which diesel truck

[cencalc6]

Originally Posted by camcojb

The Duramax is the best diesel out there in my opinion.

Yup I Agree!

[wmhjr]

I do not agree that the Dmax is the "best diesel out there". Though I'm not a dodge fan, I am a big Cummins fan and prefer it to the Dmax. The Cummins is hand down built heavier and tougher than the Dmax, which also explains why they typically last so much longer and in the high mileage area, retain their value longer. Facts - not fiction.

That being said, there is nothing at all wrong with a Dmax. They're the "hot rod" of the diesels. Capable of lots of power - just not for as long as the Cummins will put out. A single Cummins connecting rod is beefier than two Dmax rods combined. No joke. The Cummins is also the only of the 3 motors rated as medium duty rather than light duty.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by wmhjr

I do not agree that the Dmax is the "best diesel out there". Though I'm not a dodge fan, I am a big Cummins fan and prefer it to the Dmax. The Cummins is hand down built heavier and tougher than the Dmax, which also explains why they typically last so much longer and in the high mileage area, retain their value longer. Facts - not fiction.

That being said, there is nothing at all wrong with a Dmax. They're the "hot rod" of the diesels. Capable of lots of power - just not for as long as the Cummins will put out. A single Cummins connecting rod is beefier than two Dmax rods combined. No joke. The Cummins is also the only of the 3 motors rated as medium duty rather than light duty.

The Cummins is a great engine no doubt. But there's no way I'd live with that racket they make, along with the weird 6 cylinder sound. The Dodge trucks are definitely a step or two below the GM's in quality and comfort (and I've owned several of them).

When I said better it meant better in my opinion as far as noise (there's almost none on the new trucks), and overall fit, finish, and comfort of the two trucks.

[ParkerRS]

I've owned three of the 5.9 cummins powered dodge trucks. Both one ton and 3/4. I own a Ford with the 7.3 which was the last dependable powerstroke engine, and one duramax for a short time.

The Chevy had the smallest interior room for a long trip in my opinion. The ford is the better handling truck when towing of the three. I could never beat the Dodge at all for longevity, also as long as they were serviced properly they were all three trouble free for over 200,000 miles in heavy towing use. No dodge I ever owned had to go back to the dealer for anything after purchase. I simply did oil and filter along with fuel filter evry 5K and an air filter every 15K.

This is all my personal experience and opinion so take it for what it's worth. A lot of people talk the dodges down on qaulity, but I've owned 8 dodge vehicles with zero problems from any.

The chevy's look nice and run well, but the cabs are just uncomfortable to me compared with the other two. The materials inside also seem a notch down compared with the other two. As i said this is all opinion but look at all of them. Your opinion may prefer something different.

The 6.0 and 6.4 Ford are notorious for problems. The new ford engine hasn't been out long enough for any useable feedback yet. The Duramax had teething problems in the first 2 years but seems to be a very solid unit now. The cummins has been around forever and is by far the heaviest and best built engine. The other two are faster off the line but with 10K in tow when you hit a long hill the Cummins will easily hold speed and pull on up while the others will need more pedal or lose speed.

All of the new diesels are quiet, compared with just 4-5 years ago they are almost as quiet as a gasoline engine. The pre 2007 emmisions engines will give much better mileage though due to not being strangled or using fuel for regen cycles on the DPF. The Cummins is the "ONLY" new p/u diesel which does not require "DEF" (diesel exhaust fluid) to meet the 2010 emmisions requirments. This is another fluid you must buy and replenish and the other two will not run without it. Some of the new chevy's have been having troubles with this locally. Also don't believe the salesman when he tells you DEF is the same price as fuel per gallon. It's not, it's higher depending on where you buy it is between 5-7 dollars a gallon.

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by camcojb

The Cummins is a great engine no doubt. But there's no way I'd live with that racket they make, along with the weird 6 cylinder sound. The Dodge trucks are definitely a step or two below the GM's in quality and comfort (and I've owned several of them).

When I said better it meant better in my opinion as far as noise (there's almost none on the new trucks), and overall fit, finish, and comfort of the two trucks.

Noise? Really? To be very honest, I find the Fords to be the noisiest by FAR. I find no real difference in the noise from a Dmax and a Cummins. Don't know what trucks you're listening to. I've got one buddy with an '09 Dmax and another with an '11. You "might" be able to determine which is louder of our 3 with some sort of decibel measuring device electronically, but not with your naked ear.

For comfort, I'll agree - the Dodge rides far harsher and the front end is more problematic - however I'll also say it's stronger. The solid front axle is simply stronger in terms of brute strength, but you sacrifice some comfort and handling - no doubt.

For quality, I have to say I've been a long time GM guy, but have been singularly unimpressed with GM quality. The reason I'm driving a Dodge truck is because my Chevy was so poor quality to be very blunt. But that's a personal thing, and I do agree that the Dodge "feels" like a "cheaper" interior.

I've got just shy of 240k miles on my '04 Cummins - bought it used. I expect to put another 200k on it at least. You won't see many Dmax owners saying that. It all depends on what you're looking for. They all have their advantages, and "better" is a very subjective description.

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by ParkerRS

The cummins has been around forever and is by far the heaviest and best built engine. The other two are faster off the line but with 10K in tow when you hit a long hill the Cummins will easily hold speed and pull on up while the others will need more pedal or lose speed.

Thems true words. I routinely pull 10k with mine. 6spd manual. I get on the road, shift into 6th, set the cruise, and forget about it. I've never yet hit a hill on the highway that the Cummins didn't just power right up in 6th. I only come off cruise or shift when somebody gets in my way. That's through some pretty mountainous terrain too - not flatlands of Ohio or Kansas. The advantage that gives you is also in fuel economy. It's pretty well known that the Cummins isn't the fastest, but it IS usually the more economical on fuel.

And as I'm personally proving, 200k is barely a break-in period on a Cummins. Come see my odometer at RTTH. Oil changes, fuel filter changes, and fill'er up is all I need to worry about. I did replace a water pump at 237k miles.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by wmhjr

Noise? Really? To be very honest, I find the Fords to be the noisiest by FAR. I find no real difference in the noise from a Dmax and a Cummins. Don't know what trucks you're listening to. I've got one buddy with an '09 Dmax and another with an '11. You "might" be able to determine which is louder of our 3 with some sort of decibel measuring device electronically, but not with your naked ear.

I'm speaking of the older trucks. You pull up to the light next to an older Cummins and you can't even hear yourself think. They were slow to adopt pilot injection like GM did with the Dmax to quiet the engine noise.

And yes, I had an F550 and it was loud. I have not heard a quiet Cummins, so apparently I'm only seeing older models.

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by camcojb

I'm speaking of the older trucks. You pull up to the light next to an older Cummins and you can't even hear yourself think. They were slow to adopt pilot injection like GM did with the Dmax to quiet the engine noise.

And yes, I had an F550 and it was loud. I have not heard a quiet Cummins, so apparently I'm only seeing older models.

Gotcha. My experience is that the most noisy of all are the Fords, regardless of the age. The older fords sound like an empty tin can shaking some rusty bolts around in it - with a amplifier on it. I can't really speak toward the legacy Cummins as far as noise. But from '03 on, I find them to be not a single bit noisier than the Dmax - at least if they're stock. Non-stock, and it can all change.

[DOOM]

Duramax all the way. But I will say I have an old 94 Dodge Cummapart that I use for plowing and I gotta tell the friggin thing is an animal It made me a believer thats for sure. I do warranty work for a local DODGE dealer and I have driven the new RAM with the Cummins and its smooth as silk. But I still prefer the Duramax....

[suark]

Duramax, 06 or 07 classic, both are pre-dpf ( diesel particulate filter) equipped, both have 6 speed allison which can handle more power than the 5 speed stock. I have a 06 with MPI twin turbos, built trans, it's the fastest vehicle I have ever owned and I can still tow my 13000lb camper anywhere. Never had to fix anything on it, hands down the best vehicle I ever owned.