Lets talk trucks!

[biznutz]

So I will be returning from Kuwait late this year and will be in need of a 3/4 ton truck. I have been looking at all brands and have some questions of guys with any of the following trucks

1. 2007 or later Dodge owners with the 6.7L diesel. I have read and heard some nightmare stories about the new Cummins
2. Dodge Mega Cab owners. The room i this truck is amazing!
3. Ford 6.0L diesel owners. Again, as with the Dodge I have read about some issues with the 6.0L
4. GMC/Chevrolet owners with the 06-07 Duramax. We all know the Allison tranny is bullet proof but how are the engines holding up.

Anyone with any input on these trucks is appreciated. I am looking at the 06-07

[5Cent]

Well, I'm partial to GM, currently own 2001 6.6L DMAX w/ Ally, just a tick over 100K, owned her since 62K.

I would say hands down the GM LBZ/LMM's are the best running, best built (from front to back, including all of driveline not just eng/tranny combo) truck on the road.

I have not heard of any new Cummins problems as of yet. I believe Dodge has the engine down, but the tranny and rear need help. You can get one at a great price right now as Dodge is practically giving them away, but they just seem "cheaply built" in my mind. I hate riding in my uncles 06, its plain and has no curb appear and it's the model under Big Horn:nono:

Ford, well, I'm just not going to go there. The only thing they have going for them in my mind is the tranny which is practically identical to the ally when disassembled. The engine is loud and they're it's sluggish in the low end (haven't driven new twin turbos).

GM, well GM has it right. The duramax has continued to prove itself in advancements and the new ones are also bullet proof along with the transmission they're connected to, and the 14bolt 11.5" is tried and true.

The only downfall on the ally is it will only hold around 100 hp (easily done with a programmer) over stock before it will limp (built in safety feature from TCM) and the clutches start to slip (mainly 4-5th gear changes). On the flip side, the greatest feature of the ally is "tow/haul" mode. Do some research on this or drive one with a trailer behind it (and I mean like 9K lbs not a wussy 2k lb'r) and you'll be amazed:biggrin:

[Francis]

I drive a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500; 4.7 L V8, with a K&N air filter, louder exhaust,new tires,mossy oak seat covers ;) and raised about 2 inches. I love it. if you see a truck that says dirtbag its me or might be my father. :cheeky-smiley-022::biggrin:

[5Cent]

I drive a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500; 4.7 L V8, with a K&N air filter, louder exhaust,new tires,mossy oak seat covers ;) and raised about 2 inches. I love it. if you see a truck that says dirtbag its me or might be my father. :cheeky-smiley-022::biggrin:

LOL....This thread is about 3/4 tons my friend:tsk:

[biznutz]

I drive a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500; 4.7 L V8, with a K&N air filter, louder exhaust,new tires,mossy oak seat covers ;) and raised about 2 inches. I love it. if you see a truck that says dirtbag its me or might be my father. :cheeky-smiley-022::biggrin:


Thanks for your post that had nothing to do with what I am asking.

[OhioHunter88]

I know you ask about 06-07.

The common problem around here with the 6.0L powestroke, is usually about the front ends under these trucks. Most likely because the diesel engines weigh a ton.

IMO, Fords 7.3L engine and truck is way better, and also better off the line. You would have to get one a few years earlier to get a 7.3

Out of those trucks, I would say that Chevy's D-max is hands down the best engine and the trucks they are in, are also very reliable. And this is coming from a Diehard Ford Guy.

[Francis]

Thanks for your post that had nothing to do with what I am asking.

Sorry this was for a different forum that said trucks.

[5Cent]

I know you ask about 06-07.

The common problem around here with the 6.0L powestroke, is usually about the front ends under these trucks. Most likely because the diesel engines weigh a ton.

IMO, Fords 7.3L engine and truck is way better, and also better off the line. You would have to get one a few years earlier to get a 7.3

Out of those trucks, I would say that Chevy's D-max is hands down the best engine and the trucks they are in, are also very reliable. And this is coming from a Diehard Ford Guy.

And you bring up another good point. Does IFS bother you? I thought there was no way in h**l would I ever get rid of a solid axle, but after driving the IFS, I love it. It's like a big ol' cadillac on the road. Do you plan on putting a plow on it, lifting it, full steel bumper/guard/winch, etc. All things to consider.:bouncy:

[biznutz]

As of right now, no plans for a plow. I have a '92 bronco that works wonders with a plow. if it gets lifted a 2" would be the most. This will be used to pull a variety of trailers; 30' camper @7000lbs, 2 honda jetskis (aqautrax), and a trailer with 4-6 quads on it. we have gone on some long vacations with the different trailers and need something that will pull well through the Carolina mountains and be roomy enough for a family of 4. Plus be my hunting, fishing, land maintenance truck.

[5Cent]

As of right now, no plans for a plow. I have a '92 bronco that works wonders with a plow. if it gets lifted a 2" would be the most. This will be used to pull a variety of trailers; 30' camper @7000lbs, 2 honda jetskis (aqautrax), and a trailer with 4-6 quads on it. we have gone on some long vacations with the different trailers and need something that will pull well through the Carolina mountains and be roomy enough for a family of 4. Plus be my hunting, fishing, land maintenance truck.

Hands down you're looking for a GM/Chevy. The 2500HD is 2" taller (body) than a normal truck b/c it's HD. The Tow/Haul mode is exactly what you're looking for in those hills as it locks the Torque Conv. up completely to keep the ally cool, but best of all, downshifts by itself! I pull a 5500 25' camper w/o any trailer brakes and I love how the truck stops it:biggrin:

I really gained appreciation for T/H mode when we had close to 11K (2 Model B John Deere's) on a pull behind. As I got in the truck I started thinking how bad I wish I had a brake controller, but again, the ally did all the work and the trip was fine. Now if it was going to be a regular thing with that weight or hills involved, for sure a controller would be had.

[Lance]

Are you specifically looking for something diesel? I just bought a brand new 2008 Z71 pkg 2500HD Silverado with the 6.0 Vortec engine with the Allison trans. It seems like a pretty nice truck so far although I've not hauled anything big yet. It's rated to pull close to 10,000 lbs. It has a torsion bar front end and was able to easily lift up about an inch and half with 7 turns on each adjustment bolt. Combine that and a soon to be purchased slightly taller tire and ground clearence really isn't much of an issue. Gas MPG is decent to for a truck this size, I'm getting 15.5 mpg with a mix of city and highway travel. Financed it at 72 month ZERO percent and between that and the fuel saving over my F150 it was hard to beat!

[5Cent]

Are you specifically looking for something diesel? I just bought a brand new 2008 Z71 pkg 2500HD Silverado with the 6.0 Vortec engine with the Allison trans. It seems like a pretty nice truck so far although I've not hauled anything big yet. It's rated to pull close to 10,000 lbs. It has a torsion bar front end and was able to easily lift up about an inch and half with 7 turns on each adjustment bolt. Combine that and a soon to be purchased slightly taller tire and ground clearence really isn't much of an issue. Gas MPG is decent to for a truck this size, I'm getting 15.5 mpg with a mix of city and highway travel. Financed it at 72 month ZERO percent and between that and the fuel saving over my F150 it was hard to beat!

That is a great truck Lance and I understand it being hard to beat with what GM did! Post some pictures when you get a chance.

I would say with him looking to pull the weight he mentioned and the area he wants to, the diesel will run away from the 6.0L or any gasser (even with 4.11gears). You will average 6-9mpg with the gasser going through hills and it will be hunting for gears all day long. Gotta love just being able to stomp on it and pass everyone going up hills at 70mph and maintaining 14-16mpg:yikes:

The smell of diesel in the morning makes me horny:woohoo1:

[davies2097]

my dad has an '03 Ford F-350 Diesel FOR SALE! It's a heck of a truck. We pull a Bobcat Skidsteer and you can't even tell that it's behind you! It's a pretty basic truck...no power locks or doors...no cruise...rubber floor. It is extednded cab w/ long bed! It's basicly a work truck! I think it only has around 85,000 miles. Here's a link if you want to check it out! http://integritycarsofcanalfulton.net/inventory

[biznutz]

I really like the room of the Dodge Mega Cab, I just have heard bad things about the 6.7L Cummins. 5.9L is tried and truw but I want to get the newest truck as possible for my price range. Interior is acceptable, not by any means luxurious or anything, but a truck doesn't need to be. Dodge has had a bum rap in the truck department for years because of trannys, now with this mention of problems with the 6.7L, not sure of this. Probably the lesat expensive of the 3.

Ford, have ran across some nice F250, but again is the 6.0L a bulletproof engine that will last me till 300K miles. Nice interiors, some leave a little to be desired. Seen some King Ranch additions that lok great. Ford has a good rep with their diesel trucks. Some friends swear by their F350 and F450's they use for sprint car racing tow rigs.

GMC/Chevy seem to ahve all the hype with the Duramax/Allison combo. Not alot of negative info and reports of problems found on anything I have read. However, they sure are proud of them, on average they are 7K + more than Dodge and Ford models.


Toyota I just don't think that these trucks have what I need. One guy here swears by his yota and that it will pull anything I will ever need. Just not sold on a 1/4 truck with a high revving gasser as being able to accomplish the mission. They are nice trucks and by far have the nicest interior of any.


My last option is to maybe look at a 100% brand new truck and get a great interset rate or 0 along with huge dealer incentive. Rumor is Dodge is going to give up to 15k manufacture rebates to move '08 model trucks. Chevy/GMC are in serious need to liquidate stock with the finacial problems they are having. Man its a tough decision, do I try and find something now while fuel price are rocket high, making costs go down or do I wait it out and see what is in store when I get home in December.

[biznutz]

ttt

[buckstar25]

biznut, I am a member of a Ford forum and have heard a TON of horror stories from the guys on there!! These are die hard Ford guys and they were really doggin on the 6.0 liter. I am not a diesel guy myself, I own 2002 F250 with the 6.8 V10. I get about 11-13 miles highway and about 7 back and forth to work. Good luck and hope you find the rig your lookin for. better post pics when you do!! If you want to check into it I would reccomend fordtruckworld.com, pretty cool site with some amazing trucks and info on it.

[bigcountrysg]

I will tell you this. My 2002 F-250 7.3L powerstroke gets better mpg's then any new truck with a diesel. I get 6-8 mpg's more then any of the new models. So you can dog on my sluggish 14 second 1/4 mile 7.3L psd all you want. But when your stopping for fuel I will keep truckin down the freeway.


I will say this though. If you want a quite running diesel. Get the D-max, my brother just bought an 08 D-max. You can barely hear that thing run when he starts it up.

[bigcountrysg]

I know you ask about 06-07.

The common problem around here with the 6.0L powestroke, is usually about the front ends under these trucks. Most likely because the diesel engines weigh a ton.

IMO, Fords 7.3L engine and truck is way better, and also better off the line. You would have to get one a few years earlier to get a 7.3

Out of those trucks, I would say that Chevy's D-max is hands down the best engine and the trucks they are in, are also very reliable. And this is coming from a Diehard Ford Guy.

I have not heard of any problems with the front ends. But I have heard about all the engine problems that come with a 6.0L.

[biznutz]

ttt