Here at TundraHeadquarters.com, there are two certainties: 1) We’re always writing new articles. Always. 2) We’re always going to be accused of bias, ignorance, and some variety of stupidity.
While the accusations of ignorance and stupidity don’t bother us too much (nobody’s perfect), the accusation of bias really irritates us. Whenever we complete a comparison – such as the Tundra vs F150, Tundra vs Ram, or Tundra vs Sierra-Silverado comparisons – we’re inevitably accused of bias. After all, the name of the site is TundraHeadquarters, so we must be biased towards the Tundra.
Riiiiiiight – that’s why we’re leading the charge against Toyota regarding the Tundra bed bounce issue, reporting about a possible decline in Tundra resale value, and sending out press releases about the Tundra bumper rust issues. We love the Tundra so much, we’re looking for new ways to criticize it…but we’re getting off-topic.
2009 Dodge Ram
What about comparing two vehicles that we don’t care about – the new 2009 Ford F150 and the new 2009 Dodge Ram? Which is the better truck?
2009 Ford F150
ENGINE:
The F-150’s 5.4-liter V-8 comes in at 320 horsepower and 390 lb./ft. of torque, which is a slight increase over ’08 models. Engine control system upgrades, a new straight-through exhaust system, and open-valve injection boosted the 5.4 ever so slightly. The 5.4 tops three F150 engine options: a 4.6-liter 2-valve (248 hp, 294 lb/ft. torque) mated to a 4-speed tranny; a new, fine-tuned version of the 4.6-liter with 3 valves per cylinder matched up with the new 6-speed transmission (292 hp, 320 lb/ft. torque) and the 5.4-liter, also with the 6-speed tranny and optional Flex Fuel capability. Ford boasts best in class fuel economy, but by a very slim margin (15/21) and only on the SFE package 4.6-liter V8 (which is not available in 4×4).
Dodge’s “new” 5.7-liter Ram 1500 engine for 2009 went through more changes than Ford’s, but still doesn’t deserve the “new” adjective. Engine upgrades include cylinder heads with high-flow ports, larger valves, increased compression ratio, variable valve timing, and a short runner valve active intake manifold. The bottom line is the new Ram 5.7 has best-in-class engine performance. The Ram’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is noteworthy for it’s fuel economy benefits, but the Hemi falls just a little short of the F150’s 5.4L at 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.
When the HEMI’s power kicks in, there is a serious G-force. Edmunds.com clocked the Ram at 0 to 60 in 7.6 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.6 seconds topping out at 87.7 mph. You can’t argue with those kinds of numbers.
Winner: Ram. Ford’s 5.4L is the little engine that just can’t quite do it.
TRANSMISSION:
Ford was smart to put the six-speed transmission in the new F150. Not only is it a near seamless, smooth-shifting transmission, but it’s also helping to compensate for the 70 or so horsepower the F150 is missing when compared to the Ram.
Dodge’s next upgrade on its Ram has to be a six-speed transmission. While the differences between the two transmissions are hard to notice, hard acceleration and our up-hill climb found the Ram shifting more…which is bad when you’re hauling or towing.
Winner: F-150; six trumps five every time.
BRAKES:
This is an area where these two trucks are pretty close. Our test drives of both vehicles left us with similar impressions – both trucks stopped pretty darn good. PickupTrucks.com tested both of these trucks and found their braking distances to be nearly identical. This one is too close to call.
Winner: TIE. We know it’s lame when a comparison announces a “tie”- but it’s the truth.
FRAME:
Ford bet the farm on the F-150’s toughness and a big part is the fully boxed, ladder-style frame with hydroformed components and throughwelded, fully-boxed crossmembers. All this and high-strength steel adds up to one rigid frame.
Ram’s frame is also hydroformed with fully-boxed rails, high-strength steel, and blah, blah, blah.
Again, we find few differences between two great trucks.
Winner: Until we have access to some sort of frame-bending truck destroying machine (which would be awesome), we’ll have to settle for another tie. We promise that it’s the last one.
PAYLOAD:
F-150 payload numbers range from 1,390 lbs. for the Supercrew 4×4 styleside with the 145-inch wheelbase to 3,030 lbs. for the regular cab, 4×2 styleside with a 145-inch wheelbase and 5.4-liter engine.
Ram’s numbers start at 1,320 (4.7-liter short bed, regular cab 4×2) and top out at 1,910 lbs. (3.7-liter V-6, 42 regular cab long bed).
The numbers on two “normal” configurations – say a Crew Cab Ram and a Crew Cab F150, both 4×4, both with the biggest engines available and short beds – are more indicative than comparing work trucks. The F150 hauls 1,560 lbs with the aforementioned build, the Ram hauls 1,470 lbs.
To be fair, one of the new Ram’s selling features is the new rear coil spring suspension. The ride is said to be better than every other truck (you’ll have to wait to find out what we think), but the nicer ride comes at the sacrifice of some payload.
Winner: Ford – by about 100lbs.
TOWING:
The F-150’s top tow rating of 11,300 lbs is available with the 5.4-liter engine with 145-inch and up length configurations. That’s 5.5+ tons, folks. The upgraded tow/haul mode, standard with the 6-speed tranny, keeps the engine at optimum power range whether cruising or climbing and uses engine braking on downhill grades. Plus, the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (option) balances the performance of the truck’s brakes and electric trailer brakes. Add to all this, a Trailer Sway Control detects trailer sway through the impact on the motion of the truck and takes measures to correct the sway and maintain control. Basically, it’s magic. One of Ford’s strategies with the new F-150 was to easily accommodate folks who wanted to downsize from heavy-duty pick-ups. At 5.5 ton tow rating, Ford succeeded.
The Ram matches Ford’s trailer sway control system, but the 1500’s highest tow rating is just 9,100 lbs. Enough said.
Winner: Ford F-150 by 1.1 tons..
Next up, we’ll compare features and pricing of the F150 and the Ram in Part Two of our 2009 Dodge Ram vs 2009 Ford F150 comparison.
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I speak for myself. I do truly believe when you say you try not to be biased, but at the same time, I do see you being biased at times. When comparing something on a truck, whether its brakes, towing, power, comfort, price, features, whatever it may be, and the Tundra loses on the subject, you sometimes add comments trying to defend it, or say you prefer the Tundra anyways because thats what you like. If the Tundra wins though, well theres no surprise there, the Tundra is just simply awesome.
Now about the Ram vs F150. Im interested in what you will come up with at the end. I’ve had the chance to compare them myself. I find both trucks to be quite different but great in their own ways. Ford is a work truck with features made for working, but comfortable as well. Dodge is the best daily driving truck you can buy with its best user friendly features. I found the Ram a bit more comfortable, smoother, and quieter (Ford is still very comfortable and quiet, and quite smooth too). I believe the Ram fits the needs for the majority of 1/2 ton pickup buyers the best. I would say atleast 95 percent 1/2 ton pickups I see on the road are empty or have light loads. These trucks are just different.