Diesel Power Magazine Shootout

[Crunch]

Funny, everyone seems to test these trucks pretty much the same and none of them make much sense to me. I just don't care if brand X gets to the top of a hill five seconds faster or accelerates a couple of seconds quicker. I don't even care who gets 1 mpg better. Those things matter little in real life driving. What counts to me is a fat torque curve and great longevity, even with mods. The cummins doesn't have to keep shifting to keep it in the power band and that makes towing a nicer experience.

All I have to offer is my own real world testing. With 72,000 miles on my `03 I have had zero engine problems. El zippo, nada, none. It towed 11,000lbs from Texas to Alabama without any problems or complaints about acceleration. I got 13. 2MPG both going out and on the return trip. It hauled 2000lbs in the bed from Texas to Missouri (18. 2MPG out and in), and has towed and hauled several lesser loads without ever having a hint of a problem. I've gotten a lifetime average of 17. 1MPG over that 72,000 miles--including all the towing and hauling, even though I have a lead foot and routinely drive 85MPH. The brakes are still in great shape. The E-range tires lasted 60,000 miles. The engine still looks clean. While the thin sheet metal is a joke on new vehicles, the body of my truck is in very good condition, with minimal dings and paint chips. The interior still looks great. This truck has impressed me in virtually every way. It's a balanced, well designed system that exceeded my expectations for a new vehicle. I like the new mega cab, but based on the comments I read here, I'm glad I bought the `03 when I did. The `03 seems to have been the cream of the 3rd Gens. It's now paid off and I'm going to drive this thing till the wheels fall off. Then I'm going to find a use for the Cummins engine for the second half of its life. Man, I really dig this truck!

 

[jwduke]

Its that old "The Cummins will last longer than the body, thaught", which may be true, but the 3rd gen. body is MUCH better than the 1st gen. body, hands down!

 

[vegasredneck]

Bertram

I'm with you, I would like to see test result in writing. Way too big of number changes IMO. Look my 99 7. 3 runs great it is the best truck I've owned to date. That beiing said of course I would like to get the MPG like the cummins but it fits my needs.

I would expect to see the chevy on top right now w/650tq and a 6sp allison and dodge pull up last. However that PSD should have so many minus points added, that it should be going the other direction. Now if they are going to do a real test, why not do it with the new cab/chassi 6. 7 and 6sp even with the 310/ 600tq.

The other thing which I think is a big factor is, Cummins has their motor ready for the 07 emissions. I haven't heard a word on Chevy or Ford.



Oh by the way my next truck will be a dodge!!!

 

[BTighe]

time is the only truth teller. how long have the others been in the game? not long enough. the cummins has earned my respect because of how long its been around as well as how its lasted. whos ever swapped a psd or dmax into a dodge?

 

[gsbrockman]

whos ever swapped a psd or dmax into a dodge?

Can I get an "AMEN" for Brother BTighe ? :-laf



Greg

 

[ZHutton]

Before the net I placed a lot of value on magazine articles because it was the best way to get info out there.



But even then it was well known that in order to have all makes included in an article the people doing the article took what they could get.



I finally got around to driving all 3 and I will take my used 03 over a new ford or general motors vehicle.



Part of my reasoning is I want a stick and general motors won't give you the big power numbers with a stickshift.



The other part of the reasoning is as mentioned, one engine seems to get the majority of the swaps.

 

[Matt400]

whos ever swapped a psd or dmax into a dodge?

Excellent statement. . I sure don't know of any.

 

[Crunch]

whos ever swapped a psd or dmax into a dodge?

While on the flip-side of the coin, someone is making big money: http://www.fordcummins.com



I wonder if there's money to be made stuffing the Cummins into a mini Cooper... :-laf

 

[SKing]

Bertram the motors are first tested under normal factory HP. At the current time the cummins was never classified as a failure. The ford was a failure due to lack of oil circulation to the turbos crack bang boooom. The chevy melted down due to ring failure skreeech boooom. Once data is recorded the new motors are placed on a dyno to check for maximum HP before engine failure. . All data is colleted and returned to the paying client. Most of the time one client will pay for all three engines to see how it rates to theres so they can TRY to improve there own engine or build a new one that is bigger and badder than the other. This has been tried over and over by ford and chevy and the cummins is still on top. Ford should have kept there 7. 3 and chevy should just get out of the diesel industry all together.

 

[Matt400]

chevy should just get out of the diesel industry all together.

Naw. . thats a bit harsh :-laf

Imagine a Cat 7. 2 Inline 6 in the 330hp version with a solid front axle. Suddenly Cheby looks real nice.

#ad

 

[DavidBurt]

Cheby isn't smart enough to use a Cat, that is if Cat would let them!! Good point btighe I have never heard of a ps or a durapuke in a dodge.

Dave