Cummins owner buys 07 LBZ, but which of The Big 3 really has the BEST overall truck?

[SBeretz]

If Ford had a Cummins, I'd still be driving my Dodge.



IMO there is no greater combination than a Dodge with a Cummins and a 6 speed standard transmission.

I am another that totally agrees with that statement. My 6 speed and Cummins really makes my big trailer seem small. Wished it was easier on U-Joints, but then again, it is a point of pride like the old 425 Cats that used to twist up drivelines!! Either way, U-joints are fairly cheap, I will keep the power. Scotty

 

[Msilbernagel]

Give me a 5. 9 in a GM chassis and I'd be thrilled!

Yea... :-laf



Mine is a '93 Suburban K2500 with a 04. 5 Cummins/6 speed, 2Gen Dodge radiator and intercooler, Evans waterless coolant, twin Flex-a-lite (Duramax version, 284?) electric fans.



I dragged our 25' trailer up the 6% grade and over White Pass (WA, near Mt. Rainier) just over a week ago.



It was approaching 100F, and I passed two DMax's on the way up; one pulling a trailer and the other a camper. It looked like they were slowing to deal with heating issues...



I'm real happy with the way it behaves. Sailed over the top at 55 . Oo.



Mark

 

[Wingate]

The "Torque management" programing on the Allison would really under power the Cummins. It sure makes the Duramax a dog when trying to pass someone with a little weight. (10K GVW with the 05 LLY, 5 spd)

My service truck is a C4500 with the d-max and Allison... . Last time it was on a scale to be weighed was when the first engine blew up at 70k miles. It weighed right around 19K lbs. When driving on the highway, you have to REALLY commit to wanting around somebody to attempt to pass!!!. . I typically need about 1/2 mile or more of flat to downhill road and the car I'm passing can't be running over 65 mph.

I wasn't sure, but it always seemed that there was some transmission protection strategy at gear change. I just wasn't sure if it was that, or the engine just ran out of power!!!...

 

[HBarlow]

I'm just wondering if the Ford "Scorpion" engine will leave a painful stinging sensation when you buy one and bring it home???????
As for the D-Max (isuzu)... since I work on BIG Cats every day, I guess I've adopted this philosophy... . If aluminum cylinder heads on a TRUE diesel engine were a good thing, Caterpillar and Cummins would have been doing it about 40 years ago!!!!...
So if they went to a lighter weight design on the heads, it makes you wonder about the rest of the internals... .
I read where somebody was discussing the advantages/disadvantages of I-6 vs. V-8... The v engine configuration has 5 main bearings to support the crankshaft and each rod pin shares the power pulses of two cylinders whereas the I-6 engine has 7 main bearings to support the crankshaft and each cylinder has its own rod pin. Typically inline engines make peak torque at lower rpm (vs. a similar design v configuration) I believe this is to be a main contributor to the auto transmission problems of years past. Makes me wonder what an Allison would do if you bolted it up behind a Cummins????. .
Anyway... just some humble opinions and mindless thoughts. .

I agree. if I had to bet about the "scorpion" I'd bet with you. The first year will probably sting owners at least as bad as the sicko Navistar.

V8 diesels are cheaper to manufacture and perform more like a gasoline V8 to please the clueless who equate quick acceleration with pulling power. When I was transporting trailers most of the drivers who'd been loyal GM or Ferd drivers shifted over to Dodge-Cummins when they grew tired of the problems experienced with the other inferior brands.

NO Government Motors or Ferd trucks in my future!

 

[TFucili]

Yea... :-laf



Mine is a '93 Suburban K2500 with a 04. 5 Cummins/6 speed, 2Gen Dodge radiator and intercooler, Evans waterless coolant, twin Flex-a-lite (Duramax version, 284?) electric fans.



I dragged our 25' trailer up the 6% grade and over White Pass (WA, near Mt. Rainier) just over a week ago.



It was approaching 100F, and I passed two DMax's on the way up; one pulling a trailer and the other a camper. It looked like they were slowing to deal with heating issues...



I'm real happy with the way it behaves. Sailed over the top at 55 . Oo.



Mark

Was the Dmax overheating issue isolated to certain model years, or is it still an issue? My wife's boss just blew up the Navijunk in his Ford, and traded it for a used Dmax, but I am not sure of the year. I have tried to educate him about the Cummins, but he doesn't appear to get it. "Dodges are too much trouble". Meanwhile, through the course of time, they shoveled more parts and $$$ at that 6. 0 than you can count, and it has met its just fate anyway. Go figure

 

[RVTRKN]

Was the Dmax overheating issue isolated to certain model years, or is it still an issue? My wife's boss just blew up the Navijunk in his Ford, and traded it for a used Dmax, but I am not sure of the year. I have tried to educate him about the Cummins, but he doesn't appear to get it. "Dodges are too much trouble". Meanwhile, through the course of time, they shoveled more parts and $$$ at that 6. 0 than you can count, and it has met its just fate anyway. Go figure

O5 was the worst year, but they run hot as a rule. One of the biggest complaints from loyal D/A trucks owners is the clutch fan coming on constantly when in hot weather, and the 05 I had to drive would come on even with ambient temps at 60* just cruising the highway.