03 Ram 6-Sp vs. 03 Chevy 6-Sp vs. 03 Ford 6-Sp

[RamThatStroker]

Guys,



Pickuptruck.com has done a new test putting the latest and greatest of big three against each other. This one seems to be the fairest and most correct to date since this is the first test I've seen where the H. O is used and a 6-sp Duramax. Read the whole story here Pickuptruck Article. The results are pretty interesting and the new powerstroke seems to be pretty impressive winning most of the tests. I'm interested to see the results for the rest of the test that involves pulling a 12,100 pound trailer up a 7 and 15 percent grade Those results will be posted next Monday and I can't wait to see how the contenders finish.



Joe

 

[Ross]

Ford 6.0

My brother-in-law (also next door neighbor) just ordered a new Furd 450 crew cab w/ the 6. 0 liter. He's selling his 2002 HO Sport with 11,000 miles. I put an EZ and pacbrake on for him, but he's still not happy. He wants more room, and something with more brakes and he says, power. He pulls a 14,000 pound trailer about 38 feet long (huge horse trailer with very large LQ). I'll probably get quite a bit of seat time, as I sometimes travel with him to rodeos. I'll post some real world torture tests, once the new one gets here.



Anybody want his 2002? It's big, red, and beautiful.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

Looks like the Dodge came in last due to the 700-1,000 lbs more weight.

 

[esommer2500]

Looks like the Ford put up some good numbers, I would rather see an IH engine perform over the Isuzu anyhow.



The Dodge looks really good towing that Cheby, though. :-{}

 

[Dean Upson]

What effect would the axle ratio (Dodge 4:10 vs: 3:73 in the Chev and Ford) have in the outcome of the test? The additional weight in the Dodge should be considered as mentioned before.

 

[Pit Bull]

Just proves that in the real world you would not notice any performance difference between the big three. I sure like my truck and it only cost $28,500 new out the door and it is all of the truck I want or need. Now that is the ultimate test

 

[jimnance]

The Dodge came out looking bad on the empty 1/4 mile largely because of the 4. 10 rear end. This wasn't a fair test because of that.



The Dodge, Chevy, and Ford were all very close in performance while towing 12,000 lbs. This represents more of a real world test for the trucks as configured.



There is no question that GMC and Ford have been forced to come a long ways performance wise to keep up with CTD. They have done a very good job.



HOWEVER, the Duramax is having problems. I understand the aluminum heads are a problem (Well Duh. . !) and the new Ford engine is unproven and is likely to have teething pains.



IMHO, regardless of the steps the other two have taken to increase performance, they have a lot to prove durability wise.



I think for 2003/2004 the smart buy is Dodge. Beyond that perhaps they will have worked the kinks out of Duramax and Ford can demonstrate the the new engine is reliable.



Remember, we have the only medium duty diesel tested. It is also the only one proven in everything from Boats to Buses and pumps to pushers. Cummins has a proven track record.



Cummins Rules!

 

[FFutch]

Let me get this straight....

... they ran a Dodge dually against single wheel brand X. O. K. that's fair . I hear they are already having injector problems on the 6. 0 and they're not even off the assembly line. I think I'll stick with the proven IN-LINE 6 CUMMINS... Doug

 

[RamThatStroker]

Re: Let me get this straight....

Originally posted by FFutch

... they ran a Dodge dually against single wheel brand X. O. K. that's fair . I hear they are already having injector problems on the 6. 0 and they're not even off the assembly line. I think I'll stick with the proven IN-LINE 6 CUMMINS... Doug

FFutch,



your right they should've use a 3500 SRW 4x4 QC with a 3. 73 to be truly fair. Although, I think they used what Dodge gave them and made the best of it. Dodge clearly had the weight and gear ratio disadvantage, but still was competitive and I think that shows the truth strength of the Cummins. By the way your are correct when saying that the new 6. 0 is having injector problems. Unproven is an understatement... . Check this out over at thedieselstop.comArticle 1 , All I got to say I'll stick with the proven reliability of the Cummins even if the new PowerStroke outperforms it in stock form.



Joe

 

[Casey Balvert]

It wouldn't matter what the numbers ended up being I would have ended up with a Cummins anyway.

 

[Prairie Dog]

CBalvert I'm with you. I really am not too concerned with winning drag races with a p/u. Before I bought my second dodge I talked to construction people who operated both Fords and Dodges. Without exception they all preferred the Dodge. I also talked to mechanic who works on both but has never owned either. I had honestly considered the Ferd but after hearing of all the problems with glow plugs, cavitation, turbo's, etc. and seeing the dual alternators, well it just became obvious what to buy!

Besides, how could I give up the TDR?

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

I did some calculations with the 1/4 mile speeds and weights, solo and with the 12,100 lb trailer, to get engine flywheel HP. The Duramax averaged 271 HP for the 4 runs, the Powerstroke 318 HP for the 4 runs, and the Cummins calculated 239 and 260 HP for the solo and trailer runs, respectively.



The 271 and 318 crankshaft HP values for the Duramax and Powerstroke engines appear reasonable. The 240-260 crankshaft HP for the Cummins does not appear to be the HO engine (305 HP). The numbers look like they tested a 6 speed SO combination (250 HP). Even though the article stated a 6 speed HO, did the testers know there are 6 speed SO variants available? Did they test a California, Maine rig?



If you put 305 HP into the 1/4 mile equations you get 79. 0 and 58. 0 mph for the solo and trailer 1/4 mile runs instead of the 72. 8 and 55. 0 mph runs reported.



In any event, the HO Cummins was not running right or they actually tested a SO Cummins.

 

[JoeyD]

The Dodge would have an advantage with 4. 10 gears towing. This sounded like a fair test with what the could get.

 

[John_M]

The results of this comparison are interesting!

However they will not influence my future buying decision. All three of these vehicles will tow anything I ever plan to tow and will do so with ease. All three go fast enough to get me a very large speeding ticket in any state in our Great United States and any province in our Great neighbors to the north. At 64 years of age, I have absolutely no interest in racing the vehicle beside me to the next traffic light. I currently have a '96 Chevy C2500 gasser with 89,000 miles on the odometer. It has been good, essentially maintenance free and fairly economical transportation. At times it also towed a 6300# boat. It was marginal, at very best in this towing application. I'll trade it in during the next year or so.



My next vehicle will be a Diesel, my first. Cummins has a terrific track record and Dodge builds a great truck. That is a good combination. So, I am leaning strongly in the Dodge/Cummins, Laramie, Auto HO, 2 WD direction just because two recent test drives convinced me it is a great truck. I've written my enthusiastic impressions of the O3 Dodge/Cummins w/ 6 speed, HO in another topic. I believe that for me, Dodge will be the best of these three in overall economy and satisfaction. Safety, reliability and fuel economy are important to me (remember racing to the next traffic light)? I wish Tom Keefe, who is an acknowledged Chevy enthusiast (and who, I also believe did a very fair and objective review of the vehicles loaned him by dealers), had some way of accurately determining the actual fuel burned by the trucks during all the testing. Did one burn 10% - 15% more fuel than another? Did any of the vehicles have a breakdown during the testing?



Comparisons like this give all of us good information. Those who own a "winning" vehicle are allowed a little short term chest thumping. The manufacturers will continue to improve their vehicles because each wants to be the Alpha Male of the pack. They enjoy the bragging rights and it makes their stockholders happy. People will continue to purchase Chevy, Dodge, Ford, GM, and Toyota pickups because each vehicle will appeal to a different buyer. We, the consumers, are the beneficiaries of this fierce competition. And ain't life grand!



I am anxious to see the results of Tom Keefe's future tests. Who do you think will gain the chest thumping advantage?



John_M

 

[Breck]

The article is written by : Tom Keefe © PickupTruck.com, 2002

Posted: 11-25-02 00:00 (as the previous post states)



"Dedicated to Duramax Diesel Power and answering your questions"



www.tomkeefe.com

www.tomkeefe.com\duramax



I'm sure there is no bias at all.

 

[Pit Bull]

Breck, good info. this guy is a GM guy all of the way It is sad when they have someone like this write a comparison article.

 

[jdh63]

Test Part - 7% grade

Just read part 2 of the of the Pickuptruck.com test. The picture is quite different when you actually work the truck up a 7% grade. Ford and Dodge neck and neck with the Chevy bringing up the rear. Wonder what happens when they go up a 15% grade?

 

[JoeyD]

Numbers don't lie. Just because the guy is a GM guy doesn't mean it's false, the GM wasn't the fastest anyway. What times would the Dodge have pulled with the 3. 73 gears or even the auto? Notice the GM is gaining ground the further they drive.

Thats like saying every article I read on this site that shows a Dodge out performing another truck is a lie?

 

[jimnance]

Who Cares ??

Who cares if the Ford or Chevy run a little faster than a Dodge??



The difference is relatively small, and we can brag that we have the only engine with long term proven dependability. To me that is way more important than a couple tenths of a second in a quater mile, or a little ways back on a hill climb.



Sure, everyone would love to have it all, speed, economy, durability, reliability. Too often, the only facts presented are those most easy to quantify. It's easy to measure horsepower or a 1/4 mile race. But who is there to report when a truck turns 100,000 dependable miles, or 200,000 or even 300,000??



The fact is no one tends to focus on these issues. But, it is important to ME.

 

[Dean Upson]

ME2.



Dean