Ford owner looking at Rams...

[garyp285]

Quote from my diesel shop is " You don't have to remove the cab to work on a Ram Cummins engine."

 

[Wayne M.]

Speaking not from ownership, but from experience.... TDR regulars should remember this. In fact we still have this unit, and I guess I did ok. It's alive and well. In my bay now for routine summer work.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-4-Super-Duty-in-my-bay?p=2382244#post2382244

 

[Tuesdak]

As posted the lower RPM will be the first thing you notice from the V8 Diesels. Bleeding GM orange myself the GM cooling systems can't cash the HP check the Duramax writes. GM has ignored the Arizona Proving grounds forever and finally sold it as useless. Don't get me started on GM's useless AC for AZ summer weather.

Last two times I stopped by my favorite diesel shop they were working on a Ford Diesel with the cab lifted up. That's a lot of work and time to be without your truck even in warranty.

By far the most impressive testimonial is looking at used pickups and the amount of extreme 300K+ mile Cummins rigs are out there. This is common, but, a lot more rare for Ford or GM diesels. Not all engines make it, my Cummins didn't, but the odds are better. At least I can change the water pump easily on a Cummins so it's failure rate is irrelevant. 2 bolts on top after draining the cooling system and dropping the belt.

 

[masterdrago]

Wingnut, I too had a lengthy search for our Limited duelly 1st 5thwheel hauler. My wife is 5' tall so we needed adjustable pedals and they are not listed on the window sticker. Had to look at the correct image (about 9th in the sequence) to see the steering column. We finally found ours at Bluebonnet Dodge in New Braunfels, Texas. the only thing I found missing was the 4.1 axle. Had to settle for the 3.73. Ours has the Aisin transmission and all the other 5r pulling options. We had searched New Mexico, Oklahoma, and most of Texas b4 finding ours. Got a great deal on a '17 model. good luck with the hunt.

 

[sag2]

Quote from my diesel shop is " You don't have to remove the cab to work on a Ram Cummins engine."

We pulled the cab on our first Powerstroke in class last semester. It took the students about 1 1/2 hours to get it off, pretty good for not doing one before. I have to say after working on Cummins most of my career, working on the engine with the cab off is actually not a bad thing. It gives you clear access to everything and you don't have to lean over to do it all. A little later in the semester we got another truck in that needed the Y pipe replaced, and in hindsight it would have been faster to pull the cab in the first place to gain access to the fasteners.
The trucks are designed to pull the cab, and once you know the tricks I would guess it would take about 45 minutes to get it off.

 

[SnoKing]

We pulled the cab on our first Powerstroke in class last semester. It took the students about 1 1/2 hours to get it off, pretty good for not doing one before. I have to say after working on Cummins most of my career, working on the engine with the cab off is actually not a bad thing. It gives you clear access to everything and you don't have to lean over to do it all. A little later in the semester we got another truck in that needed the Y pipe replaced, and in hindsight it would have been faster to pull the cab in the first place to gain access to the fasteners.
The trucks are designed to pull the cab, and once you know the tricks I would guess it would take about 45 minutes to get it off.

DIY? Not! SnoKing

 

[jgillott]

DIY? Not! SnoKing

These vehicles are now designed to have a long umbilical cord tied to the dealer. The days of doing practically anything beyond routine maintenance at home are long gone. Even maintenance in some cases is becoming impractical for the do it yourself owner.

 

[masterdrago]

We pulled the cab on our first Powerstroke in class last semester. It took the students about 1 1/2 hours to get it off, pretty good for not doing one before.

My last repair on our, now traded in '09 F250, was a fuel pump. It was done at the local diesel repair shop we have used for over 16 years. They told us they had to pull the cab and the labor was ~$3k!! Yikes!! $3,000!!! They have always been great to work with - a specialty diesel repair shop nearby. I think the pump was ~$400.

 

[SnoKing]

My last repair on our, now traded in '09 F250, was a fuel pump. It was done at the local diesel repair shop we have used for over 16 years. They told us they had to pull the cab and the labor was ~$3k!! They have always been great to work with - a specialty diesel repair shop nearby. I think the pump was ~$400.

45 minutes off and a hour on and 3K does not compute very well. Snoking

 

[masterdrago]

Now that's what I'm thinking. I checked around after the fact of repair and got pretty much the same answer all around town.

 

[SCOTTY088]

My nightmare cab off experience on my 07 PSD to repair a oil leak at the bedplate seam resulted in soo many squeaks, rattles and exhaust fumes in cab. Luckily warranty covered the cost, however after the repairs I traded the truck off. I don't care about how much easier the repairs are with the cab off you are going to have issues.

 

[Wayne M.]

Taking cabs off, in the case of the 6.0 Econoline, the whole body, is what led to its demise. Comebacks and complaints galore.
Sag, what gen PStroke did you lift the cab on? There are 4 gens (counting the '17) that need it depending on the job.
I'm sorry but you're not getting the cab up on an experienced rust belt truck in 45 minutes. Can you say spun body mount cage nuts? All bets are off if it has a body with an overhang or canopy, or big electrics in the cab.

 

[sag2]

Taking cabs off, in the case of the 6.0 Econoline, the whole body, is what led to its demise. Comebacks and complaints galore.
Sag, what gen PStroke did you lift the cab on? There are 4 gens (counting the '17) that need it depending on the job.
I'm sorry but you're not getting the cab up on an experienced rust belt truck in 45 minutes. Can you say spun body mount cage nuts? All bets are off if it has a body with an overhang or canopy, or big electrics in the cab.

It was an 04. We don't have rust here and only one bolt was stubborn. I can imagine rust belt trucks are a pain, but everything you have to remove down the road on a rust belt truck is a pain.

 

[Jared Herzog]

Deciding between Ford and Ram is easy. Look in the mirror. If you are wearing work boots, regular denim jeans, and are not making any money when your truck is broke go Ram.
If you look in the mirror and see croc shoes, bedazzled denim jeans, and can catch an uber to work then Ford might make sense.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Deciding between Ford and Ram is easy. Look in the mirror. If you are wearing work boots, regular denim jeans, and are not making any money when your truck is broke go Ram.
If you look in the mirror and see croc shoes, bedazzled denim jeans, and can catch an uber to work then Ford might make sense.

This is so true!!! Hahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[robertyoke]

Deciding between Ford and Ram is easy. Look in the mirror. If you are wearing work boots, regular denim jeans, and are not making any money when your truck is broke go Ram.
If you look in the mirror and see croc shoes, bedazzled denim jeans, and can catch an uber to work then Ford might make sense.

That's funny right there!

 

[wingnut60]

Appreciate your humor, but had to opt for another Ford. Drove a 3500 Laramie Longhorn out of Dave Smith Motors (sales experience was really poor) and it just didn't fit. Wife did not like the rear seat or the front seat, that has a lot to do with what I buy as she has a bad back and has to be as comfortable as possible. Maybe I am too biased toward the Ford stuff, don't know, but the Ram was at least 8K less and still not enough to change our minds.
Thanks for all your input, all 3 mfgs are making good trucks.

 

[SnoKing]

Appreciate your humor, but had to opt for another Ford. Drove a 3500 Laramie Longhorn out of Dave Smith Motors (sales experience was really poor) and it just didn't fit. Wife did not like the rear seat or the front seat, that has a lot to do with what I buy as she has a bad back and has to be as comfortable as possible. Maybe I am too biased toward the Ford stuff, don't know, but the Ram was at least 8K less and still not enough to change our minds.
Thanks for all your input, all 3 mfgs are making good trucks.

Well enjoy your new Ford. Get the Uber app as noted above!!

#ad

 

[Wayne M.]

Appreciate your humor, but had to opt for another Ford. Drove a 3500 Laramie Longhorn out of Dave Smith Motors (sales experience was really poor) and it just didn't fit. Wife did not like the rear seat or the front seat, that has a lot to do with what I buy as she has a bad back and has to be as comfortable as possible. Maybe I am too biased toward the Ford stuff, don't know, but the Ram was at least 8K less and still not enough to change our minds.
Thanks for all your input, all 3 mfgs are making good trucks.

Good luck with the Ford. Yes all 3 are making good vehicles, but many just don't understand the robustness of the Ram power train. That said, everyone has their priorities. I hope you're budgeting in a good power train warranty.

 

[leonandlisa]

Well I had 44,000 trouble free miles out of my 13 Ford 6.7, my Ram 3500 is my first non Ford truck I have owned and my 3rd diesel so I am hoping to have a good run with this one too. I was Loyal to Ford until the price went through the roof and I shopped it this time and I love my Ram Mega Cab so far, didn’t like the crew cab version at all, that back seat was pathetic even when I never sit back there. There is a few things I miss with my previous Ford, but overall I am pleased with the Ram and hope it is as good as everyone says.

I do wish you the best of luck with the Ford, I personally think they are great trucks too.