I have come to the conclusion I should have bought a dually and I really did not need 4 wheel drive. I ran a Duramax w/ the allison last year for about 7000 miles and the allison is awesome. Now I have to decide, both about the same cash difference. Here are my thoughts, I love the 6 speed allison, bigger cab a plus, the new LBZ simply hauls, but I love the cummins. I am torn, Cummins have been good to me in the past (not our junk transmissions though), but there are so many reasons to change.
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Keep or trade my 06??
- Thread starter KBalzuweit
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KBalzuweit,
Well, all I can say is get what you want. Far too many times I have tried to make due with what my head told me when my heart wanted something else. I was never happy. When I have a vehicle that I don't want I always end up finding "stuff" wrong with it if you know what I mean.
As for your comment about the transmissions, I don't really know what to say. The Allison is a strong transmission but I don't know how you can say that the Dodge auto is "junk". Me personally, I am a stick shaker man.
Huskerman
Well, all I can say is get what you want. Far too many times I have tried to make due with what my head told me when my heart wanted something else. I was never happy. When I have a vehicle that I don't want I always end up finding "stuff" wrong with it if you know what I mean.
As for your comment about the transmissions, I don't really know what to say. The Allison is a strong transmission but I don't know how you can say that the Dodge auto is "junk". Me personally, I am a stick shaker man.
Huskerman
Huskerman said:
I can relate , when i bought my 99 i wanted the 6 spd which was mentioned in the owners manual at the time but was not available . Being a diehard stick man I dont know WHY i drove off with an auto transmission .
Long story short i eventually sold my mint 99 just to get a 6spd.
All smiles now.
Merry Christmas
Would waiting for the '07's to come out be an option?
Rumor has it that they will have the 6. 7 engine along with a 6-sp. Aisin/Warner auto. transmission. I've heard some pretty good things about the durability of the Aisin transmissions.
There is also a rumor that the transmission will be an "in-house, DC built" 6-sp.
I guess we will know, for sure, when the new trucks hit the showroom floor.
Judging from what I've seen from my buddies with Duramaxes, they seem to be a decent truck. My buddies love theirs & wouldn't be caught dead in a Dodge/Cummins. They like the quietness, comfort & all the "bells & whistles" & electronic gizmo's that the GM product provides. Both my buddies get great fuel mileage, also. Better than my Dodge but, my truck is larger, heavier plus I have a 115 gal. auxillary fuel tank in the bed (probably 700/800 extra pounds). The Allison does seem to work in a way that pleases a lot of it's owners but, I don't believe it's quite as tough as its reputation. If you want to "bomb" the Duramax, you had better be prepared to spend some money upgrading the Allison, also. Kind of sounds like what you have to do with the Dodge auto's, doesn't it? Both transmissions are much tougher once properly upgraded. In Allison's favor, you do get the extra gears, today.
The Duramax does seem to respond, very well, to power upgrades without having to upgrade other engine components.
Personally, I still prefer the Dodge/Cummins products.
Joe F. (Buffalo)
Rumor has it that they will have the 6. 7 engine along with a 6-sp. Aisin/Warner auto. transmission. I've heard some pretty good things about the durability of the Aisin transmissions.
There is also a rumor that the transmission will be an "in-house, DC built" 6-sp.
I guess we will know, for sure, when the new trucks hit the showroom floor.
Judging from what I've seen from my buddies with Duramaxes, they seem to be a decent truck. My buddies love theirs & wouldn't be caught dead in a Dodge/Cummins. They like the quietness, comfort & all the "bells & whistles" & electronic gizmo's that the GM product provides. Both my buddies get great fuel mileage, also. Better than my Dodge but, my truck is larger, heavier plus I have a 115 gal. auxillary fuel tank in the bed (probably 700/800 extra pounds). The Allison does seem to work in a way that pleases a lot of it's owners but, I don't believe it's quite as tough as its reputation. If you want to "bomb" the Duramax, you had better be prepared to spend some money upgrading the Allison, also. Kind of sounds like what you have to do with the Dodge auto's, doesn't it? Both transmissions are much tougher once properly upgraded. In Allison's favor, you do get the extra gears, today.
The Duramax does seem to respond, very well, to power upgrades without having to upgrade other engine components.
Personally, I still prefer the Dodge/Cummins products.
Joe F. (Buffalo)
Well I guess I was little harsh on the transmission comment. The NV5600 was good, so far the the 48re (later 3rg gen auto, if my model # is wrong), but the early dodge autos were junk unless you put big money in them and there have been a few g56's that I have seen puke. So here is my ideal truck. Mega cab LONG bed dually with a auto(more than a 4 speed, does not have to be allison) and the cummins.
KB
If you are going to by trucks every other year, then definitely get the Dmax. It is a fact that these motor's respond well to power upgrades.
That being said you'll definitely want the Cummins if you're a 10 year man (new truck every ten years). The Dmax will never go the distance a real medium duty commercial diesel (the Cummins) will go.
Do some research on the B9 and ISB Cummins motors durability, and the decision on which motor (truck) to buy is a no brainer.
FWIW, all I ever owned up until 99 was General Motors products. I will never own another as long as I can get a real industrial/ commercial diesel engine like a Cummins.
Mac
If you are going to by trucks every other year, then definitely get the Dmax. It is a fact that these motor's respond well to power upgrades.
That being said you'll definitely want the Cummins if you're a 10 year man (new truck every ten years). The Dmax will never go the distance a real medium duty commercial diesel (the Cummins) will go.
Do some research on the B9 and ISB Cummins motors durability, and the decision on which motor (truck) to buy is a no brainer.
FWIW, all I ever owned up until 99 was General Motors products. I will never own another as long as I can get a real industrial/ commercial diesel engine like a Cummins.
Mac
I never understood why people got so hung up on the number of gears. I've had a bunch of four speed auto Dodges with the Cummins and two Chevys with the D/A(5-sp). I have no love for the Allison. The one in my '03 was toast at 35k miles with only light work and no mods. My auto Cummins combo always seems to be in the right gear, never wished for more busyness like the Allison offers. Never wished for the extra complexity or weight either 
I also USED to miss the creature comforts I had on my Chevies. No more, the '06 is pretty dang nice and I have a sunroof and dvd player which GM doesn't offer. I also get a solid front axle, I don't HAVE to buy running boards to hide the frame, or buy new shocks and tires the first day to make it "right". I have also had far less problems with four 3rd gen Dodges combined than either one of my Chevs.
By all means, but what suits you, that is why there are choices. I personally have no faith in the Isuzu's durability. Have they improved on the 20% injector failure rate yet? I guess I have owned them all and have made my choice until something better comes along. Once I thought it was the D/A trucks that were the best (circa 2001). I was wrong... I have seen the light :-laf
I also USED to miss the creature comforts I had on my Chevies. No more, the '06 is pretty dang nice and I have a sunroof and dvd player which GM doesn't offer. I also get a solid front axle, I don't HAVE to buy running boards to hide the frame, or buy new shocks and tires the first day to make it "right". I have also had far less problems with four 3rd gen Dodges combined than either one of my Chevs.
By all means, but what suits you, that is why there are choices. I personally have no faith in the Isuzu's durability. Have they improved on the 20% injector failure rate yet? I guess I have owned them all and have made my choice until something better comes along. Once I thought it was the D/A trucks that were the best (circa 2001). I was wrong... I have seen the light :-laf
KBalzuweit said:
You trade yearly?
If you trade your 06 (which will VERY much hurt in the $$ dept), consider it a lesson (albeit an expensive one) in taking the time to know exactly what you want, and get it.
No one really NEEDS 4x4 on the dually, but few regret getting it.
There may be workarounds for not having the training wheels, and I'd bet they are cheaper than trading in at great loss.
jh
Well as far being hurt in $$$ dept, thats not an issue. The truck has generated far more in income in the time I have had it to worry about that. The biggest issue I have are the mistakes I made, I thought I would try something different and buy a shortbed, non dually, and four wheel drive. My reasons were to run it for 18 months and retire it from commercial use and keep it and buy a new one for work. I thought it would be a good toy then and I was wrong. I miss how stabile a dually is towing, do not need 4 wheel drive and would rather have the better mpg of 2 wheel drive, and the short bed is to small for a good size aux tank, hitches, and other junk. Going to go and play with some new trucks tommorow and see what happens. Thanks for some good comments. Karl
BHolm said:I never understood why people got so hung up on the number of gears. I've had a bunch of four speed auto Dodges with the Cummins and two Chevys with the D/A(5-sp). I have no love for the Allison. The one in my '03 was toast at 35k miles with only light work and no mods. My auto Cummins combo always seems to be in the right gear, never wished for more busyness like the Allison offers. Never wished for the extra complexity or weight either
I also USED to miss the creature comforts I had on my Chevies. No more, the '06 is pretty dang nice and I have a sunroof and dvd player which GM doesn't offer. I also get a solid front axle, I don't HAVE to buy running boards to hide the frame, or buy new shocks and tires the first day to make it "right". I have also had far less problems with four 3rd gen Dodges combined than either one of my Chevs.
By all means, but what suits you, that is why there are choices. I personally have no faith in the Isuzu's durability. Have they improved on the 20% injector failure rate yet? I guess I have owned them all and have made my choice until something better comes along. Once I thought it was the D/A trucks that were the best (circa 2001). I was wrong... I have seen the light :-laf
So you are recommending him to buy the Duramax then, right? :-laf
The verdict is... ... a new lbz duramax crew cab dually 2 wheel drive is in my drive. I still am a Cummins fan, but the ride, the allison, and the fold flat seats and more room in the back sold me. I am not done with a cummins though, going to start searching for one to have as a toy (older 4x4) to play offroad with. Karl
JWChessell
TDR MEMBER
Hello. I've had both a 4X4 and a dual-rear wheel. I decided I didn't need either, and bought an '03 3500 QC LB SRW w/auto trans & 3. 73 rear end, with which I've been very happy.
My 4X4 was a '58 Intl GAS 1-ton single-cab, 8' bed, standard trans, manual transfer case, lockout hubs, with a 4. 10 rear end. I owned the truck from '69 to '87. I used the 4X4 twice: (1) When pulling 4X2 sedans out of the sand along the beach, which I used to do for extra money when I was a college student; and (2) when I went to play in the snow ONCE. I came to the conclusion I didn't need the extra weight of the 4X4 and the extra rolling-resistance of the 4X4 drive-train.
My dual-rear wheel was an '81 Chev 4X2 GAS 1-ton crew-cab, dual real wheel, 8' bed, 454 cu in V-8, with a 4. 10 rear end. I owned it from 1989 to 2004. I towed trailers with it a few times -- didn't notice anything signifcant; one round-trip was 2,600 miles. Had to buy a new set of 6 tires once -- VERY expensive! Rolling resistance with six tires was signifcant; 10 to 11. 5 MPG was common (I also installed a 28% Mitchell over-drive) and occasionally with a tail-wind I got between 12 and 13. 5 MPG. Got stuck in a sandy river-bed bottom in Mexico in 1991 -- never should have been there in the first place -- got out by loading 15 or 16 young Mexican school students in the back; then gave them a case of soft drinks (and the cooler) as a reward. A dual-rear wheel truck is (so they say) more stable from side-to-side while towing -- however, the gross-weight towing capacity is less as you have to subtract the weight of the other two wheels/tires and extra suspension (if any) from the advertised gross towing capacity. I put approx 100,000 miles on the Chev and came to the conclusion I didn't need a dual-rear wheel truck either.
However, I must say that there was one very positive PLUS with a daul-rear wheel truck: There were significantly FEWER tail-gaters. I came to the conclusion that following traffic stayed farther behind the truck -- three or four car lengths rather than one or one-and-a-half -- because if they were too close they couldn't SEE around the dually fenders.
My 4X4 was a '58 Intl GAS 1-ton single-cab, 8' bed, standard trans, manual transfer case, lockout hubs, with a 4. 10 rear end. I owned the truck from '69 to '87. I used the 4X4 twice: (1) When pulling 4X2 sedans out of the sand along the beach, which I used to do for extra money when I was a college student; and (2) when I went to play in the snow ONCE. I came to the conclusion I didn't need the extra weight of the 4X4 and the extra rolling-resistance of the 4X4 drive-train.
My dual-rear wheel was an '81 Chev 4X2 GAS 1-ton crew-cab, dual real wheel, 8' bed, 454 cu in V-8, with a 4. 10 rear end. I owned it from 1989 to 2004. I towed trailers with it a few times -- didn't notice anything signifcant; one round-trip was 2,600 miles. Had to buy a new set of 6 tires once -- VERY expensive! Rolling resistance with six tires was signifcant; 10 to 11. 5 MPG was common (I also installed a 28% Mitchell over-drive) and occasionally with a tail-wind I got between 12 and 13. 5 MPG. Got stuck in a sandy river-bed bottom in Mexico in 1991 -- never should have been there in the first place -- got out by loading 15 or 16 young Mexican school students in the back; then gave them a case of soft drinks (and the cooler) as a reward. A dual-rear wheel truck is (so they say) more stable from side-to-side while towing -- however, the gross-weight towing capacity is less as you have to subtract the weight of the other two wheels/tires and extra suspension (if any) from the advertised gross towing capacity. I put approx 100,000 miles on the Chev and came to the conclusion I didn't need a dual-rear wheel truck either.
However, I must say that there was one very positive PLUS with a daul-rear wheel truck: There were significantly FEWER tail-gaters. I came to the conclusion that following traffic stayed farther behind the truck -- three or four car lengths rather than one or one-and-a-half -- because if they were too close they couldn't SEE around the dually fenders.
KBalzuweit said:
Man you got me, please don't take this the wrong way, but... .
what is the big deal with having 6-speeds in a transmission? I have other toys, '94 SKY Supreme, x2 '05 Bomardier Waverunners, Quads, and a Miata I race Solo II in an SCCA club. My '05 Dodge Ram gets any of the aforementioned toys to their destination, I might add safely, comfortably, economically and as fast as I want to get them and the love ones and friends riding along. I still don't understand the magic behind the two extra cogs in the auto transmission? I think if Daimler Chrysler made one last year when I got the truck, heck that’s what I would have gotten and been no happier than I am today. I guess I'm just trying to say that as much as these things cost, when does it economically make sense to trade up for extra gears, or heated seats, a compass with two more unnececessary functions etc... .
I know it sounds silly but the way I have always looked at it is that, Folks that purchase the Superduty either had no choice and their company or contractor bought it for them to use, or they are everyday Yuppies, trendy and have to have the latest and most popular vehicle just for the sake of. Also I think the folks whom have to have as much chrome, clad, and do-dads added as aesthetic upgrades shop this route too.
GM seems to build the best truck for people that are the least of truck people. I mean the truck sits low to the ground in 4x4 trim, there are as many gimmicks and switches and gagetry as one might find in a Le Sabre. The designs are anonymous and bland. When GM adds or upgrades or redesign on a current or existing platform, they just tack it on, like the new mirrors.
Dodge seems to know what truck buyers want & don't want. They give US just that and not much more. I mean our trucks come with a real medium duty power plant. D/C knows the 48re is durable, adequate, reliable and gets the job done. If it ain’t broke, no need to redesign for marketing sake. Also the Frame is a fully boxed Hydro formed hunk of metal from end to end. The stock suspension is basic, but proven and again durable, and could even be said as "overbuilt" for most buyers. Yes the interior is Spartan, but very functional. I love the layout on the '05 no buzz & strictly business. Personally the size, shape and overall comfort of the back seat mean jack to me. I ain't ever gonna ride back there, and usually my riders are so stoked to be going boating or out on quads or whatever, they don't complain. I had a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Double cab before the Ram, and I can't tell you how many people would sit in the back and be impressed with a cab that has a lot less space, width & height than the Dodge Ram Quad, but those same folks will complain that the QuadCab Ram sucks because the Cab is Smaller than the GM or Ford.
Sorry for the long rant, but I love the Dodge & Cummins. I've also owned everything from BMW-Acura-Chevrolet-Toyota-Nissan-Jeep etc... and no matter how sporty or gizmo equipped, my CTD is my most favorite vehicle to drive evar! Bar none.
End of rant, and best of luck with GM
-Ryan
BHolm said:
It seems the 4 speed lets the motor rev too high for too long before it shifts, especially when empty. DCX is currently tooling up to build the 68RFE transmission, which I assume is for the Cummins. A 5 speed prol would have been good enough (figure its a 7 speed if you count the lockups), though a six speed auto will be nice. Put two more gears in there, one being a higher overdrive and tighten up the converter and it'll be just right.
KBalzuweit good luck with the truck, if you can overlook GM's styling, it is a decent truck.
I have a pristine duramax 03, which has a hot juice and a bombed allison, rear DVD player, XM and a lot of goodies, and its a real nice truck. The interior is hands down superior to the dodge.
Both the dodge and the chevy have their good and bad points. I'm just glad I could afford both...
Both the dodge and the chevy have their good and bad points. I'm just glad I could afford both...
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