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Traded in for a blue oval and here are my findings...

A

AJ BCTD2500

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Wanted to share my prospective with the group after my recent experiences in case it is useful to others... I recently traded my 19' Cummins Laramie 2500 for a 21' PowerStroke Lariat f-350 and I certainly have regrets.

tldr; Ram still has my heart.

Here are some of my biggest gripes with the Ford:
* Infotainment - good god is sync bad, like really bad. I thought I wouldn't mind it but it really sucks. Uconnect is infinitely better.
* Digital Cluster - Extremely limited ability to customize cluster. While the ford Digital cluster is nicer to look at, it doesn't function as well in practice. Examples are the ability to customize outside temperature/MPG/Exhaust brake/etc.
* Parking Sensors - backup sensors are so insensitive they are almost useless and there are no front sensors. Ram has sensors that are way better at detecting objects as well as front sensors that automatically turn on when nearing an object.
* 360 Cameras - trash. Another thing that I thought I wouldn't mind, but the backup cam specifically has such a narrow field of view it makes me hesitant to use it other than inching the last foot or so. As well, the resolution on the Ram cameras is significantly better.
* Mirrors - I didn't think I would say this, but I miss the ram mirrors dearly. The trailer mirrors on the ford have so much magnification that it makes daily driving a nightmare. Headlights behind the truck at night become blinding even with tint.
* Blindspot monitoring - no audible warning tone. Let me tell you, when you become dependent on the audio warning you will miss it. I'll also add, in tandem with my previous bullet point, the blindspot indicator light becomes drowned out in light glare from behind traffic making it essentially useless. Ram mirrors for the win.
* Climate Control and cold start - Ford has not implemented a high idle mode for super cold starts. Even though I have the supplemental grid heater in my truck, it takes FOREVER for my cab to warm up and windshield to defrost. It's also hit or miss with my heated seat and steering wheel turning on. That said, I suspect this winter will be frustrating.
* Steering - what a nightmare. My truck came with adaptive steering and it has been nothing but a pain - the truck was wandering all over the road. The truck had to be realigned twice and I installed an after market steering stabilizer which has somewhat corrected the issue. As well, turning radius is significantly worse off than my ram.
* Transmission - more speeds is not always better, let me tell you. The 10 speed was one of the main reasons I purchased the truck, however in hindsight I would take my 68. I never paid much attention to the transmission in my ram, which I think speaks to its effectiveness - it just worked. The ford, I need to nurse the brake or gas to produce upshifts or downshifts when traveling on steep grades -- unloaded.

All of that said, there are a few things that are nicer on the ford imo:
* Body styling - sorry not sorry - I think the body styling is nicer on the ford.
* Seats - Ford seats are significantly more comfortable and there is also a telescoping steering wheel and adjustable pedals. This makes getting comfy really easy.
* Build quality - Close both doors and you'll see what I mean. The Ford has a more solid feel and overall seems to be put together with a little more rigor from what I can tell.
* Ride Quality - my f350 rides more smoothly than my coil 2500 Ram. Can't explain that one...
* Cab design - It's a well known fact FCA duck taped the 4.5 gen interior together. I feel like I sit in a much more natural position in the Ford and my head isn't 2 inches from the headliner.
* Stock Tires - Michelins on the Ford, need I say more?

Hope you all find that info useful. I am debating on trading in (again) for a similarly equipped 3500. Now the trick is finding one or ordering.... I would be interested to hear people's experience on ordering timeframes. The dealers I've spoken to are saying 6 months...
 
AJ BCTD2500 said:
Wanted to share my prospective with the group after my recent experiences in case it is useful to others... I recently traded my 19' Cummins Laramie 2500 for a 21' PowerStroke Lariat f-350 and I certainly have regrets.

tldr; Ram still has my heart.

Here are some of my biggest gripes with the Ford:
* Infotainment - good god is sync bad, like really bad. I thought I wouldn't mind it but it really sucks. Uconnect is infinitely better.
* Digital Cluster - Extremely limited ability to customize cluster. While the ford Digital cluster is nicer to look at, it doesn't function as well in practice. Examples are the ability to customize outside temperature/MPG/Exhaust brake/etc.
* Parking Sensors - backup sensors are so insensitive they are almost useless and there are no front sensors. Ram has sensors that are way better at detecting objects as well as front sensors that automatically turn on when nearing an object.
* 360 Cameras - trash. Another thing that I thought I wouldn't mind, but the backup cam specifically has such a narrow field of view it makes me hesitant to use it other than inching the last foot or so. As well, the resolution on the Ram cameras is significantly better.
* Mirrors - I didn't think I would say this, but I miss the ram mirrors dearly. The trailer mirrors on the ford have so much magnification that it makes daily driving a nightmare. Headlights behind the truck at night become blinding even with tint.
* Blindspot monitoring - no audible warning tone. Let me tell you, when you become dependent on the audio warning you will miss it. I'll also add, in tandem with my previous bullet point, the blindspot indicator light becomes drowned out in light glare from behind traffic making it essentially useless. Ram mirrors for the win.
* Climate Control and cold start - Ford has not implemented a high idle mode for super cold starts. Even though I have the supplemental grid heater in my truck, it takes FOREVER for my cab to warm up and windshield to defrost. It's also hit or miss with my heated seat and steering wheel turning on. That said, I suspect this winter will be frustrating.
* Steering - what a nightmare. My truck came with adaptive steering and it has been nothing but a pain - the truck was wandering all over the road. The truck had to be realigned twice and I installed an after market steering stabilizer which has somewhat corrected the issue. As well, turning radius is significantly worse off than my ram.
* Transmission - more speeds is not always better, let me tell you. The 10 speed was one of the main reasons I purchased the truck, however in hindsight I would take my 68. I never paid much attention to the transmission in my ram, which I think speaks to its effectiveness - it just worked. The ford, I need to nurse the brake or gas to produce upshifts or downshifts when traveling on steep grades -- unloaded.

All of that said, there are a few things that are nicer on the ford imo:
* Body styling - sorry not sorry - I think the body styling is nicer on the ford.
* Seats - Ford seats are significantly more comfortable and there is also a telescoping steering wheel and adjustable pedals. This makes getting comfy really easy.
* Build quality - Close both doors and you'll see what I mean. The Ford has a more solid feel and overall seems to be put together with a little more rigor from what I can tell.
* Ride Quality - my f350 rides more smoothly than my coil 2500 Ram. Can't explain that one...
* Cab design - It's a well known fact FCA duck taped the 4.5 gen interior together. I feel like I sit in a much more natural position in the Ford and my head isn't 2 inches from the headliner.
* Stock Tires - Michelins on the Ford, need I say more?

Hope you all find that info useful. I am debating on trading in (again) for a similarly equipped 3500. Now the trick is finding one or ordering.... I would be interested to hear people's experience on ordering timeframes. The dealers I've spoken to are saying 6 months...
Click to expand...

It depends what you order.
We (My older brother and I) ordered laramie 3500 HO Megacabs night edition with air ride and towing tech on 8/7 and still waiting for them. They are built but shipping takes almost as long as the builds lol so another month maybe.
My younger brother ordered on 9/6 a 2500 Laramie megacab night edition and his is already at the port waiting for a final ride to the dealer.
That’ll give you an estimated timeframe. Some are built faster then others but ordering will also save you 10-12% off MSRP if you order from a high volume dealer.


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I went from the Ram 2008 to a Ford F250 2019 and traded it in on my 21 Ram after 7 months of owning it. It was a bad decision but with covet trade-in, I lost nothing.

The death wobble in the Ford steering was the main reason I got out of the Ford but there were more things I hated. They still haven't fixed this after so many years.
The Body sides are all wavey. Some colors show it more but the Alum panels are far from perfect. They will seem more solid because they glue and screw all the parts together.
The displays sucked compared to Ram but I liked Valet mode that Ram does not have in the 21.
The ride was way rougher than the Ram.
The Ford is longer than my Ram. I like that the Ram can maneuver better in smaller parking lots.
I did like the Rear locker in the Ford that Ram doesn't have. I don't get offroad at all so it wasn't much of an issue.
The cab Sun Roof was nice on the Ford but they always break and if you don't lubricate the seals it fails rather quickly with cheap plastic parts. I will take the Rams so-called duct-taped cab over a Ford.
The Ford interior just looks cheap.
 
I have inquired about ordering from several regional dealers big and small and they have all qouted 3 to 6 month delivery. Thats bad enough but all have quoted full msrp pricing and most of them want a significant non-refundable deposit to start the order.
 
Something else to consider, your 2019 Cummins would've been getting a nice new CP-ISB21 High pressure pump. Your New F350 still has the CP4 and will have the CP4 until you get a new truck.

CP's aside, how do you feel about the powerstroke vs the cummins? I know it's not entirely apples to apples with your 2500 being an SO vs the Powerstroke having an extra 200ft/lbs, but i'm still curious.
 
I had a f150 5.0 and my wife's platinum expedition. I'm done with Ford, dealers damage trucks in service, poor service in general, the expedition is a 2019 and already had the whole front end pulled off to replace a cam phaser and all that jazz. All in all, my first Ram is my power wagon and I'm not looking back at Ford unless it's a bronco for a side toy for smaller trails.
 
AJ BCTD2500 said:
* Build quality - Close both doors and you'll see what I mean. The Ford has a more solid feel and overall seems to be put together with a little more rigor from what I can tell.
Click to expand...
Ha! I had a 2016 Ford half ton and none of the doors closed at ALL if it was below freezing. Non-withstanding that issue, RAM build quality is superb to that of what I found from any Ford I ever owned, and I had owned 4 in the past before I finally said screw it.
 
The Ford 350s are very nice trucks. The two things that surprised me were your comments about the mirrors and the ride quality. I think I would love the Ford mirrors over Ram. Heck, I liked my old 2007 mirrors over what Ram has now. As far as the ride, maybe it is the difference in tires? I don't remember my buddy's Ford rides better than a Ram.
 
not exactly apples to apples but I recently had the opportunity to ride in my uncles 2019 f350 crew longbox lariat, I have a 2020 3500 drw mega limited. I was blown away that a truck that expensive has an interior that feels cheaper than what comes in a ram tradesman. The stereo/infotainment are absolutely garbage, the surround cameras were virtually useless, seats felt like cheap vinyl, dash are doors are the old hard textured plastic, overall I was completely underwhelmed. To be honest the interior was about the same as the 2000 ford excursion I had 10 years go. I may be a bit bias but even the lower trim level rams seem much nicer to me. Just my opinion, i know everyone has their own.
 
My buddy just got a new 2022 F250 lariat with 7.3 gasser. It is super nice. I was impressed with his surround view cameras. I don't have them on my 2020 PW but I have a buddy that does in his and I think they are the same.
 
Forgot to mention Ford did offer the Ford pass"Remote unlock, Truck locate, vehicle reports, remote alarm and horn features" Free as long as you own it. Ram mugs you on theirs after free period., I hate that about Ram.
 
Brutal_HO said:
According to the RV Big truck whatever youtube guy, it sucks compared to RAM.
Click to expand...
Not apples to apples but my bosses 2015 F350 platinum EB is almost useless compared to my 19 2500, also the factory brake controller does not support triaxles using the brake pedal (this has been a known failure on fords part) so i have to use the manual lever to control the brakes on the trailer unlike when i hook it to my 2500


After driving my tradesman lvl 2 truck my boss finds it better than his platinum interior (other than the lack of leather seats in mine) he is looking at ordering a 3500 limited now, he was a die hard ford man but will be converting to a Ram now lol
 
Here's my experience:

2021 F-250 Lariat Tremor 7.3 gas - Both taillights had internal chaffing, one cracked the other one was cosmetic but finally cracked by 840 miles. Ford refused warranty coverage. Dealer paid for one and I paid for one at over $700 due to BLIS. ECM went out at 6600 miles (I believe). I traded it on a 2020 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost later that day, which I had no problems out of.

2021 F-150 XLT 5.0 - Random sync4 issues, sensor issues, transmission shifter is sloppy and will sometimes pop into neutral. I also don't like that it randomly decides to apply parking brake and/or put the vehicle in Park for you based on condition. I get 19.4 mpg overall. My doors....sometimes they shut completely, sometimes they don't and sometimes one pops open slightly but not enough to disengage the door to open but the sensor will go off.

^both of the above vehicles have Ford's cost savings applied, no base coat paint under hood or engine bay regardless of color. Its all white.

My wife's 2020 Explorer ST with 26k currently - Rear camera replaced, got another warranty notification. Seat surrounds are broken and leather is coming unstitched on bottom side bolsters. Nav & WiFi has stopped working due to antenna's and APIM module. Currently the exhaust pipes are loose causing rattling. Sync is very slow to load maybe 2-3 minutes at times before you can adjust anything.

Both Powerstrokes: 2017 F-250 Platinum had poor fit and due to the new aluminum body, dealers wouldn't touch it without sending it out to a body shop. My 2019 F-350 Lariat was flawless for the 10k I had it.


The display information you want on your ford can be added easily by ForScan, along with so many more features. The sensor's won't ever get any better regardless of anything the dealer does; when in reverse I randomly get the auto brake feature applied and nothing is behind me.
 
BAT3500 said:
I have inquired about ordering from several regional dealers big and small and they have all qouted 3 to 6 month delivery. Thats bad enough but all have quoted full msrp pricing and most of them want a significant non-refundable deposit to start the order.
Click to expand...
There are multiple dealers scattered around the country that are currently pricing ordered trucks at 4 - 5 % below invoice. I've received quotes from dealers in Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana and as of yesterday - Pennsylvania in this range. With the exception of the PA dealer, the others are very well represented in the forums. All require some sort of deposit, and they have ranged from $250 to $1,000.
 
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