformed frame doesn't have any welds so there is less chance for getting off road and breaking something. The other issue with the boxed frame is the bends. Every time you take a piece of metal and bend it, it becomes a thinner wall on the bend due to the metal having to be stretched. A hydroformed frame in sense doesn't have any true bends because of the way it is formed. Dodge has a mold and they take a large piece of steel tube and set it inside the mold they then send a large amount of water pressure into that tube. Forcing the water to push the metal to fit the mold. This gives you a consistent gauge of the metal even where you see bends in the frame.

Suspension:
-Ford uses Coil on Shock front and Outboard Mounted rear shocks.
-Dodge uses Coil over shock Double Wishbone Independent front and Outboard Mounted rear shocks with leaf springs mounted directly over the axel.
-Both of these suspensions are virtually the same with some minor tweaks.

Engines:
-Ford the ALL NEW (sounds like problems) 5.4L 3V Triton V8 with 300hp and 365lbs-ft of torque.
-Dodge the 5.7L Hemi V8 with MDS with 345hp and 375lbs-ft torque. This is not a brand new motor but a carry over from previous years. The motor also has Multi-Displacement System which seemlessly deactivates 4 cylinders when at cruising speeds for greater fuel economy.
-Proven motor with 45hp and 10lbs-ft torque more with better fuel economy against a NEW motor from Ford? Stupid question. No comparison.

Misc:
-Ford has 4 wheel discs
-Dodge has 13.9 inch disc brakes biggest all the way around in its class. Toyota has 14 inch front but smaller in the rear.

Look, I'm not saying that Ford makes a bad truck because that would be false. It's just that we are compairing them based on the fact for off-roading purposes. So all you Ford lovers can calm down. The new F-150 has a lot of new features but like any new vehicke you have to give them some time to work out the kinks. The Dodge is pretty much a carry-over while the Ford and Chevy are pretty much new designs. I know you Chevy guys are chomping at the bit but his question was between a Ford and a Dodge and yes, I agree the Silverado is a better truck. But it is much more expensive. And to all the Toyota bandwagon jumpers...... give it time and we will see if Toyota can produce a V8 that will last. Because so far they can't do it for their Nascar engines.

Ford? Dodge? Off-Road? BUY the DODGE w/ a HEMI

Answer 2

Stop! Have you test drove the Nissan Titan yet? If you do, I assure you that ford or dodge will not even be in the running. If the Titan doesn't get you, I heard the new Toyota is awesome. Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 3

Go to Car and Driver.com, they did a review of some 4x4 trucks this month, the Silverdao came out on top, followed by the Nissan Titan, unfortunately the Ford came in last and the Doge, second to last.

Answer 4

the ford has the strongest frame in the industry. will be nice if your truck doesn't self-destruct when you go off road in it, right? try this... www.truthabouttrucks.com

Answer 5

I would buy the Toyota Tundra in a heartbeat.