the little duramax that what???????????

[baby.driver]

I also think the Dodge is better looking. But I bought the ENGINE, not the truck. If Ford had put this engine in a four door, I would be driving it instead.

We all (I think) would prefer to order our trucks built for us with the components that we want, like the class 8 guys.

That would be nice. Hmm, let's see... Fuller 9sp. RTO, Rockwell axles in3. 07, 8. 3 Cummins, etc. etc. etc..... Oh Well, just dreamin'



Jay

 

[Briar Hopper]

Good to have you on here, amcintyre... I apologize for the rude comment on the spelling, god knows, enough guys on here have perverted the spelling of Duramax and Ford , myself included At least you got a diesel, and I'm glad for you. My buddy has a Ford diesel, he took me to task for my unkind remark. So did another Dodge Cummins guy.

 

[Fireman Dave]

We have an unofficial local TDR group. We just had a meeting yesterday, in fact. One of the guys who recently joined up with us has a Duramax. He's a heck of a nice guy and welcome at our events. It's good to see another brand, and he's no less of a man for not buying a Dodge. Hey, we all have our preference. I give him a lot of credit for being a minority of one in our group, but then again, we have a great group of nice guys in our area. I say welcome amcintyre, and maybe we can all learn from each other. Not to flame anyone, but personally, I'm not into the "I'm better than you" talk.

 

[jsimpson]

A little too far for me to make the meetings or I'd be joining your group Dave!

 

[MABurns]

I subcribed to the TDR in 1994, and I have every issue printed (Isuue 1 and 2 are black and white reprints though) and although I know longer have a CTD I think it is money well spent to know about Diesels in general. And in my case "General" motors now.





To answer some of the older posts.



Comparing my Chevy to a Dodge is like comparing apples and oranges. I loved the CTD, and I love the Duramax. Both are great engines. Only time will tell on longevity. Yes the Duramax is quieter. I didn't buy if for that.



I have noticed no real difference in mileage between the two. 17-20 empty (normally 17 due to abnormaly large right foot)and 13 towing a 10,000 pound fifth wheel.



If the Chevy tows better it is because the allison gets the power to the ground better than the auto(s) in my dodge did. I have had NO problems with the allison transmission. NONE. (but only have 10,000 miles)



Grade braking, best thing about it. Hills around here can be 8-10% with lots of turns. I do not think I even need an exhaust brake. But would really help and work well with the grade braking feature if you wanted to add it.



Ride quality, no contest. Chevy hands down. SFA vs IFS? I don't plow snow or try and take the truck on the Rubicon Trail so I like the IFS for the ride quality.



Cab, Again chevy hands down. I hope for a lot of people that Dodge considers a true crew cab for the 03 2500/3500. Making the 02 with 4 doors is a start but it doesn't have any more legroom than an extended cab GM. I needed a true back seat.



Looks, wasn't a factor. I look back at the Chevy as I walk away from it just like I did the Dodge. I like them both, 02 Ram on the other hand... ... yuk. That wasn't fair, I didn't like the 94 Ram when it first came out either.



To each his own I guess.



MB

 

[John_P]

__________________________________________________



RAMHEAD 3437 asked:



"Why did ya let off when we hit 100?"



__________________________________________________



"amcintyre" didn't "let off!" That is as fast as the "stock"

Duramax will run from the factory. The one I drove on I-40

just before Christmas went to 99 MPH and that was it!! I

know it could have gone faster. But it did ride good and

it was quiet inside if that is what you are looking for.



Maybe GM will "turn them up" for 2002!!!



---------

John_P

 

[Pit Bull]

So lets build the "perfect" truck. Got to start with the Cummins Turbo diesel (the noisy one, not the new common rail that is coming out), 6x6 and 19. 5 inch wheels with real truck tires, Full floating solid axles front and rear, with locking diff's, Allison transmission (if the bugs are worked out), I like the present Dodge 3500 duelly look, I like the quadcab (I don't ride in the rear and my dogs have plenty of room), Toyota engineering and build quality on everything but the Cummins (since Cummins already provides that). I'm happy now, I am sure everyone else has their "perfect" truck

 

[Lil' Dog]

MABurns..Mackin..

I was curious about the grade braking, does that increase the transmission temps alot??? I was thinking it was limited by temp like the Brakesavers Cat used to sell on the B series 3406.



Since you paid... Lets hear it. .



J-eh

 

[MABurns]

I have not pulled enough in 10,000 miles to say the transmission temps do not increase (and I only got the truck in October so it has not been real hot out). Most of the hills around here, although steep, are not long. I have never seen the trans temp above 175. Will see this summer on our trip to Barstow CA. I would imagine that heat would build up though on long hills. Just do not know how much.

 

[Lil' Dog]

Am I on the right track with the grade brake?? From what I can gather its a hydraulic retarder right???



The temp seems high as my buddies BOMBed Ford rarely sees 150°F loaded with a 4 place sled trailer.



Amcintyre???



J-eh

 

[MABurns]

I've never thought 175 for trans temp was high. I was told that 240+ for long periods would brake down the ATF.



On some of the coldest days I couldn't get it above 100 if I tried. I wish you could bypass the cooler when it was cold.

 

[Lil' Dog]

I'm far from an expert on autos. LOL. . I wish I could bypass the rad on cold days. . It was -25°F this morning!!



Any other transmission guys?? I am curious about this grade brake thing.



J-eh

 

[Fireman Dave]

Originally posted by jsimpson

A little too far for me to make the meetings or I'd be joining your group Dave!

You're welcome anytime, Jay! Come on up in January some time!



Dave

 

[LarryB]

Originally posted by amcintyre

... ... . At about 5000 miles I had one computer glich on allison started it up one evening ses light on .

Drove down road would not shift out of 1st gear . Red lines at 45 mph in first . Restarted truck twice it reset code shifted and ran fine after that..... MACKIN

Must have Windows software. When in doubt, RE-BOOT. .







#ad

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by Big Toy

Toyota engineering and build quality on everything

Toyota quailty? In 95 Toyota bought my V6 4WD ext cab truck back because of it sitting in the service department more than I had it, almost 3000 miles on the clock. They got me into a new one that was just as bad, at 6,000 I made it go away and got a Dakota 4WD V-8 that is still my wifes daily ride (170,000 now).

The Dodge V8 got better gas mileage too.

 

[MABurns]

Texas Diesel,



Just an opinion (and like a@#holes, everybody has one), but it kinda looks like "build quality" was not one of the options you ordered on your 2001. 5.



"Problems to date: Reweld fenders @ 5k, Rebuild LSD and replace tailshaft seal @ 17k, oil pressure reflash @ 22k (BIG MISTAKE), replace NV-5600 and tailshaft seal @ 25k, replace oil pressure sender"



Your killing more seals than the eskimoes did in 200 years. What kind of power is that beast putting out?

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by MABurns

Texas Diesel,

Your killing more seals than the eskimoes did in 200 years. What kind of power is that beast putting out?

They have put in two seals (2. 0) as in "one plus one = two", I doubt that qualifies as mass extinction. As far as HP, the book rates it as 245



My Toyota had an 18 page repair history and I spent more time in a Corolla than my truck ( and one of the Corollas got towed back and left me stranded ). Dont know what other problems

I would have had because they werent around long enough, thankfully. Dont get mad at me for telling the truth and my CTD problems are there for everyone to see as well.



Actually my 2001. 5 was a FRIDAY build, I had heard that you should never buy a Monday or Friday vehicle, perhaps I should have listened



Hmmmm, I think my sister was delivered on a Friday

 

[jsimpson]

The Duramax is goverend at 97 mph by its computer. My brother's pulls strongly until 97 mph were it feels like I suddenly hit the brakes to hold it there! Tinker with the computer to eliminate this and of course you would void the warranty! Indeed, the Duramax DID let off at 97 mph, albeit without the help of the throttle (which is fly by wire anyway).

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Texas Diesel





Toyota quailty? In 95 Toyota bought my V6 4WD ext cab truck back because of it sitting in the service department more than I had it, almost 3000 miles on the clock. They got me into a new one that was just as bad, at 6,000 I made it go away and got a Dakota 4WD V-8 that is still my wifes daily ride (170,000 now).

The Dodge V8 got better gas mileage too.

Texas Diesel

Sorry to hear about your problems with the Toyota. I think you are the exception versus the rule. I have a Landcruiser with 112K miles on it and no problems period. But it has the straight six engine and is built like a tank. I don't know much about the Toyota V-6 engne in their trucks. I did have a 84 Toyota 4x4 with the solid axles and manual locking hubs with the straight 4 cylinder and you could not break it if you tried and I did try. Got tired of driving it after 185K miles and sold it. It still ran like new. I hope my Dodge CTD does as well as my Toyota's.

 

[MABurns]

Probably worst build day would be if the plant was working at full capacity, and it was assembled early Sat morning.