Duramax draws Dodge owners like flies

[jsimpson]

I'm with you Art!

 

[jsimpson]

Had it for a week now; power and smoothness are awesome. Comfort is as good as my Buick. Ride is not as good as my Tundra but far better than my Dodges. 230 miles and rolling up on half tank on furl guage. And I don't know how many times I've appreciated that warning buzzer that I've left my turn signal on after leaving an exit ramp! It IS noisier than the 2001 we tried. I think they used less insulation on the 2002. It's going to be tough giving it up, but that will just make me get busy improving my Dodge!!!

 

[Texas Diesel]

Re: I can't believe this

Originally posted by mike r

This is sad state we're in when a soft ride and one more gear in the transmission sells you a truck. GM's sales pitch with that new truck was IT CAN TOW 12,500 LBS. Great . Anyone that can read knows the 2500 with the 4. 10's and towing package in auto will tow 11,400 and put in the 5-speed and it goes clear up tp 13,500 lbs. Where's the great advantage to this overpriced foreign designed pop can. That low rider frame is another issue. EVERY ONE of the trucks I've seen that get hit from behind buckle under the rear of the cab and distroy the bed and cab along with the frame and there's guys out there straightening and reselling them. That's the most strained piece of the frame! It seems as though some of the guys looking to buy a Durapuke need a car and not a truck!

WELL SAID!

 

[Ray Torresdal]

Hp

Just visited a friend who does Hp. improvements primarily on Fords. He had a Duramax on the dyno, and by the time he pulled it down to 2400 (below that it shifted), the Powerstroke had more Hp. The Allison in this particular truck upchucked at 2000 miles, and they replaced the transmission. Ray

 

[Texas Diesel]

Now Ray, you know they wont believe your story unless you have the VIN, engine S/N, social security number of the mechanic, wind speed and direction, humidity, and a completed CIA investigation. Then it would still be undocumented hearsay.

Living in denial must be a wonderful thing...

 

[DRR-24V]

New Stuff ?

I do not like to be the first to try a new type vehicle. My Son has a Ford diesel (4 Dr) and loves it. My 3 Buddies with the Duramaxes paid about $40,000 for them. No matter what the HP rating is, without the EZ I could out accellerate all 3 of them. My Sons Ford does much better. Now with the transmission problems all 3 are working with, it don't look good.

 

[jsimpson]

Are you sure the D-Max drivers knew there was a race going on? I easily pulled away from a kid trying to pass me on the right in a turn lane with his bombed P-stroke single cab 2WD against my brother's D-Max crew cab 4WD. We drove the new Dodge the same day we drove the D-Max on our truck shopping trip. The D-Max CLEARLY was quicker. Every test report I've read backs up that observation. Nevertheless, I'll be keeping my old Cummins. Even though that Allison goes through those five gears as smoothly as butter keeping the engine rpm's at peak torque, the D-Max still doesn't do anything sufficiently better than my old Dodge to the extent that I would be willing to shell out $40,000 for one. But then again, neither does a new Dodge or a new P-stroke. Now if I HAD to make a choice on a new truck, THAT would be a different matter!

 

[LSMITH]

Having a truck that is not as comfortable, quiet, smooth, or anything else, as it could be and still do the job you need it for is just plain stupid. If you do not need to haul heavy loads in the bed of the truck and your trailer tongue/pin weight is not really heavy having a rough ride because "it's a truck" is macho BS. Get off the "if it rides good and is comfortable" it is not a real truck kick PLEASE!!!!!

I have driven the new GM HD trucks and they do in fact ride and drive better than many passenger cars, far better ride and drive empty than any other full sized truck that I have ever driven. It would fit what I need a truck for quite well, but I CHOOSE to stick with the simple reliable power and longevity of the Cummins engine. We all have different needs and desires that cause us to use a certain truck. To each his own. I have personally owned junk from each of the big 3, and I have had great cars/trucks made by all three companies too. .

I am just tired of brand bashing for the sake of brand bashing, and the "it's not a real truck" crowd. Thanks, I am done now, and I feel a little better.

 

[Skunk]

I finally had a go with my boss in his 8. 1 Chevy gasser, which I would assume is quicker than the Duramax. He had me through the intersection by a truck-length, but as soon as the turbo woke up, it was time to say good bye. We shut down after about an eighth mile, when I was two trucks past him and pulling away - real quicklike, too. A measured quarter mile would be pretty ugly for the bowtie boys. I then went on a road trip and got 23. 5 mpg. Can't beat that!

 

[jsimpson]

Lsmith, that's as level-headed a response as I've seen on this site. But I would place the GM product slightly below the TRD equipped Tundra in ride and handling. Of course that would open up a whole new fruitless discussion about whetehr or not the Tundra is a REAL full-sized truck! But what the heck; I said it anyway!

 

[MABurns]

LSmith,

Well said. I often laugh at the brand loyalist who really don't know what they need but accept what any given company tells them they want.



I read a post on another topic. Generators. Some of the same people where giving advice about buying a Honda generator (over a Coleman)for the following reasons: 1. Quiet Engine and 2. Proven Japanese reliability. (EU1000 has an aluminum head BTW)



Same goes for the VW TDI. For some reason when a German manufacturer makes a aluminum headed TD it is praised.



I bet if Dodge built a generator with a staight live axle and a Briggs and Stratton engine it would be the best thing since sliced bread. Maybe Dodge will put a Cummins inline 4 or Kubota engine in the Stratus. Then we can all pound our chest and whif diesel fumes.

 

[Pit Bull]

I think you guys might be missing the point to some degree I bought the Dodge truck because of the Cummins Diesel and because the truck (I think) is great looking. It also has personality, It's big its tough it is not a "car". I owned a Toyota Tundra with the TRD option, it's a nice vehicle "No Personality", and I like vehicles with personality . I have also owned a new Lexus SC400, and LS400, along with a Porsche 911 and 928S4. Same deal the Lexus are the finest made boring vehicles on the planet (they do have their benefits in big city traffic, it is called comfort and dependablity and that is what I was looking for when I bought them). The Porsche has personality and is also well made. What I am trying to say is most "TRUCK" buyers want their trucks to be trucks with some personality, not a compromise with a "CAR". I am not flaming you guys, just trying to help you understand that this is not all about "BRAND" it is about what I am calling the "PERSONALITY" of the vehicle.

 

[MABurns]

I don't think I am missing anything. I agree with you. That is why I bought a CTD Dodge too. My point is don't bash the other guy for buying something he likes/needs and then use your beliefs views to justify why the other guy is wrong.



This thing has personality but I don't want to drive it.

 

[Texas Diesel]

FACT: Any "truck" that rides like a car will be on the overload springs with a load. Period. Think about it, soft ride = medium load on the springs EMPTY. Heavy load = springs bottomed out and riding on overloads. The Duramax is nothing more than a city boy, drive to the bar, pick up chick type of "truck".

Toyota does not deserve recognition in the 3/4 or 1 ton catagory. I'm not saying that the Toyota is junk (I'll keep my opinion to myself) just that it is not in the catagory as the CTD, the same goes for the Duramax.



Fact: I have no clue how the Germans utilize an aluminum head on the TDI except possibly because the high RPM of the engine lowers the "time" the head is actually stressed from ignition. An engineer expalined to me how that by increasing RPM you can decrease the "moment stress". I dont know the words but I grasped the concept.



FACT: The Honda generator engine is in a high RPM (3600) low stress (gasoline) engine. I dont see how this one even made it into this thread, it is like saying "my boat engine has one compression ring". Who cares?



Fact: Think your smooth riding "truck" can carry a load? Measure the bed height and then add 1500#'s to the bed and remeasure the height.



Fact: I have probably made some enemies with this post but I get tired of hearing "my truck rides sooooo much better than yours", I feel like saying "you should have bought a Lincoln Town car then". MY CTD routinely carries 2200#'s without a complaint. My F-150 rode like a cadillac but put 500#'s in the bed and it was on the overloads.



Fact: I had a 80's Toyota truck that rode like my CTD (stiff) but could carry anything, Then I bought a 95 Toyota "truck" that rode nice and smooth but would bottom out if I put my dog in the bed.

Proof that smooth ride = weak springs.



Fact: I am done.

 

[MABurns]

FACT: I think part of the problem is we are "full of" opinions.



FACT: Brand loyalty is not a bad thing.



FACT: Ingnoring technological advancements because of brand loyalty is DUMB.



I recall a few years ago many posts about this new ISB computer controlled engine being the end of the world. There are still posts from 12V owners that echo that feeling. Now everybody that owns a 24V with an EZ,TST,BD,VA computer chip thinks they are great.



Maybe comparing a Chevy HD to Ram2500 is the problem.



Compare 2001 Ram to 2002 Ram



GVWR 6600 to 6800

Suspension Live to ISD

Towing(MAX) 7250 to 7850

Payload 1195 to 1319

Rear Seat

Legroom 31. 6 to 36. 4



Yes, I know I opened up the "only real truck have live axle" arguments, but somehow with all this new technology Dodge had made a better riding truck that is roomier that hauls/tows more.

 

[DPelletier]

I agree that brand loyalty just for the sake of it can be misleading.

I own a new dodge cummins, a new ford powerstroke, and a 1993 Chev 6. 5TD. I chose the dodge for my personal use because I like the styling of the Ram best (plus I give DC some credit for coming up with the look of all three trucks) and because I believe that the Cummins is the best engine of the three. Power is not the overriding factor here for me, as I never haul anything that significantly taxes either truck. Besides, with the diesels it is more a matter of the state of tune that they are sold with that overall capacity. I do think the Cummins is the best built and hopefully longest lasting and most reliable.

I had a 1996 Powerstroke before this, but spent approx. $10,000. 00 in 36mo on repairs. The 6. 5TD has 155,000 mi with no non-maintenance problems whatsoever. The new Ford has been in the shop for 3 repairs so far (10,000 mi), mostly minor.

Dodge has had the clockspring break and three computor TSB reflashes.

I don't trust the Allison yet. probably HD enough, but too many bugs. It will be interesting to see how the 2001 ford and dodge compare in the long term.

My 2 pennies worth.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by MABurns

FACT: Yes, I know I opened up the "only real truck have live axle" arguments

Here we go again!! But it is so much fun!! I am fond of straight axles but my Dakota (170k) has IFS and it has worked perfectly, even have the original CV boots.



Think it is time for this thread to be locked.

 

[Power Wagon]

Originally posted by kcjayco

Test drove a Dmax and the new 1500 Dodge. The Chevy is ok, but it seems to have wind noise and the top sounds like tinfoil with side wind. The Dodge seems like a Mercedes with a pickup bed on back. I was really impressed with the way it handles and rides. I think the German engineering is really showing up in this thing. Just my oppinion. I would not however have a V8 Diesel no matter what it was in. I bought the Dodge and the engine as a combination. I liked the pickup and the engine. I do not think GM is going to desisn a pickup for an inline six, that's why the V8. It doesn't appear from looking at the front end of a GM it would support a Cummins.

No, that's the kind of engineering good old Mopar can and has done. When you let them do what they know how to do, you get amazing results...

 

[Power Wagon]

What's wrong with loyalty? I am loyal to my friends, my truck brand, to my wife, kids, and others who have been my friend.





I am dead loyal to Mopar... always have been, and have gotten more for less for all my driving days. I don't consider it foolish to be loyal - even to a brand. There's just too little honor these days, if you ask me.

 

[jsimpson]

Too many bugs in the Allison??? The Dodge and Ford transmissions SHOULD be subject to lemon laws for all the problems they have, whereas the Allison has millions of dependable miles in school buses and motorhomes. If a Dodge made a crew cab with an Allison, that would DEFINITELY be MY choice!