i saw on another topic just like this where people were saying how the lightning can tow 5000lbs. well the ram hemi can to nearly 9000lbs and it is about $13000 cheaper and available with a crew cad.

 

Well those two trucks are also in two different catagories. A Ford 99+ Lightning would leave any stock 5.7 Hemi sitting in a drag race or road race.

However consider that the Lightning does not come in 4x4 so if 4x4 is important to you then don't bother. The Lightning has several advantages though like higher resale value, faster and more upgrade potential. However it also has several disadvantages like poor MPG, more maintnence, higher insurance and in most cases higher maintnance costs not to mention it's higher price tag.

If you plan to tow and actually use the truck do yourself a favor and get a HEMI RAM or even a 6.0 powered GMC. Not to mention who would want to get a Lightning all dirty inside after riding quads all day?

 

For 13k, you could make the HEMI ram smoke the Lightning. You are comparing an SVT special edition vehicle against the base model 1500 Ram. If you want to compare with the Lightning, look at the 2004 SRT-10. It will definately leave the Lightning like it was standing still, if you can get it to get traction.

Personally, I'd by the 2004 HO Cummins 4X4 and get a Banks power pak. I bet it would be faster than the HEMI, get better fuel economy, and pull your house with your ATV's if you wanted.

 

No doubt for 13k he could make the HEMI RAM smoke any current stock production car or truck in a DRAG RACE. (Yes that includes McLarens and F50s)

I agree with you on the HO Diesel those things are just torque monsters. Witht he Banks power setup they can do amazing things. I have a video of like a 96 or 97 3500 Dually Diesel running like a 12.1 1/4 insane.

 

Well a nice new sporty truck to pull a ATV would be a new 03 Silverado SS. Plenty of 6.0L Vortec power (345hp) and standard AWD. Very nice truck to have, kinda expensive also.

 

Wow, the base Ram 1500 comes with a Hemi..... What a deal! Right..... How much extra is the Hemi option over the base 1500?

 

I want that SS, i seen them and they are sick looking

 

Yea I know, I havent seen one on the road yet. Only on the showcases.

 

My local Chevy dealership has had a Red SS sitting on their lot for every bit of 2 months now. Very nice looking truck but kind of overpriced for it only to have a N/A 6.0

I hope GM comes out with the Regular Cab SS. From the auto show pictures I seen it has the 6.0L with a 6-Speed and not really any options other that A/C (cloth seats & vinyl floor!)

For now the best bang for the buck in new trucks performance wise is a RAM 1500 2WD Regular Cab with the HEMI. They are very powerful engines and they respond well to modifications.

However if you have the money the Lightning is still the fastest stock.

 

Lightning is only the fastest until about October. SRT-10 will then take the crown, probably for good. There's no replacement for displacement (8+ litres vs 5.4L ).