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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. When comparing the 5.7L HEMI to the 5.7L iForce, it's important to note that the HEMI is a pushrod setup and the iForce is DOHC. While pushrod gives the HEMI good low-end power, it lacks the efficiency of the Toyota's DOHC setup. Most importantly, that lower efficiency results in lower fuel economy. The decent performance of the HEMI makes it worthy of recognition, but that recognition is overshadowed by poor fuel economy as a result of the old push-rod engine design. The Toyota is more powerful and in my test got better mileage. Both of the trucks have automatic transmissions as standard equipment with their respective engines, but the Tundra has a six-speed and the Ram only a five-speed. This difference helped the Tundra accelerate faster and shift better than the Ram, and may be another reason the Tundra go better fuel economy. The Tundra is also rated to pull about 2000 pounds more than the Ram, and I take that to mean the Tundra's transmission is probably stronger and more durable than the Ram. As far as braking goes, the Ram and Tundra are basically tied in terms of stopping distance. But the Ram lacks standard 4 wheel ABS, has smaller diameter front rotors, and offers only non-ventilated rear rotors. The Toyota has both more standard features and superior brake system components. I like the Dodge's fully boxed frame better than partially boxed frame of the Toyota. While I must admit that the partially boxed frame of the TUndra is built by the best car company in the world, it seems to me it would be better if the frame was fully boxed. The Tundra's frame is currently a combination of boxed and open c-channel. The interiors of the Ram and the Tundra are completely different. The Tundra is nicer and more comfortable than the Ram, with more features and better quality materials. The Ram is an older truck (design-wise) than the Toyota, so the Toyota's superior interior is to be expected. I enjoyed driving the Ram. It handles just as well as the Tundra, and it also has a better government safety rating (5 stars) than the Tundra (only 4 stars). I also think the Ram is the best looking half-ton truck on the market. However, the Ram is of an older design than the Tundra, and it shows when you look at the Toyota's superior interior, technology, and power. Clearly the Ram isn't as nice as the new Tundra, but that could change when Dodge brings out the new Ram in 2009.
Article Source: http://www.philvault.com
Author Jason Lancaster has been working in the car industry for almost 10 years. He runs a Toyota Tundra website, www.tundraheadquarters.com, as well as the Stamford Toyota website. Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submission Service
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