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shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 848 Wisconsin
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2004-01-27          75181

This question was prompted by Chief's response to the new Durango post. I am looking for anyone's diesel experience for any brand, not just Ford. I am interested in getting a diesel truck but have never driven a diesel pickup. I drive over 30K miles per year and tow a fair amount (5000-7000 lbs). I figure the cost of the diesel engine (~$4500) would pay for itself in just over 4 years if I compare 15 mpg (gas) to 23 mpg (Chief's Cummins).

To me the cost is almost a wash. After 4 years I would of course be making money with the diesel. What are the driving characteristics of the diesel itself that make it appealing or unappealing?


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plots1
Join Date: Jul 2003
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2004-01-27          75184

I bought my first diesel truck this fall and can say that when pullin things there is a big difference in power and milage over a gasser. they don't like the colder weather, but you surely know that from haveing a diesel tractor, milage drops some but is regained as it warms. plus fuel is also cheaper.I'm kinda of a newbee to diesel trucks but I really like my Duramax. these newer diesels have plunty of power and by no means feel like slugs.they flat get busy! ....

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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
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2004-01-27          75189

My preference is for the Dodge. They offer the most hp, torque, and towing capactity of ANY pickup on the market currently. The Cummins also gives you the torque way down low (1600 rpm) lower than the others in the useable rpm range. I like the styling but I have a big gripe with the "so called" quad cab. Ford and GM offer a MUCH larger full and genuine crew cab which is what I wish Dodge would offer. The Cummins diesel was voted one of the 10 best engines this year and is by far the most established and reliable of big 3. The 48RE automatic transmission Dodge is offering is still developing a track record and I would not recommend a diesel pickup with an automatic transmission. None of them stand up to the wear and tear in the long run and it also precludes the use of an exhaust brake which makes towing so much more pleasant and saves on brakes. Dodge currently is the only manufacturer that offers and will warrant the Jacobs Exhaust brake. HIGHLY RECOMMENED! Ford may end up discontinuing the 6.0 Power Stroke due to so many problems and customer complaints. They may get the problems worked out but for now, I would not recommend one. The Cummins is designed to go 400,000 miles without a rebuild and this is not an exaggerated claim. MANY have gone this far and farther. I would suggest you follow these websites to get a feel for owner satisfaction and getting more info.

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/

http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/duramax6600.htm

http://www.thedieselstop.com/

They should be able to give you a flavor for each brand of truck and diesel engine. ....

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wallac
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 70 Pennsylvannia
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2004-01-27          75194

I don't have a brand name preference, I shopped for price I have owned them all but what I will say is my last purchase of a 2002 F350 powerstroke, It was an awsome purchase until Sunday when the motor let loose at 25,000 miles while I was making a very important delivery!! It is at the dealership right now, as soon as I find out what happen I will fill everyone on it!! ....

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F350Lawman
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2004-01-27          75196

I don't dispute that the Ford PSD 6.0 has had it's problems but it is still the most powerful diesel available in a pickup. I know the Dodge makes very good power at a low 1400 rpms but the Fords power is also at a very useable 1800rpms. I have 4.10 gears and the useable torque at 1800 rpms comes up pretty darn quick. The max HP on all these trucks is probably going to come on when you are very near the redline on any of these vehicles.

Here are the stats:

Ford PSD 6.0 litre- 325 hp at 3300 rpm 560lbs. of torque at 1800 rpm

Dodge Cummins HO- 305 hp at 2900 rpm 555 lb-ft torque at 1400 rpm

GM Duramax- 300 hp at 3100 rpm 520 lbs. of torque at 1800 rpm

I've got the best of BOTH world's... large comfortable Ford CC but the old reliable 7.3 liter PowerStroke :) :)

Actually despite the 6.0's growing pains, I tnink the vast majoruty of 6.0 owners are happy. The doesn't suggegs however thta Ford rushed this engine to market too soon. I have to think many of the problems were with the first year of the engines production. One would hope subsequent runs are better. I think all of the BIG 3 put out a great HD truck these days.



You can read about the comparison under the PSD 6.0 link o this page: ....


Link:   Diesel Comparison

 
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Chief
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2004-01-27          75198

Scott, Dodge and Cummins have made some changes for 2004. If Ford would offer the Caterpillar 3126B and NV5600 6 or 7 speed. I would be there with ya drivin' a Ford! I bought the Dodge mostly for the Cummins and drive train. Ford by far has the best interior in my opinion.

....


Link:   Dodge unveils 2004 1/2 Ram Heavy Duty Cummins 600 pickup

 
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Chief
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2004-01-27          75200

another article. ....


Link:   Pickup truck diesel competition just keeps getting better.

 
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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2004-01-27          75201

Which of the big-3 HD trucks have turbochargers? How many miles can you get on a turbocharger between rebuilds today? My experience with turbochargers is not good - the one I installed on my old VW cooked the bearings every 20k miles. I imagine that today they circulate oil through the turbo for awhile after the engine is off. ....

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F350Lawman
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2004-01-27          75202

I know Chief and that new motor sounds good. According to the Cummins site and Dodge the aren't available yet. I could be wrong but I don't think any of us can go get this new motor yet. As your link said, it's scheduled as a 2004 1/2 much like Ford and others have done with mid year releases. We have yyte to see how/if Ford and GM will answer by turning up their motors. Seems likely based on the way these pick-up wars are going.

Remember the TB Bucaneers are still the reigning Super Bowl champs, I think Ford is still the power king...at least right now as we speak :)

Anyway you and I can save 45K, drop a chip and exhaust in our trucks and still take these guys ;) ....

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yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
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2004-01-27          75204

All of the big three sell a good product and all have had growing pains. I have a super duty with the gas V-8. I don't pull that often so it seems to be a trade off. I get about 14-15mpg highway and about 10-11 when pulling 8800-10,000 lbs on flat ground. My farmer friends have had them all and keep rotating after they keep breaking things. I went with the gas so I don't break stuff. The super duties prior to the 6.0 diesel, yield about 19-21 highway and about 14-16 when hauling. Highway mileage drops significantly when driving over 70 mph. All of these trucks have enough power to rip out the front ends, rear ends & transmissions if you work at it. I've never heard of a diesel going bad at 25,000 miles. GM has had some earlier problems with the gas model trucks but have corrected this. I've heard of Dodge's problems with the automatic transmission but have spoken with people that haul heavy loads all of the time and have had no problem. I think many of them are isolated instances.

I think it is a matter of choice and I'm grateful that no one is considering a product outside of the big three. ....

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Chief
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2004-01-27          75207

Ken, all 3 are equipped with turbo chargers. It is not unreasonable to expect and get at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles on a turbo charge provided you take care of it and let it cool down prior to engine shut down especially after a hard pull. Usually a few minute or so is good. The Cummins is actually derated in Dodge truck to protect the transmission and power trains. A stock Cummins puts out 660 ft./lbs. of torque in the Cummins version of this engine which is used in MANY other trucks, Ford included. Cummins does not rate their hp numbers as high due to limiting their version of the B Series engine to 2,500 rpm vs 3250 rpm in the Dodge. ....


Link:   Cummins ISB Ratings

 
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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
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2004-01-27          75208

These are the current output #'s for the Dodge Cummins. An Edge EZ chip and a boost elbow or waste gate turnbuckle easily turn this engine up approx. 50 hp. and 150 ft./lbs. ....


Link:   click here

 
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F350Lawman
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 411 Goshen, NY
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2004-01-27          75221

Yeah, you usually see the commercial applications of many diesel motors with much higher torque numbers than the pickup version numbers. The commercial version HP is often lower thhough because it's not really as important and used more as marketing hype for the pickup market. ....

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shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003
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2004-01-27          75224

Thanks for the input guys. How about a manual transmission which I prefer. I suppose it's easier to break drive shafts and other parts of the drive train than with an automatic. Are the automatics rated higher for towing like my F150? ....

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Chief
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2004-01-27          75231

The automatics are gradully getting better and more able to handle the power and torque of these diesel engines but if you plan to do heavy towing; get the manual transmission. It is much stronger and you can use an exhaust brake. If you do light to moderate towing; you can get by with an automatic but you still will not be able to use an exhaust brake. You can but you risk damaging the transmission. Automatic transmissions can be upgraded (at considerable expense) to handle heavy towing and increased power output buy still do not work well with an exhaust brake. ....

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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
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2004-01-27          75232

Here is one of the more popular "black boxes or chips" you can install on a diesel that dramaticly increases power. They typically run around $650 and up. ....


Link:   click here

 
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plots1
Join Date: Jul 2003
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2004-01-27          75258

Chief is right the edge box seems to be the one that all rave about. It really makes them trucks screamers. there,s a guy with the edge attudide box in a duramax running a 13.4 through the quarter,that is awsome,I traded in a 01 LS1 ram air firebird for my truck, And it's pretty neat knowing you can with a box run the same as it did and then hook on to the tractor and haul it around.I have put a 4inch exaust and afe intake on mine truck and will be gettin the edge soon. ....

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