Re: [A/S] Opinion wanted on best truck to use

["Dan McAnulty" <maison1306@xxxxxxxxx>]

Wayne, Dean, and Terry

I don't think its the tires because when I am traveling at say, 75
mph 
and put the transmission in neutral, the sound goes away immediately.
 
If I rev the engine to 2200 rpms while in park, I don't hear the
sound 
either.  I've talked to two Dodge service managers who both told me 
this started happening with the 2003's and is still occurring.  They 
believe it is due to the HO (high-output) engines combined with the 
stiffer 'hydro-formed' frames.  The driveshaft, front or
rear,transmit 
a drone/vibration that is usually heard between 65 to 80 mph's.  It
is 
present in many of the truck and absent in others.  Dodge plays the 
game of either "we don't know what you're talking about" or "its a 
normal characteristic" of the vehicle.  I can't even get Dodge to 
respond to my inquiries.

It doesn't seem to affect the towing capabilities when I tow my 
Airstream although I can still hear it once I hit 70 mph.  My truck
is 
a 4 x 4 and although it has a fairly stiff suspension, it rides 
relatively smoothly whether I'm towing or not.  I also prefer the LWB 
over the SWB for the extra carrying capacity in the bed.  I noticed 
Hunter likes the SWB and I'm sure it is fine for towing, too.  It is 
probably easier to get around in town than a LWB.

RE: longevity of the 460 CID Ford- any of the large block V-8's will 
last over 200K miles if you take care of them like Terry did.  The 
reason I prefer the diesel is 
1. you get to enjoy the extra torque for those 200+K miles
2. you don't have to stop as often for fuel
3. you save $ because you get more miles per gallon
4. assuming you get 12.5 mpg with diesel and 9 mpg with gas, and you 
travel 200K, you will fill up with diesel 533 times and 740 times 
with gas.  Computed at $2.50 per gallon, the diesel will cost $39,975 
to travel 200K miles.  The gasoline will cost $55,500 for 200K 
miles.  Assuming you change oil every 5K miles in the diesel and 
every 7.5K on the gas ($60 vs $25 in cost) you would change oil 40 
times in 200K with diesel and 26 times with gas engines.  The cost 
would be $2400 vs $650 = $1750 cheaper for gas.
You still come out significantly cheaper by going diesel vs gas 
engine.
5. and last, a diesel engine with 200K or even 300K will bring more 
money than a gas one as a used truck.  I suspect you will easily 
recoup the difference in oil changes on the diesel because of this 
alone.

I've pulled my Airstream with a gas and a diesel engine.  The diesel 
out-performs the gas.