I was/am considering buying a new Dodge, but with these new incentives, a Chevy could be a real possibility. That was part of the reason for my injector post the other day. From what I have read so far, the new Dodges seem to be way down on fuel mileage 15-17 stock. I can get 17-19mpg with my current set-up at probably about 475rwhp. I really don't plan to mod the new truck much whether it be Dodge or Chevy. The Dodge would be a dually, I think I would stay 2500 ext. 4x4 long-bed Chevy. I know this is a Chevy site, but please, be honest about the advantages and dis-advantages with the Chevy. Fuel mileage is a concern, so what could I expect out of a Dmax with 3.73's and the Allison? To be honest, I like the looks of the Dodge better, but I DOUBT I could beat the price on the Chevy. Thank you for your help.

I was/am considering buying a new Dodge, but with these new incentives, a Chevy could be a real possibility. That was part of the reason for my injector post the other day. From what I have read so far, the new Dodges seem to be way down on fuel mileage 15-17 stock. I can get 17-19mpg with my current set-up at probably about 475rwhp. I really don't plan to mod the new truck much whether it be Dodge or Chevy. The Dodge would be a dually, I think I would stay 2500 ext. 4x4 long-bed Chevy. I know this is a Chevy site, but please, be honest about the advantages and dis-advantages with the Chevy. Fuel mileage is a concern, so what could I expect out of a Dmax with 3.73's and the Allison? To be honest, I like the looks of the Dodge better, but I DOUBT I could beat the price on the Chevy. Thank you for your help.

Umm, saw your post over at the TDR, I am also a diesel enthusiast and am a member of many forums. First of all, the Dodge/CTD will get better MPG than the Dmax for several reasons and here is why - NO EGR, I-6 design, 40% less fewer parts and less moving parts. IF you can honestly get a DMax guy to tell you what they get towing 12K, it is probably in the 8-10 range, I get 12+ WITH a brand new truck (3,000 miles) towing 12K over three mountain passes each way AND I have plenty of power to spare......AND I don't overheat, which seems to be an inherent DMax problem. Additionally, if you buy an '05 Dodge, you will get the 7/70 warranty, GM is 3/36 for '05.

Cummins = 7/100, Dmax motor = 5/100. Cummins rated by the EPA as a medium duty motor (life to overhaul 350k miles), Dmax rated by EPA as a light duty motor (life to overhaul 200-250k miles). Sure, both motors will probably go longer if well maintained, but this is the EPA rating.

Pricing - I doubt you will be able to buy the GM for less than the Dodge, DC has some pretty agressive rebates going right now and the overall price of the GM is much higher than the Dodge. You can easily buy the Dodge at invoice AND get all of your rebates in addition to that.

With all that being said, the Dmax/GM is not a bad truck, if they could just fix the ugly cat eye front end lights and stop the lightbulbs/headlights from burning out, and......

Seriously though, the Dmax is probably faster from stoplight to stoplight than the CTD and is a much better choice over the ford, BUT - if you want a serious tow rig, that will out tow both GM and ford, the I-6 CTD is the way to go.

What do you think the majority of over-the -road trucks have? A v-8 diesel or an I-6 design diesel? Yep, your right, an I-6, why? because they are lower revving and produce their torque at a lower RPM range, which translates into longevity, better fuel economy, better towing/hauling and as mentioned above fewer parts.

Go drive them both - But take a look at the amount of guys on this site WHO have either disabled or blocked off their EGR, the CTD does not have one, that and that alone is enough reason to buy the CTD over the GM or ford.

Oh yeah, I get 20-21 mpg hwy unloaded:D

That's it, one reply? I'm sure someone else must have something to add.

That's it, one reply? I'm sure someone else must have something to add.
Nope, go Dodge, thier better! :joke: haha, well is you want a chevy guys opinion, get a chevy. The new grilles look way better than they did too! Just pick a brand though seriously, they all have thier + and - .
Chevy- + Interior, DMAX, ALLISON
- Injectors
Dodge + Cummins
- Drivetrain sucks no real crew cab, and thier just ugly (IMO)
Ford + .................
- Well its a ford, i hate em!

if you go dodge make sure to get the manual transmission.

I had a Dodge and loved the Cummins but disliked the platform that is what on. DC has a lot of enherent problems and they won't make the design changes to solve the issues. If it wasn't for forums like TDR and the techy's that belong to it, there would be so many unsolved issues DC would not have the market share they presently have. Granted, GM has there issues also but I like the truck and performance. After I bought my dodge ($43,000.00 in 1999) I found out that I would have to spend another $6000.00 to do the upgrades so that I would have the power to pull it self up a hill with out having to kick down. My GM does the same hill in o/d and can pull the same hill with a trailer and not have to kick down. Granted they have done some upgrades but I already paid my dues and I'm not willing to try again.

Umm, saw your post over at the TDR, I am also a diesel enthusiast and am a member of many forums. First of all, the Dodge/CTD will get better MPG than the Dmax for several reasons and here is why - NO EGR, I-6 design, 40% less fewer parts and less moving parts. IF you can honestly get a DMax guy to tell you what they get towing 12K, it is probably in the 8-10 range, I get 12+ WITH a brand new truck (3,000 miles) towing 12K over three mountain passes each way AND I have plenty of power to spare......AND I don't overheat, which seems to be an inherent DMax problem. Additionally, if you buy an '05 Dodge, you will get the 7/70 warranty, GM is 3/36 for '05.

Cummins = 7/100, Dmax motor = 5/100. Cummins rated by the EPA as a medium duty motor (life to overhaul 350k miles), Dmax rated by EPA as a light duty motor (life to overhaul 200-250k miles). Sure, both motors will probably go longer if well maintained, but this is the EPA rating.

Pricing - I doubt you will be able to buy the GM for less than the Dodge, DC has some pretty agressive rebates going right now and the overall price of the GM is much higher than the Dodge. You can easily buy the Dodge at invoice AND get all of your rebates in addition to that.

With all that being said, the Dmax/GM is not a bad truck, if they could just fix the ugly cat eye front end lights and stop the lightbulbs/headlights from burning out, and......

Seriously though, the Dmax is probably faster from stoplight to stoplight than the CTD and is a much better choice over the ford, BUT - if you want a serious tow rig, that will out tow both GM and ford, the I-6 CTD is the way to go.

What do you think the majority of over-the -road trucks have? A v-8 diesel or an I-6 design diesel? Yep, your right, an I-6, why? because they are lower revving and produce their torque at a lower RPM range, which translates into longevity, better fuel economy, better towing/hauling and as mentioned above fewer parts.

Go drive them both - But take a look at the amount of guys on this site WHO have either disabled or blocked off their EGR, the CTD does not have one, that and that alone is enough reason to buy the CTD over the GM or ford.

Oh yeah, I get 20-21 mpg hwy unloaded:D

You must have one of the good ones.....my buddies 2 04.5 dodge duallies get 14 mpg on the highway. Its a toss up....if you want an auto I would say the dmax/alli is a no brainer. The dodge manual is a new very unproven set-up in the 05's. No longer the tried and true NV unit. Disabling the EGR is so simple to do....don't let that weigh in your decision. I had an 03 dodge.......I wouldn't want it back....I love my Dmax. With that being said....its just my opinion....drive em both then decide. After all....it is you who will be driving it!

Thank's so far. I'm going to drive a Dmax tommorrow, and I have already driven an 05 Dodge dually auto. I thought that it drove excellent considering it was stock, comparing it to my truck. It steered and stopped great. I guess I'll know more about the Dmax tommorrow. I'm not too familiar with the egr? Do the Dmax's have a cat too?

2004.5+ do

You will find in European markets the I-6 in OTR trucks being replaced by V-8's

Easier to package for aerodynamics, superior emissions at a given HP level, easier to cool cylinders equally and easier to design a good flowing head, Lighter in weight for a given displacement.

Granted the I-6 has advantages of perfect balance, easy to work on for that in frame rebuild, Higher torque rise VS RPM of a V-8, Slightly better fuel mileage, less parts.

Torque production does not rely soley on stroke or wether the engine is a V design or an inline design. Cylinder pressures dictate that.

As far as a modular engine, you can increase displacement on a V design easier than an inline design, still maintain block integrity while doing it as well.

A V engine you can bore and stroke. It is hard to Bore an inline engine and maintain adequate cooling mass between the cylinders.

6 of one and 8 of the other.

My own decision boiled down to comfort while doing the same job over long distances, who had the most comprehensive service network, And who's trucks are being built better structurally.

In 2002 The only truck to get IMHO was the DMX. Today if i had to get a different one, It would be a toss up between the Dodge and the GM.

I took a ride in a 2005 King Ranch Ford, and the editor who believes the torqueshift is a match for the allison needs to get his lobotomy reversed. What a POS!

Go out and drive each. Within each make you may get a peach or a turd. That's why they all survive and have their respective fan clubs. Get whatever YOU like best.

Yea, Dodge is great. Just think of all the money you will be able to spend just to keep it fixed. Brake jobs every 20 thousand miles. Transmissions every 25 to 30 thousand miles. And if you have ever been a campground at 6 am and listened to Dodges starting up for the day, you can hear them in the next county. Chevrolet is not great, but at least they put a transmission in that works. As far as milage is concerned. I have seen 22.5 on the DIC last winter on an empty jont across the mountains. Towing my 35-1/2 foot fifth so far I have seen 10.5 on the DIC. Personally I doubt that Dodge can actually do that good with the same loads

Big P,

I looked long and hard at all 3 brands, guess what, none of them are without sin! ;)

They are all fine machines, but each has their own cross to bear. Personally I went with the GM for the engine/tranny combination. I really liked the looks of the Dodge and the Cummins is a fine engine, but I just didn't have enough faith in their auto tranny they were having so many problems with at the time. My brother-in-laws blew at 5k miles. I was already aware of Ford's 6.0 problems. So far I am very happy with my choice. Then again, for every JJs Dumax there likely is a JJs Cummins and a JJs Powerstroke owner out there that is thrilled with their truck as well. ):h

A quick clarification. Overheating doesn't appear to be an inherent Duramax design issue. A small handful of owners have actually posted overheating under very specific conditions. Just wanted to get that in there. :)

You have a wealth of fair, objective data available to you on the internet and sites like the TDR and the DP. If brand loyalty isn't driving your decision recommend you sit down and outline exactly what you need for this truck to do then buy the truck that fits the bill. Once you've made your decision, ENJOY! Later. JJ :)

To be honest, my biggest problem with the Chevy is the ride height. I like trucks on the taller side, and the Chevy is just not there. It's easily cured though. But with the price and options, it's looking real attractive.

donn, I owned my Dodge/Cummins for about 3 1/2 years and 75,000 miles. And I have to say, overall, I don't think it has treated me too badly. BTW I LIKE the sound of that loud Cummins at 6am. Still gets 19+ mpg with 475rwhp on 35 inch tires doing 75-80mph. I'm not too sure a new Dmax or Cummins will get that.

My Son has had 3 Dodges and love them even those each has had transmission problems. All the Chrysler products I've ever owned have be problem plaqued and the Fords have all had cooling problems. Friend of mine has a 94 Dodge with 475,000 miles. The Cummins I-6 is still going strong but everything else has been replaced.
GM products have been my best bet. It is all a crap shoot.

if you go dodge make sure to get the manual transmission.

The 48RE is a very beefy strong transmission, very few if any problems Nothing to be worried about here. Now - If you were talking pre 03.5 and the 47RE, their could be a concern.

I had a Dodge and loved the Cummins but disliked the platform that is what on. DC has a lot of enherent problems and they won't make the design changes to solve the issues. If it wasn't for forums like TDR and the techy's that belong to it, there would be so many unsolved issues DC would not have the market share they presently have. Granted, GM has there issues also but I like the truck and performance. After I bought my dodge ($43,000.00 in 1999) I found out that I would have to spend another $6000.00 to do the upgrades so that I would have the power to pull it self up a hill with out having to kick down. My GM does the same hill in o/d and can pull the same hill with a trailer and not have to kick down. Granted they have done some upgrades but I already paid my dues and I'm not willing to try again.

Sorry to hear you had problems with your '99, I would agree that the '98.5 thru 2002 were not the best of the best, good trucks, but there were a few problems which were quickley identified (VP44 pump, steering wander, manifold could warp/crack), all in all though not a bad truck. Each brand has some problems.

What I don't understand is your broad ranging comment about inherent problems YOU SAY DC will not fix? What in the world are you talking about? Have you driven a 3Gen Dodge/CTD? A completely different truck than the previous 2nd Gen, from the completely hydroformed frame, new HPCR engine to the best brakes in their class, the 2wd trucks have rack & pinion steering and handle like they are on rails. Before you make comments like that, do yourself and others a favor and at least go drive one and know the facts instead of just blurting out BS.

Disabling the EGR is so simple to do....don't let that weigh in your decision. Disablling or removing emission equipment is a Federal Offense. Why spend 40K plus and disable something the factory designed to be a part of the motor, plus risk being caught and fined?

Yea, Dodge is great. Just think of all the money you will be able to spend just to keep it fixed. Brake jobs every 20 thousand miles. Transmissions every 25 to 30 thousand miles. And if you have ever been a campground at 6 am and listened to Dodges starting up for the day, you can hear them in the next county. Chevrolet is not great, but at least they put a transmission in that works. As far as milage is concerned. I have seen 22.5 on the DIC last winter on an empty jont across the mountains. Towing my 35-1/2 foot fifth so far I have seen 10.5 on the DIC. Personally I doubt that Dodge can actually do that good with the same loads

You are completly mistaken and stuck in Dodge 2nd Gen land. Best and biggest brakes of the big 3, trans every 30k? Not the 48RE and the 47RE in my '98, brothers '01, dads '96 and uncles '94 are still going strong. Loud? First of all, I have to say I miss that sound from a 2nd Gen CTD, but as far as the 3Gen goes, as quiet if not quieter than the Dmax. MPG - 12K+ loaded, 3K miles on my '05, three mountain passes each way, did not baby it, maintained 60 MPH + the entire trip (approx 800 miles) and averaged 12.2 MPG for the tow. I thought that was outstanding towing that much weight through the mountains with only 3k miles. My old '98 would average 22 MPG unloaded at 70 MPH, don't know what the '05 will do unloaded yet.