if light duty oems gave you engine options

[DMcPherson]

I was thinking about it today. I have worked for peterbilt and cummins and got thinking today. on any heavy duty truck you get all kind of drivetrain options. which engine and manufacturer, trans type and manufacturer, axle type, suspension type.

when you go to light duty oem's you can get diesel or gas auto or stick and the axles for that mix.

so my question is, if you could go to any manufacturer that offered a diesel pick up with your choice, what would you buy?



personally I like the look of the fords a lot. and if I could get one with an ISB allison and a dana 70 and 80, with limited slip diffs, that would be awesome.



let me know what you think

 

[Dieselnut59]

I like my '03 just fine. If I were to be able to put together a custom powertrain for a company work truck, I would want a setup like a medium truck in a Dodge chassis... with a "detuned" Cummins (I think they are 285 horse) and a TRUE Allison.

Only thing I would probably change if I were able is I would want a TRUE medium truck transmission and clutch in my truck... a ceramic clutch and a 7-speed trans.

I am happy with Dodge/Cummins. I don't really care for the looks of the furd and HATE the looks of the chev. Ford's medium truck look is nice though and they come with the Cummins and 7-speed or TRUE Allison... .

 

[klenger]

I think I'd just keep what I have, except to get a different color, and maybe 2WD, and the Larado package.

 

[GLASMITHS]

I like my '03 just fine. If I were to be able to put together a custom powertrain for a company work truck, I would want a setup like a medium truck in a Dodge chassis... with a "detuned" Cummins (I think they are 285 horse) and a TRUE Allison.

Only thing I would probably change if I were able is I would want a TRUE medium truck transmission and clutch in my truck... a ceramic clutch and a 7-speed trans.

I am happy with Dodge/Cummins. I don't really care for the looks of the furd and HATE the looks of the chev. Ford's medium truck look is nice though and they come with the Cummins and 7-speed or TRUE Allison... .

IF I were to purchase a new one it would be the Ford 550/Cummins/Allison. For those who pull really heavy it makes more sense. The Dodge is not designed to be a medium duty truck/puller. It will do the job. However the brakes and suspension just is not up to par with the Ford 550-650. But I would not have a PSD. .

 

[Dieselnut59]

Dodge REALLY needs to introduce their 4500-5500 series. They have the best engine, just need a truck to fill that niche with!

 

[Philip]

GLASMITHS



If you had driven a F650 stock. You would not like it. We have one at work. A 2000 model. Before we had someone reprogram it. It was gutless. With a 14k cat telehandler on it. It took about 2 miles to get to 55mph on a flat road. Now it takes a mile to get there. But without gages we didn't want it turned up any higher.





The Ford program guts the power on the engine. There are no boxes made for them eather. So you have to find someone that has a laptop with a Cummins program and a correct password.



I don't know about the 7 speed trans. The 6 speed has a 1000 RPM drop between gears. I would prefer a 9 speed myself.



As far as ride. The springs on a F650 do nothing. It would feel the same if you welded the axle to the frame. With that Cat TH63 telehandler on a 22k GVW trailer as far forward as I can get it. That truck still pounds you even on expansion joints. Start crying if you see a railroad track coming up.



For a truck that size I would look into a freight shaker or a KW with a C series and a 10 speed with air ride. No sence in beating yourself from a rough ride in a under powered truck.

 

[MDietrich]

I like what I have, but if I could spec out a new one any way I wanted, I'd go something like this:



2006 3500 Mega Cab 4x4 single rear wheels

MBE 906 bumped to 300hp with 700lb/ft

M/B AGS Automated Manual with Smart Shift

U. S. Gear O/D

AAM Axels with 4. 10 ratio

19. 5 wheels and tires



Then I'd have the frame streched to fit a 7. 5 foot western hauler bed and get a new 5th wheel home.



Now all I need is the $'s !



MD

 

[GLASMITHS]

GLASMITHS



If you had driven a F650 stock. You would not like it. We have one at work. A 2000 model. Before we had someone reprogram it. It was gutless. With a 14k cat telehandler on it. It took about 2 miles to get to 55mph on a flat road. Now it takes a mile to get there. But without gages we didn't want it turned up any higher.





The Ford program guts the power on the engine. There are no boxes made for them eather. So you have to find someone that has a laptop with a Cummins program and a correct password.



I don't know about the 7 speed trans. The 6 speed has a 1000 RPM drop between gears. I would prefer a 9 speed myself.



As far as ride. The springs on a F650 do nothing. It would feel the same if you welded the axle to the frame. With that Cat TH63 telehandler on a 22k GVW trailer as far forward as I can get it. That truck still pounds you even on expansion joints. Start crying if you see a railroad track coming up.



For a truck that size I would look into a freight shaker or a KW with a C series and a 10 speed with air ride. No sence in beating yourself from a rough ride in a under powered truck.

WOW you messed up that dream!

 

[Philip]

WOW you messed up that dream!

Just a warning. Drive one before you buy. Make it with a load on it if you can.



The Freight shaker M2 class gives a lot better options. 300HP C series with auto or up to 13 spd road rangers. It can be had with a crew cab. It can be had with air ride without air brakes. So no CDL hassles unless you plan on over 26k GVW.



Before you buy look at all brands. A freight shaker or a KW of the same class wouldn't be that much more. Plus the options are better.



One thing I didn't mention. If Ford is using the same seats as our 2000. They about the worst set of seats I have ridden in. The person that designed then should be shot repeatedly.







Now for the answer for this thread.



I would want at least a C series Cummin. At least a 9 speed trans. A medium duty rockwell rear axle with hyd disk brakes. 19. 5 Bud rims. Last but not least no pickup bed.

 

[2-ND TIME]

dream truck

Well Do_g_ / cumins, did me in with the high cost of their factory problems. Front steering , engine LOW POWER, driver seat sagged out at 40,000 km's me at 210 lbs. Drove a new 06 some months ago for a company that wanted me to work for them, the seat was aready sagged with 1000 km's on it . I don't know about the truck but maybe the GM crew cab is it a 2 ton truck or the KW 300 , with a C-9 and a 15 spd don't know if I would have it in 4x4. That is what the quad is for. I have a Rancharo air ride seat that is hardly used so that would be in it as well. Lots of gauges for info. I am at 50 diesel engines that I have run or operated so power would be a big requirement. A friend has a hi-way tractor and has 800 plus ponies when if full chip power.