| Often times, people decide to purchase a large | | | | 245 HP 9.5L, so Dodge promised more powerful |
| truck to haul very heavy loads. If that is not your | | | | engines for the 2500/3500 platform, and they |
| intention, and you'd like to purchase a truck to | | | | definitely followed through on their promise: the |
| drive more like a car (with quick, quiet | | | | 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Heave Duty trucks |
| acceleration), you may want a gasoline engine. | | | | are the newest ¾ and 1 ton trucks on the |
| There are three main benefits to this: | | | | road. |
| Gas engines run smoother | | | | The new base engine is the 5.7L gasoline V-8, |
| Fuel is easier to find | | | | which revives the well-known, historical Hemi |
| Gas engines start easier in cold weather | | | | name, as it is the most powerful engine of the |
| If, however, your intent is to use your truck for | | | | group at 345 HP. |
| towing, you may want to consider a diesel engine. | | | | Chevrolet/GMC: |
| The three main benefits to this are: | | | | Coming standard with GM's 6.0L gas engine V-8 |
| Good fuel economy | | | | are the GM 2500/3500 twins Silverado HD and |
| High mileage | | | | Sierra HD. The engine is ideal for ¾ ton |
| Better for towing | | | | trucks where towing isn't a concern. Based on |
| Now, the price of a diesel truck is very high, but it | | | | Chevrolet's venerable big block engine are the |
| very well may be worth it. They have many | | | | upgrades that start with the 8.1 gas V-8. |
| benefits, and could very well save you a good | | | | Diesel trucks have proven to be: |
| deal of money in the end. Benefits vary from | | | | Efficient with mileage |
| manufacturer to manufacturer. You can compare | | | | Great for towing |
| these benefits below: | | | | Easy on maintenance |
| Ford | | | | Also, you won't need to get them tuned up |
| In 1994, Ford introduced its international | | | | nearly as much as gasoline engines, because-unlike |
| engineered power stroke diesel. This pushed the 3 | | | | gasoline engines-diesel engines do not have spark |
| 4 ton and 1 ton truck market to where it is | | | | plugs. |
| today. Before this, the big one inch gasoline | | | | If you need or want to haul heavy loads |
| engines made these poorly built diesels barely | | | | frequently, you should probably stick with diesel, |
| considerable. Over 70% of super duty Fords | | | | since you can get better mileage (diesel trucks |
| were sold with the optional 7.3L V-8 diesel engine | | | | are built to go 250,000 miles more). Because of all |
| from 1994-2002. Because of this engine, Ford | | | | these reasons, although diesel trucks tend to cost |
| became one of the leaders in diesel trucks. | | | | more, they will end up being well worth the |
| Dodge | | | | money in the long run. |
| In 2002, Ram didn't have enough power with the | | | | |