Best argument against Dmax

[TFucili]

I just went from a Chevy with an Allison that they couldn't stop from bucking and lurching to my Dodge. Besides GM's non-existant customer service and don't-give-a-crap attitude, the Dodge has VASTLY superior steering and brakes. The Cummins speaks for itself. Some of the features of the Allison were nice, but it was all for naught since it was JUNK.

 

[barbwire]

11 mpg

My buddy's got a new D-Max and getting 11mpg, empty. :--)



GMC = Gay Mans Chevy :-laf

Whoah, my 04 gets 15mpg pulling 5 tons behind it. Oo.

 

[Rosco]

I really looked hard at a D-Max about a month ago so heres my . 02 worth.



1. The brakes don't hold a candle to a Dodge.

2. Steering is only so so.

3. The new LLY D-Max utilizes EGR which routes exhaust gas through your intake.

4. The crankcase vents back into the intake thus causing blowby oil to pool in low spots in the intake and it also coats the turbo in oil.

5. IFS axle has a much lower GAWR than the Dodge.

6. Styling is getting old and will be replaced for MY '07.

7. Tiny wheel and tire package.

8. IF you tow heavy on a regular basis you may see accelerated front tire wear since IFS suspension geometry changes as weight is added.

9. Variable geometry turbocharger which if it works is great. However, it adds more complexity to the engine.



Hopefully thats enough ammo to sway there decision.

 

[DPKetchum]

Sounds like a 6. 0!! Only not ALL the problems.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Personally, *I* don't give a R's. A. about what other folks prefer or buy - and CERTAINLY would't walk across the street to try to "talk" them out of their own own personal choice...



I buy what appeals to ME and serves ME best - and generally figure most adults are intelligent enough to make the same choice based upon THEIR wants and needs... :-laf



Why in the WORLD would I care, or assume to influence, WHAT someone else wants to buy in a truck?

 

[K5IP]

My advice, don't recommend anything to anyone. Stocks, trucks,--- anything can go south. Then you are the fall guy.

Rog

 

[Po' Riggity]

yup, let em buy what they want, then when something goes wrong, they can't blame you. That being said, if I only had a choice between a Dmax and a powerchoke, the Dmax would win hands down... . It was a close call between the dodge and the GMC in the first place when I bought my dodge, but the price, and the cummins motor beat out the GMC.

Scott

 

[Yo Hoot]

I would not want to be responsible for talking someone into a particular truck... just in case they get a lemon and we all know there are lemons in every crop.

 

[y-knot]

I WOULD SAY LEAVE HER ALONE AND LET THEM CHOOSE THEIR OWN TRUCK.



Why force your wishes on someone else? They are entitled to their own opinions, and their own taste in trucks.

Why would you want them to buy Dodge? We have just as many problems as the Duramax/Chevrolet combination. They have a big advantage with the Allison automatic transmission, it is built at least twice as HD as our 40 years old 48re. The Duramax makes great power with a few mods, and has proven to be very reliable. My only beef with the Chevy's is the low ride height, the 4x4 models feel like 2WD trucks. But..... then again they will not have to address any issues when they hitch up to a fifth wheeler or gooseneck trailer, UN-like what many on this site complain about with there Dodge product. I have owned many trucks, and my best most reliable truck was a Chevy, almost 7 years of not one problem. Chevrolet has a very proven running gear, and a very smooth ride which is important to many. this model has been out for awhile, and getting a little old, they are suppose to release the next generation of Chevy trucks 2006-2007, so they may want to wait?

 

[BHolm]

I traded a 2001 d-max for a 2003 CTD, then I traded a 2003 d-max for my 2005 CTD. I am now fully converted away from those trucks. The Allison is far from being more HD than the 48re. Darn right it will downshift from 5-4 under heavy throttle, and it will stay there, and stay there, even when you try and lift to get it to upshift. You then get to accept 5mpg pulling your load in fourth. The only feature that surpasses the 48re is the better grade braking program, and not by much.



As mentioned previously, the brakes, suspension and steering are all far better on the Dodge. There is more power and better economy. The Dodge also has a better warranty and is almost always cheaper. The GM trucks ride better, have better seats and more luxo options to choose from, they are the better car of the two by far. It will not tow like a Dodge though, no way no how, been there and done that. My guys preferred the old 7. 3 Ford to the d-max for towing, and prefer the Dodges over anything else I have tried.



I also had FAR more problems with my Chevy's than the Dodges or Ford. Service 4wd light on both requiring some module replacement, bad steering shafts on both requiring replacement, computer failure on the '01, broken seat on the '01, came from factory with a loose lower radiator hose '01, burnt transmission fluid in the '03 three times before 34k miles when I traded it.



The Dodge is BY FAR the more rugged rig IMO. There is nothing that pulls like the Cummins and feels as good doing it. The d-max always felt like it was a moment away from letting loose. They are also having far more extensive injector problems than anybody else.

 

[Buffalo]

If your friends are looking for a shortbed Duramax, you might want to tell them to check the fuel tank capacity. I believe it's only 25 gallons. It sounds like they may be towing heavy and a truck with a larger tank may be a plus.



Also, if they're going to tow a fifth-wheel with a shortbed, they will probably need a "slider hitch".



Last Sunday, I was filling-up at the local Flying-J and a shortbed Duramax with a slider hitch towing a triple axle toy hauler had the pin jump out of the slider, dropping the front of the fifth wheel onto the bedrails and bending them up badly. Then the pinbox slid back to the tailgate making a "taco" out of it. It happened right in front of the store, blocking parking spaces and traffic.



While all this was going on, I was talking with a professional trailer hauler and he said that was not an uncommon occurance with the slider hitches. He said he would never have a shortbed with a fifth wheel. I don't know how true that was but, you might have your friends do their "homework" before purchasing.



BTW, my buddies like their Duramaxes although the '03 is on it's second Allison.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[NLamke]

Some of the smoothest and softest riding CARS I've been in were Chevy TRUCKS.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Personally, *I* don't give a R's. A. about what other folks prefer or buy - and CERTAINLY would't walk across the street to try to "talk" them out of their own own personal choice...



I buy what appeals to ME and serves ME best - and generally figure most adults are intelligent enough to make the same choice based upon THEIR wants and needs... :-laf



Why in the WORLD would I care, or assume to influence, WHAT someone else wants to buy in a truck?

Gary, my thoughts EXACTLY when I first read this thread. I was wondering if anyone else was thinking the same thing I was. A good friend of mine recently went from Cummins to D-Max and he's happy. It's a nice truck and he likes it. I would never be so rude to tell him he made the wrong choice. BTW he kept the Cummins too for using on his farm.

 

[BHolm]

You guys make a good point, different strokes for different folks is the old saying. The GM trucks are without a doubt the most comfortable and best equipped, if that is what you are after. I happen to tow too much stuff to keep a GM truck around. BUT, that doesn't mean a d-max won't do the job just fine. Many times vehicles are closely related to our lifestyles, the Dodge trucks fit mine best, but they don't fit everybody

 

[Snoxracer]

It's a CHEVY! Need we say more!!!! :-laf

 

[macdaddy]

The Dmax is a good motor and I try to be supportive in anyones choice to buy one, does it compare to the CTD????.

There are allot of die hard GMC and Bowtie owners that you will never be able to sway. All I recommend is that they do the research, and if they honestly do they will see the CTD is a superior engine for obvious reasons. Just having half the moving parts was enough to sell me when I went from GM to DC. That and the Dmax when used for allot of towing will have a lifespan of about 180K compared to the CTD and we all know how long these things last!!.



Mac

 

[jsimpson]

My brother's 01 has been a trouble free fantastic truck. If it had a Cummins and weren't so ugly, I would have bought one instead of my Dodge!

 

[DPKetchum]

Just yesterday was on a long phone call to a rancher friend of mine in the Nebraska Sandhills about horses. Then I remembered that the last time there he had just bought a new 02 D/Max 4wd,Allision with all the bells and whistles. I asked about the truck. He said best darn truck he's every owned. Said had just turned over 100k with NOTHING more then maintance and tires. Said now at 70 mph gets 21 mpg and towing one horse or three bulls etc gets 13 mpg. Said so far its been great.

 

[MFalkinham]

My advice, don't recommend anything to anyone. Stocks, trucks,--- anything can go south. Then you are the fall guy.
Rog

Absolutely right. Because of my technical and mechanical background I'm often asked my opinion by others before they buy big-ticket items. I once suggested a furnace to a relative when they asked me which brand was reliable. They followed my advice, but unfortunately then had problems with their particular model after it was installed. I have still not heard the end of it, and that incident has really dampened my desire to help others with advice. I buy what is best for me, and if other people follow my lead it is at their own risk.

 

[Matt400]

Said had just turned over 100k with NOTHING more then maintance and tires. Said now at 70 mph gets 21 mpg and towing one horse or three bulls etc gets 13 mpg.

I think your friend is in denial and is embarrassed to report numbers that would be lower than a CTD... just thinking out loud. :-laf