which diesel truck

[DRJDVM's '69]

You will find a huge range of opinions out there and tons of horror stories for all the brands...., and tons of "it's been the best truck ever"

Do some research for obvious glaring issues and then pick what you want

I bought an 06 dodge 2500 with the 5.9 cummins in nov.... First diesel... Been great so far

[wmhjr]

Ned, I totally agree with you. Do your research. My confusion is why in this day and age people would just disregard a brand - before even doing any research. I didn't think brand loyalty - or hatred for that matter - still existed so much anymore. After all, most of what's in any of the new cars isn't manufactured (or often designed) by the brand that's on the car. I NEVER thought I'd own a Dodge truck but careful research thankfully made me reconsider. It's just interesting.

[Beegs]

Originally Posted by wmhjr

Ned, I totally agree with you. Do your research. My confusion is why in this day and age people would just disregard a brand - before even doing any research. I didn't think brand loyalty - or hatred for that matter - still existed so much anymore. After all, most of what's in any of the new cars isn't manufactured (or often designed) by the brand that's on the car. I NEVER thought I'd own a Dodge truck but careful research thankfully made me reconsider. It's just interesting.

I will NEVER step foot in a Walgreens again because they fired a pharmacist for defending himself while on the clock against armed robbers. That's just me. Maybe someone who would never even consider a Dodge had a horrible experience with them and will never buy their product again. To each his own...that is the beauty of our system...spend your dough where you want to.

On Diesels...I have had two Dmax's...'05 and'03 My '03 needed new injectors at 65K, they are problamatic in the first gen Dmax. Go to: dieselplace.com for all things Duramax

[Stuart Adams]

Originally Posted by Beegs

I will NEVER step foot in a Walgreens again because they fired a pharmacist for defending himself while on the clock against armed robbers. That's just me. Maybe someone who would never even consider a Dodge had a horrible experience with them and will never buy their product again. To each his own...that is the beauty of our system...spend your dough where you want to.

On Diesels...I have had two Dmax's...'05 and'03 My '03 needed new injectors at 65K, they are problamatic in the first gen Dmax. Go to: dieselplace.com for all things Duramax

Xactly. All have garages for a reason, not just oil changes.

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by Beegs

Maybe someone who would never even consider a Dodge had a horrible experience with them and will never buy their product again. To each his own...that is the beauty of our system...spend your dough where you want to.

No, I understand - just a little surprised. I guess by that same logic there are some of us here that would never buy another car period, because you may have had horrible experiences with each of the big 3. I had a REALLY bad experience with a '00 Chevy and that definitely weighs on me. But it would have to be something REALLY bad to completely ignore a complete product line. I was not criticizing - just saying I'm surprised that there remains such a strong "brand" identity. No problem.

[TheJDMan]

My 07 Classic Silverado 2500HD LBZ Duramax Allison 1000 6 speed is without question the best, most powerful pickup I have ever owned bar none! But rather than getting into the pointless which is better argument, I recommend you go drive all three diesel pickups and make your own decision. I also recommend you check out Diesel Power magazine, it is packed with good information every month on all three brands. There are also tons of diesel pickup forums that you can browse. Being a D-Max owner, here is a link to just one of the Duramax forums that I frequent which has a huge membership.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/index.php

Just be aware that diesel engine technology is changing rapidly and any comparisons to older trucks, even 10 years old, is irrelavent to current model discussion. All of the big three have weak points, all of them!!!

There have been tons of comparison tests done in different formats, but in my opinion one of the best real world tests was done by Diesel Power Mag where they took trucks from each of the big three, hooked each one to a 19K+ trailer and took them on a 2000 mile trip through the Rocky Mountains including their famous King of the Hill pull. You can watch the video here.
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/featur...deo/index.html

Early 2011 King of the Hill test. The interesting thing about this test was that the Dodge had too low of a GVW rating to be able to participate with the GM and Ford. Basicaly the Dodge was outclassed before the test even started.
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/featur...uty/index.html

The current models of diesel pickup from all three manufacturers are the most powerful ever built while still meeting EPA regulations. People can argue which is best all day long but the bottom line is that you will not go wrong with any of the three. As I said earlier, drive all three (preferrably towing a heavy trailer if they will let you) and then make up your own mind. Just beware that these diesel trucks make so much torque that they will litterally erase the tread on drive tires if you tow alot, ask me how I know.

BTW, here is my Duramax.

[TreySmith]

Since I have owned a Ram, F250 and spent many hours in a Duramax, I have to say you need to drive them all and see what you like..

The Ram handles the best, I love the steering on them. My 3500 dually 6spd got 23mpg city and about 26 highway and with a programmer it would spin the tires from a 45 roll. I love the fold down center console and the seats are very comfortable. Personally it's the best "driving" truck out of the three, it's also the most powerful tuned. The back seats are very small and the trucks start out kinda pricey. The interiors SUCK on the 06+ trucks but the 2010 leather interiors are amazing. The black cloth 03-05's though are very nice and comfy, mine was an 05. Uses quite a bit of fuel idling all night.

The f250's have the most room inside, I personally LOVED the 6.0 but the EGR will have problems. Straight piped it has that awesome muscle car roar. It got about 12 city and 19 highway, very tight driving truck but had a cheap lift so the ride was terrible. Idling all night would use like a gallon, I use to sleep in it all the time. It's surprising it uses a hell of a lot less fuel then the dodge idling, fords also seem to have the best A/C. I did start to have some egr issues but I cleaned it out and ran fine. I beat the living **** out of that truck every second I had it and it barely gave me any problems, very well built truck. They are notorious for ball joints though, which mine was needing.

The duramax is like a good overpriced mixture of the F250 and dodge. Just as powerful as the ram, fair gas mileage at about 16 city, 22 highway driving it hard and it has a fair amount of room inside. They handle good, drive good and just seem to be a good overall truck. My friend had a lot of issues with his but he was not easy on it at all.

I'd say the best bang for your buck is an F250, I loved mine and would give the world to have it back. And don't be scared of a 6.0, it was so much more powerful then my 7.3, and the ford transmissions are a lot stronger then the allison. Go ahead, flame away.

Whenever you get bored of your truck, get a programmer, it's so damn fun whooping Camaro's and vettes with all your buddies in a 3500 hot shot dually haha. In my f250 we'd put it in 4hi and launch on ricers and even a few vettes. My friends Dmax stopped a 350z from a stop with the truck full of kids lol..

[Travis77]

My opinion on the trucks. If you are looking to buy one new I would probably look at chevy. They did an amazing job with the 2011. It's too bad though that the interior never got tweaked any. I have been a Ford truck guy for awhile, but honesly they seam to be going down hill. I came very close to getting a 2012 but I think I will just hold out for the 2013 duramax. Reason that Ford are sucking is you can not get any lower gear ratio than a 3:55. And what's this electronic lock crap? Give me the simple limited slip and call it a day. Also if you look closely in 2012 Ford dropped the hydroboost braking. I test drove a F-250 with vacuum assist and it had terrible braking. Also the lariat package might as well be called ther glorified vinyl package. Very little leather anywhere inside.
The older dodges are okay for work trucks. Like stated earlier the front ends are great. We have never had any problems with bearings or 4x4 components. But I test drove a 2011 in standards and auto and personally can't get over how the motor sounds. I also have never been confortable in any dodge seat.
Definately drive as many as you can to get a feel of what you like. But for me
Used-Ford 7.3 diesels
New- Chevy 2011

[ParkerRS]

Originally Posted by ratman67

if you plan to do a lot of towing go with the dodge and manual trans, the d max is a great engine but the cummins is incredible...

all the big diesel trucks have auto trans issues when you start towing HEAVY loads...i was into off shore power boats and towing 40ft offshore boats will let you know who makes a good driveline in a hurry.lol

I'll second this comment strongly. If you intend to tow a lot of heavy loads go manual. The automatic transmission is the weak link in diesel trucks.

I know all of you chevy guys are going to jump in and brag about the Allison, but it's an Allison 1000. These transmissions are weaker than you think, just ask diesel drag racers. They are also the most expensive to modify for increased power or load levels. Allison transmissions in buses, motorhomes and heavy trucks are a different animal. For motorhomes, buses and trucks wieghing between 18,000 and 30,000 lbs allison provides the 3000 series in these applications. With a P/U rated at nearly 20,000 GCVWR the 1000 series is on the light side in comparison.

Dodge and Ford also have problems with autos when worked hard. GM relies on the Allison reputation even though they are using a very light duty version. If you intend to tow max or near max loads a manual (preferably 6 speed) is the only way to go regardless of brand.

I've owned two with autos and the rest were all manuals. The autos both required rebuilding and strengthening. If you want the real skinny on diesel autos talk with the guys at www.suncoastconverters.com , these guys buy the latest trucks new, turn them up high and see what breaks in the transmission at the drag strip. Then they tear them down and see what it takes to make them survive the strain. I've been running one of their units in my Ford for 130,000 miles with 0 trouble. the original blew out it's front seal while towing a 15,000 lb tailer at 34,000 miles. Ford's reply to the problem was that they all do that if you load them heavy and pull. WTF?, It's a one ton truck!

[EBMC]

And the winner is.........................



Picked up a 2011 Denali Duramax HD2500, and so far love it. May be picking up a new customers car in LA next week so I'll get to put it to the test over the grapevine. Thanks for all the input guys.