Didnt see a better place to ask this so here it is, what truck do you prefer & why between these 3 choices:

1998-2002 Silverado 1500 crew cab/extended cab 2wd


1998-2002 Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab/extended cab 2wd


1998-2002 Ford F150 crew cab/extended cab 2wd

I'll be in the market for a truck priced $6k or less in December, its gonna be a daily driver. Most it'll get done will be muffler/tips, wheels/tires & a leveling kit. Maybe a 3" body lift depending on the look.

I was originally gonna buy a 4x4 but there arent many in my price range without 200k miles. So since its primarily gonna be a daily driver I decided a 2wd would be fine, I just need room for the kids. My TA will be parked for some much needed R&R.

I'm not super familiar with trucks, so I'm not sure brand wise & model wise what to pick. All 3 appeal to my eye & all 3 seem to get similiar MPG for this cab style. I did look up some stats & it seems the Ford has a slightly higher towing capacity & solid frame. But thats all that really stood out to me so far. Anything else I should look into?

 

the only one i would buy would be the chevy...good motors...good trans...better riding truck than others...oh and did i say it was a chevy

 

I believe 2000 and up Silverado's have the LS engines (4.8, 5.3 and 6.0). That would be my choice, hands down.

 

they do and all being stock the bowtie will walk on the rest

 

I dont care about it being fast, thats what my TA is for. This truck just needs to look good, be reliable & last for a long time. I was really hopin to not get the typical "buy chevy cause its a chevy" comments.

I have always been a GM fan, but several other guys I know have been ford & dodge guys & never had mechanical issues with their trucks, so to cross them off just b/c its not a chevy is stupid IMO anyway.

I knew the 2000+ had the LS series engines. I know about those & how to wrench on them, its just finding one in my price range thats got somewhat reasonable mileage. This truck isnt gonna turn into a project like my car, I dont want to wrench under the hood unless it breaks down.

 

my friend has a 2000 silverado and it has over 200000 miles on it and the only mechanical issue he has had is a water pump...my mom has a 99 dodge ram and has put 2 radiators, water pump, transmission, heater core, and a numerous of little things at only 120000 miles...well for the ford...the names says it all...

 

The LS engines will go for 200k+ with any sort of maintenance, and when they do break down, they are easy to work on and parts are available everywhere. I had a '95 Bronco before and it was not nearly as easy to work on, awkward bolt angles, had to pull 5 things off to get to one bolt, not reliable, lack of power, terrible gas mileage, and probably a few other things I am forgetting.

 

My 1999 silverado has 222700 miles on stock trans and motor! so my vote is chevy...

 

I have a 98 ram 5.2 ext cab 4x4 has 109000 i have had it for about a year so far the water pump and the cat has gone out. Not bad truck runs great, Has no ***** gets HORRIBLE gas mileage like 9 around town 13-15 on freeway. I keep getting a ses code for injectors not responding. Other than that i love the truck, but if i could have got a chevy for the same price i would have.

 

Although not a huge fan of the 99-02 body style compared to the 03-07 body style, I personally think the chevy is still much better looking than the fords and dodges of those years...

And of course, LS motor, chevy, not a ford blah blah