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By: Jason Lancaster
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Pitting the new Toyota Tundra against the Dodge Ram has been fun. Both of these trucks are great. While I didn't compare every little detail, I did compare the key components and listed below you'll find the key differences between these two trucks. If you're thinking about either the Ram or the Tundra, take a look at Edmunds and Consumer Reports in addition reviews like these. You should also drive both trucks, if for no other reason than the seats are so different.
This comparison pitted a 2007 Toyota Tundra DoubleCab SR5 4x4 with a iForce 5.7L V8 to a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 QuadCab SLT 4x4 with a 5.7L HEMI. Both of these trucks are behemouths, but both of them are also quite fast. In fact, I can't imagine anyone being dissapointed with either truck. But, there are some important differences between the two.
Starting with the engines, it was clear that both trucks had a lot under the hood. The HEMI has lots of low-end, but it's not as strong at the top of the RPM range as the iForce is. This is explained by the Tundra's DOHC engine design versus the Dodge's pushrod setup. Pushrod engines are less efficient because they lack the sophistication of a DOHC, as well as the Tundra's electronic engine management features. I noticed the Tundra's fuel economy was better than the Ram in my test.
Comparing transmissions wasn't too surprising -- the Ram has a five speed auto, the Tundra a six-speed, and as expected the Tundra accelerated better and shifted more smoothly than the Ram. Combine the Tundra's higher tow rating of 10,300 lbs to Ram's 8,500 lbs and it's clear the Tundra's transmission is also stronger.
Stopping the trucks, it was hard to tell a difference between their braking systems. However, my tests were done while the vehicles were empty. The Dodge's brake systems are inferior to the Toyota's -- the front rotors are smaller, the rear rotors aren't ventilated, and the Ram comes with only rear wheel ABS standard as opposed to Toyota's four-wheel ABS. Even though the brakes felt (and measured) the same, I think the Tundra's brakes would be better towing or hauling because of their better quality parts.
I think that Toyota dropped the ball when it comes to frame design -- while most trucks in the segment feature fully-boxed frames head to toe (including the Ram), the Tundra has a boxed section up front with the remainder of the frame being open c-channel. While only time will tell if the Tundra's frame is as strong as the Ram, Toyota would have been more comparable to the Ram if they had chosen a full length boxed frame.
As far as the trucks cabs are concerned, the Tundra has more comfortable seats, it's nicer, the interior is more modern than the ram and has more features, and the Toyota interior is made of better quality materials. The Tundra design is about 5 years newer than the Ram's design, and it shows when you sit in the trucks.
The Ram handles as well as the Tundra, and the Ram's safety rating is actually higher than the Tundra. The Ram also is a better looking truck than the Tundra. However, in most other aspets the Toyota Tundra is superior to the Dodge Ram. Frankly, that really shouldn’t come as a surprise. Toyota’s truck is a newer design and has the benefit of a lot more technology. I can’t wait to see how the new Ram (due out in 2009) will compare to the Tundra.
Article Source: http://www.ezarticles.info
About the author: Jason Lancaster has worked in the auto industry for almost 10 years. He runs a Toyota Tundra website, www.tundraheadquarters.com, as well as the Provo Toyota website.
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