Cummins or LLY Duramax? Personal experiences

[hobigusn]

I've been going back and forth between a 04-05 Dodge or Chevy. On Chevy forums they think there truck is perfect. So they really don't say anything useful to a future buyer looking to get the truck. Are any of you former Chevy owners or have any good info. Please keep it to practical useful info.

 

[jgillott]

I just got rid of my 2005 Silverado work truck. I didn't realize that it was that many times until I was going through the paperwork last weekend getting ready to sell it, but it was down 11 times for repairs in the 62 months I had it. 2 front diff rebuilds, ball joints, tie rod ends twice, 3 intermediate steering shafts, and three air bag sensors just for kicks. The transmission was just starting to slip when I traded it in last Saturday.



I have, over the years, defended the Duramax engine itself on this forum and others. We have several (half dozen or so still) at work and they have run very well for us. But, I have simply not been happy with the GM platform itself. I will certainly not own one for myself and my new truck for work is a Dodge.



We've personally had many Dodge diesels. Of the 2 3rd gen Dodges we have right now, the '04. 5 has had ball joints on the front and brake rotors on the rear somewhere around 160K. It has close to 200K on it now. Other than regular maintanence on them, that has been it.

 

[RVTRKN]

Why our trucks are perfect! You are asking a good question and I have experience in both makes.



1) 05 3500 Reg Cab GMC (GVW10500) - D/A 5spd



a) It ran hot all the time even with low ambient temps, the clutch fan would come on. It would be at full operating temps within one mile and thats starting out cold.

b) The "torque management" program for the Alison caused under powered (detuned) excelleration when attempting to pass. I had a couple of dangerous situations before I figured it out.

c) The MPG was very poor at 10 MPG.

D) IFS



2) My 04. 5 (Look at sig) had only one issue, the pickup pump on the engine failed at 35K and the intank pump was installed free of charge. Other than that, I loved the truck. It is an NV5600 standard trans, so it is a little different than the auto.



All of the GMC issues can be verified on The Diesel Place. And your right about their opinions, they think that the aluminum head Izusu engine is the best light truck engine in the business. I would sure hate to have to work on one, with all the crap they have on them. Well, I guess their right, because the Ford Power Joke is still underpowered even though it is advertised at close to the Cummins HP, and the Cummins is a medium duty class engine in a light duty truck. :-laf

 

[rscurtis]

I can't believe how fast that engine warms up. Even in 60 degree weather, my '03 is not fully warmed up for at least 10-12 miles. That's how it gets the good MPG's.

 

[hobigusn]

Why our trucks are perfect! You are asking a good question and I have experience in both makes.



1) 05 3500 Reg Cab GMC (GVW10500) - D/A 5spd



a) It ran hot all the time even with low ambient temps, the clutch fan would come on. It would be at full operating temps within one mile and thats starting out cold.

b) The "torque management" program for the Alison caused under powered (detuned) excelleration when attempting to pass. I had a couple of dangerous situations before I figured it out.

c) The MPG was very poor at 10 MPG.

D) IFS



2) My 04. 5 (Look at sig) had only one issue, the pickup pump on the engine failed at 35K and the intank pump was installed free of charge. Other than that, I loved the truck. It is an NV5600 standard trans, so it is a little different than the auto.



All of the GMC issues can be verified on The Diesel Place. And your right about their opinions, they think that the aluminum head Izusu engine is the best light truck engine in the business. I would sure hate to have to work on one, with all the crap they have on them. Well, I guess their right, because the Ford Power Joke is still underpowered even though it is advertised at close to the Cummins HP, and the Cummins is a medium duty class engine in a light duty truck. :-laf

What made you go from a chevy to a dodge?

 

[JBonpua]

Remember the Duramax and Powerstoke have 8 pistons and the Cummins only have 6 and they still can't keep up. IMO straight 6 is the best engine platform.

 

[cerberusiam]

Even in 60 degree weather, my '03 is not fully warmed up for at least 10-12 miles. That's how it gets the good MPG's.

The faster and hotter the engine warms the better efficiency it will achieve.

 

[rscurtis]

In theory, you're correct. More heat rejection into the cooling system = a less efficient engine- backed up by his 10MPG fuel economy.

 

[cbmkr]

Cuumins or Duramax

I bought a new 2004 LLY Durmax in the spring of 2004 i towed a 24 bumper hitch camper,as is with a chevy you get a great comfortable ride but thats all i got.

Mileage was terrible 7-8 mpg towing at 65 mph and did not want the load empty was 16-17 at very best and maybe 14 if you drove 70 mph,transmission was terrible and shifted way to much and went into limp mode all the time (4th gear only. )



I finally got tired of having it in for service work all the time and and poor mileage, I traded for a dodge in Jan 2006 and am much happier ,mileage started out about 14 and has climbed ever since. ( best has been just over 20 plus last fall with a trip to wisconsin at 690 miles and took just over 33 gallons to fill up. Normally 16-18 mixed hwy city

I get 12 pulling a 27' fifth wheel doubled up with a 17 walleye boat.

Most of the time i run 65 mph loaded and sometime 70 empty.



6 speed and 3. 73 gears 4 wheel drive LB Quad



I have had some issues with the dodge but it is hands down a better truck than the Chevy ever was.

 

[jelag]

One of the guys that I have coffee with, had a 08 Chev that he really liked... . under warranty they had to install 2 sets of injectors... it really scared him... he didn't want the out of pocket expense of a set of injectors... . he traded for a gas. . he just loves the Chev...

I've had several Fords, and again it was injectors and wiring on the engine that we hated... and it never quit in town... it was always 500 miles away...

We now have maybe 750K(total) miles on the Dodges we own... and I'd rather have the Ford body and the Chev interior... but the cost per mile of the Cummins is lower than the cost of the Fords we used to own... .

Hope that helps. .

 

[RVTRKN]

What made you go from a chevy to a dodge?

I had a company truck, that was only mine to drive, and put 40K miles on it before I quit. It was like my own truck, except I could only use it for official business only. Thank God I didn't pay the 40K for it.

 

[Wingate]

We have LB7, LLY and I THINK an LBZ at work... the LB7 engines... well, don't waste your time or money on that. The newer ones have been a little more reliable. I think we've replaced some turbos, a couple sets of injectors, several injection pumps, water pumps... . But as of yet, we haven't had to replace any engines on the LLY and newer trucks. Once again, the LB7 equipped trucks have all have multiple engine changes... We've got one of the newer LLY trucks thats chronically overheating... so I think our first LLY engine swap is coming soon. The trucks are all well maintained but are worked every day.

IMHO I think the DMax is a fairly decent engine for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton daily driver that isnt being worked hard every day. I know there are those who have had better luck with them... we just havent.

I haven't been around very many of the 1 ton or smaller new Chevys in awhile. Not sure how the rest of the truck is, or how it compares to the Dodge... but engine to engine, I think its a no-contest... Cummins all the way.

 

[Edgemann55]

My buddy and his brother pull 15-17K generators on a regular basis. They have used Dodge 1 tons for yers. In fact they have a mid 90's 12valve that has 900K on her. Well last year my friends brother tried a 09 Duramax for the first time and now a year later and many trips to the dealer{most were transmission/transfer case problems}also some injector problems. He is now looking to get into a 2010 Dodge. They said the Chevy was just not as cost effective as the dodges have been for them. My buddys 06 has over 300K and all he has done is normal maint.