Cummins or Duramax?

[dr_dobro]

I agree with MBERRY: "BUY WHAT YOU ARE CONFORTABLE WITH"

I have a 06 2500 Mega Cab with manual transmission.
I abusse that thing with heavy construction, rare towing.
It has a little over 100K mark, mechanically pleased, but lots of defects with weatherstripping (water getting in), Ac, heater (there's a screan instead of cabin filter), some electrical issues, cd player sucks, etc.

at this point, don't really care about the smallest things, as long I can drive it back and forth to do my jobs and heat in the winter.

I get an average of 24 mpg, with the stock tires, then with 35" MT toyos get around 18 mpg (winter use).

I had installed he Dynatrac hubs when truck was new, I do all around synthetic fluids and so far: no brake job (average 110 miles a day), steering joints were replaced twice and I pray that cluch last me at least 250K miles, and some recalls, that is it !.

I think next truck will be a Chevy, just because they ride softer IMO. I installed a CARLI suspension (2"lift), to make the ride softer, but it's the same, only benefit is the clearance of the 35" and you can fly by bumps without topping the front !

I'm sure all the HD's out there are terrible in ride comfort !

hth

 

[White Shark]

I'd go with the Dodge. The Cummins is a solid engine, and the Chevy's have a notorious record of eating ball joints and front end steering components under heavy load while in 4wd. If you aren't towing in 4wd, you should be okay. The Chevy is certainly the better built and more comfortable truck and excels in everything but the drivetrain.

Having said that though, it's a very close second to the Cummins. It might even be better in the aggregate if you don't do heavy towing. Heavy towing would include high altitudes, long steep grades, and loads in excess of 10,000-12,000 lbs.

You'll never see hotshotters driving anything lighter than a Dodge Cummins or a Ford (mostly F-450 or F-550's).





..

 

[nomembername]

The Cummins is great. It's just the truck around it that's a total wad of s***.

Trans banging shifts, dealer says "you need a new one" before 34k miles? Check.

Front end rebuilt for the third time? Check.

Rear starting to make noise? Check.

Upholstery that won't stay attached to the seat frame? Check.

Front bumper that rotted through and was replaced - NOT under warranty - within 24 months of new? Check.

Steering column with a frightening rattle/shake from something loose between the wheel and the steering box, and 3 dealers that say "can't find anything wrong/we don't feel it?" Check.

Marker lights that just simply fell out of the dually fenders? Check.

Headlamp housings that are flimsier from the factory than ChiCom aftermarket replacements? Check.

Garbage windshield glass that needs its 4th new piece? Check.

Power sliding rear window that sometimes does but mostly doesn't? Check.

New front end rattles within 2 weeks of being completely torn down and re-nut & bolted? Check, 5th time.

Front end shimmy that tries to send you off the road if you hit a bump with the wheel off-center at anything over 60 mph? Check.

Seats that are so fxxxing uncomfortable I get a back and leg ache within 45 minutes of driving? Check.

Interior plastics cheaper and more coarse than an igloo cooler? Check.

AM/FM/CD player with ipod input that is only decent for AM talk/news/traffic? Check.

15k mile brake life? Check.

Chrysler corporate that won't return calls regarding this POFS? Check.

Hey, at least it was cheap for a "loaded" truck - every option Dodge had is basically the competition's work trucks with leather.

2007 3500 DRW 4X4 6.7 CTD/6 Spd auto, Edge tuner, just turned 33,900 miles today, spends most of its life inside a climate controlled warehouse. If I could transplant this engine into just about any other truck, I would. It's a beastly powerplant.

I grew up a Ford guy and still kinda would rather have a Ford truck, but the 6.0 really soured me on them. The '06 and newer Duramaxes are not like the earlier ones that got a bad rap for being underbuilt and failing in many ways. I don't know anyone who has a 900 series GM truck with the Duramax and Allison that isn't happy with it. The ones I know who've blown theirs up did it through their own cowboy antics.

If I could get anyone under the sun to give a decent trade in value for this awful Dodge, there's a new '11 Silverado 3500 Super Duty LTZ with the Duramax/Allison combo sitting in my local Chevy dealer's lot. It rides better, handles better, has more power at stock, can tow more, is more comfortable, and gets better fuel economy than my current 10-11 mpg... it's calling to me. It's just $53k. That's nearly 20 large more than the Dodge when Chrysler was shoveling their s***wagons out the door.

So if you're a cheap bastard that doesn't mind giving up a lot to tell everyone you got a deal, the Dodge is the way to go. If you have any common sense or simply don't hate yourself, shop the other two brands.

The three trucks below are my late dad's '83 F-250 (now mine), my brother's 1500 Silverado, and the Dodge.

 

[Tapage]

just a question pop here to me .. if Toyota release a fullsize turbo diesel Tundra .. it will be a contender ?

 

[bpassmore]

just a question pop here to me .. if Toyota release a fullsize turbo diesel Tundra .. it will be a contender ?

if they also release a 3/4 and 1 ton chassis in the light truck market as well.

 

[crushers]

no, they won't have the power needed for the market that the full size diesel NA trucks fill...

 

[Gumby]

no, they won't have the power needed for the market that the full size diesel NA trucks fill...

Well, I can't see them sacrificing reliability for the raw hp, torque and towing numbers the big three are fighting over.

And they now know without a doubt you can't chase the redneck wallet without bigger numbers than the next guy.

 

[crushers]

the V8 Toyota diesel is only 4.5L and there is no way in hell it will pull 12,000 lbs at 75 mph up hills and bucking headwinds ...
so
those that do serious towing will not be happy with that offering.

even the old 5.9L cummins sucks at towing in the mountains.

 

[haystax]

just a question pop here to me .. if Toyota release a fullsize turbo diesel Tundra .. it will be a contender ?

No chance in hell. It would probably cost $70k and still be underpowered and underrated compared to current full size competition.

Toyota has yet to compete with the big three, the Tundra is too big and expensive for the F150 crowd and too small to compete against the big guys. Odd size and no real aftermarket or industry support.

Maybe the Tier 4 emmisions will finally catch up to Cummins and leave a gap that Toyota could fill but I doubt it. Clean diesel technology will be the only thing that may open doors for other carmakers but the sacrifice will be in raw displacement and power. Those two things are hard to give up for guys towing backhoes and stock trailers for a living.

 

[Tapage]

thanks for comments .. my question was based in the idea that Toyota will put a huge V8 TDI in front so HP and torque number will be comparable .. sure that wonder will cost big dolars ..

 

[Gumby]

I know it's not the question asked, but the 07 Tundra will tow your 60 all day. It's a nice tow rig for the vast majority of us that don't tow our backhoes around.

 

[splitshot]

I agree with nomembername. Sounds like he he has been describing our company owner's trucks over the last several years. "Thank God I purchased the extended warrenty" Mostly transmissions going south, but alot of electrical issues as well.
I'm another powersmoke fan, the package wrapped around it holds up much better than the Chrysler product. Stay away from the 6.0 though.
The Duramax, would be my second choice.

 

[inthewall]

If toyota was allowed to release the 70 series in the U.S. I would be all over that, for non towing work trucks. I am currently setting a 2011 tundra up for work. I hope it holds up. I have given up on dodge and the fords are whore house priced.

 

[splitshot]

the fords are whore house priced.

Good point....

I could live with a 70 series..

 

[Cruisertime]

We are getting rid of both our Dodges, '03 2500 HD 2wd vin code C with 6spd and the '09 3500 Longhorn shortbed 6spd 4x4. There have been more annoying little fixes along with common sense upgrades to dodges than we wanted. Basically the cummins stuff has been fixed with all new cummins stuff. I am not opposed to owning one again, just a little frustrated at moment. The woman loves her 2500 HD, but she hasnt had to foot any of the bills. And she was never left on side of road or in parking lot.

Every 35K mi the 2500 rear pcm boards for tail lights needed to be replaced

50K mi the 2500 got a new injector pump and had to have AC serviced.
62K mi the 2500 sealed clutch MC failed in traffic and almost caused an accident on 95
73K mi the 2500 front springs had sagged beyond 3" in front and were replaced, blend doors serviced.
100K mi the 2500 water pump went out and had to be replaced, blend doors serviced again.
115k mi the 2500 new water pump had to be replaced because of factory cast issue.
117k mi the 2500 got new clutch and new sealed clutch MC unit
130K mi the new springs are getting replaced along with two new tires cause of sag & alignment issues

30K mi the 3500 needed new unit bearings
41k mi the 3500 rear AAM axle needed service due to carrier bearing issue
68k mi the 3500 ecm needed to reflashed and climate control blower motors replaced.
75k mi the 3500 needed the marker lights on cab resealed due to water leakage into cab.
83k mi the 3500 needed cruise control and injector pump replacement.
99K mi the 3500 ABS controller(?) needed to be replaced
101k mi the 3500 second replacement of ABS controller
109k mi the 3500 turbo replaced due to factory defect

All sched reg service was done on vehicles and only dodge techs have messed with trucks. Dunno, maybe we just have sub par techs here.

Though dropping the extra coin was never needed with any of the Dmaxs in fleet, none needing major service in 230K miles. And all TSB related issues were performed as part of the email notification via onstar service contract. The Tahoes are a different story though. After failing to make the 100K mark my dad only bothered with 1 more powerjoke '09 F450. It was taken back to Win Kelly less than 8mos later, by a wrecker.

These are MY experiences with the trucks and my end use of DD and toy hauler dont differ much from anyone elses. I am just writing this, while looking at quickbooks for 2010 taxes, and looking at how much has gone to towing and Enterprise rentals. Warranties are great, if you break in their parking lot, and dont need other "non covered items"!!

 

[Combat Chuck]

I like the 7.3 Powersmoke.
I also like the ZF6 6-speed stick, and the better quality of the truck that Ford sells with the motor.


I do like the idea of a Toyota Diesel Tow rig, but they'd have to farm out their motors to Hino in order to compete. If they ran the big straight 6 blocks I see in the Hino tow trucks around here, a beefed up Aisin tranny, boxed frame and a long-bed option for their crew cab, I'd snap one up sight unseen.

 

[twoturtlesracing]

The 60 is becoming a trailer queen. I am tired breaking my truck on the trail then figuring how I am going to get it home. So its time for a tow vehicle. I am having problems deciding on a 01 or newer duramax or a 03 or newer cummins. I want a crew cab 4x4 and its also going to be a DD so gas milage is in consideration. Let me know what you got and how you like it or just throw your 2 cents in. Thanks

Love my 01 Cummins... Hard to beat a straight six! I have 220,000 clicks on the odometer (started with 125,000 on it when I bought it 3.5 years ago!) and still pulling like a son of a gun- 15 second 1/4 miles and 15.5-19 MPG depending on throttle usage and can pull my camper up any mountain pass and go as fast as I feel like going!)

The DPF filters are going to give you grief on the newer trucks... So I'd say save on the initial purchase price, get an 02 cummins (Disc brakes in the back, no DPF and the venerable 24 valve) with 70,000 miles or so, spend some of the left over money on a airdog fuel/air seperator/filter, a good torque convertor (call DTT- they'll hook you up) a 4" exhaust, S&B cold air intake, and quadzilla adrenaline module, and you'll have a truck that with good maintenance and reasonable driving- will run circles around newer stuff and lots of "Muscle cars" (probably around 14.5 second 1/4 mile or better,) get good fuel economy, and that you can still drove when it's got 450,000 miles on it. If one was to shop around for a good deal on a truck, you could do this for around the $16,000 mark or perhaps less. And all that without adding any real goodies like twin turbos, water/meth injection, propane or NG injection, better bumpstick, injectors, etc, etc, etc...

Just my .02...FWIW

 

[loehndorf]

I'm gonna have to go with cummins. I've heard a lot better things about them.

 

[jfnall]

I heard too so I bought 07 dodge 6.7 crew. Also have had an 04 duramax since new. Hands down, the duramax will tow circles around the dodge. I have owned the dodge for less than 6 weeks and I am looking for a different truck. 9 mpg towing. Duramax gets consistently 12 pulling the same trailer. Dodge on hwy gets 12-13 no load. Duramax on hwy no load gets 22-24

Duramax! It's the choice in my book, despite the early troubles with the head gaskets an injectors.