well i thought id ask here, i have a 2004 2500hd duramax 4x4, im looking for a 2 wheel drive long bed 4 door dually. what would the difference be between a powerstroke and duramax? im new to the diesel side of trucks. the reason i want a 2 wheel drive dually is becuse i want to bag and bd a big dually but still be able to pull the hell out of stuff, pluss i wanna run 22 inch wheels with a semi lug pattern. any info on anything from the basics to the luxuries would help. thanks

josh

if you wanna buy a ford, find an 01 or 02 with a 7.3, there more dependable than the 6.0's. the duramax isn't a bad motor either, the only difference in my opinion is cosmetics. personally i think fords long box dually's look better than chevy's. but thats just me. they offer similar power, its just all personal preference really. chevy will give you a softer ride, but a 7.3 is the all around better truck. in my opinion you cant go wrong with either choice.

Have you ever take a ride in a ferd? If not, I think you need to do that and then you will be looking for a another Chevy.. It will look better bagged and with the Duramax you will not be able to go wrong. They do not offer similar power, the Duramax is a much stronger motor and the cosmetics and overall appearance of the Chevy is excellent. Find you an 02 with the original HD look. I think you would be happy with that.. Good luck..

Have you ever take a ride in a ferd? If not, I think you need to do that and then you will be looking for a another Chevy.. It will look better bagged and with the Duramax you will not be able to go wrong. They do not offer similar power, the Duramax is a much stronger motor and the cosmetics and overall appearance of the Chevy is excellent. Find you an 02 with the original HD look. I think you would be happy with that.. Good luck..

:exactly: :agreed: :thumb:

i agree, if you are gonna go the chevy route, find yourself an 02 or 01, and the fords dont ride terrible, the chevy does ride better, but the ford is not as bad as its made out to be

Have you ever take a ride in a ferd? If not, I think you need to do that and then you will be looking for a another Chevy.. It will look better bagged and with the Duramax you will not be able to go wrong. They do not offer similar power, the Duramax is a much stronger motor and the cosmetics and overall appearance of the Chevy is excellent. Find you an 02 with the original HD look. I think you would be happy with that.. Good luck..
The duramax has more power than a 7.3 but the 7.3 has a cast iron block the duramax is an aluminum block thats good if you have a hotrod car but not if you have a hard working truck its not a good idea the 7.3 has a lot more bottem end power then the duramax for off the line pulls the ford does ride a little ruff but when you put a load on them they ride the best):h

The duramax has more power than a 7.3 but the 7.3 has a cast iron block the duramax is an aluminum block thats good if you have a hotrod car but not if you have a hard working truck its not a good idea the 7.3 has a lot more bottem end power then the duramax for off the line pulls the ford does ride a little ruff but when you put a load on them they ride the best):h
Since when? Heads are aluminum,block is not. Do your homework,please.

The duramax has more power than a 7.3 but the 7.3 has a cast iron block the duramax is an aluminum block thats good if you have a hotrod car but not if you have a hard working truck its not a good idea the 7.3 has a lot more bottem end power then the duramax for off the line pulls the ford does ride a little ruff but when you put a load on them they ride the best):h

Really? an aluminum block....how bout that....
you're wrong again, by the way

Really? an aluminum block....how bout that....
you're wrong again, by the way
no your just a moron):h

Since when? Heads are aluminum,block is not. Do your homework,please. even if the heads are aluimiun the compression retio is a lot higher than a gas--- aluminum is a sotfer metal steel so you think about it:exactly:

even if the heads are aluimiun the compression retio is a lot higher than a gas--- aluminum is a sotfer metal steel so you think about it:exactly:
Same ol' crap arguments from the other side...Look around the site and show me how many head problems there have been due to the fact the heads are aluminum. Apparently you should stick to what you know about F@RDS, cause youre lost when it comes to the Dmax......:exactly:

Same ol' crap arguments from the other side...Look around the site and show me how many head problems there have been due to the fact the heads are aluminum. Apparently you should stick to what you know about F@RDS, cause youre lost when it comes to the Dmax......:exactly:

I don't think this guy has a clue about Fords......:confused:

I don't think this guy has a clue about Fords......:confused:

I'll take that back.......I know this KID don't have a clue about Fords......Judging by his posts he can't be more than 15........):h

Same ol' crap arguments from the other side...Look around the site and show me how many head problems there have been due to the fact the heads are aluminum. Apparently you should stick to what you know about F@RDS, cause youre lost when it comes to the Dmax......:exactly:

:exactly: :agreed:

even if the heads are aluimiun the compression retio is a lot higher than a gas--- aluminum is a sotfer metal steel so you think about it:exactly:

Hey,

And how about those 6.0 heads, arent they a 2 piece aluminum & cast iron set up?

Take care,

Will

why don't we get back to the original post? it all comes to personal preference, you cant go wrong with either motor, the weak spot on a ford being the transmission, a chev will offer you a softer ride, but the 01 an 02 fords have a very good reputation, and are a good truck, either choice would be good, good luck in your search for a new truck

even if the heads are aluimiun the compression retio is a lot higher than a gas--- aluminum is a sotfer metal steel so you think about it:exactly:
Yes... No you are wrong. The KSI rating for the Aluminum used for the Duramax heads

even if the heads are aluimiun the compression retio is a lot higher than a gas--- aluminum is a sotfer metal steel so you think about it:exactly:
Yes... No you are wrong. The KSI rating for the Aluminum used for the Duramax heads is darn near that of the Cast Iron block. When Aluminum is under compression it is as strong as any steel there is, which is the main stress being put on the heads of any engine. I am so sick of this aluminum head crap, stop using this as an excuse for reasons to hate the duramax, it has proven to everyone that it is an extremely durable engine. Of all the trucks out there, there has only been one case of any head problem, and it was a manufacturing defect. I know guys that tested this engine, they have put more than a lifetime of beating on the engines they test, and then the testers have bought them from GM and are now driving them!
Now as for your 2wd dually, go drive a ford (not the 6.0), drive a duramax, pick the one you like, its a toss up between personal preferences.

Have you ever take a ride in a ferd? If not, I think you need to do that and then you will be looking for a another Chevy.. It will look better bagged and with the Duramax you will not be able to go wrong. They do not offer similar power, the Duramax is a much stronger motor and the cosmetics and overall appearance of the Chevy is excellent. Find you an 02 with the original HD look. I think you would be happy with that.. Good luck..
THAT'S A BIG DITTO:exactly:

Yes... No you are wrong. The KSI rating for the Aluminum used for the Duramax heads is darn near that of the Cast Iron block. When Aluminum is under compression it is as strong as any steel there is, which is the main stress being put on the heads of any engine. I am so sick of this aluminum head crap, stop using this as an excuse for reasons to hate the duramax, it has proven to everyone that it is an extremely durable engine. Of all the trucks out there, there has only been one case of any head problem, and it was a manufacturing defect. I know guys that tested this engine, they have put more than a lifetime of beating on the engines they test, and then the testers have bought them from GM and are now driving them!
Now as for your 2wd dually, go drive a ford (not the 6.0), drive a duramax, pick the one you like, its a toss up between personal preferences.

Hey,

I am so sick of this crap too. Look at VW, they have always used aluminum heads on their diesels, and have they ever had a problem? NO!! And I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.......... 6.9 heads, arent they a 2 piece cast iron & alumium?

So go find soething else to ***** about, and make sure you have researched it befroehand!!

Just my 2 cents!!

Take care,

Will

I remember when i bought my duramax, my wifes cousin's husband said that they were have BIG problems w/there heads warping. He has a 04 ford powerstroke, so when i went to pick up my truck!!! he came w/me and the dealership where i bought my truck, sell chevy/gmc/and ford. So when we get there i ask my sells man to look up the problem w/the duramax, so he does and finds just minor problems /recalls NO WARPED HEAD PROBLEM,But!!!! There is a case were the fords were CATCHING FIRE, and burning to the ground.Mostly 03, but there werwe some 04 to. Kinda makes me laugh still to this day!!! He says duramax is junk And turns out that the ford has more problems.:lol: :lol: :lol:

The duramax has more power than a 7.3 but the 7.3 has a cast iron block the duramax is an aluminum block thats good if you have a hotrod car but not if you have a hard working truck its not a good idea the 7.3 has a lot more bottem end power then the duramax for off the line pulls the ford does ride a little ruff but when you put a load on them they ride the best):h


Thats funny:lol: bad part is he or she isnt trying to joke, thats ok though, we need some stupid comments like that to keep everybody laughing, i was gonna say don't let the door kick your ass on the way out:nutkick: , but then i though that would be boring, so please keep making, stupid, uneducated comments, keep up the good work, we all need some humor in our lives:lol: :Nothing_f

even if the heads are aluimiun the compression retio is a lot higher than a gas--- aluminum is a sotfer metal steel so you think about it:exactly:

which truck is having all the head gasket/head problems:confused:

there is this thing called technology. but ford hasn't figured out how to apply it yet.

Dude, this post is rediculous. Most of you should be ashamed of yourselves for some if the crap your writing. Some of you take these trucks too seriously.

1) There have been head warping probs with the duramax
2) No matter what compression, aluminum is still softer (there are pros and cons)
3) The 6.0 has had head problems
4) the GM rides softer (I personally like the way ford ride, like a truck)
5) You all are beating a dead horse
6) these cheap shots need to quit
7) The superduties dont catch fire(I know the incident your speaking of, and I talked with him personally, the cause was deemed a personal error from the service dept)
8) You all are trying too hard to convince yourself you have the best truck, by telling lies on the other.
9) the 6.0 fords have major issues
10) the duramax lb7 and lly have major issues
11) the dodges have issues as well.
12) did i mention how stupid the cheap shots and bashings are!
13) the 7.3 is proven to be more reliable than the duramax at this current point in time
14) the cummins is proven to be more reliable than the 7.3 at this current point in time (IMO, the 7.3 and the cummins are equal, stock, reliability wise) but the cummins has a few years of service, more use than the 7.3 had. so once again, beating a dead horse.
15) No one truck is better than the other, its all about what feature, hp, torque the respective or potential owner is after.
16) the 6.0 is proven not to be as reliable as any of the others at this current point in time.
17) they DO offer similar power, why, simple because every thing is rated at the flywheel and the fact is that the allison tranny wastes about 24% of it power by the time it reaches the rear wheels, the ford on the other had loses maybe about 14% give or take.

I can go on and on, but........

oh yea, just because you can work on any of these does not mean that you understand any of these. We can all change a light bulb, but how many of us can actually make our own.


bottom line, state the facts whenever possible and dont get cought up in trying to embarress someone because they made a mistake or misspoke. If you know otherwise, correct them and be on your way. Its not necessary to try to drag them in the dirt, in fact its plan moronic!

Well said!!^^

we were all joking your the one thats taking it too seriously:lol: cause i was laughing pretty hard when i read f550's (or whatever his name is) post. Thanks for stating the facts for us though we were all confused:think: ):h . Oh yeah and i like my truck to ride like a cadillac:exactly: ,

I like mine to ride like and look like a truck! :lol:

SWEET!:ro) :cool2:

4) the GM rides softer (I personally like the way ford ride, like a truck)


Correcting myself a little here, The GM's dont exactly ride softer, actually the suspension is state of the art, especially the front end.
But like someone said earlier, Its rides like a caddy..extremely comfortable and plush.

Dude, this post is rediculous. Most of you should be ashamed of yourselves for some if the crap your writing. Some of you take these trucks too seriously.

1) There have been head warping probs with the duramax
2) No matter what compression, aluminum is still softer (there are pros and cons)
3) The 6.0 has had head problems
4) the GM rides softer (I personally like the way ford ride, like a truck)
5) You all are beating a dead horse
6) these cheap shots need to quit
7) The superduties dont catch fire(I know the incident your speaking of, and I talked with him personally, the cause was deemed a personal error from the service dept)
8) You all are trying too hard to convince yourself you have the best truck, by telling lies on the other.
9) the 6.0 fords have major issues
10) the duramax lb7 injector coved till 200k and lly have major issues overheat and what else?
11) the dodges have issues as well. very few, but the auto tranny is still the weakest link.
12) did i mention how stupid the cheap shots and bashings are!
13) the 7.3 is proven to be more reliable than the duramax at this current point in time possibly, but i would like to see proof.
14) the cummins is proven to be more reliable than the 7.3 at this current point in time (IMO, the 7.3 and the cummins are equal, stock, reliability wise) but the cummins has a few years of service, more use than the 7.3 had. so once again, beating a dead horse.
15) No one truck is better than the other, its all about what feature, hp, torque the respective or potential owner is after. yes there is a better truck, each person has different needs, so each manufacture try to meet those needs. that is why there are rangers and F650's. it would be wrong for the guy that needs the F650 to get the ranger. would it not?
16) the 6.0 is proven not to be as reliable as any of the others at this current point in time. beat your own dead horse.
17) they DO offer similar power, why, simple because every thing is rated at the flywheel and the fact is that the allison tranny wastes about 24% of it power by the time it reaches the rear wheels, the ford on the other had loses maybe about 14% give or take. then the ford takes that extra 10% and kills it because of the amount that the ford weighs over the GM.

I can go on and on, but........ BIG DEAL, So can I.

oh yea, just because you can work on any of these does not mean that you understand any of these. We can all change a light bulb, but how many of us can actually make our own. Your point is?


bottom line, state the facts whenever possible and dont get cought up in trying to embarress someone because they made a mistake or misspoke. If you know otherwise, correct them and be on your way. Its not necessary to try to drag them in the dirt, in fact its plan moronic!

Bottom line you just told this guy that any dodge or gm is more reliable than a 6.0 PS (on average). Therefore you told this guy if he wanted a new truck with an auto, you just told him to get the duramax.

I would have said enough with the blah blah blah already, but I am a believer in free speech. SO i can :rant: :offtopic: on threads like this.

Anyway where were we?

They both seem like good trucks, i hear the 7.3 is a reliable motor and i don't read too many problems about the duramax on here either. Get a Cummins powered Dodge ram and be done with it. :exactly:

1) There have been head warping probs with the duramax
2) No matter what compression, aluminum is still softer (there are pros and cons)
3) The 6.0 has had head problems
4) the GM rides softer (I personally like the way ford ride, like a truck)
5) You all are beating a dead horse
6) these cheap shots need to quit
7) The superduties dont catch fire(I know the incident your speaking of, and I talked with him personally, the cause was deemed a personal error from the service dept)
8) You all are trying too hard to convince yourself you have the best truck, by telling lies on the other.
9) the 6.0 fords have major issues
10) the duramax lb7 injector coved till 200k and lly have major issues overheat and what else?
11) the dodges have issues as well. very few, but the auto tranny is still the weakest link.
12) did i mention how stupid the cheap shots and bashings are!
13) the 7.3 is proven to be more reliable than the duramax at this current point in time possibly, but i would like to see proof.
14) the cummins is proven to be more reliable than the 7.3 at this current point in time (IMO, the 7.3 and the cummins are equal, stock, reliability wise) but the cummins has a few years of service, more use than the 7.3 had. so once again, beating a dead horse.
15) No one truck is better than the other, its all about what feature, hp, torque the respective or potential owner is after. yes there is a better truck, each person has different needs, so each manufacture try to meet those needs. that is why there are rangers and F650's. it would be wrong for the guy that needs the F650 to get the ranger. would it not?
16) the 6.0 is proven not to be as reliable as any of the others at this current point in time. beat your own dead horse.
17) they DO offer similar power, why, simple because every thing is rated at the flywheel and the fact is that the allison tranny wastes about 24% of it power by the time it reaches the rear wheels, the ford on the other had loses maybe about 14% give or take. then the ford takes that extra 10% and kills it because of the amount that the ford weighs over the GM.

I can go on and on, but........ BIG DEAL, So can I.

oh yea, just because you can work on any of these does not mean that you understand any of these. We can all change a light bulb, but how many of us can actually make our own. Your point is?



Bottom line you just told this guy that any dodge or gm is more reliable than a 6.0 PS (on average). Therefore you told this guy if he wanted a new truck with an auto, you just told him to get the duramax.

I would have said enough with the blah blah blah already, but I am a believer in free speech. SO i can :rant: :offtopic: on threads like this.

Anyway where were we?



Just for clarity, what i wrote is in black, what Duramaximizer added to what I wrote is in red.

Seems like you have some built up aggression that you need to vent:rant: .

If it makes you feel better, Your truck is the best there is, OK.

Happy New Year
-Frank

budkole, Before running you lips about d-max having head warpage!!! PROVE IT!!!!!!!! I, want gm claims on this!!

Budkole, Again your wrong about superdiutes catching fire, Ones w/6.0 03,some 04 caught fire, i know of 2 cases here in Nampa Id, alone, hell there are pictures in the ford house.

budkole, Before running you lips about d-max having head warpage!!! PROVE IT!!!!!!!! I, want gm claims on this!!

Fisrt off, I dont respond to demands! or disrespect! If you want any cooperation or additional info from me, I WILL BE RESPECTED AND DEALT WITH IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER!

Its really unbelievable how some of you act when it comes to these trucks.

This post is getting tired.

-Frank

BTW 04lb-7dmax,

If it makes you feel better, Your truck is the best there is too, OK

Happy New Year
-Frank

It is amazing how the aluminum heads causes all of these problems that these ford and dodge folk talk about. It's kinda like a ghost or UFO, many claim to have seen it, but none can prove it. I seem to remember a post getting started for head issues at one time, but only 1 or 2 people had problems with their heads and that wasn't because they were aluminum. I bet if I started a thread on a lug nut missing, i will have more people with that problem than a head problem.

I am waiting for some blurry-out of focus pictures of this phenomenon.):h

Dmaxfan

You must take into account that the internet forums only make up for a extremely small percentage of owners. There are millions of diesel truck owners that never post or for that matter, dont even know forums like this exist.

A good way to tell is to check the membership on this site and compare the membership to the amount duramax trucks sold to this day(GM's website should have that info), and that would kinda give you good indication on how unlevel these forums can be.

This goes for th others as well, ie ford and dodge.

It is still a percentage. 1 to 2 people of 25,000. I'll take those odds any day of the week.

BTW, where are the blurry pictures?

Yeah duramax's have head problems, mine melted completely down when it was stock, so im thinking about trading for a ford cause i also heard they are getting allisons in 06......:blahblah: sounds like another familiar rumor posted here, im sure if they had head problems we would hear about it hear considering theirs a few trucks over 700 rwhp, if it was going to happen it would happen to them, but thats ok it gives us something to talk about, what else would we be doing now anyways:lol: .

what else would we be doing now anyways:lol: .

Repairing our warped heads.):h

dmaxfan,

Im afraid your percentage of off a tad. According to this website alone (dieselplace.com) There are 29,968 members and out of those members, there have been 17 reported head failures here alone. Just do a search as I did and you will confirm as well.

Interestingly enough, most who reported the failure have less than 20 total posts, and the failures have happened for the most part in trucks with over 100k miles.

It is getting old. Everytime you talk to an idiot that knows nothing about them, it is always "their brothers nephews cousins mechanic says". I call BS. Your numbers are a little high also.
http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17745&highlight=head+problems

Now, go do a survey over at the the diesel stop for front ends going out, rear ends going out, or tranny's going out. Bottom line and I want you to remember this, heads have not been a major problem on the duramax. The only major problem has been the injectors.
Where are your blurry pics??

Whatever you say....

the posts dont lie....

btw, i already done a survey there and it aint no cup of tea over there either!

happy new year
-Frank

Whats funny budkole is that YOU sir are the one to bring up the DMax head problem, and have yet to actually prove it. Yet there have been many to disprove it. I've worked in GM service many years, and there are ways to search for this type of information, nationwide. Given all the claims have to be recorded by the dealer, this info only pertains to trucks under say 100k miles. Of the 200,000 or so Duramax trucks delivered through the 2nd quarter of 2005(including C4500's), less than 250 had head related warranty work done. You can do the math. I have only heard about the serious 6.0 Powerstroke problems, so I won't comment on that. But, in this case, he should drive a ford(7.3), a cummins, and a chevy, and pick what suits him the best, because all these are very competant and reliable diesel trucks. I hope this doesn't offend you or anyone else, just provide a little info.
Happy New Year!

Whats funny budkole is that YOU sir are the one to bring up the DMax head problem, and have yet to actually prove it. Yet there have been many to disprove it. I've worked in GM service many years, and there are ways to search for this type of information, nationwide. Given all the claims have to be recorded by the dealer, this info only pertains to trucks under say 100k miles. Of the 200,000 or so Duramax trucks delivered through the 2nd quarter of 2005(including C4500's), less than 250 had head related warranty work done. You can do the math. I have only heard about the serious 6.0 Powerstroke problems, so I won't comment on that. But, in this case, he should drive a ford(7.3), a cummins, and a chevy, and pick what suits him the best, because all these are very competant and reliable diesel trucks. I hope this doesn't offend you or anyone else, just provide a little info.
Happy New Year!

At least you acknowledge there is one

I didnt bring up the head prob in this post, i commented on them made by someone else.

all you have to do is look and you shall find. seems like you all are taking this head thing out of proportion. I have nothing more to prove. Duramax head problems exist. I never said that it was a plague, but the problem exists at least it used to in previous models, 01-04, including h2.

I makes no matter whether or you are a service person or not, thats irrelivent. I just wrote that the majority was over 100k, so there go's your method. Again, they only tell whats reported within thier warrenty period, not afterwards. always keep that in mind.

This further proves me right, you just hit the nail on the head. The previous years is where you find a spike in numbers

I agree,

Even if I did spend the time to get more noted situations, i will still be beating a dead horse, and it will fall on def ears. The truth doesnt seem like something thats welcomed around here:confuzeld Besides, I dont really care, Im not getting paid for my research. The duramax I had had head problems, but it also had 222k on it too.

There are a lot arent there?

When I said through 2005, I meant from 2001-2005. So there goes your theory. Did you divide 250by 200,000? that is a pretty small percentage!! That WAS my point!! It seems you are one of those individuals who thinks they are right, no matter what. I simply tried to give info, and be nice about it, but, you in turn, slammed me like you have everyone else in this thread. I'm sorry I even tried. Everyone who knows anything about diesels knows that a small head problem will exist on any engine with that kind of compression. I just tried to show you that it was minimal on the duramax, and not any worse than others. But no matter what anybody says, you will disagree. So I'm walking away from the dead horse as you continue to beat it.

It is getting old. Everytime you talk to an idiot that knows nothing about them, it is always "their brothers nephews cousins mechanic says". I call BS. Your numbers are a little high also.
http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17745&highlight=head+problems

Now, go do a survey over at the the diesel stop for front ends going out, rear ends going out, or tranny's going out. Bottom line and I want you to remember this, heads have not been a major problem on the duramax. The only major problem has been the injectors.
Where are your blurry pics??


Rear ends going out are Few and far in between on fords(not common), The front is common, no way around it, the auto tranny going out is an epidemic (for those that tow heavy, a lot).

Never said it was major

When I said through 2005, I meant from 2001-2005. So there goes your theory. Did you divide 250by 200,000? that is a pretty small percentage!! That WAS my point!! It seems you are one of those individuals who thinks they are right, no matter what. I simply tried to give info, and be nice about it, but, you in turn, slammed me like you have everyone else in this thread. I'm sorry I even tried. Everyone who knows anything about diesels knows that a small head problem will exist on any engine with that kind of compression. I just tried to show you that it was minimal on the duramax, and not any worse than others. But no matter what anybody says, you will disagree. So I'm walking away from the dead horse as you continue to beat it.

It wasnt my intent to slam you at all, My apologies.

You are right, Its time to stop beating it.

Don't start backtracking. You know damn good and well that what you meant is the same as all of the ford/dodge owners. "There heads are junk ....blah blah blah

7/10 of all of the farmers that I know down here that own fords have had rear end troubles. Nearly all have had front end and tranny. That is what I am going off of. So you had a head problem. It isn't an epidemic. I had problems with my tach, it isn't an epidemic. You prolly got most of your head epidemic info from someone that knows about as much about a duramax as I do about chinese arithmatic.

I'm sorry to break up the 6 pages of off topic posts, but only the first 4 posts actually answered the guys question and are on topic.

If you want to continue I suggest using email or PM's because this topic is closed.

have a good holiday
B.