80's Dodge Chevy or Ford?

[drsmile]

Ok - I’m in the mood for a new toy and I want a late 70’s or 80’s truck to tinker with. I do not prefer lowered hot rods - not my thing, but they can be done tastefully at times.

On straight appearances: I think the first gen Rams look best, then Ford, then Chevy.

As far as engines and drive trains: is the 318 a good motor - easy to get parts for like the ford and Chevy options? What about other stuff, like instruments and gauges, seals, door parts, stuff like that - easy to find?318 vs 302 vs 305…. (I know the 318 is considered underpowered, but from what I am reading, that is easily remedied with after market upgrades).

If you came across a nice d/w150, would you have hesitation and why?

 

[Stampede]

Dodge wasn't close to the same sales numbers as Ford or Chevy back then. So they started out with fewer trucks. The all-new '94 Dodge trucks started changing that.

I'd say all of them would be fun projects, but the Ford & Chevy trucks might have more aftermarket replacement parts support to keep them on the road and for restorations.

I like all of them!

 

[basstracker89]

I like all of them. The 318 is a good engine but like you said, under powered. The 90s and up had far better rust protection in vehicles. I don't know about the Mopar trans, but the Ford and GM were good in the 70s and 80s. It's when they started going to the metric trans and overdrive, they started having troubles. The overdrive trans. My 86 Ford was great. The 94, not so much. The Ford has the strongest frame of the 3. The twin I beam rides nice, but you have to keep the tires rotated. Has better ground clearance too.
You won't go wrong with any of them. But if I bought a Dodge, I'd get a 3/4 ton with a Cummins. That would be bullet poof. You get a 3/4 ton, you won't run into anything you can't do. For me 4x4 is the only way to go. Ford and GM made good diesels, but the Cummins is the bomb. Better everything.
The best trans by far is the Allison by GM. It's a commercial grade trans with a brake. But that didn't start till @ 2001. The next one down would be a turbo 400. The GM also has the best brakes and handling. Ford C6 and GM series 350 and 400 were good. The automatic trans is better in adverse conditions and towing.
Engines, well the Cummins hands down. GM and Ford had a good line up. Big block gas, Ford 460. How ever nothin wrong with a 390, 400, 427-9 either. GM, don't get a 305. Good engine, no power. The best they made was a 496/8.1L big block. Not many of those made and didn't start till @ 2001. The 350 will only be adequate in 4x4. 400 and above will do well. Also, you could bore and stroke a 350 to a 383 or even 406. This would do well also.
You get the right set up, you'll have a rock solid truck. Mopar parts are more expensive

 

[Cadcom]

Probably going to be easier to find restoration parts for the GM or Ford trucks in general. LMC is a great place to start for all 3.

 

[buddy.jenkins]

Dodges are hard to find, parts are more expensive for them, finding people that works on them is a task too. So with that being said dodge hands down. I currently have a 79 ramcharger 4w4, my favorite vehicle, a 79 lil red express truck, looking at a 76 w150 440 truck. Go to the car shows everyone has fords and chevys. Dodges are getting harder to find.

 

[buddy.jenkins]

Also if you buy a 1980 dodge and your not happy with the power you can buy a 2000 5.9 or 5.2 engine and bolt right up to the trans swap intakes to a carburetor intake and have some extra power. Or.. hemi swap

 

[dcline9163]

Chevrolet IMHO and experience. 327/365 angle plug heads.

 

[Pro Carry 2]

the gm square body is my heart for sure -wish i would have kept mine

 

[browndalton]

I have a 1988 d100, 318 auto long box, 73,000 miles setting in front of my barn. Surface rust.

 

[drsmile]

I like all of them. The 318 is a good engine but like you said, under powered. The 90s and up had far better rust protection in vehicles. I don't know about the Mopar trans, but the Ford and GM were good in the 70s and 80s. It's when they started going to the metric trans and overdrive, they started having troubles. The overdrive trans. My 86 Ford was great. The 94, not so much. The Ford has the strongest frame of the 3. The twin I beam rides nice, but you have to keep the tires rotated. Has better ground clearance too.
You won't go wrong with any of them. But if I bought a Dodge, I'd get a 3/4 ton with a Cummins. That would be bullet poof. You get a 3/4 ton, you won't run into anything you can't do. For me 4x4 is the only way to go. Ford and GM made good diesels, but the Cummins is the bomb. Better everything.
The best trans by far is the Allison by GM. It's a commercial grade trans with a brake. But that didn't start till @ 2001. The next one down would be a turbo 400. The GM also has the best brakes and handling. Ford C6 and GM series 350 and 400 were good. The automatic trans is better in adverse conditions and towing.
Engines, well the Cummins hands down. GM and Ford had a good line up. Big block gas, Ford 460. How ever nothin wrong with a 390, 400, 427-9 either. GM, don't get a 305. Good engine, no power. The best they made was a 496/8.1L big block. Not many of those made and didn't start till @ 2001. The 350 will only be adequate in 4x4. 400 and above will do well. Also, you could bore and stroke a 350 to a 383 or even 406. This would do well also.
You get the right set up, you'll have a rock solid truck. Mopar parts are more expensive

I have read the 86 F150 had an odd fuel system. It was first year of fuel injection?? I ask bc I have a lead on a nice 86 F150 with a 302 done by Jasper. Any worries with the 86 fuel system?