Ford F-150
vs. Dodge Ram 1500
Ford
F-150 HD
Overview
Holding
the
title of
the
best-selling
pickup
truck in
America,
the 2008
Ford
F-150 is
the
benchmark
by which
all
other
full-size
pickup
trucks
are
measured.
Regular-cab,
SuperCab,
and
SuperCrew
body
styles
are
offered
in eight
trim
levels,
including
the
workhorse
XL,
youth-oriented
STX,
mainstream
XLT,
sporty
FX2,
off-road
FX4,
luxurious
Lariat,
top-of-the-line
King
Ranch,
and
special-edition
Harley-Davidson™
models.
The 4.6
liter V8
steps up
the
horsepower
and
torque,
while
the
top-of-the-line
5.4
liter
Triton®
V8 pumps
out 300
horsepower.
With a
best-in-class
payload
rating
up to
3,060
lbs. and
best-in-class
towing
capacity
up to
11,000
lbs.,
the
F-150 is
a
serious
workhorse
that can
handle
the
toughest
jobs.
Electronic
shift-on-the-fly
four-wheel
drive is
available,
allowing
you to
seamlessly
shift
into 4x4
mode
when
needed.
An
optional
limited-slip
rear
axle
provides
more
power
and
traction
to the
rear
wheels.
For
extra
cargo
needs,
the
optional
bed
extender
provides
additional
room in
the
pickup
bed.
Optional
power-adjustable
pedals
help to
accommodate
drivers
of all
sizes.
An array
of
seating
options
and
fabrics
are
available,
from a
vinyl
front
bench to
leather-clad
captain’s
chairs.
Ford
F-150 &
Dodge
Ram 1500
Comparison
Cost
The
destination
charge
is a
standard
charge
for
transporting
the
vehicle
from its
point of
origin
to the
dealer.
It costs
roughly
the same
to get
the
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500 to
the
dealership
as the
Ford
F-150.
The Ford
isn't
much
more
expensive
than the
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500 as
far as
MSRP.
Ford
F-150
Pricing
MSRP
$17,900
to
$33,900
Invoice Price $16,818 to
$30,623
Ford F-150 EPA Fuel
Economy
City: 13 - 14
Highway: 17 - 20
Dodge Ram 1500
Pricing
MSRP $21,485 to $40,685
Invoice Price $19,157 to
$35,854
Dodge Ram 1500 EPA
Fuel Economy
City: 12 - 16
Highway: 16 - 19
Utility
The
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500 and
the Ford
F-150
can
accommodate
the same
number
of
passengers.
The Ford
is a
better
choice
than the
Dodge
regarding
transporting
cargo,
especially
if you
often
need to
carry a
lot of
stuff or
large
pets.
Convenience
You'll
definitely
have to
take the
Ford
F-150
for a
fill-up
more
often
than the
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500
because
of its
tank
size and
gas
mileage.
Comfort
While
the
front
cabin in
the Ford
offers a
bit more
head
room
than the
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500,
there
honestly
isn't
much of
a
difference.
The
ampler
interior
dimensions
of the
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500
make it
substantially
more
spacious
for your
passengers
than the
F-150.
Dimensions
The
Dodge is
likely
to feel
somewhat
slow
because
of its
high
horsepower-to-weight
ratio
compared
to the
Ford.
The Ford
F-150
and the
Dodge
compete
for the
same
parking
spaces.
Performance
With
respect
to
horsepower,
the Ford
F-150
packs
quite a
wallop
and will
knock
the
Dodge
down a
few
rungs.
However,
remember
that
high
horsepower
engines
often
command
higher
insurance
premiums.
Handling
The Ford
F-150
and the
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500
have
approximately
similar
tires.
With its
tighter
turning
radius,
the Ford
is
definitely
more
agile
than the
Dodge
Ram
Pickup
1500,
something
to
consider
if you
do a lot
of city
driving;
on the
other
hand,
note
that a
vehicle
with a
tight
turning
circle
may feel
a bit
twitchy
on the
highway.
Drivetrain
The
Ford's
engine
is
considerably
larger
than the
Ram
Pickup
1500's.
Note
that
bigger
engines
may use
more
gasoline
than
smaller
ones.
The Ram
Pickup
1500
could
learn a
lesson
or two
from the
Ford
F-150
with
respect
to
pickup.
Ford
F-150 HD
Available
Engines
300-hp,
5.4-liter
V-8
202-hp, 4.2-liter V-6
248-hp, 4.6-liter V-8
Ford F-150 Available
Transmissions
4-speed automatic w/OD
5-speed manual w/OD
Dodge Ram 1500 Available
Engines
345-hp, 5.7-liter V-8
310-hp, 4.7-liter V-8
(flexible)
215-hp, 3.7-liter V-6
Dodge Ram 1500 Available
Transmissions
5-speed multi-speed
automatic w/OD
6-speed manual w/OD
4-speed automatic w/ODickup
1500 doubtless handle about
the same into and out of
tight spots.
Warranty
The Ford F-150 and the Dodge
have the same basic
warranty.