Dodge-Ford-GM

[Grizzly]

I sure have been happy with the two Cummins powered Dodges I've had. Never an issue with either one. They will pull my 5er up any hill in the Rocky Mountains I want with the greatest of ease and never overheat. That's more than my friends with GM and Furds can say.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I'm not bad mouthing Cummins in general and I don't want to get into a ******* match about which is better. I've owned several Cummins and several Duramaxes which I feel gives me the background to form my own opinions based on my real world experiences, not some "on paper power war" or some "the internet said it so it must be true BS"

I haven't had a single problem with any of my Duramaxes, motor or truck. Maybe I'm just lucky.
A couple of my Cummins had the lift pump issues, 2 of them had manual transmission problems, one lost reverse and one lost 2 or 3 syncros. 3 of them had trackbar and ball joint problems.

I don't deny that Duramaxes had injector issues in the early ones. I honestly haven't heard about the overheating but I certainly won't say it isn't true. My buddies '05 Cummins had to have the intercooler and all injectors replaced which was a well known problem.

So, all I'm saying is don't sit here and tell me that the Dodge / Cummins is perfect, we all know it isn't. They have NUMEROUS problems over the years, front end issues, failed lift pumps that in turn knocked out injection pumps, plastic P. O. S. intercoolers that literally blew apart, injector problems etc.

In MY experience, I've had FAR more problems with Dodge / Cummins then I have had with Duramax. My latest 6. 7 is very, very disappointing, lousy fuel mileage and crummy power. That being said, my favorite truck I've owned is still my '94 Dodge, I put 200k on it without doing any repairs to it but clutches. Which I fully expect when I start cranking the HP. It was the easiest to tinker with, didn't have any electronic / EPA crap to deal with, etc.

I would love to see the EPA go away and Dodge bring back the 5. 9, but that's just not going to happen, so until pigs grow wings, I'm gonna stick with Duramax. All you GM haters stick with Dodge. I'll grab my injectors and coolant, you grab your lift pumps, intercoolers, ball joints and trackbars. LOL

Cheers =)

Hell, if anybody wants to hitch up to some weight and pull some hills here in MT for some comparisons just send me a message, probably be pretty fun! (I'm talking stock for stock, when it comes to modified the guy who's fastest is the guy with the deepest pockets, regardless of the brand ) I'll even supply the beer and the BBQ!

 

[NIsaacs]

The Chevy/D-Max Forum, with one of the Diesel Performance companies in Montana used to have an uphill pull competition, I think near Darby, MT. They used a 10,000 lb trailer and run up hill for one mile. The D-max always won. I used to slip over to that web site when no one was looking It was always very interesting reading, not sure if they still do it or not. The last article I read was several years old.



Nick

 

[Wingate]

We retired (5) five '03 model d-maxes recently. I think 4 of them are sitting with various degrees of trashed engines. None of them have their original engines, a couple of them have been thru mulitple engines. This all comes from being worked every day, not overloaded and not abused or neglected, just worked.

I can remember taking pictures and short videos of my dash panel while travelling down the highway at 70 mph with the temp gauge buried way past 265 degrees!!. Dealerships would keep the truck 2 days, charge us $1,000, drive it a mile and say there was nothing wrong with it. This always started happening right before we would lose an engine, typically at about 65-70K miles. All of our trucks did this, its definitely a D-max trait/issue/flaw. whatever. .

The Dodge has its own share of traits... Front end issues on the 4x4s, sub-standard transmissions (atleast thru the 48re), cheesy interior... WHen its all said and done, its like the ATV wars, its all a matter of what strong points you want vs. what weak points youre willing to put up with. For most of us on THIS web--site, its apparent what was most important to us, Just like ATV's, I want a strong, dependable, durable bullet (aka engine), I can fix the crap I dont like...

 

[NIsaacs]

The Honda Rancher/Foreman work series ATV's are the best, bar none



Nick

 

[domehead]

Next time I'm out west I'll take you up on the beer and BBQ and than we may think about pulling. LOL



Have a good one

 

[Powder Extreme]

The Chevy/D-Max Forum, with one of the Diesel Performance companies in Montana used to have an uphill pull competition, I think near Darby, MT. They used a 10,000 lb trailer and run up hill for one mile. The D-max always won. I used to slip over to that web site when no one was looking It was always very interesting reading, not sure if they still do it or not. The last article I read was several years old.



Nick

Yup, I remember that, never made it over to one but I sure would like to. You're right, the Dmax generally won.

 

[Tryingit]

I say who cares :-{}. There are a lot of factors when trying to figure out whats best for you. In 04 I test drove each of the big three diesels. Dodge wasn't really on my list. But I decided to stop in and test drive it. I was really impressed with the way it drove and the power it had (last one I test drove was in 01 not impressed then). The ford was to noisy and the chevy I drove was 49K and was nice. So it boiled down to what I liked and could afford.

With this 2010 truck I got to take home (overnight) a 62K Ford F350 diesel. I liked the engine and transmission. But during my normal route home I was throw around on the rough uneven pavement, the front end feel sloppy to me. The Dodge in comparison was a nicer ride and handle felt more car like. I got a lot more for my money at 55K. For me all of these trucks are over kill for the 9K Travel trailer I plan on buying this year. So I bought what I like for my own reasons. Don't worry what may or may not be the best. Cause no matter what you buy, next year something bigger and better will come out. Then you'll be scratching your head wondering if you should have waited a little longer. Happy Trails.

 

[RVTRKN]

Powder, there are good and bad in every make of truck as you have pointed out. We here on TDR discuss those issues so we won't spend any more time and effort into figuring out the hard way and to safeguard against being stuck in the middle of nowhere. Dodge B block comes to mind, the dow pin and CP3 injector pump are to name a few serious issues. You need to visit and join The Diesel Place Diesel Place - Duramax Diesel Discussion Forums so you can learn about what we have mentioned to you. The DMAX is the quickest stock truck on the 1/4 mile but the D/C is the best in sled pulling. I wonder which one of those pertain to general use. The DMAX has had several engine design changes in its short life because of flaws in it. The 5. 9 has had minor changes due to increase in HP and torque and higher payloads, but is basically the same design, even with the 6. 7, it is for the most part, a 5. 9. This was a medium duty engine for up to 60K CGVWR when it all started. You can buy what you want, but long after your 2011 D/A is gone, I will still be driving my 07 6. 7 heavily emissioned truck, not using Urea, for at least 500K miles, about 300K more than your DMAX. And that will just be when I,m thinking of selling it, hell, I might even go 1,000,000. :-laf

 

[Wingate]

The Honda Rancher/Foreman work series ATV's are the best, bar none



Nick

ha ha ha... thats funny right there... The Hondas run good after you rebuild the engine with aftermarket parts. They just REALLY dont like drinking water/mud. . The Polaris engines are more durable and tolerate being swamped every weekend. But, the Honda axles tolerate the 30" tires and extreme driveline angles better than the stock Polaris stuff...

 

[CUMMINZ]

I am totally satisfied with my Smarty-CumminZ. It will be my retirement truck. I have had it for 3 years now and only 42k miles. It is a real BFT truck. :-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[SOLER]

If your Dodge/Cummins pulls your 5er up a steep hill with the greatest of ease and doesn't overheat, what difference does it make what the numbers are.

'zactly! The Cummins has THE MOST power where you need it. WHo cares how much HP you can squeeze when you're spinning your V8 at 5,000 RPM



Horse power/torque numbers, and power where you need it... two COMPLETELY different concepts The others might have the numbers, but Cummins actually has the power.



SOLER

 

[HBarlow]

'zactly! The Cummins has THE MOST power where you need it. WHo cares how much HP you can squeeze when you're spinning your V8 at 5,000 RPM

Horse power/torque numbers, and power where you need it... two COMPLETELY different concepts The others might have the numbers, but Cummins actually has the power.

SOLER

Very true! Gov't Motor's and Furd's brochures don't mean squat when you want to tow a heavy trailer up a grade from stop light at the bottom of the hill or descend the downside of the grade without touching the service or trailer brakes.

 

[Grizzly]

'zactly! The Cummins has THE MOST power where you need it. WHo cares how much HP you can squeeze when you're spinning your V8 at 5,000 RPM



Horse power/torque numbers, and power where you need it... two COMPLETELY different concepts The others might have the numbers, but Cummins actually has the power.



SOLER

Completely agree with you!

george

 

[NIsaacs]

I see Chrysler is investing 300 million on a new automatic transmission plant in Indiana. They will produce a new eight speed auto under license from ZF. Production will be 2013 or 2014.



Nick

 

[CUMMINZ]

I see a tremendous difference between the 5. 9 and the 6. 7 simply due to the 2 extra gears. I think the 8 speed would be great. The closer you can keep the cumminz to a peak rpm the better. :-laf

 

[CBlack]

Hmmm... sounds like 2013-14 would be a good time for a new truck.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Very true! Gov't Motor's and Furd's brochures don't mean squat when you want to tow a heavy trailer up a grade from stop light at the bottom of the hill or descend the downside of the grade without touching the service or trailer brakes.

Put your money where your mouth is. I'll put my stock Duramax up against your stock Dodge with 10,000lbs behind it and lets go run some hills. (15,000lbs, 20,000lbs, whatever)



I just returned from a trip to SD pulling 19,500lbs behind my Dodge, I'm extremely disappointed, my automatic transmission is a joke. It will lug the engine down to 1700rpm before downshifting, at which point it will only rev up to 2300rpm. Sure, I can manually shift the transmission, but why should I have to? The way the transmission works descending hills is ridiculous too. Cruise set @ 62mph... Speed up to 66mph, exhaust brake engages, transmission drops 1 gear. Speed goes up to 69mph, transmission stays in same gear, about 2400rpm, speed drops to 65mph, exhaust brake shuts off, transmission still in same gear, 2200rpm, speed drops to 64mph, exhaust brake still off, transmission DROPS A GEAR! 2900RPM. Uh why??? The speed is clearly coming down, the cruise has already shut the exhaust brake off, THEN the transmission drops a gear??



You're absolutely right, quoting numbers doesn't mean a damn thing, I'm quoting experience based on owning SEVERAL Cummins and Duramaxes both.



So rather than sit here and say "mines best, blah blah" let's quote real world scenarios and do real world comparisons. How about that?

 

[CUMMINZ]

I can only defend my 07. 5 68rfe in the way I drive it. I never run it in "D" while I am towing heavy. I run it in "6". I then drive it like a manual transmission. When I see a hill coming that I know it will downshift I punch #5 at the bottom of the hill. This is less strain on the transmission. Like it or not that is the way I drive. Close to the top of the hill I punch #6. I also don't expect my speed to drop a few mphs. With the cruise on it is trying to keep that speed.

 

[Powder Extreme]

There is something wrong with my transmission, I hitched up a 2000lb (yes, 1 ton) trailer to a brand new truck on the lot and pulled the exact same hill I had just came over with my truck. Cruise set @ 75mph, 6% grade, my truck would drop to about 71mph before it downshifted (yes, it couldn't hold 75mph) If I stepped on the throttle myself, flooring it, the transmission would not downshift.
New truck, cruise set at 75mph, didn't lose speed, didn't need to downshift, HOWEVER when I floored it myself, the transmission immediately downshifted. Salesman was with me and witnessed this.

Even after this, I still can't convince the dealer there is something wrong with my truck. I video'd the way it was shifting pulling the 19,500 load, but it was night and the gauges didn't come through clearly enough to show what it was doing.