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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg The Rambox and under-the-seat storage is brilliant, but the F150 still wins. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29057834/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_F150_XLT.jpgDan Carney - MSNBC (msnbc.msn.com) - Feb. 23, 2009

30% of this market that used this as a passenger vehicle are gone...more that are simply can't afford a new truck in this economy. The F150 not only wins becase it's better, but Ford is far more likely to survive than Chrysler. -- Ed.

In recent years, competition among pickup truck makers has led to a macho competition to prove which company has the biggest, most impressive, er, badge.

In addition to the grotesquely swollen brand badges on the grille and tailgate, truck makers are also striving to earn the most hyperbolic performance claims for cargo and towing capacity. In television commercials they reach for ever more ridiculous stunts, “proving” their truck’s superiority over its panty-waisted competitors.

This month I’ve decided to take a closer look at two of the latest entrants in this muscle fest: the Ford F-150 and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Ford and Dodge debuted these still-more-burly machines this year in a scrap for a share of this shrinking market.
... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29057834/

When I made my choice for the Ram getting a FFV was pretty high on my priority list (along with a 30+g fuel tank).

To do that, I would have had to go with the 5.4L vs. the 4.7L

The Ram with the 4.7L filled my need (with some to grow with), but the 5.4L far exceeded my need.

That and the large fuel tank was standard on the Ram, but not the Ford.

These options (and the "required" upgrades to get them) brought the Ford in at $5K more than the Ram.

Additionaly, finding information about tow capacity and FE on the "build-your-vehicle" section of Dodge's site was easy to do, but non-existant on Ford's.

Lesson for Ford here. Make your information easy to get so that it can be compared to other companies. That's pretty much where Ford lost the battle. Yeah... I can find the tow capacity for the fully tricked out tow monster, but what about this combination?

What would be my choice right now if I had to make the same decision? Heck... I wouldn't be buying the boat right now so the decision wouldn't be made.

If my Ram got totalled tomorrow (with no injuries) I would probably replace it with a Ford only because I think it's the only American company that will survive. I would take a look at the "foreign" companies, but they don't offer as much in this niche market.

Did a little looking, and Ford is the only American company to offer the flex fuel engine now. The "foreign" companies that offer it come in at yet another $5K in price. I would go with the Ford.

If your in the market for a truck either of these would be good purchases. I've owned 2 Ram's and zero trouble out of either of them. I've had 3 Ford PU's at work and drove them to replacement and had zero trouble out of them. They both pull well, are comfortable, and drink large amounts of gas. :)