DURAMAX! YEEEEE.....Huh?

[Diesel Freak]

Curriosity got the best of me today. I went to one of the local dealers in Vancouver and test drove a Duramax. I wanted to test a 6spd but the salesman told my that the only way to drive one was to order it... . so I setteled for the auto.

Likes:
Acceleration is very smooth
Ride is very carlike
Almost no engine noise... had to look at the door label to make sure that it was a diesel

Disslikes:
With all the Hype this truck has recieved, I was expecting a fire breathing tire smoking monster. It was somewhat faster than my Dad's 1999 automatic Cummins. I think GM has reverted to quoting GROSS power output instead of SAE net values. 300 hp? 520 ftlbf? No way!
The transmission would not let you ride the torque curve (or lack there of). Not much happens untill 2500 rpm, and then the engine wakes up. The engine relys on RPM to make power and not Torque. I could attribute some of the lack luster performance to the transmission since it would not let the engine "dig in" and ride the torque curve. Throttle response was not very impressive on the highyay either. A stock ETH will run with a duramax on the FWY, but a bombed ETH will feed the Duramax its bumper.
The salesman acted like I stole his lunch money when I told him what I thought. I even offered to let him drive my truck, but he declined stating that he had an appointment with another custumer.
Gentelman: There is no reason to fear a Duramax. I will not!
-Cliff

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2001 ETH-DEE, Diablo Power Puck, Bosch 275's, Practical Solutions Boost Module and Elbow. K&N, Straight Piped http://www.mudrunner.sites.cc

 

[fj40charles]

Cliff,

Thanks for the report. I've been hearing lots of stuff about the Dura Maxi pads too.
Sounds like much fluff and not any substance.

Charles

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2000 QC 2500 4x4 LWB ETC/DEE, Anti-Spin, 3. 54, Trailer Tow, Camper Special, DD1's, PS boost module, PS high idle kit, PS steel idler pulley, Westin nerf bars, Rhino Liner
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My Toy

1969 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
350 TBI, Turbo 400, ARB lockers front/rear, 4 wheel power disk brakes, 4. 88 ring/pinion, 3 speed transfer case, full roll cage, Warn 8274, MRT 36 bolt beadlocks with Super Swamper Boggers (16x35x15), Saginaw Power steering, custom bumpers/fenders/nerf bars/skid plate, GM tilt steering column, 6 point roll cage, RCI racing seats with 5 point harness. Conquered Tellico and going to Moab this May. Loves to be pulled behind the Dodge and pass the powerjokes going up hills.

 

[KWIKKURT]

I test drove a friend of mine's Duraslug and it was exactly as cliff said... . Quiet and runs like it has a 350 gasser in it... Do love the way they drive... . But will not give up my Sturdy straight axle for car like steering...

They may be alot of fun with some bombing... . we will have to wait and see... . meanwhile keep saving your aluminum cans. . I wonder what will happen if you try to double or tripple the power output...

If you want lowend grunt. . and be able to turn up the power to as much as anyone could need #ad
and still get over 400,000 or more miles between rebuilds... Keep your Cummins!!!!

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"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

 

[Okie-Go]

Cliff,this is good to hear but It isen't anything we didn't already know. Luv the cummins! I am waiting to see one on the road that wants to play.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[DGFoster]

Typical GM crap,business as usual!!!

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Dave Foster:
2000 3500,Light Driftwood,Quad cab
4x4,4:10 gears,Westach Gauges,K&N,Auto with DTT VB and TC,DD1 injectors and Boost Module,Van Aakens,Muffler and Resinator removed,Amsoiled front to back.
Member of the GLTDR.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

A guy at the Auto parts store i go to just bought one. He laughed at my cummins, then i lit up the parking lot and covered his truck in a cloud of smoke. Ill find out his response tommorow!.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Cliff, how interesting, I test drove a GMC shortbed 4x4 DuraMini today as well. A buddy of mine was here and we had time to kill (since the steam train we were going to ride today derailed right in front of us when it was pulling up for boarding #ad
) Anyway our impressions were about the same, it had decent throttle response and the transmission shifted pretty good if you were accelerating. Once it shifted into high gear and you got on the throttle above 60mph, acceleration was, well, casual. It drove like a gasser, felt pretty torqueless. It was smooth and rather quiet, but the passenger compartment wasn't insulated as well as the Dodges and the engine noise that made its way into the cab sounded cheap, tinny, and distacting.

Notice I said the transmission shifted fine accelerating. If you are at speed and suddenly get agressive with the throttle, it seemed the transmission couldn't quite decide what gear to select. It was erratic and overly responsive to gear choices, hitting 2 or 3 different gears within a couple seconds. Engine RPM was all over the place.

In favor of the truck, I liked the way it handled and rode--but was a little soft and rolled in the corners (couldn't outcorner a Ram for sure). The seats felt good. The bed floor doesn't flex like mine does when you walk in it, it is stronger.

Like Cliff said, this thing had less power than I expected and I know it would have little chance of outrunning my truck on the highway when it was new and stock. By the way, they wanted $41,000, and it didn't even have leather.

Vaughn

 

[RobbyRam]

Why, in the world, are you even 'test-driving' a 'DuraPuke' in the first place? #ad

I think your curiosity really is just an inside view of your '24V' insecurity! My feeling is that, if all '24V Cummins' owners decided to NOT test drive these 'want-ta-be' diesels, they would absolutly die in sales. It's YOU '24V RAM' test drivers who are keeping this 'want-to-be' 'DuraPuke' on the market.
STOP IT NOW! Out of the three manufacturers, 'DuraPuke' is the 'weakest-link'-GoodBye!!


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Y2K Awesome Black LB 3500 QC SLT, 24Valve ETC ISB, 4x4, 4:10 LSD, DTT Custom prepared Auto transmission VB, Power Edge 'EZ', DD2's, K&N, Polished Stull Billet Grill/Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges, Rancho 9000's, Diamond Plated Tool Box, + a bunch of other stuff. Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!

 

[Jim Ross]

Thanks for the report Cliff. And thank you for your personal email yesterday... I am going toneed all the help I can get!

 

[Diesel Freak]

RobbyRam:
Most of us like to stay educated on how the competition stacks up. Knowledge is power! If you want to stay ignorant, be my guest. There is no reason for you to get your panties in a wad. Unless you have something constructive to contribute keep your mouth shut.
It is better to stay silent and be perceived as an idiot than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt.
-Cliff

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2001 ETH-DEE, Diablo Power Puck, Bosch 275's, Practical Solutions Boost Module and Elbow, LFT Silencer Ring Eliminator, K&N, Straight Piped http://www.mudrunner.sites.cc

 

[Papa Joe]

My partner and I own a Duramax #ad
. Your accounts are very accurate. My tangible complaints are purchase price ($42K), fuel economy (barely 16 mpg if you baby it), inability to make the engine grunt (it refuses to work by grabbing a lower gear). My intangible complaints are annoying over-stated hype and fear of repair problems and labor costs. Time will tell.

As they say, "Variety is the spice of life. " I tease my partner that I drive a truck, he drives a toy (he hates it). Hope this informs #ad
. Joe

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White 2001 QuadCab 2500 Laramie SLT, HO 6-speed, 3. 54 limited slip, Mopar exhaust brake, towing/camper options, Turbo liner, Grover Air Horns (not yet installed), 275 injectors w/ PS boost module.