Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

[derekpfeiffer]

Well we've been working a quite a bit of overtime at work this spring and I think I've decided to pull the plug and buy a new "rig". I've been going back and forth whether to buy a chevy duramax or dodge cumins. One downfall of the dodge is their crew cab back seat isn't as large as chevy's. And I really do like the idea of the allison transmition in the chevy's also. I've been looking at the "pre emition standard change" mostly looking at 05 and 06's crew cab short boxes if anyone has one or knows of anyone looking to sell one.

Just thought I'd see what everyones opinion was on here

Thanks guys!!!

 

[tommays]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I prefer the GM ride


BUT i think the cummings is the best diesel and the GMs i see when i get my truck serviced seem to require pullling off a LOT of the front end of the truck if there are any serious problems

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I'm out of the business.....but dodge has has some trans problems in the past and the duramax has come up a long way...... That's a tough choice ..... I would look at fords too...... the diesel world comparison's start to stretch into the "hundreds of thousands of miles" unlike any gasser.

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

Yeah I'm not even considering the ford's because they've had lots of problems with their 6.0L's My cousin is a ford diesel tech and even he says stay away from them!!!

 

[DixieBoatN]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I used to drive a Dodge tow truck that was a Cummins. The Cummins is by way the best medium duty diesel on the road, but the Dodge truck is junk. Whether it was front end problems or brakes or shoddy chassis construction, the Dodge truck was junk. My ideal would be a Cummins with an Allison behind it in a Ford truck. I know not much about the Chevys. I personally drive a 1997 Ford F350 with the 7.3L Powerstroke and I am willing to say that the 7.3L was the last worthwhile diesel in a Ford. I would not buy a new Ford now because the Diesels in them are junk too. The truck is VERY well built, though. I have 230,000 miles on my truck and it runs like new!

Given the options you have suggested, I'd say go with the Chevy. Just keep in mind that the Duramax is a "hot rod" diesel and not a low end power grunting diesel like the Cummins or 7.3L Powerstroke. It has plenty of top end, but I have heard arguments against the low end grunt of the duramax. I also just can't find it within myself to trust a diesel with an iron block and aluminum heads. I don't like the idea of aluminum heads on a diesel... period.

I guess when you put it all together, I'd say buy an F450 or F550 with a Cat or Cummins! I just don't like the 1 ton truck offerings these days and this is one reason I still drive my 1997 F350.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

Love my 01 Duramax.

If you want auto, get the GM. The Allison is the best auto tranny put in this size of truck by far.

If you want manual, that leans more to the Dodge as the cummins is a better motor.

GM ride is better but I'm disappointed with how mine handles back roads and I spend a good amount of time in the bush going to small lakes.

 

[abj87]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

Love my 01 Duramax.

If you want auto, get the GM. The Allison is the best auto tranny put in this size of truck by far.

If you want manual, that leans more to the Dodge as the cummins is a better motor.

GM ride is better but I'm disappointed with how mine handles back roads and I spend a good amount of time in the bush going to small lakes.

You cant get the duramax now with out the allison. My father had an 02 with 2250000 miles when he traded it. he had the injectors replaced(under warranty), tranfercase, and the high pressure fuel pump. No major problems with the engine or transmission.
He now has an 08 duramax allison, and its much quiter than the old duramax if thats important to you. (cummins is noisy as hell)

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

You cant get the duramax now with out the allison. My father had an 02 with 2250000 miles when he traded it. he had the injectors replaced(under warranty), tranfercase, and the high pressure fuel pump. No major problems with the engine or transmission.
He now has an 08 duramax allison, and its much quiter than the old duramax if thats important to you. (cummins is noisy as hell)

Bought mine from my father. Only has ~115,000 kms on it now so it's going to outlive me I bet. He had the pump done under warranty and I seem to have not been hit by the injector issue. Father has an 08 as well. Don't really notice his being much quieter, but I do get better fuel mileage (and he has an extra gear).

 

[DaveM]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I don't claim to be a Chevy guy, but I've been really happy with my '06 Duramax. The stock 360 HP teamed up with the 6 speed Allison and auto-down shifting in tow/haul mode is tough to beat. The 15 inch disc brakes on the 1 ton means better stopping when loaded than my old 1/2 ton empty.

There are plenty of Ford and Dodge guys that are really happy with their trucks. I picked Chevy because of the engine/transmission combo.

 

[fast50]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

if you are looking for a crew cab look in to the dodge mega cab if you choose the dodge get the 6 speed manual trans i know a few people with the 07 dodge one with auto it is starting to slip at only 40k the other dodge is an 07 with manual trans with 150k tows a 36 foot goose neck every day with no problems just a clutch about every 70 thousand

 

[Maclin]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

Did you need a full tonner? Dodge has their Mega Cab in 2500 series with Cummins available if you have deep pockets. Also, regarding older models to look for, the Cummins was quieted down in 2003 I believe. Then in 2007 or so in the 3500 series their transmission got a lot better also. Most objective drivers think the Cummins is more powerful. It may not win a full 1/4 drag race but it will get across the intersection quicker than anything else. With Dodge, you just have to want a truck. Even though they have a lot of options they do not try to compete with the Saturday nite Silverado cruising crowd in the 3/4 and full ton models. Dodge does seem to be aiming their 1500 at that demographic now though.

disclaimer: fast50's post was not in yet when I started typing this one

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I guess when you put it all together, I'd say buy an F450 or F550 with a Cat or Cummins! I just don't like the 1 ton truck offerings these days and this is one reason I still drive my 1997 F350.

I'm still a first gen powerstoke fan too. I haven't seen anything new in a 1 ton that I like other than maybe the Mercedes Bluetec.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I have an '05 Duramax/Alison and although I've only had it for a year and a half its been faultless, completely reliable and a very good truck. That said and to be completely honest, for me its a lot more truck than I really need and as a result I might downsize it....but only because of not being able to use it for what it is designed for.
Regardless, I'd recommend the Chevy/GM Duramax/Alison without hesitation.
Prior to buying it I had often rented both the GM diesels the Dodge diesels. I found the Dodge to be a little rattly both from the engine and the build quality compared to the GM's which were tighter, quieter trucks.
I too, think the Cummins is a great motor, but it is noisy.
Like picking a boat, make sure you really consider what you need before buying something that might be heavy overkill.
My two bits.
BP

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

The company i used to work for had a fleet of Dodge 3500 and the Chevy 3500 series....
The Chevy trucks had a much better ride and the Allison in tow mode was great. They got a little better mileage than the Dodge trucks too.

I have driven both cross country many times pulling an enclosed 2 car trailer.
Both engines had plenty of pulling power.
The Dodges did have transmission problems. We had 3 Dodges that got new trannys around 100k miles.

The Chevy trucks are much more comfortable and better appointed interior in my opinion.
If i was going to buy one it would be the Chevy.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

LOve my 2008 4door GMC 2500 HD. It pulls everythig I ask it too. Pulls my skid loader with no problems. I think it is approximately 7000lbs. Boat I pull is only 3200lbs loaded with gear and gas. Get 21mpg on highway (not towing) and 15 while towing so I can not complain. It has the Duramax Allison combo and that tranny has to be the bet in any truck. Buddy of mine has a 1999 Dodge cummins and if he could afford a new one he would buy the GMC due to the ride and he pulled my skid loader to his cabin and said it would out tow his cummins anyday. That was a 400 mile trip.

 

[taviking22]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

My '06 Duramax has been problem free for me. When I was looking at the big 3 diesels back then, the road ride of the Duramax won hands down. I've been very satisfied with my decision.

Good luck making yours'!

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I have had a 3500 Dodge (Cummins equipped) and a 3500 Chevy (Duramax) as company trucks in the past few years. As company trucks, they seem to get much more abuse than normal vehicles. With the Dodge, which I drove from 53,000 to about 90,000, I only changed the brakes. With the Chevy, alternator was fried, it ate up glow plugs, and at the end (95,000 miles) it started having starting problems.
Personally, I like Dodge, I've had the best experiences with them, and man, when those new HD's come out this winter, those things are sweet! Check out the Dodge website to look at these new trucks, but if I could, I would definitely get one.

 

[q5ka]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

Having been looking at this, this is what you have to consider.
Motor, current Ford is junk, Cummins is powerful, Duramax has good top end.
Transmission, any auto will have issues even today but the Allison is better than what Dodge or Ford has to offer but with manual, the 6 speed in Dodge is well built.
Ride, I have always liked Ford ride over the rest, Chevy is second and Dodge sucks.
Fuel economy, Dodge will do better under full load but down the road empty or light load, Dodge and Chevy will be close tie and Ford will suck.
There is rumor that Ford is dropping Navistar for multiple reasons but again, rumor.

Now for my bias background, Ford fan, 7.3l Powerstroke was the last good Ford engine setup. I currently have 2006 5.9l Dodge 4x4 crew cab. If I had to do it over, F450 Ford with Cummins and manual trans. 4x4 crew cab. I was not aware of the Cummins option until I asked a friend that is a tech. I get 21 MPG empty and 17 MPG with my 19' IB/OB. With 10k weight on 20' trailer, get 14-15 MPG. The Cummins loves to pull and pull hard. I bought the truck in 06 with the best motor, not the best ride.
Now you have a choice, what will you really use the truck for? If it will be more driving to store and haul a couple of dozen times a year, is the $10k upfront and the larger maintance worth it? Remember, its not 4 quarts of oil, its probably 4 gallons. If you dont get the temps up, the motor will carbon up and expensive injector replacement. If in northern states or Canada, winter blend fuel and plug the truck in when it starts getting cold. These medium duty trucks are meant to pull heavy stuff, not get your groceries. You can use it that way or any way you like but you will have to worry about repairs from cylinder wash (idle too long) or turbo cook (not letting oil cool before turning off engine).
I am not trying to scare you but as someone that grew up with diesel in the veins, I know how a poorly maintained diesel can be very expensive to run and the value is then next to nothing.

 

[82 Galaxie colorado]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

I have both trucks. 05 dodge. 06 gmc duramax/allison. The dodge has a 6 speed manual. My opinion is the inline 6 of my cummins is a better puller.

 

[junior1113]

Re: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cumins????

ford is like evinrude first to make best all the way around your cousin got a lemon they all make lemons good luck