Dodge Ford Chevy Comparison Shopping

[TKirby]

I realize this is a dodge-biased site and that's fine. I love my 93 CTD extended cab. The time has come, however, for me to buy a new truck and I can't HONESTLY decide which to get. I'll be towing a three horse trailer with full living accomodations. While the Cummins engine in my '93 is awesome, many other aspects of the truck leave a lot to be desired - Auto Trans, and the ROUGHEST ride on the planet.

Is there a site that offers good, objective advice on each of the available options that would handle my towing needs? I'm ok with a manual trans this time around.

Seriously guys, what's the BEST "off-the-shelf" rig these days, biases aside? I drove a new duramax and it seemed awesome... but is it? I love the new Dodges but will the automatic transmission hold up or give me dreadful problems?

How about the Ford Powerstroke?

I'm sure each has its advantages and disadvantages. I'll be after longevity, and I also plan to run biodiesel in whatever vehicle I purchase. I'd also LOVE to use a WVO system.



Thanks for any OBJECTIVE advice or suggestions. I'm hoping I get some input that I can use rather than just "Buy Dodge" type responses.



Cheers!

Todd

 

[McLaughlin]

Most of what I've got regarding Ford is hear-say but I've heard way to may bad things regarding the 6. 0 Ford engine to consider one. From the looking I've been doing over the last year or so, the Chevy seems to be a pretty good option. Only things I've experienced is an apparent lack of power/acceleration compared to my current 97 Dodge. Also, the Chevy's frame is really low to the ground as compared to the Dodge. Ride seems better in the Chevy; fuel economy seems worse (we saw 12 mpg consistantly vise 19 in my 97 Dodge). Haven't heard to many bad things regarding the new Dodges after they dumped the original valve lift pump. Haven't been reading about as many transmission problems with the new Dodges as I did with the older ones. My biggest problem with the Dodges is I don't want four Doors (even though I don't mind the opening doors on the extended cab (don't have a very good reason for that). My biggest concern with the Dodges would be the problems with warrenty work I've been reading about. I haven't had a problem here because of my old truck but I also won't take it to any of the local dealers (don't trust them for any of my work).

 

[mberry]

My suggestion would be to go drive all 3 in the same day, one right after the other. The 3rd Gen Dodge's are light years ahead of your, or anyone's for that matter, '93 with respect to refinement and ride comfort. Drive them all in the configuration you are looking for and make your decision based on what YOU like and want.



Given the choice even between my previous '02 and my current '04. 5 I'll take the 04. 5 any day based on ride alone! I won't mention steering, brakes, stock engine power, noise levels, interior comfort, etc...



Just my opinion. Good luck

 

[GFritsch]

My company work truck is an 02 powerstroke. IMO my 94 Dodge was a better truck, and our 04 is far better. The Fords in our company have had soo many problems that we have switched to duramax trucks now when ordering new trucks. (fleet guy is a big chevy guy) Will have to see how they hold up. My ford has left me stranded twice last year, and needs to go back to the dealer again as it feels like the front end is going to shake itself off the truck when cornering to the left. Oh, and the powerstroke gets about 14 mpg on the highway. POS! Spend some time on the dieselstop.com and that should be enough to convince you against the ford.



I don't think you will find too many who wouldn't rate the Cummins the best engine of the bunch based on proven durability and reliability, and both manual and auto trans have been getting favorable marks from what I have read here.



I myself would choose a Dodge again as I have been very happy with both Dodge trucks I have owned, but if I had to choose a second choice it would be the chevy. I am not a "Dodge Guy", and my next truck could be chevy depending on what's available in 20 years or so when my Cummins is worn out. :-laf



Good luck,

Greg

 

[Donn]

I tow quit a bit with a friend who has a duramax. It is a very nice truck. He has a chip (not sure what one), but he gets about 1 1/2- 2 mpg better that my dodge, and it has better acceleration empty that my truck but I do pull a load up the hill better. In my opinion if the dodge had a better transmission it would be a no brainer. I have to keep my programer down to the 50 hp setting or the transmission shifts like it is going to die.

 

[foolkiller]

i love my truck a lot... ..... but... ... i talk diesel with everyone willing to participate and the chevy owners never complain about any of the glitches ford and dodge owners do. actually, they don't complain at all. the closest thing to a complaint was one cat who discussed putting a live axle under his dmax 4x4.



not very scientific for sure but it is my observation and it would be considered if i were in the market for a new truck.



good luck, jeff

 

[Dieselnut59]

There is NO COMPARISON in the ride quality between your '93 and the new Dodges. I had a '93 and although I loved the truck, it would beat you to death! I traded it on my '96 which was a drastic improvement in ride quality, as well as steering. The '03 is even better riding and power is amazing. My recommendation is Dodge. The Cummins in the new ('03 up) has been practicly flawless... Chev and LORD KNOWS ford have had their share of problems. I am totally happy with my Dodges.

 

[TKirby]

Thanks for all the replies. I hope they keep coming in!

I have no issues with the power of my 93. I can still hook a three horse behind it and the engine pulls amazingly well. I'm quite certain my next truck will be a manual unless I get a REALLY good feeling that the automatics would hold up. The transmission in my 93 is definitely the weak spot and has to continually be babied to get by. The ride is jaw shattering but actually improves a little when towing a load. The other BAD thing is that it takes a 40 acre field to turn it around. Still, it's one heck of a truck and the Cummins engine is unbelievable with 230K miles on her.

I figure with the manual, I can probably find a clutch that will beef it up if need be. I guess I'd still go with an automatic if I do further research and find that they've made VAST (and I mean VAST!) improvements that will hold up even with chips and upgrades.

Again, thanks for the expert input! Keep 'em coming!



OH, by the way... is the Allison transmission in the Chevy REALLY all that? I drove one and it was nice, but that doesn't really tell me much. What I wish I could do is drive each truck LOADED and put it through its paces before buying... fat chance that'll happen.

Todd K.

 

[DavidBurt]

If you have no issue with the power of your '93 you will have no need for a chip in an '06. The stock power will impress you ALOT! The guys running stock power through an automatic seem to very happy with there auto's.

Dave

 

[TKirby]

I anticipate additional power needs over my 93 actually (new trailer, etc. ).

 

[LAMiller]

The Allison in the chevy's is a good transmission! But I wouldn't say its all that - Have a guy I run with that has a 03 dually and a 01 standard cab dmax and the 03 he has a big programmer (tts) and he put a full ats transmission rebuild in at 40K and with the rebuild it is "all that" but in the 01 with Edge Attitude and stock transmission at 120K its only hanging on by a string -

In my opinion then all auto trannys in the "big three" brands are respectable but If your looking to add an additional 100hp+ then your gonna have to to a aftermarket transmission but spend your 5K and you've got a transmission that'll last you a lifetime JMO!

 

[MRosinski]

My 05' has pulled a 12K lb. tag trailer from chicago to san diego and back w/stock power many times. It did great compared to the same run in our old 02' f-250 ps. The cummins averaged steady 10mpg and the powerstroke was a 7-8mpg. The I-6 pulls hard up grades while th v-8 reved it brains out. The 48re is a strong trans and imo its superior over the tourqeshift and allison.



Oh yeah, i used to run a hot juice and 35" tires on it. So far the trans has handled 42,000 miles of towing, plowing, and weekend hot rodding.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I would HIGHLY recommend the 6-speed. I have always been a manual transmission fan, but I LOVE this new 6-speed. You can't necessarily judge how it feels by a test drive because it does take a little getting used to and actually shifts and feels better when it is broken in. The clutch seems pretty durable and is effortless to mash. I have the Bullydog "download" program on mine and the stock clutch holds up well. The stock power of the new trucks is VERY impressive (and mine is 'only' the 305 horse model!). Turning ratios have also improved DRASTICLY. I had a reg cab 4x4 '93 250 and can turn my '03 dual wheel 4-door 4x4 around in much less area than the '93. The ride is nice too and that is coming from someone who has had them both! I do love a "first gen" though for simplicity and I LOVE the way you just "blip" the starter and they fire off. All the new electronicly controlled engines take a bit to get going, due to the sea of electrons that have to sail around a bit first.

 

[Dl5treez]

My butthole... err I mean opinion:



If I was crazy enough to buy a brand new pickup truck today (done it before, not for me) it would be a Duramax/Allison GMC.

 

[6naline01]

Dodge, their is no comparison! I took a good friend to look at a dodge and he drove it home and has thanked me several time for advising him right. He has a Montana 5th wheel his GMC would pull it but it was nothing compared to his new Dodge 2500 CTD Please bare in mind he is a "life time chevy owner"

6Naline01

 

[Grizzly]

My vote is for a Dodge/Cummins, 6 speed. I'm on my second Dodge/Cummins and I love it as well as the 95. I had the 95 for 10 years with many miles and I can say that it was never in the shop once, except for recalls.

For the guy that would buy a Duramax/Allison GMC, do you have rocks in your head?

 

[Dl5treez]

For the guy that would buy a Duramax/Allison GMC, do you have rocks in your head?

The GMC is easier for my physically handicapped relative to get in and out of, and since I like to take him fishing, to the races, and even just out for a drive, I'd prefer to have a truck that can make his life just a little bit easier... ... . so yea the rocks are big and roll from side to side.



Plus I prefer the GMC to a new Dodge. But, that's just those pesky rocks talking again. Oh don't worry I won't report your post as a personal attack either. :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

The GMC is easier for my physically handicapped relative to get in and out of, and since I like to take him fishing, to the races, and even just out for a drive, I'd prefer to have a truck that can make his life just a little bit easier... ... . so yea the rocks are big and roll from side to side.



Plus I prefer the GMC to a new Dodge. But, that's just those pesky rocks talking again. Oh don't worry I won't report your post as a personal attack either. :-laf

Well I don't know about any truck being better then any other truck with respects to handicap folks. With full running boards, my Dodge is easy to get in and out of. But to pass up the awesome Dodge with the mighty Cummins for a a GMC, one has to love GM and I don't. No personal attack intended.

 

[Big A]

Well, I better put my . 2c worth in here. I love my Dodge with the Cummins. That being said, I drive a '04 Chevy/Duramax with the Allison all day long at work. It does not have the power that my Dodge does. But it has more than enough, and it's a hell of alot easier to drive. I run around with anywhere from 16-19 thousand pounds combined on it, and it handles it well. If you're looking for an automatic, the duramax/allison combo is worth looking at.

Big A

 

[Joe G.]

Well I don't know about any truck being better then any other truck with respects to handicap folks. With full running boards, my Dodge is easy to get in and out of.

No it's not. The 4X4 Dodge even with running boards is a bear for a lot of handicapped folks to get into. When I bought my '95 I could find NO handicapped accessable equipment for a pickup truck. The problem is that the door sill of a Dodge 4X4 is about 21" from the ground as measured on my '95. Even if that is divided in half by a running board it is still over 10" per step. That is very high for a handicapped person. I installed two tread motor home steps on my truck so my wife can get in it. Without those steps my 88 year old mother could not get in my truck.



A lower truck would have been a lot better, but I wanted the Cummins. In order to do that I had to invent a mounting system for the mother home steps.