What if the CTD was in another brand truck?

[mwhals]

If the Cummins Turbo Diesel was in a Ford or Chevy instead of the Dodge, how would that change things?

 

[Alphacowboy]

Nope, still wouldnt buy the other. I am a Dodge boy at heart, always have been. BUT, if that means a 6. oh no type engine was under the hood of a Dodge, I might consider a different truck. All in all, I am very happy with my Dodge and its little quirks. They all have issues if you get right down and dirty with the details, so I dont think the sheet metal surrounding the engine matters. I like my Dodge, so, with Dodge I will stay, even if it gets a Mer-DC diesel someday!

 

[Matt400]

Since were dreaming... . how about a 6. 7 straight 6 CAT or CTD in a a Chevy with solid front axle?

 

[rjohnson916]

After having my Dodge CTD powered truck for 1. 5 years now, I am a Mopar believer. My family had a few Cherokees & Grand Cherokees that gave me a bad taste about Chrysler products. I was driving a 1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 PreRunner with the 2. 7L 4-Cyl with over 118K on the dial when I traded it. That truck was a good a good truck, never gave me any issues other than brakes every 28K miles or so, but it had squeaks and rattles and little trim pieces would break or fall off this truck with very light abuse. My '05 Diesel has been driven harder and more aggressive than any other vehicle I've owned, it's also my "work truck" I have 38K miles on it today and the chassis, body and drivetrain are as tight as the day I took delivery with 40 miles on it. No squeaks, No rattles, No discolored trim, worn out seats or any of the things that bugged me about my Toyota even when that truck had just 20K miles on it. To answer the thread posters original question, I like the Dodge/ Cummins marriage and have to say I was some what drawn to the trucks handsome looks and aggressive stance. I also like the higher ride highth, solid front axle and fully boxed hydroformed frame rails. The only things I don't care for is how "bland" even the fully loaded Laramie CTD's look compared to a fully dressed "King Ranch" or even the XLT "FX-4" Super Duty. Also the interior of my '05 although has held up well, looks like it belongs in a 1970's era pickup truck when compared to the other Big-3 trucks. Overall I've learned this is a no B. S. truck the CTD Ram, and it was designed to do it's job well.



Ford: Is for Yuppies and those who keep up with the "Jones"



GM Trucks: Are for the retired 5er crowed that want a Caddy ride in a pickup and, never going to go off-road or use for serious work.



Dodge Ideal for the Contractor, working class, small business owner, Hunter; high ground clearance and straight axle great for fire roads & trails, forest service and fire depts etc...



-Ryan

 

[JCleary]

I've always liked Dodge trucks. I'm glad my Laramie has the Cummins. I personally prefer the 3rd Gen to the other trucks on the market.

 

[dtygart]

Guess I would buy one in a F450.

david

 

[cwbyinjeep]

I do like the way the Ford body and paint seem to hold up better to road debris and dings, also like the layout of their CC a tad better. I do love the way the Dodge handles and looks. But its the CTD with NV5600 that's got me.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

The newer CTD doesn't seem to be so reliable, according to many of the posts I read. Sure, the block is fine, but everything attached to it strikes me as kind of weak.



I wish Toyota or Honda would build an engine and a truck to compete. I'd rather have one of those. Sorry guys. I've had Dodge trucks for over 10 years, but I'd jump to one of those brands without hesitation. I'd bet that either of those companies would build their engine with more HP and torque, better reliability, reduced emissions, and better fuel economy - all of which those companies are known for.

 

[BHolm]

:-laf I would need a mix of what is out there. If the Ford F350 CC LB King Ranch came with a Cummins, I would be driving it. It doesn't, I'm not. I really want a CC LB truck, I've had the Quad Cabs, I have a Megacab. I want something inbetween with a long box. Not sure why Dodge tried to fix what wasn't broke by going to the Megacab. The third gen Dodges have been very good to me. The Cummins in a Ford though would get me the body style I want, the options I want, though the loaded Mega does fine for options. I like the Ford's new front suspension better and the trailer brake integration. Mostly though, it is the screwy cab configurations. Otherwise the Dodge is a great rig. I will not go back to GM, those are pathetic excuses for TRUCKs IMO, and I owned a couple. I don't have any faith that a Toyota would be any better than the big three. I hear about problems with Tundras all the time. My buddies broke a leaf spring just hauling a light pop-up slide-in camper for a couple years. I just don't think they are up to it. They are used to building very different kinds of vehicles. How about the Honda Ridgeline? Nice car with a tiny little bed, unibody too :-laf Sorta like the GM guys bragging about what an accomplished diesel engine builder Isuzu is. Ever check to see how many V8 diesels Isuzu built before the D-Max? Looks like NONE to me. The Cummins in a Dodge with the "right" cab configuration or stick it in a Ford. My '99 F350 was an awesome truck, never any trouble in over 250k miles. Anything else would be too light duty IMO.

 

[COBRAJET]

I have owned both and have put 500K on each brand. I have had way better luck with non drivetrain complaints from the Ford than the Dodge. A F350 CC Longbed with a Cummins would be a dream come true.

 

[JJuday]

Nope, don't like any of the options. My next truck is more than likely going to be a FL-50 Freightliner with a custom bed and the 5. 9. See how it works guys, if you don't like the rules, change the game!

 

[Jack in Alaska]

A 1980, then a 1992, then a 1998. 5 and now a 2004. 5 all Dodges. Still have the 1980 crewcab gasser.

Before that I had 2 IH 3/4 ton 4x4's. Tough trucks.

My next one will be a Dodge CTD but only if my present one faulters.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I was Dodge fan before I was a Cummins fan.



JJuday The engine and driveline on the Freightliner are OK but the guages tend to act up.

 

[klenger]

I really like the Dodge Quad Cab long box combo. Can't get that in a F or C. Can't get anything in a T.

 

[mwhals]

I would love to see a hybrid of the four options.



1. The Dodge exterior look.



2. The Ford interior.



3. The Chevy better ride.



4. The Toyota durability and quality craftmanship.



Since such a truck doesn't exist, I will stick with the Dodge since it has the most important two things - better exterior looks and the CTD.



Mark H

 

[BHanna]

Dodge came a long way with the 3rd gen. Mine is over 2 years old and has 40000 miles with no rattles. It rides well (with aftermarket shocks at least). The interior is comfortable and quiet - my wife preferred riding in my truck to her Toyota 4-Runner. I don't think the Chevy or Ford are better than the 3rd gen in any way except maybe lack of full size crew cab/long bed option.

 

[WhiteSheep]

I would have purchased a Ford if it had the CTD. I own a 1984 F-150 that I have modified for hunting duty that is a true tough truck. I also own stock in Ford and would have preferred to pay myself rather than a German company. HOWEVER, the Ford didn't have a CTD, didn't have a coil spring front suspension, didn't have 17" tires, had smaller brakes, didn't have the AAM axel with the gear posi. I purchased in 2004, so comparisons to 2006 aren't fair. I would still buy a Dodge over a Ford today.



I would like a six speed automatic and an integrated brake controller. I do like the looks of the Ford better. However, the powerstroke is a joke.



As for the Chevy, you've got to be kidding. That thing is a toy built like one. The only thing it does is drive nice. I would rather have a CAR if that was important to me.

 

[therabbittree]

I wish dodge had a long bed mega cab . . even better would be a f550 style dodge mega cab long bed , 19. 5 aluminum rims etc and teh payload would be good.

oh well dreaming out loud.

deo

 

[2broke2smoke]

i'll buy anything with a straight six cummins in it ...



bought my first one in '91 ... and it's all i'll ever own



would prefer a ford king ranch with a seven speed speed wrapped around though

 

[GHarman]

What truck?

I've thought about this for a while. To start off with, I am not brand loyal. All of the trucks sold in the U. S. have their good points and flaws. I like my 1st gen Cummins. Unfortunately it is a 500,000 mile engine strapped to a 150,000 mile carcass. It is easier to work on than the newer versions. But not as easy as it could be. I personally would like to see live axles like the military HUMMER. You want ground clearance? Proper drain and fill plugs on the differentials. A filtering system on manual transmissions accessable outside the transmission. Locking 5 or 6 speed ALLISON automatic (or better) transmissions that also have accessable filters and fluid drain plugs for owner maintainence. Throw-out bearings and pilot bearings accessable for lube/maintainence. Properly sized clutches for manual trans. applications After-market brake shoes and pads that will wear similar or better than the factory units. Stainless steel brake calipers/ oversized/ vented/crossdrilled rotor, disc brakes from the factory. A front end on a 4X4 that does not turn when the transfer case is in 2X4 mode. No aluminum in stress (heat or mechanical) or vibration producing components. Better fuel mileage. I could go on and on. There is a lot of room for improvement. I guess I will have to rebuild my old UGLY until ENTROPY wins. Who knows maybe HERR DR. Z. will read our ruminations Greg H.