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Cummins fairs well in loaded hill climb...

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Diesel Fuel 101

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I'm new to the board but not to trucks or diesels. I keep reading these articles and posts about who has the fastest, most powerful, most lb carrying truck, blablabla, on and on it goes.



I realize the Ford, Chevy, Dodge thing will go on for eons, but what the hey (moderator edit) does that one HP or LB or SECOND matter. There is so much more that goes into our choice in a truck.



Does the guy that loves his Dodge, throw it away and immediately buy the "other brand" that came out with a new engine that has 5 more HP and vice versa. Oh boy, that would make me run to the dealership!!. Every year this goes on and on.



Does a truck really outperform another one in every instance and condition imaginable because it has 5 more HP or FT LB? What really is performance-speed, towing, 4 wheeling, traction, torque, weight, sound? Is the highest number really the best performer?



What about the pride of ownership, the looks, the options, the dealer service, etc. That and much more is what goes into everyone of our and your decisions when spending the money we do on these extensions of our manhood!!



The rags don't help by seeming to focus on that one or two HP or FT LB and judging the whole truck for that one detail, they sucker us into believing and chasing that never ending yearly "up the ante" way of thinking.



Buy what you want, be proud of what you have, and don't feel you need to prove anything. It's you that counts, not that one HP.



Sorry for jumping on the bandstand, just MHO and 2 cents. Oo.
 
Yer' preaching to the choir turbojet. It's certainly what I'm thinking when I read these nit-picking reviews. But that doesn't stop me from ribbing the other guy when my truck has an extra 1/100th of a horsepower at -100 degrees at 70000 feet above sea level while cruising on the space shuttle. ;)



But that's all those reviews are good for.
 
So I drive the lowest HP, smallest Cubic Inch, Diesel truck on the market as of last year.



I think I like it that way. :D



Merrick Cummings Jr
 
to Big MAK

What brand of steps & bed liner is on your truck ? , look great . Also where is the best place to get the best price ?
 
Bedliner is Line-X spray in; done over-the-rail cost $550 installed (over the rail adds a little; w/o over the rail I think it's $475). Steps are Dodge's Luverne nerf bars (a bit pricey) about $550. The Luverne Nerfs I really like even though they cost; they're bolted right into the body mounts so they're really sturdy.
 
turbojet,

I know that my post has partly (if not entirely) prompted you to post this new topic. Please allow me to retort. I definitely agree with you that you will always be jumping from bandwagon to bandwagon if you continue to chase the numbers game. I knew before I even posted the topic of the 6. 0 Powerstroke vs. 5. 9 Cummins that there would be many out there who would want to get into a proverbial pi$$ing contest over which truck was best. The actual intention of the post (which seemed to be lost) was that I am having one heck of a time deciding which of the big three diesel trucks i want to buy. I really like certain things about each, and also dislike certain features unique to each. I was hoping that submitting a post which compared all three that those members out there which have considered all three would weigh in on their findings and maybe bring up something which I had failed to consider, or which I just flat out missed. Ultimately, you are absolutely right. Love the truck you drive and drive it with pride! All three have their strengths and weaknesses.

;) Adam
 
I understand AP, hope you have gotten some good guidance from this board, I know I have. Don't know if this will help, but IMHO Dodge is my preference overall. Now that doesn't mean I don't like certain aspects of Ford (I just sold my F350 CC Lariat) or Chevy, the truth is I do. Ford has more room inside, but the design is dated and not plush like the Dodge. I do like the Ford auto trannies, not the Chrysler's they suck, that's why I go the HO with the 6 speed (keep in mind I had a 99 Dodge V10 before my Super Duty). I have always liked the Dodge look better, Ford is way to boxy looking for me. Chevy is not bad in that department, but their interiors seem plastic and unattractive to me. The Cummins diesel just seems to be more of a real diesel engine than the Navistar. Ford's new one is very fast, and has posted better numbers than the others.



When it comes to the end of the day, I think they will all do the same job equally well. It comes down to looks and options and feel in my mind. I don't know if this helps, let me know if you have any questions on Fords, I haven't had a Chevy since 1980



tj
 
TJ,

Thanks for the input, it really does help. I have two main issues that I am dealing with before I make my final choice, and maybe you may be able to give me your opinion. The first is this, from what I have been able to ascertain from reading all the posts, is that while the Powerstroke is an excellent engine, the Cummins seems to be more steeped in true diesel tradition. Most people indicate that the Cummins is the choice for, excuse the cliche, the long haul due to its inline configuration and ease of maintenance. I get the impression that the Navistar is more of a short-term diesel (<250,000 miles) and seems to be more of the "hot-rod" out of the box. Having said that, there is much more aftermarket support for the Cummins, however, I don't want to wait 7/70,000 to upgrade so I don't void my warrantee. The other fact that makes me reluctant to go back to DC is that I owned a 99 1500 4x4, and the fit-and-finish was cheap. I have been told that the new trucks have been greatly improved in this department and I will definitly need to give them a test drive. I agree that the DC auto trannies suck, and conversely, the Ford manuals suck. If I buy a Superduty, it will be when they are updated and the new 6. 0/Torqshift has been proven for a couple of years. Thanks for the input and sharing your experience with each.

Adam:D
 
AP-



You are dead on, the cummins is more of a true diesel, with simplicity in mind and easier to work on. If you look at the new Ford 6. 0 you can't even see the engine due to so many plastic intakes and hoses. It is more of a hot rod. The Cummins is the Timex of diesels, just keeps on ticking. 305 HP is not shabby by any means. Should be easy enough to get up to 400 if that's your thing.



The fit and finish on my Ford was fine, but so was my 99 Dodge. Sounds like the newer trucks are better, and I would agree with that. Plus the Dodge is cheaper than both the others for the same truck. And here is the clincher, the HO 6spd with 4. 10 gears has a 63:1 crawl ration in 4low!! Beat that with a Chevy or Ford.



Good luck with your decision, remember go with you gut.



tj:cool:
 
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