Ford vs. Dodge This is a paper that compares Dodge and Ford trucks. There are seven references used for this paper.

There are a number of trucks available to the consumer today. It is interesting to compare the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 quad cab and the Ford F-150 to understand their similarities as well as their differences.

Dodge RAM

The 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 quad cab comes standard with a "five-speed HD manual transmission, and Magnum ® 3.7L V6 engine which produces 215 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 235 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 RPM (http://www-5.dodge.com/vehiclecompare/Startup.jam)." The truck has a "Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) rating of 6,350 pounds, a rear 9.25 axle, and a 3.55 axle ratio (http://www-5.dodge.com/vehiclecompare/Startup.jam)." The axle ratio number is significant because a "numerically lower axle ratio results in lower engine rpm and better fuel economy. A numerically higher ratio improves acceleration, climbing grades, carrying loads or pulling a trailer (http://www-5.dodge.com/vehiclecompare/Startup.jam)."

The Dodge Ram Quad has an overall height of 74.4 inches and an overall length of 207.7 inches (http://www-5.dodge.com/vehiclecompare/Startup.jam).In 2004, adjustable rear head restraints were added to the Quad Cab models of vehicles (www.allpar.com/history/chrysler-years/2004.html).

The New F-150

Ford redesigned the F-150 for 2004. The new truck offers a "fully boxed frame, optional three-valve per cylinder, 5.4L Triton V-8, four-speed...

The new engine offers 300 hp at 5000 rpm and 365 lb.-ft. Of torque at 3750 rpm (Bourdon)."
The new F-150, when "properly equipped, can tow 8,200 pounds. The single most notable change is there is no longer a true regular-cab model. What Ford calls its regular cab is essentially an extended cab, with a pair of small doors - called 'rear swinging access doors' -- behind the two main doors that open front-to-rear, and provide access to storage space behind the seat (Smith)."

New Steering Column

In frontal crashes, the majority of serious injuries incurred by drivers are from the steering column.

In accordance with the "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for Passenger Car Steering Assemblies (Unknown)," Ford equipped its 2004 F-150 with a Delphi steering column. Delphi "worked closely with Ford Safety engineers to integrate the energy absorbing system using an axiomatic approach, which separates the design into three segments. Each energy absorbing subsystem - the release feature, energy absorption and guidance system - were independently tuned. This innovative approach allowed accelerated implementation and precise tuning to meet Ford's requirements (Unknown)."

Similarities

Each vehicle has a number of similarities such as "6…