help my dads talking about buying a duramax

[rhino_50]

My dad had 01 ram with a cummins in it, But it had 47re transmission in it. Need less to say that truck is long gone. I told him to go drive a new cummins with 48re. He said maybe. He really like the interior of the chevy. Plus my mom has hip problem. The chevy is lower to the ground easier to get in. I need pros and cons for both trucks. I know this is ctd web. I'm say cuumins all the way.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

No sweat - get back to us occasionally with impressions of the Duramax - we need the input...

 

[rhino_50]

Thats not what I wanted to hear.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

AHHHhhh Grasshopper, MANY times in life we don't get to hear what we REALLY want - but sometimes ya just gotta roll with the punches life dishes out...



Beside, it builds character!

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by rhino_50

He really like the interior of the chevy. Plus my mom has hip problem. The chevy is lower to the ground easier to get in.

My brother in law likes the Cheby, he has a lifted 1500 but will most likely go Duramax next, he too likes the interior and says the Dodge is too plain. As for size he will proly lift that one too.



Most people are gonna buy based on emotional feel and is the reason the OEM's can put out crap as long as it looks nice. Let him buy what he wants.

I need pros and cons for both trucks. I know this is ctd web. I'm say cuumins all the way

Ok... I hear the Isuzu motor is blowing head gaskets, some just out of warranty and that is a spendy repair. The 48re has not had any more trouble that I know of than the Allison. If he wants a QC the Ram will turn in a shorter radius than the Chev.



The Chev has 4 C/V boots on the front differential for sticks or what ever to go through and that requires axle removal for repair.

The Chev has upper and lower control arms with bushings to wear out.



The Chev has a squeeze bulb under the hood in case you run out of fuel and have to prime the lines like a lawn mower, about 100 squeezes gets the job done and i bet anyone who does it changes hands. The Ram has a pump so you just turn the key.



The Chev makes good power if you wind it out but who drives like that all the time. I'm not a lead foot so my CTD is making way more torque in the rpm range that I drive.



But hey the Chev interior is nice

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My experience with late model GM products is they're kinda cush and have nice amenities and glitz but put 50,000 miles on them and start to use them and you really get to see how cheaply it is put together and how low grade the abundant plastic seems to be. Not to mention loose door panels and lots of sqeaks and creaks.



Vaughn

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Some of the above comments relative to the GM ride, and comparisons about the layout and design of the interior are the same sort of issues I have when owners of 3rd generation trucks start making unattractive comparisons between them and the 2nd generation stuff they were happy with before - one man's "noise" is another's music - one guys "nice comfortable ride" is another guys version of a weak suspension...



Some of the stuff that "sells" one guy on a truck is the same stuff that turns another off - gotta keep lots of this stuff in perspective - and I personally, feel I would probably be quite happy to be "forced" to drive any of the 3 big trucks available to us today - Dodge, Ford OR GM - they all have their own personalities, good points and bad points - including the latest of our beloved Dodges!

 

[JoelCool]

I have an '03 YukonXL 1500. I drove some D/A combos, and they're nice. You get the nice interior like my XL has, which I think is nicer in some ways than the Dodge (very nice computer for monitoring aspects of trips and other functions, auto 4wd, integrated XM, 3 zone climate control, etc). The D/A is nice, and I was going to go that way until I drove a CTD with a 6 speed. I'm going to buy this truck for towing long distances with my family, and the 1500 simply isn't enough vehicle for me. The reliability aspects of the CTD 6 speed compared with GM or Ford pretty much sealed my intentions.



Hope that makes sense. I'm kinda tired.



I guess if I HAD to have an auto, I'd look at the D/A. It is more car like than the CTD.

 

[DPelletier]

pros and cons?



GM pros

- carlike ride

- should give good service for 100,000 or so

- Allison has good reputation



cons

- Allison doesn't deserve good reputataion

- duramax is weak and short lived compared to the Cummins

- NV-5600 is stronger than a ZF-6spd

- C-Channel frame hangs low and is an asthetic affront as well as an offroad clearance issue.

- sheetmetal looks like it was designed by a high school dropout on crack.



sorry,

late night, it's all I can think of now.



Dave

 

[100 Proof]

Originally posted by DPelletier

- sheetmetal looks like it was designed by a high school dropout on crack.

Come on Dave, don't sugar coat it!



100 Proof

 

[Yo Hoot]

I've had both. Dodge has come a long way. Kinda nice being able to slap on 35" tires and climb up into a Cummins. Interior is a well done except for back seat size.

 

[RedDieselDawg]

I wish I had driven the Chubby for comparison, but I did not like the looks enough to even try it. I did drive a loaded F-250, and there was no comparison to the Dodge. Drivability was so far beyond the Furd that it was not even fair. I have friends with Chuby's, the one thing that sticks out is that soft ride, too squishy for me.



Dodge: Beauty eh, number one diesel engine, smooth auto trans, very nice finish without orange peel, very nice interior, lots of goodies in the Laramie package.



Furd: Had 3 Lightnings, the best at what they are made for, factory speed in a truck; but thier HD is slooooow, and a boat. Interior is cheap and old.



Chuby: But azz fugly, soft as an old sofa.



But hey, they are all American trucks, so try'em all. The opinions above are based on my own meeger experiences.

 

[y-knot]

I drove a few and they are OK, not for me but I can see why some like them. They do sit very low, I felt like my rear was dragging the blacktop. I like a 4x4 to look like one, it would go on my nerves everyone asking if it was a 4x4 or not. They don't have to ask with the Dodge. Your Mom has a bad hip, so I would try and think more of her position. It would be alot nicer and easier for her to have the Chevy. They also ride a little smoother, so that has to help also. I would let your Dad do what he has to do and be quiet about the Dodge, later when you are older go get your Dodge.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Unfortunately, since liberal beatings administered about the head and shoulders to jump start common sense, are:

• 
  
  1) disrespectful of one's parents
  
  
  
  2) Your dad probably can still whip your bu++.
  
  
  
  3)May be against the law depending on which state you live in.
  

You will have to let him live and learn. We never get to old for the school of hard knocks. So, after he has his cheby experience, he will be back. Much the poorer, but much the wiser.

 

[coobie]

Chevy /Dodge

Rhino_50 This is just my 2 cents,I owned a 2002 chevy silverado 4X4 (Gasser) worst truck I every owned. This truck spent allot of time in the shop. I have been a GM & Ford buyer for the last 25 years plus. Last dodge product I bought was 1977 (dodge power wagon). I thought I would look at dodge again,I am sure glad I did. I always wanted to own a diesel. I think dodge wins this battle,hands down. I am very happy with my new 2004 cummins,2500 ram. Fit and finish are a hell of allot nicer than my chevy. coobie

 

[dpatt67]

IMHO, the GM trucks are by far the worst of the Big 3 trucks. The chintzy Rubbermaid interiors make me want to puke. If the hip problem is the main concern, there are many different kind of steps or assists to help. Don't let him buy the GM.

 

[rhino_50]

Thanks for all the opinions. Just to let you know y-knot I do own a cummins. Keep the opinions coming. Thanks rhino 50

 

[amsoilman]

rhino_50,

Just had the opportunity to install an Amsoil By-pass oil filter on a new 2003 "Duramax", and I can honestly say; "if you ever do any type work in and around the engine, the Dodge will be best in class! "There is NO ROOM in the engine compartment with the V-8 design" The FORD is even worse!



my . 02 worth,



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[ttreibel]

Duramax=Weak lift Pumps, worthless fuel filters, the water seperator is a joke... ... . all leading to new expensive injectors at 100K or 150K if you are really carefull (and or lucky).

Running gear is the weakest of the big three OK if you live in area with good roads? not sure where that is anymore?

The interior is "cushie" but for long trips not set up well for drivers like the Dodge is.



In the defense of the Tampax you can get some good power and torque to the ground for very few $$$'s



If Mom can get in and out of the Dodge it's a no-brainer. BTW my 87 year old grannie still swings into the cab with no help, I think she would dope slap us if we tried.

 

[HOCummins04]

Issues of personal taste are just that - personal.



As far as the height difference of the Dodge, would your dad consider purchasing some aftermarket suspension lowering system? I have no experience with them, and I suspect that most on here want to raise instead of lower. I have seen them in various advertisements, but don't remember what the cost for them are. There are also electrical steps that are available as well. No experience with them or cost info either. That might be a couple options to influence your dad.



In the end, it is his decision. I have always figured the person who better be really pleased with any vehicle is the one writing the checks to pay for it.



I further suspect that trying to get an unbiased opinion about the competition on this website is not likely to bear much fruit :-{}