Trying to decide between the Ram 1500 Express and the Ford F150 5.0 STX, Opinions?

12799 Views 67 Replies 26 Participants Last post by 2012Longhorn, May 3, 2012

Kytann

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2012

I like pretty much everything about the Ram better. Except in my research it seems everyone thinks it is a weak truck and will not hold up over time. What really got me thinking was some of the fleet managers who get to decide large fleets on overall performance and cost to own are sticking with Ford.

What're your guy's opinions on this?

I'm looking at Regular Cab Short Bed 4x4's. Love the Hemi. Love the Rambox. Gonna use it for camping and mild off-roading, mainly.
Though in fairness I do love the F150's factory rear locker, seats, and stouter frame.

I do think the Ram's interior seems alot nicer though.

1 - 20 of 68 Posts

Bikenut

· #2 · Apr 23, 2012

Well, RAM has some making up to do. I really believe they have. I came from a Ford F-350 diesel to a Chevy 2500HD Diesel to this Ram.

they all have their faults. Im not bias as far as brand, but for this year, RAM has it going on.

IMO, RAM is definitely on the way up and I expect that by the time I get rid of this truck, the brand will have a great reputation which will translate to a good reasale value.

The Ram IS a really really good truck. regardless of what anyone says based on past history. Besides, its the less expensive, best power and nicest overall package you can get.

Kytann

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 23, 2012

It is less expensive for comparably equipped. About $3500, and this is after haggling with dealers.

I'm coming into this not biased at all between the brands, but after driving and looking at them both, I'd say the Ram and the F150 are pretty well evenly matched. For my uses anyway. I like the locker in the F150, and I like the Hemi in the Ram. I also like the interior of the Ram better, but I think for off-road trail use the F150 has stronger components.

AmericanIron

· #4 · Apr 23, 2012

You have a tough decision, one I, or anyone else cannot make. What I can tell you is I have owned, and currently own, all three brands or trucks. All three have had strenghts and weeknesses. If I had to choose, which I just recently did(my truck is on order) it would be between the F150 and Ram. One thing to note is that ram does have better warranty than ford if that makes any difference. As far as motors I think you will be pleased with the power of both, however the hemi has been proven a little longer than the 5.0 ford. One of the final decisions for me swaying me to the ram was the overall size of the truck and ease of access to the box. The ford has a deeper box, which is sometimes beneficial, the overall height of the bed is also higher if I remember right. My current truck is a ford and it sits up higher than I like, as well as a higher bed height, making it difficult to load atv's into the box. All in all either way I think you will end up with a good truck.

jacobson.s

· #5 · Apr 23, 2012

Don't pick the truck you can live with, pick the one you CANNOT live without. Wait thats what my parents told me to look for in a Woman (replace Woman for Truck), Guess this saying works elsewhere. Both trucks have their advantages and disadvantages.
Best of Luck in your descision... Let us know what you decide in the end, We won't hate you (much) if you go to the DARK side. HAHA

garner

· #6 · Apr 23, 2012

Which motor are you looking at in the f150?

Kytann

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 23, 2012

garner said:
Which motor are you looking at in the f150?

5.0 I like the V8 growl.

Feels like the 5.0 is down on power compared to the Hemi.
And it doesn't sound as sweet.
But it does make good power when you rev it.

garner

· #8 · Apr 23, 2012

I would get the f150. Hemi may make more power at the crank but you need to look at horsepower at the rear wheels, 1/4 mile times, weight of each, and the fact that the 5.0 can be tuned. And if cost is a concern I would look for used ones or dealers with massive rebates

Kytann

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 23, 2012

AmericanIron said:
You have a tough decision, one I, or anyone else cannot make. What I can tell you is I have owned, and currently own, all three brands or trucks. All three have had strenghts and weeknesses. If I had to choose, which I just recently did(my truck is on order) it would be between the F150 and Ram. One thing to note is that ram does have better warranty than ford if that makes any difference. As far as motors I think you will be pleased with the power of both, however the hemi has been proven a little longer than the 5.0 ford. One of the final decisions for me swaying me to the ram was the overall size of the truck and ease of access to the box. The ford has a deeper box, which is sometimes beneficial, the overall height of the bed is also higher if I remember right. My current truck is a ford and it sits up higher than I like, as well as a higher bed height, making it difficult to load atv's into the box. All in all either way I think you will end up with a good truck.

I did notice the taller bed in the F150. It's so tall I could almost camp in there under a Tonneau cover

I am Definitely leaning more towards the Ram. Interestingly the guys on the Ford site are telling me to go with the Ram as well. It feels right, it sounds right, and it looks right. Pretty sure I am gonna go with the Ram.

quills

· #10 · Apr 23, 2012

Myself I would pick the Ram, I will say I'm very brand loyal and have owned nothing but Chrysler products since 1995. But that's what I would do.

Kytann

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 23, 2012

garner said:
I would get the f150. Hemi may make more power at the crank but you need to look at horsepower at the rear wheels, 1/4 mile times, weight of each, and the fact that the 5.0 can be tuned. And if cost is a concern I would look for used ones or dealers with massive rebates

The Ford is heavier.

Race times don't matter, as I'll never be racing it. The Hemi feels faster by the seat of the pants, and that's what makes the most impression.

There are some massive rebates on both. I am certainly not looking at MSRP, nor am I looking at top of the line models. Even after Rebates the F150 I want comes in about $3000 more expensive than the Ram 1500 I want. That's a pretty huge cost difference.

Interesting that you say get the F150 though. Aside from horsepower potential of the 5.0, any other reason?

huntergreen

· #12 · Apr 23, 2012

the 5.0 is a new engine, consider fords history with new engines. for me, if i didn't choose ram, i would have went with a gmc.

garner

· #13 · Apr 23, 2012

Kytann said:
The Ford is heavier.

Race times don't matter, as I'll never be racing it. The Hemi feels faster by the seat of the pants, and that's what makes the most impression.

There are some massive rebates on both. I am certainly not looking at MSRP, nor am I looking at top of the line models. Even after Rebates the F150 I want comes in about $3000 more expensive than the Ram 1500 I want. That's a pretty huge cost difference.

Interesting that you say get the F150 though. Aside from horsepower potential of the 5.0, any other reason?

Not really any other reason. To me all the full size trucks have equal interiors and equal power, and all look good. The ford, chevy, and nissan definitely have more power potential though than the ram. Hell the chevy 5.3 has been in the 10s and faster for years now, and the 5.0 f150 are already in the 10s in the short time they've been out; a hemi ram has yet to be in the 10s. But you're not gonna race yours. Honestly if I had waited and thought out my decision more when I traded in my R/T I would probably be in a f150 due to the over $15,000 in rebates from a local dealer compared to the $8,000 on the ram or even the chevy because they have good rebates too mainly to cover the massive value loss on the R/T(over $10,000 in excellent condition alone). Another thing with the f150 is if you plan to lift it or put bigger tires you can gain the power back because of being able to tune whereas the ram you won't be able to(at least not yet). But it seems like you like the lower cost of the ram plus it has a longer warranty so I say go with what appeals to you

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zabman

· #14 · Apr 23, 2012

Plus I don't think you can get a Furd in a regular cab.

2012Longhorn

· #15 · Apr 23, 2012

garner said:
I would get the f150. Hemi may make more power at the crank but you need to look at horsepower at the rear wheels, 1/4 mile times, weight of each, and the fact that the 5.0 can be tuned. And if cost is a concern I would look for used ones or dealers with massive rebates

I thought he wanted the truck to go camping and mild 4 wheeling...not drag it. I'm still baffled at why someone would want to race a truck. Something I will never understand.

ONOutdoorsman

· #16 · Apr 23, 2012 (Edited)

garner said:
Honestly if I had waited and thought out my decision more when I traded in my R/T I would probably be in a f150 due to the over $15,000 in rebates from a local dealer compared to the $8,000 on the ram or even the chevy because they have good rebates too mainly to cover the massive value loss on the R/T(over $10,000 in excellent condition alone).

Ford and 15K in rebates? Advertised? I got 14.3K off my Ram which was a $9750 rebate and the employee price and it came out to just under $34K + tax. This is advertised all over up here. I just priced out the F150 FX4 5.0 (which I think is comparable to my Outdoorsman) on the Ford.ca website. They are offering a $7,500 rebate and the after rebate price is $45K + tax. I would have to get an extra 10K off for an employee discount to even come close to the Ram and the Ford is still missing options that I have on my truck. Resale value? If you buy new vehicles worrying about their resale value you will be severely disappointed your entire life.

To the OP, good luck with your decision. They are both nice trucks IMHO.

dkerr24

· #17 · Apr 23, 2012

I didn't know that the Rambox was available for the regular cab? I thought it was only available on the Crew Cab model?

Darin

SFVDOC

· #18 · Apr 23, 2012

I took a very hard look at the F150 before buying a Ram. For me it came down to a few things:

The Ford dealers were hell bent on not "dealing" (for whatever reason).

The warranty is better on the Ram.

I didn't care for the back doors on the F150 super cab. I liked the back doors better on the Ram, but it was a mute point because wifey got her way and instead buying a quad cab I got the crew cab.

The ride is better on the Ram.

I don't know how long I'll keep this Ram. But when it comes time for make a change I'll start over again looking at all DOMESTIC trucks available.

Miami Son

· #19 · Apr 23, 2012

Kytann said:
Interesting that you say get the F150 though. Aside from horsepower potential of the 5.0, any other reason?

He's a 17 year old kid. Don't put too much stock in anything he has to say as it isn't backed up by much in the way of life experience. The fact that his first priority in his recommendation relates to drag racing should be a clue that his objectivity is skewed.

Miami Son

· #20 · Apr 23, 2012

garner said:
Another thing with the f150 is if you plan to lift it or put bigger tires you can gain the power back because of being able to tune whereas the ram you won't be able to(at least not yet).

Uhm, you get the power lost from larger tires by regearing.:doh:

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