DMAX hell

[RVTRKN]

Well thats what I get on a common run to Parker AR every time I go. There is only one grade worth speaking of, before Yucca Vally on hwy 62. In the sept. 04 Motor Trend Mag. pulling a 8500# boat with the new [at that time]Ram 2500 4X4 with auto HO it got 17. 4 the DMAX got 18. 6 and the ford got 16. 6 so if you dont believe me you can read the artical which by the way they placed the dodge last in the trials.

 

[RVTRKN]

Am I still in DMAX hell

You Know, I Thought I Left Dmax Hell?

 

[tgrfan2]

Wow just got out of DMAX hell due to work truck. Boss wanted me to find out why my MPG is poor. After 2 wks on the Diesel Place site I am finding out just how bad the DMAX is and how unhappy the owners are, though they wont admit it. The MPG on mine is 12 MPG on a good day. I just wanted to let out some steam. The dealer informed me 9 to 19 is normal, WTF was that for an answer.

We just pulled into the foothills last weekend. 06 D/A LBZ (10K miles) pulling 24' box trailer weighing 7K and the 06 Dodge(1K) pulling 5K including the equipment trailer(GCW of both rigs roughly the same, both 3. 73s) . I followed and got 11. 3, he got 9. 4 at 75-80 mph. Last week I pulled same route grossing 20K with the 06 CTD and averaged only 10. 0 at 75mph.

Hopefully both trucks still have to loosen up, but neither would top the same hills in OD running 70-75mph my 98 would pulling the fiver in OD and I am running B20 in the 98 getting 10. 5mpg. B20 should hurt the power a little. Both 06s had to downshift to maintain 70+ on most hills when grossing14-15K.

 

[GAllen]

We just pulled into the foothills last weekend. 06 D/A LBZ (10K miles) pulling 24' box trailer weighing 7K and the 06 Dodge(1K) pulling 5K including the equipment trailer(GCW of both rigs roughly the same, both 3. 73s) . I followed and got 11. 3, he got 9. 4 at 75-80 mph. Last week I pulled same route grossing 20K with the 06 CTD and averaged only 10. 0 at 75mph.

Hopefully both trucks still have to loosen up, but neither would top the same hills in OD running 70-75mph my 98 would pulling the fiver in OD and I am running B20 in the 98 getting 10. 5mpg. B20 should hurt the power a little. Both 06s had to downshift to maintain 70+ on most hills when grossing14-15K.

Remember the Dodge 4. 10 and GM 3. 73 provide roughly the same final drive ratio. A Dodge with 3. 73's has a higher final drive ratio so the truck are dissimilar in gearing.

 

[tgrfan2]

The Dodge turns right at 2000 in OD at 70 and the LBZ turns about that in 5th. When it shifts to 6th it turns about 1850 at 70 mph. I don't remember there being much difference in the speed of the LBY either in fifth gear. Both trucks had tires switched from the 245s to 285s. I don't know anyone that runs the OE bicycle tires around here.

 

[BHolm]

I owned two Isuzu-max trucks. I spent a bunch of time on that site and I concur completely. Those guys have more blind loyalty to those trucks than I have ever seen. There are a number of well documented issues with the Isuzu and Allison yet they still tout them as the best thing since toast. Sure the subjects come up but, generally I agree that they seem more than willing to accept the faults and continue buying the trucks. Not as bad as the Ford guys because I can't believe they still sell ANY 6. 0's. It just seems like the Ford guys acknowledge the issues.



For the record neither of my Isuzu-max trucks got good milage. I made a 1400 mile trip with my 21 ft ski boat behind the '03 Isuzu-max and a loaded open car trailer (3800 lb Buick GS) behind my '03 QC Dodge. We ran together cross coutry and through the mountains. The Isuzu max clearly had the lighter, lower drag load. The Isuzu averaged 11 mpg and the Cummins 15 mpg. RPM at 70 was the same, tire size the same etc. , very comparable trucks. My '06 would still beat that Isuzu-max, but maybe that isn't fair as the Isuzu now has another gear in the trans and more power.

 

[RVTRKN]

I owned two Isuzu-max trucks. I spent a bunch of time on that site and I concur completely. Those guys have more blind loyalty to those trucks than I have ever seen. There are a number of well documented issues with the Isuzu and Allison yet they still tout them as the best thing since toast. Sure the subjects come up but, generally I agree that they seem more than willing to accept the faults and continue buying the trucks. Not as bad as the Ford guys because I can't believe they still sell ANY 6. 0's. It just seems like the Ford guys acknowledge the issues.



For the record neither of my Isuzu-max trucks got good milage. I made a 1400 mile trip with my 21 ft ski boat behind the '03 Isuzu-max and a loaded open car trailer (3800 lb Buick GS) behind my '03 QC Dodge. We ran together cross coutry and through the mountains. The Isuzu max clearly had the lighter, lower drag load. The Isuzu averaged 11 mpg and the Cummins 15 mpg. RPM at 70 was the same, tire size the same etc. , very comparable trucks. My '06 would still beat that Isuzu-max, but maybe that isn't fair as the Isuzu now has another gear in the trans and more power.

I beleive that maybe the case but an inline engine still has an advantage over V8 pulling grades long distances. Have you heard anything about the new 6. 7 Cummins, I dont need the power with my rigs but am curious if the HP is going to be greater than the DMAX so we [cummins owners] dont have to hear how theirs [DMAX owners] are.

 

[BHolm]

I am not a brand loyal guy when it comes to these trucks. I still have my '99 F-350 and love that truck. I tried two D/A trucks and have since run 4 third gen Dodges. I can say the only time I have ever been disapponted in one of them was with my '01 Chev. It simply would not hold fifth gear on the highway pulling my Unimog on a gooseneck trailer. I ended up getting 5mpg on the trip from Atlanta to Minneapolis, it was aweful. Even the less powerful Ford hauled that load better and the Dodges have no problem with it. I know the Chevy is probably faster but that misses the point of the trucks IMO. I have fast cars, I need the trucks to pull the toys, horses etc around. The Cummins pulls like the V8s simply can't. I have driven a Isuzu-max through the mountains, it has to rev like crazy to make the power, the Allison forces it to do so and when the V8's rev they are MUCH louder and sound way more stressed than the Cummins. The Dodge trucks have the best engine, most reliable auto transmission (48re), strongest frame, biggest brakes, largest availible cab etc, etc. I've had the best luck repair wise with Dodge too. I like to have the best tool for the job at hand and the Dodges have it all over the GM trucks for my needs.

 

[BErmoyan]

I am not a brand loyal guy when it comes to these trucks. I still have my '99 F-350 and love that truck. I tried two D/A trucks and have since run 4 third gen Dodges. I can say the only time I have ever been disapponted in one of them was with my '01 Chev. It simply would not hold fifth gear on the highway pulling my Unimog on a gooseneck trailer. I ended up getting 5mpg on the trip from Atlanta to Minneapolis, it was aweful. Even the less powerful Ford hauled that load better and the Dodges have no problem with it. I know the Chevy is probably faster but that misses the point of the trucks IMO. I have fast cars, I need the trucks to pull the toys, horses etc around. The Cummins pulls like the V8s simply can't. I have driven a Isuzu-max through the mountains, it has to rev like crazy to make the power, the Allison forces it to do so and when the V8's rev they are MUCH louder and sound way more stressed than the Cummins. The Dodge trucks have the best engine, most reliable auto transmission (48re), strongest frame, biggest brakes, largest availible cab etc, etc. I've had the best luck repair wise with Dodge too. I like to have the best tool for the job at hand and the Dodges have it all over the GM trucks for my needs.

Very well said, all coming from a guy who has owned all three brands. I think the 48re was o. k. for stock, but didnt let the cummins flex its true muscle. But, no matter the transmission, these trucks just have brute power, it's amazing.

We have a 7. 4 Suburban and a 5. 7 Tahoe (both Vortec) and the Ram crushes them put together as far as torque.

 

[biggieou]

I dont know if you guys know this, but Ford owns Duramax. :-laf

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Hey gooseneck why would GM pay anything over warranty[110K miles]?

Because they admitted fault in manufacturing. They are trying to play the nice guy by only charging 50%, even though they admitted fault. My guess - trying to keep it out of court.

 

[RVTRKN]

I dont know if you guys know this, but Ford owns Duramax. :-laf

no no no !!!dodge owns ford and NBC [GE]

 

[jrobinson2]

GM extended the warranty on some of the fuel system components to 200k on some of the early Dmax trucks

 

[RVTRKN]

GM extended the warranty on some of the fuel system components to 200k on some of the early Dmax trucks

I would like to believe this for my work truck, but don't think a manufacture would, out of the blue extend a warranty, was there a court decision on this?

 

[Spooled-up]

What is the difference between LLY and LBZ Duramax's?

 

[nps]

What is the difference between LLY and LBZ Duramax's?

The LBZs only use high quality recycled beer cans (Bud/Coors Lite/Miller Lite) and the LLYs use any Kind of can (Keystone/Old Mil/etc. ).



With the high quality beer cans, the LBZs can put out more power. Drink more beer - help a Dmax buyer.

 

[Devan Manis]

its true

GM extended the warranty on some of the fuel system components to 200k on some of the early Dmax trucks

its true for the injectors, don't know what if anything else