Diesels: Cummins, Duramax, Powerstroke and why?

[Grim_Reeper7.0]

Maybe you could come in and do a training session...
'How to talk out your ass in 1 easy lesson'
Remember...its not a lie if YOU believe it.

Welcome to my thread, thanks friend!!!!

[SmokinRAM114]

Whenever you get it built, let me know. I'm all about DIESEL performance. I don't care if it is a VW or a Powerstroke. If it don't have spark plugs...I like it! If you ever need any help, PM me. I'm always available.

haha ill take you up on that hopefully soon. im on the same boat as you. so many people think diesels cant be fast. i love blowing away people that try to pass me at a light where it goes into one lane with my dads truck..i was looking at your pics of your truck last night i want to build a VW TDI that would be a fun build but more i think about it i need the bed of the truck to much.

[Cryptic]

In my experience... sure the Cummins is a strong motor, but the truck itself is a piece of sh!t. Everything falls apart.

We had a 98/12 valve/1 ton. It started leaking oil profusely out of some cover on the front of the motor (timing chain cover???) Whatever it was, it was a common problem, many had same issue. Dodge/Cummins did nothing to remedy the problem which was obviously a manufacturer defect.

Pieces of the interior would fall apart. I've scene this on more than 1 dodge (even newer than 98's)

The steering was crappy. Alot of play. Very odd sensation, more difficult to hold the truck in the center of your lane.

Brakes overheated in the Rockies towing a snowmobile trailer. Our 01 Tahoe did just fine towing a fair amount a wieght for a half ton vs a 1 ton frame desiel.

Therefore I wouldn't try another Dodge until I have several better experiences than what i have thus far.

[Grim_Reeper7.0]

I guess ill have to stand up for them......i love them.....the steering is one of my favorite things....its almost TO easy. I drive other vehicles and the steering feels heavy and loose.....the dodge seems to be real tight and easy....

[UnderPSI]

Pieces of the interior would fall apart. I've scene this on more than 1 dodge (even newer than 98's)

Brakes overheated in the Rockies towing a snowmobile trailer.

Those are the reasons we stoped using dodges at work, All Chevy and Ford now.

[GrimreaperSS]

Just something I seen the other day browsing through the Magazine section at Barnes&Nobles.
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/toc/thismonth/.
I've always been a GM person and am quite happy with the results. But at the same time, having gone through Diesel Training, I cant argue with the Staight-6 design! I would personally buy the Chevy/GMC because of brand loyalty, and also cause my little bro and all his friends are Dodge truck guys, gotta get something different than them. But I do like the Dodge line. Obviously magazine tests/articles arent the bible, but it may help in a decision on which way to go?

[Grim_Reeper7.0]

Thanks for the info! Nice to have a unbiased oppinion here....

[penji04]

Before my father ordered his truck he also looked at how nice the truck was overall. It was either a chevy or ford, he bought the ford because it had more room, i think it was cheaper (at the time), and the interior space was very functional. I say go out test drive them all and see what works. If you want a vehicle for just the engine you could end up disapointed in the long run. Why should a truck feel cheap for all that money your spending?

[slow90z]

i would go with the d-max, stock they are fastest, and with mild mods can be made into complete animals. plus i like the chevy interior and looks the best, but thats just me.

[88Nightmare]

I know Im late on this thread, but I would have to recommend the Duramax. Ford and Dodge are not as technologically advanced as Chevy these days. The Cummins is a great motor, no doubt about it. Its tough and can see big numbers as far as mileage before needing an overhaul. Not only that, Cummins is owned by Ford Motor Company. So you are buying a Ford engine in a Dodge wrapper. The Powerstroke, made by International (Navistar) is also owned by Ford Motor Company. As said before, the durmax is an Isuzu engine. Isuzu makes lots of cab over engine straight trucks that last forever and then some. Duramax is nothing less then that. I don't know about modding and what handles what better, but out of the showroom, I believe the Duramax has the most power. The truck is also a better piece of technology as well. The Allison trans is excellent. Not only that, Allison transmissions are in many U.S. Army Tanks. And as said before, Allisons cannot 100% fail leaving you stranded. They have limp mode. I do not own a diesel, although I do own a 2002 Chevy 1500, and I have to say out of the big 3, I like this truck over the other 2 companies. The truck is by far way better. The IFS is weak for hardcore offroading, but I don't use the truck for that. The ride quality is far better then Dodge and Ford. If you really need the power and strength of a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, wouldn't you prefer a nice smooth comfortable ride as opposed to the ride quality of a school bus? Sit in a Chevy's interior, and then sit in a Dodge's interior. Enough said. Duramax owns.

[MoreTorque]

Eeech... I agree with the recommendation for a truck, but you have some facts mixed up.

Cummins is not in any way owned by Ford. That ended in the 90's. The Duramax was developed by GM and Isuzu, but the Duramax engine is made by Duramax LTD, a GM company, in the US.

[88Nightmare]

ah. so im out of date. chevy duramax silverados are still damn good.

[Brandon W.]

well my step-dad has a 2002 Powerstroke and he loves it.lots of power and torque.(no its not stock but whatever) and he is a BIG Dodge guy,so him loving a Ford is kind-of wierd. anyway he used to have a 94 Dodge 2500. when we got rid of it it had almost 190k on it. that truck was Beatin on everyday of its life. that and he Plowed with it. that thing had low compression on 4 out of 8 cylinders but it Still fired up everymorning. he sold it to one of his friends and that truck is still going like when it was new. that is a good truck. original engine and Tranny.

[88Nightmare]

my neighbor has a 99 powerstroke. 197k miles, original everything. only unusual repair we did on it was the wiring harness underneith the passenger side valve cover which controls the injectors and glow plugs shorted out. thats it. and he pulls his 45ft 5th wheel trailer with it.

[SmokinRAM114]

anyway he used to have a 94 Dodge 2500. when we got rid of it it had almost 190k on it. that truck was Beatin on everyday of its life. that and he Plowed with it. that thing had low compression on 4 out of 8cylinders but it Still fired up everymorning. he sold it to one of his friends and that truck is still going like when it was new. that is a good truck. original engine and Tranny.

TYPO

[88Nightmare]

TYPO

perhaps it had the 5.9 liter. He did not specify as to whether it was gas or diesel.

[Brandon W.]

sorry it was a Gas. ya i know the Cummins have in-line 6's. which by the way i think is the best running Diesel out there. straight up straight down.

[88Nightmare]

yeah best running. not necessarily the best power producing. Bottom line to me is any of the big 3 diesels will run a long damn time. They all have their hit or miss problems. It just comes down to fuel mileage and who produces more power at what rpm.