_zebra

iTrader: (5)

well, crap!! found a competitor...


for nearly the same price - and assuming both are actually in the advertised excellent conditions - would y'all rather have a 2001 Ram or a 1993 Silverado? set aside your feels (since this board is mostly GM guys) and at least try to be objective!

both are stock-looking 4x4 ECSB 1500s. both have less than 100k miles... though the Chevy has 50% more than the Dodge.

best i can ascertain of their configurations:
- Dodge has 5.2 / NV3500 / NP231HD (6pinion) / 3.55 posi-trac 9-1/4" SF
- Chevy has 350 / NV4500 / 32spline NP241 / 3.42 G80... possible 9-1/2" SF with 2500 rear springs/brakes

both engines are rated for similar power output (5.2 = 230h/295t; 5.7 = 210h/300t), but i assume 8yrs of advancement results in better gas mileage for the 318ci. obviously, the Chevy has IFS versus the last year of Dodge's solid front axle 1500s. and the Dodge is less than 4hrs from me - while the Chevy is 21hrs away (would have to ship based on pictures & a prayer).

decisions, decisions...

wretched73

iTrader: (1)

I don't know my *** from my elbow when it comes to Dodge so I'd have to go with the Chevy.

Chevy would also be a better candidate for LS swap IMO

strutaeng

Tough call @_zebra . I was wondering is you were looking for a 2wd or 4x4, so I think that clarified that...

I'm a Chevy guy (that's all I've ever owned) but I would actually give the edge to the Dodge Ram, because:
1. Slightly newer so,
2. will have more more and probably better fuel economy,
3. solid front axle (cool factor), and
4. you already have a Ram, so probably familiar with some of the Mopar stuff(?)

How are those Ram engines? I usually consider early 2000s a generally reliable, decent power/fuel economy and relatively inexpensive and easy to wrench on. Probably similar across the other domestic brands, if I had to guess.

You are probably not going to believe me, but my brother with the C1500 mentioned a few weeks ago he was thinking of selling his truck. He said he was looking at a mid-2000s Ram, LoL. An 5.7 Hemi/automatic/2wd, but don't remember the exact year. He does own a 2014 Ram 2500 as his newer truck, so maybe he's also a bit biased? 🤷 Another thing is we live in the hood, so Chevy trucks this vintage are hot potatoes with theft, I think one of the main reason he's reconsidering.

smokinlmm

I’d look and see which truck has the better parts availability and options. The older truck parts are starting to be slim pickings.

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

well the first couple posts did mention transfer cases & that 4x4 was still one of her needs ... and it's like my granddaddy used to say, "2wd trucks are for teenagers & Texans!" i can see where he was coming from regarding farm work, being off in the woods, and handling occasional snow.

i remember thinking back in the 90s that them 2nd gen trucks looked pretty cool, but i've only had experience with a '95 & '94 OBS, a '00 Ford, a '91 Ford, a '99 NBS, and the current '18 Dodge (and the first three were family members' trucks). most of my knowledge is on GMT400 & GMT800 stuff + LS engines. my brother did mention the 4.7 in his previous '07 Dodge gave him a lot of problems, but that was the new replacement engine for the 5.2 that seemed to do alright.

i'm thinking gas mileage might average 14mpg vs 15mpg, so not a huge difference. if the '93 turns out to be a F44 truck, then its driveline & suspension is certainly stouter from the flywheel back. other than that, i think the lower mileage & 8-years-newer build might give the edge to the Dodge. both body styles were technically built through 2002 and had a decent aftermarket - maybe slight edge to the Chevy (either way, they built bookoodles of both trucks).

Richardman1992

iTrader: (5)

I’m certainly biased towards the Chevy, but if emissions is a factor in your neck of the woods, the newer dodge will certainly be easier to pass than an OBD1 truck. It’s also a lot closer to you than the ‘93. The GMT400 forum has a thread about vortec heads on a tbi block. Eventually I’ll get around to getting my 88 drivable. It’s only been sitting for 13 years or so 😂

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

i've been emissions-exempt from 2010 until a couple years ago when they did away with testing altogether in the few counties that had it... so not a concern.

i'm aware of the Vortec head swap & even roller cam conversions.

all else being equal, though, i think i'm leaning toward the Dodge for its 30% fewer miles while also being 8yrs newer. additionally, God forbid she be in a wreck, but the '01 has airbags. you can also tune it via OBD versus burning physical computer chips for mods (if i understand the TBI computer correctly). the Dana44 versus IFS ain't a big deal to us.

i do plan to check with a few insurance companies in the morning to see how much they'd actually insure each truck's value up to... and use that as ammo against the ridiculous $17-20k they're asking for these.

shakenfake

I would never drive that generation of Dodge. All the ones I have worked on are POS and completely suck. I do think they can look pretty sharp if it good condition but **** they suck. Transmissions are horrible, the electrical is poopy, the interior is going to rot out within 30 minutes of you owning it.

Personally I would go with the OBS. I am not even a huge fan of OBSs but I certainly am not a fan of a 2nd gen Dodge.

strutaeng

I would imagine the manual Dodges of that generation are more reliable than the automatics? I do agree the Auto Dodge Rams have a worse reputation than even the GM as far as reliability? I'm talking this generation specifically.

I honestly don't know anything about NV3500, other than the NV4500 is obviously a heavier duty transmission@_zebra Is upgrading to the NV4500 an option on the Dodge? Or that not really a need?

shakenfake

Oh d'oh! Manual!