73-87 Chevy vs Gen 1 Dodge

[swiens]

So I`ve been looking around for a older truck that I can call mine and not share with the wifey and I got it narrowed down to these 2. I know that this is a Chevy forum and leaning heavily in the Chevys direction but was wondering what the pros and cons of each trucks are.

Thanks

[gwcrim]

I'm a Mopar man through and through.  The only reason I have a C10 is because I drove mine home from the dealer the day my dad bought it.  I'd much rather be driving a Mopar.

That said, there's probably a lot more parts availability for GM vehicles. Less costly as well.   There's a wider selection of engine and transmission combos.

You don't really need a wide selection of engines when you can choose between a Hemi or a 440 Six  Pack, though. 

[audrima]

Having owned (well family owned lol) both, my 78 gmc c25 and a I believe it was a 83 dodge full ton (might of been a 70's ) both manuals I think it had a bigblock, we used it for our Tractor trailer tire sales company hauling truck.

the dodge is bigger and bulkier though the clutch was smoother. the gmc. more pain clutch but easier to park lol better on gas (the dodge got around 5mpg if I remember right truckie gets about 13mpg lol)

hmms from what I saw here and there, (hot rod garage did a show on it) it's easier to swap a cummins into the dodge than a gmc.

the way I look at it, since both were/are base model (and I do mean base!)  the GMC is more civilized and comfy  where as the Dodge  is  I like to say salvage bullet proof  gas monster. but that might be over selling it.

I guess which I would pick if I had to pick would come down to what I was going to use it. if it was a daily driving towing travel trailer hauling wood you know that kind of stuff, I would pick the gmc/chevy. if I want a diesel powered pushing over trees in the woods pulling bolders beating the crap out of truck with no care I get the dodge.

but honestly they both will do the same, I just think the gmc/chevy more civilized.

but that is me.

AUD =^_^=

[swiens]

I got my 16 Sierra for hauling trailers and boats, this would mostly be my fun toy to drive around and look pretty when the wife needs the Sierra.

[audrima]

then I vote gmc, it more pretty.


^_^

aud

[Captain Swampy]

They are very similar. It just depends on your personal preference. The parts for the Dodge will cost more. There are probably less Dodges than Chevys if having something different appeals to you. Either one would be cool. I like the 70's Fords also.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i'm trying to get my friend to switch back to chevy/gm on the basis of:

1) They are just better.

and

2) Parts are more plentiful, more common, cheaper and interchangeable.  Not to mention more vast aftermarket than any other brand.  Not that Mopar parts are difficult or expensive to obtain.
And since i also have a chevy we can share parts and would be more knowledgeable regarding what she would need.

[AZ4X4SQBDY]

Please take a look at my signature 

If you chose the Dodge, buy the absolute best one you can because they just are not around anymore to find used parts. Body side mouldings are made from unobtainum, they are very difficult to locate. The drive lines and rest of the parts are, in my opinion, less expensive than GM stuff. Maybe because it sat on a shelf for 20 years? I don't know. I use online vendors.

The GM truck stuff is available but getting pricey for NOS or rare parts. Everything else is reproduced and reasonable.

I think both will hold their value well and are beginning to appreciate.

[swiens]

The parts thing was the main reason I was siding with Chevy. I can never leave anything alone and have to make things the way I want them and seems Chevy would be easier to do that.

Thanks

[Irish_Alley]

i think i have the best of both worlds. my 91 chevy crew cab and i dropped a 12v into it. if i need truck parts i can pretty much get them anywhere and the motor was in production so long you can get all the parts for them easy. its reliable( yes i broke down a time or two) due to rad blowing apart but besides that its a 7400lbs battle wagon that gets 16 mpgs

[Captain Swampy]

The Chevy is your best choice then. Tons of aftermarket parts and availability of used parts. GM has great interchangeability of power and drive train.

[AZ4X4SQBDY]

GM has great interchangeability of power and drive train.

I had recently purchased the Ramcharger with a bad head gasket thinking it wasn't any big deal, it ended up needing a motor.

All 318's are the same, right?

Wrong, '88-89 they added throttle body fuel injection, 90-91 was the first "5.2 Magnum", totally different heads, valve train and roller cam, '92-94 second "5.2 Magnum" engine, multipoint fuel injection with different heads than the first 2, another different valve train and a different block that oils the valve train differently. None interchange, few of the parts interchange.

I ended up getting a motor off an online auction site from back east with "reasonable" miles. Locally, they wanted $750 plus a core for a 150K motor.

[hatzie]

GM has great interchangeability of power and drive train.

I had recently purchased the Ramcharger with a bad head gasket thinking it wasn't any big deal, it ended up needing a motor.

All 318's are the same, right?

Wrong, '88-89 they added throttle body fuel injection, 90-91 was the first "5.2 Magnum", totally different heads, valve train and roller cam, '92-94 second "5.2 Magnum" engine, multipoint fuel injection with different heads than the first 2, another different valve train and a different block that oils the valve train differently. None interchange, few of the parts interchange.

I ended up getting a motor off an online auction site from back east with "reasonable" miles. Locally, they wanted $750 plus a core for a 150K motor.

They kinda got exciting after they introduced fuel injection.  The Jeep line was just as bad.
Surprised the head gasket took out the engine but even the newer 318 was a pretty tough motor.  Cracked block?

[Stewart G Griffin]

i just think GM is better designed than not only Mopar, but Ford as well.  The fact that i grew up in a GM family is merely a convenient coincidence. 


It's interesting to note that some of those mopar trucks came with quadrajets.  Not sure exactly which years but i think mid 80's?

[AZ4X4SQBDY]

They kinda got exciting after they introduced fuel injection.  The Jeep line was just as bad.
Surprised the head gasket took out the engine but even the newer 318 was a pretty tough motor.  Cracked block?
[/quote]


Sat too long with antifreeze on top of the piston, rusted the cylinder bore deeper than boring it .060 would clean up, didn't want to get into sleeving it.

I didn't expect that because I too thought 318 were stout motors. The guy let it sit for almost a year because he got busy with work and it was a difficult job with a 4" lift and 33" tires.