I want to buy a truck!!!!!! But seems they are all cursed by some mechanical problem.. Ford=Not up to the power level of Cummins an D-max, but a sharp. By the way just took a trip in a 03 Ford dually got 16.5 MPG bone stk. Dodge= tranny problems but everyone stands behinfd the motor. But the interior is so basic an theres no room in the back of 4 dr. model
duramax=has lovely interior an sharp truck also. But since its release its been plagued with injector an tranny problems. For what the manufacturers want for these trucks there should be more quality control... Hate tto say it but im leaning toward Ford...

Go read on the Dieselstop of all the problems with the 6.0L. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a 10ft pole.

What motor was in the '03 Ford you got a ride in? If it is a new 6.0 there is a track record of major failure with it. It may be better with current production. You are generally correct about the Duramax and the Cummins. As for the 16.5mpg, are you complaining? Duramax and Cummins regularly do better unloaded at reasonable speeds.


What tranny problems with the GM and Dodge? Do you mean automatics or manuals? The GM Allison is a good transmission that may only be suspect after lots of hard towing miles. The new Dodge automatic 48RE transmission is real beefy with NO record of problems yet. When I speak with haulers using the Ford automatics they often tell of rebuilds and failures. New Ford clutch assemblies seem to have cured their earlier problems.


Just trying to figure out myth from reality.

Hitting one more of the tall tent pole items, there have also been reports of poor fuel mileage with the 600 Cummins.

GM #1


Cummins #2


Ford #3


Thats the order in which I would purchase.


All have issues and unknowns so choose your poison.


I've talked to numerous owners of all 3 brands and they love their trucks.


Imho you will be happy regardless of the one you choose.(unless its a ford)http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Blake

I think for the most part all the major bugs have been worked out from a reliability standpoint.


Allison will hold what the stock engine was designed for, can't cry foul when the tranny won't hold 450 hp and 900 ft-lbs torque.


Injectors redesigned (again) on the lly.


The dodge is having some lift pump issues - relatively minor deal.


FOMOCO seems to be somewhat back on track as well. I don't think the massive buy-backs are still happening - my neighbor has a 6.0 and it has worked just fine for him.


I think now its back to bang for the buck - buying what provides the most value and what you think you can see yourself driving.

I think for the most part all the major bugs have been worked out from a reliability standpoint.


Allison will hold what the stock engine was designed for, can't cry foul when the tranny won't hold 450 hp and 900 ft-lbs torque.


Injectors redesigned (again) on the lly.


The dodge is having some lift pump issues - relatively minor deal.


FOMOCO seems to be somewhat back on track as well. I don't think the massive buy-backs are still happening - my neighbor has a 6.0 and it has worked just fine for him.


I think now its back to bang for the buck - buying what provides the most value and what you think you can see yourself driving.








I too am a GM fan, might consider a Dodge but never a ford. Have friends that drive fords with the old 7.3 and they are good trucks except for the trans, still cooking them pulling trailers, maybe someday ford will get it right but as of now they are problems waiting to happen. If you choose to buy a ford go for it, and I wish you the best of luck.

The only scarry issue from a buyers standpoint about the Duramax is the injectors. A problem I feel has been blown out of proportion and the General is standing behind the product.


The dodge is well..................a dodge. The motor is the best on the market but its bolted to a Dodge. If your unlucky you might have an injector issue on the Duramax once, but you have to live with the Dodge quality and ergonomics every time you drive it!


And Ford.....the mighty have fallen.........no longer the best or even second best product in this segment. If your a diehard fan go for it........but if you just want the best truck.......stick with Dodge or GM.


Personal preference plays a big role, but mechanical reliability between Gm and Dodge is very close.

<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">I"m going with the Duramax, I thought about it long an hard an its what I want. heck thats the truck with the best deal anyways I can get.. Whats with the 05 Duramax ?? Is there gonna be anything new with it???</font>

supposed to be another torque increase according to my preliminary ordering info that I got directly from GM last month...but no specific numbers yet. Also supposed to be a different hood for the HD chevys

RUQWKNF27,

I went through the same thing last January that you're going through right now trying to decide which brand of truck to get. I test drove all three brands. I was convinced I would get a Ford since I can get the "A plan" discount, but after driving three different Super Dutys, I wasn't impressed (long story). I was impressed with the Dodge's powertrain, at least as long as it had the 6-speed (I've already had to pay to have a Mopar auto-tranny rebuilt once in my lifehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif). The rest of the truck was ok, just nothing spectacular. So I ended up with a GMC. It isn't the best in every respect, but I feel the GM trucks have the best overall package.

Another thing you might be interested in is that I checked the Kelly Blue Book website & compared similarly equipped, '03 Ford vs '03 Chevy diesel pick-ups with 50,000 miles for resale value. The Chevy was worth over $1000 more after 1 year & 50,000 miles, even though the trucks stickered within $100 of each other when they were new. That's been 5 months ago though, so it might be different now. I never did try the Dodge resale value, so I can't comment on that.

Test drive all three, & get the one you're most comfortable with. You won't regret it.