Brand loyalty/dishonesty among diesel owners?

[WKener]

This is gonna be kinda long, I like expressing myself fully



[rant] Okay, this kind of bugs me and I just had to bring it up...

I have noticed, from my time browsing different message boards, that people tend to either exaggerate the greatness of their truck, or they just flat out lie. For instance, when a new member on any un-named forum asks a simple question, such as "I just bought an '02 CTD/PSD/Duramax, can my truck out-run/pull my nextdoor neighbors '02 CTD/PSD/Duramax?" Now that is a pretty simple question, that most people really could answer honestly, but they don't. They would rather give this poor new owner the impression that he/she owns the greatest vehicle ever manufactured... The epitomy of performance engineering.



I would rather not name names or anything (mainly because I can't remember any ), but why must we lie to ourselves to make us feel better? That is all we are doing, is easing our own minds, because other than that we are helping nobody.



I had a 'new' friend of mine ask the other day, after riding in my truck, if it is faster than a new Chevy Dmax (his brother/father/uncle/whatever owns one). I could only answer with the honest truth, based upon my own experience: Yes, it must be faster than some Dmax's, because I once ended up in a race with one down IH-35: slowed to about 40mph and he took off prematurely, but I ran him down fairly quickly and was gone by 60mph. However, if you were to go and ask that same question to some DMax owners (if a mildly bombed cummins could take a stock dmax), the answer would be no way! (this is not a rip on DMax owners, just making a general point, ya know).



It's the same way with PSD owners talking in reference to Dmax's or CTD's. And I can't withhold the fact that I have seen quite a few posts around here over time that just seem a bit fishy to me (you know what I am talking about).



BTW, the only basis for direct comparison I have between my truck and a modified PSD is in 2 separate cases: One of my very good friends owns a 2wd '01 PSD (250 XC SB) with a chip (to be honest, he doesn't even know which chip it is, his dad bought the truck and didn't like it, so he gave it to him) We raced from a light a couple times, and each time he would jump me, he's an auto, but I would go right by him in 3rd gear. From a roll it's even less of a race. So that leads me to believe it's a 60hp chip. My other comparison comes in one of my best friends dad's truck (big ford family). He has an '01 f350 SRW CC LB 4x4, with an 80hp chip, also an auto. Every time we would race on level ground it would be pretty much even, I may pull a little top end, but it's darn close. Every time we would race up a hill though, I would put 1-2 truck-lengths on him by 70mph (more torque).



So those are pretty honest and objective comparisons between trucks, and it's not that hard to admit your truck is not better than the next guys, is it?? I have never lost a race to another truck, but that only means I am racing people with less power than me, not that my truck is the fastest/best out there (I assure you, it's not ). Why is it so hard for people to overcome blind brand loyalty and stop spreading factless "truth?"



Alright, that's it... [/rant]

 

[csevers]

did you

get all that out with only one breath? Is it not human nature to think that you have the best of what ever I work with a guy that is was a chevy guy once said (after riding in my truck ) this is not bad but my father would disown me if I ever baught a dodge and at the time chevy was the best, now he owns a ford psd after seeing some of the medium dutys he thaught that,s the ticket and could get a good deal on one so he baught one now the ford is (A REAL GOOD TRUCK) probably trying to spare my feelings ya right !! I own a dodge because I like the looks and the power drivabilty and thats that dodge has it's problems but all in all I would not want any thing else right now in the future we will see I once was a chevy guy to till I saw the light and I once said that I would NEVER buy a rounded any thing that was ugly (back in the late 80's and look at what's on the market now

 

[illflem]

I hear you. I tend to believe it more when a person gripes about the faults of his product be it a modification or entire rig. Many folks will exaggerate or BS just to justify their money spent if only for themselves.

 

[Sled Puller]

The TDR complains more about their beloved Dodge Cummins than any other board.

Except we mostly complain in a quest to make it better, quicker, stronger, etc.

We have never accepted, "factory knows best. " The other sheep believ what Mother Chebby ferd tells them.

 

[nickleinonen]

my family has owned gm vehicles only since i was about 4 years old. [we had a lil' toyota diesel p/u] we have had many gm diesels. an old 4. 3 diesel with alloy heads. they warped because the cooling system was setup read stupidly [e-fans went on at 125°C] but it got great fuel economy and was torquy. . next was a 6. 2 diesel van... motor was never apart. . had 615,000km on it before it was wrecked [by an other owner]. next was a 1990 diesel 6. 2 pickup. . worked real good. trans gave out at ±300,000km. . next was my tahoe. . engine works like day 1. no problems with it except for the egr system [which has been disabled for testing purposes only] and we also have a 95 safari and a 99 silverado 1500. . both work ok, but i want a new truck, and i want to try something different; to break out of the mold. . while the style of the new dodge is still growing on me. . the engine had me from the moment that dodge offered it. .



i looked at the ford SD's [which are real nice trucks] but 7. 3 liters of engine is big. . and their new 6. 0 has an egr system. . don't like that. . looked at the chevy. . like their truck too. they are too getting an egr system. . then the dodge... like having 7 main bearings instead of 5. . only thing on it what scares me. . how the heck is one going to access the part of the motor under the cowl???

 

[WKener]

get all that out with only one breath?

Ya know, I tried to do it all in one breath, but I passed out and had to try again

The TDR complains more about their beloved Dodge Cummins than any other board.

That is true, and is one of the main reasons I am more inclined to believe an otherwise hard-to-believe story posted on this board (that, and they seem to come from reputable people)...



I just couldn't figure out why the same, relatively simple question would often result in completely different answers. I think the "which is better?" question more often than not is interpreted as "which do you like better?" Which obviously can't provide any constructive results...



Okay, I feel better

 

[Pit Bull]

I don't have to brag about my truck and I have found that in person most truck driving people are pretty laid back about their ride. The truck speaks for it'self. I like it. Nuf said.

 

[JIM S.]

I fell into the thing about thinking dodges were the only trucks worthy of owning. but I now have begun to realize that they are all good and bad in different areas. I CHOOSE DODGE BECAUSE IT MEETS MY NEEDS AND I LIKE THE LOOKS AND ENGINE!! at this point I would drive whatever had the cummins engine!... I know my truck is not the most powerful, I dont have any idea if it will smoke a chev or a ford (no body will play ). . I just know it will pull my 37' 5er at the speed limit with a bit more (that I cant use because of my transmission)



I am sorry for all the times I have scoffed at the other brands!!!



Jim



ps. its hard not to brag when the little 5. 9 cummins has been equal and in many cases fully whipping the big 7. 3 PS !!

 

[KPhillips]

Well I don't really use my truck to race, so I can't brag there,



my truck is bone stock (which is fine for now, I like it), so I can't brag there (except about it being stock and how I like it ),



I'm a Ford guy hard and true, always have been, so I don't dog on the Ford guys about their rigs,,,,,,the only reason I lucked into the Dodge was that the Ford dealer tried to screw me and I happened across the my Dodge,,,,,



I love my Dodge, and will own it for years to come... .



but it really comes down to the fact that each of the trucks has its good points and its bad points and its just a matter of taste.....



I'm not going to say I will never own a Ford, cause til now thats all I have ever owned, or a Chevy (even though I have only ever owned one, and am not a Chevy fan at all ), becasue you never know... . it could happen..... I'm driving a Dodge instead of a Ford!!!, But then again I've never had anything against Dodges, I've always liked the CTD... .



kerryp

bastrop, tx

 

[Bud Fox]

I get 20mpg in the city and I got 28. 5mpg once while driving from California to New York but I could of done better if not for that headwind!!





Honestly I have the receipts to prove it









I guess you can see mileage BS is my biggest gripe

 

[emarsh]

I don't care if a duramax could beat me or not. I don't care what other people have or want. I don't try to "convert" other persons to my way of thinking. This is why I never argue about motor oil, abortion or politics. I love my diesel ram, not much will change that. I do feel it is a TRUE medium duty diesel, just look at the connecting rod photos. look at the rocker arm photos of the powerstroke. I feel that the cummins gets better mileage, that I can back up; I keep records of every tank fill up, plus my speedometer has been verified correct. Someone will always beat you or have something they think is better. All that is important is that you are reasonably informed, and are happy with what you have. You can really only argue what you can prove!

 

[fest3er]

It is basic human nature for the male of the species to lift heavy objects and tell lies I mean tales. This behavior can be observed in cars, bars, wars, maternity wards while wives are birthing, at all TDR gatherings, and in most all other locations where males gather with no assigned tasks to keep their minds and hands busy.



Fest3er

 

[Harley152]

I love my truck---did my on-line reasearch on and off for months(really started with the 2nd generation body style) but what pushed me over the edge was when the missus' parents "gave" us thier 28' TT(dads excuse for buying a new one)---I borrowed his bronco and proceeded to bring the beast home one sat. morning!! Wife and babies following in stationwagon--- upon arrival SHE said I need a real truck to tow that THING straight!!! After much reasearch on-line (which ultimately led me HERE, I've been a member ever since), I factory ordered MY truck---When anyone asks, I just tell them--- SHE HAS SOMETHING I WANT!!!

(I think she loves this truck more than me--not much but some)

 

[Steve M]

I'm loyal to the big three. I'm pretty fond of America and the products we make. Even if they do have alittle taco sauce on the carpets.

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by emarsh

You can really only argue what you can prove!

Man, keeping that rule would sure knock all the fun outta some of the threads around here. :-laf

 

[98rammer]

I'll admit it-i've gotten beat by other people in non-diesel vehicles (once a 70ish year old man in a minivan:{ ). my truck is a dog trying to pull anything without the small mods that i've done (which help, but push the stupid transmission). i love my cummins, and i DO like the powerstroke. they're just different animals. i love ford trucks and dodge has some big issues. of course they all have thier problems. the duramax is just too plain for me, but chevy's leather bucket seats are wicked nice!!!(new englandah heyah:-laf ). i love my motor and keep a strong head about it, but i'm very willing to keep an open mind and stay away from being too bias. some swear by ford. some swear by chevy/gmc, some swear by dodge. To each his/her own!! just be happy with what chya got.



Tom.

 

[Piersol]

fuel mileage

I agree with Bud. The best mileage I have ever gotten was 21. 6 on the highway doing 63-65 mph. . Usual highway mileage is 19. 9 empty. I hear ford and duramax guys getting the same or better on the highway. How can a 6. 6 or 7. 3 L engine get better mileage than a 5. 9 L?

 

[WKener]

I don't know Piersol, I don't doubt that Dmax and PSD guys are getting good mileage numbers. They do have alot of good guys who swear to there good mileage numbers over on the other boards. The only comparisons [/i] have for those from those 2 PSD friends of mine. One gets about 16mpg unloaded, and the other says he gets 18-19 unloaded (both of those guys just love to drive their trucks hard though... All the time).



My truck gets about 20-22 on the highway unloaded over long distances, about 70-75mph. Near 17 in the city.



Wes

 

[Pit Bull]

I'm getting around 15. 8 combined at the present time. My model should get the worst mileage of any CTD.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

The other day I raced a guy with a Phord Powermaxx and I beat him so bad it was like he was stuck in Phirst gear. I also got 35 mpg doing it at 135 mph. My truck is way Phaster than yours.