Dodge and the new cummins, Last place

[brobeson]

While it is true the cummins is a medium duty and the others are light duty engines, the truth is, Dodge with the cummins is now in last place in all performance categories. Even when loaded.



The new Ford 6. 0 has a 5 speed auto and it more than makes up for the higher rpm's. So does the GM's.



I just think it is a shame to have to buy the lowest performing engine, Cummins should have made a stronger one, stronger than the currant HO as there standard engine and made a higher version as and HO. And if they made a competitive engine (performance) in the first place, why do they need an HO?



Oh well, Dodge is once again firmly in last place, too bad.



Bob

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Well you know it is a catch 22 here. Problem is that Dodge came out with their new version first. So of course Chevy followed suit by upping the Duracrap and Ford comes along and make the Power Joke 5 ft. lbs. higher then the Cummin. It has always been this way and always will, first man out is going to get upped by everyone else. But you have to remeber the the Cummins is much more upgradeable then the other two, and longer life span.

 

[David Muench]

I'll take reliability and style over 5-20 extra hp any day.



I swear, those new Chevys must crack every mirror they pass.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Right, Mopar Mudder. Here I only have 12 valves and a piddly 216 hp (uprated from stock 215)

Somehow with a few carefuly chosen upgrades, it keeps up with most of the traffic if I get a head start

Best part is that the Cummins will last and last while doing so

The Cummins is built to a very high standard not a cheap price. You would have enjoyed the plant tour last August. The 3rd gen truck seems to be built to a high standard as well. Enjoy.

 

[krabman]

Of course if you were at the Monroe dyno day a few weeks ago and watched the new powerstroke provided by Pierre Ford dyno with 15 less hp and 80 ft lbs below the stock 03 Dodges you might have a different view of those CLAIMED numbers. You wanna brag in the diesel crowd you better be ready to back it up with real numbers.

 

[Casey Balvert]

If you MUST have the latest, the most powerful, the fastest etc. you might have a point. But I considered the whole package when I bought my truck. Sure the Cummins engine was a major consideration and I knew that someone would come up with bigger numbers at some point but overall, I think my Ram is a winner. Yes, you will get up the hill is little faster in your Ford, but then I will make it up when I pass a couple more gas stations than you do on my trip south this spring. If I have a problem I can find parts for my Cummins almost everywhere and at a reasonable price. I will take the looks of my truck compared to the other two any day. Of course that is subjective but hey, since I put out the cash, it is what makes ME happy that counts.



They all, including Dodge will continue to raise the bar. That is good for the consumer. If you want to buy a Ford because that number is what you are chasing, by all means go for it. That is what freedom of choice is all about. I made my choice and I don't regret it, even it if there are a few wrinkles along the way. Just my two cents Canadian.



Happy New Year.



Casey

 

[WadePatton]

Yeah, me and Joe stay up ALL NIGHT worrying about the Dodge/Ford/Chevy HP/TQ numbers game. Lord knows we'd feel SO much better about ourselves if the factory produced trucks rated higher than the competition.



Ya'll keep reading and worrying about reviews. Joe and I will keep turning screws and having FUN--not without worry, but it's a WHOLE DIFFERENT KIND! Oo.

 

[jimnance]

No one is passing me going up the hill with my big fiver. Who cares??

 

[Doubleclutch]

Well, I know that I can get down the hill just about as fast as the next guy, and you guys are absolutely correct when it comes to numbers advertised vs numbers on the pavement. Saw it through the muscle car years, and now us an old effluvium am seeing it again. But who would have thought that the diesel trucks would be the hot rods? Cummins for me, let the number readers figure out why my little six cylinder won't get passed.

Greg

 

[D808]

I feel the need to chime in too... ... ...



Being first on race day would be nice, but when considering the whole package, Dodge 2003 HD Rams are light years ahead of the competition in all other areas. Just consider the weight difference. With the 2003 Dodge Ram CTD, you're getting 800 to 1000 lbs. more steel. (That may be the reason the el cheapo competition is a slight bit quicker on race day)!!!!!!!!!



Then there's the ride and comfort qualities. If a luxury pick-up truck was ever built, this is it!



Sports-car like handling is another attribute of the 2003 Dodge HD Rams. It feels to me like my 4X4 Quad-Cab Dually darn near steers itself! You just point it and go!



Dodge also has the brakes just right on the new 2003 HD Rams. Perfect pedal feel, and larger diameter rotors than the competition too!!!



The American Axle anti-spin is a winner! Even being a dually, my new CTD is great in snow!



I feel sorry for the poor guys that plan to maintain those V-8 diesels. Open the hoods of the competition, and you can't even see the engines!



Looks are very important to me too. I believe the 2003 HD Rams beat the socks off the competition in that area! Because the new Dodge Rams are selling so well, I'll bet brand F will design another

Chinese copy real soon!



I could go on for hours expounding upon the virtues of my new 2003 CTD, but I'll let someone else take over for awhile. I'm sure the proud forum posts of the 2003 owners will be pouring in for quite some time.



Federal Man

 

[Dean Upson]

I would not presume to add to that, federalman. VERY well said, indeed!



Dean

 

[stew]

After Cummins, Detroit Diesel will step in...Long live Cummins !

Well,

I hear (little voices) that Detroit Diesel will be hooking up with the Dodge boys soon, when the Cummins contract is up... Not sure when that is, myself... But, you heard it here... Not, sure if it's open discussion yet but, what the heck...



I think Phord will open up to Cummins then...



Nothing wrong with a Cummins... Why did you buy it? It's long dependable service possibly... Or the fact that it's proven !!!



It is not a racing motor, unless you build to be!!! That is not the reason I got one... And, it can be built to deal with the competition!!! Very easily !!! Very strong base to work from... No it's not the fastest, but many miles later it will still be running, rattling away!!!



The Cummins is the turtle of the bunch the way I see it... It is for the long haul, not just a skip in the park!!!



Think of the Cummins as a 18 lb sledgehammer blow, slow, deliberate and always strikes the mark... It's not meant to be worked like a 16 oz hammer...



I think all the major diesel competitors have something to strive for in the future... As with any engine manufacture...



I really like the Cummins and not thinking of shifting, even if the competition comes up with something new in the next 7 years or so... We will see... A winning lottery ticket might change that though !!! Always wanted a Hummer!!!



What is of most concern to me, is will the rest of the truck hold up to the Cummins??? It's the total picture... Most motors outlast the frame they are surrounded with... Even gassers...



Make the best of it... Everyday something new will make an attempt to blow you away... The fun is smokin the pavement tryin!!! Or, the dirt if so inclined. .



Just remember, something in your rear view will always be wanting to pass !!! Enjoy the ride !!!



Stew

 

[FATCAT]

DC should just end the controversy ...

... once and for all. Since they are now the largest builder of big rigs they should just start puting in Eaton/Fuller tranies/axles and a ISM/ISX ... forget anything smaller ... just go for broke. Economies of scale will bring the price down quick ... plus all those town/county/city DPW contracts will go to Dodge overnight.



Just redesign the truck's front end a little , provide a menu for your customers to choose engine/drivetrain (standard 2-stage Jake), and wha-la ... . the controversy is OVER ... you'll have a "pickup" truck that just sitting in, it let alone driving, will give you an orgasm.

 

[nickleinonen]

you'll have a "pickup" truck that just sitting in, it let alone driving, will give you an orgasm.

:-laf

 

[CATCRACKER]

add a comp and dd2's to an 03 HO 750+500=$1250+1200 clutch and these duracrap's and powerpoop's will be eating black smoke. $2450 is not that much cash and these cummins will handle this much power for 300K. if you want to talk reliable power then there you go. how long will the dura and powerchokes hold 450hp without breaking. the cummins has been doing it for many years. by the way have you priced a set of injectors for the ford or chevies hold on to your hat buy the way the chevies are the ugliest truck i have ever seen that is the opinion of even chevy boys. besides to lift a chevy is expensive(look like low riders and the frame looks like its about to drag the ground:-laf

bottom line fit and finish go to the dodge,dependable motor goes to the dodge,strength now go to the new dodge, ease of bombing go to the dodge, what else do you want? keep your low riders(chevy) and your 5 extra ftlbs(ford)



oh yea go price them and see who comes out on top

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by brobeson



Oh well, Dodge is once again firmly in last place, too bad.



Bob

Bob, I got to disagree. They are in first place. Why? Because I own one and I like it better than any other truck made. Period!! See when it comes to my money and what I drive the only analysis and opinion that counts is mine. I've driven the others and they don't measure up to what "I" want. Bob the only person you have to make happy in this world is Bob. If you think you are drivng a 3rd place truck then you are. I'm driving the best.

 

[Wirenut]

The difference is on the dyno! The cummins puts down real close to the claimed numbers, where the others don't! I've seen it. As far as the detroit diesel thing goes, Dodge has cummins til at least 2007. I don't really care what they do though cause I'll never buy one of those new quiet things.

 

[CATCRACKER]

never say never! i learned that along time ago. these new trucks are awsome jmho they blow the old ones away jmho and i have owned one since 99 these trucks are new form the ground up and you can tell. much improved but like mentioned earlier it is what ever makes you happy. these trucks are not quite with the muffler off they sound unreal by the way go test drive one 6 speed they are loud when going through the gears

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I can understand where some of the guys are coming from - they get TIRED of always having to be on the defensive where their trucks are concerned - sure, our trucks are the best on the road in OUR eyes - but it sure would be nice if DC made a more determined effort to project a better image to the buying public instead uf US having to constantly do it FOR them! Some guys get sorta tired of having to rationalize and make excuses for the way the general public and owners of competing trucks view OUR pride and joy!



How many times do we see truck test writeups that are flattering to Dodges in comparison to the competition? Could at least PART of the lack of respect for Dodges in tests and "Truck of the year" choices be because DC isn't as aggressive as they should be in LEADING, instead of being so content to constantly follow?



What would be wrong with being 5 hp BETTER, instead of so often that far BEHIND the others? Why not a TRUE crewcab, instead of a substitute - and an automatic that will really LIVE behind the Cummins, instead of one that gives ya white knuckles everytime you floor it up a grade with a load in tow? Some fellas get tired of rationalizing about how powerful their trucks *will be/are* AFTER the power mods...



Yeah, *I* love MY truck too - and am conviced of it's superiority - too bad I don't get better dedication and back-up from DC tho, and have to "prove it" to the Ford and GM drivers frequently out on the road and in the hills - maybe DC should put me on their payroll?

 

[jryan11518]

Those numbers are just great, even impressive. But I still want the new Dodge HO. Waiting on one with 7,500 miles on it that I can license in CA. They built it and I am gonna get it one way or another.

Happy new year to all.