Dont want any dodge bashing please, loved my 05 cummins, but it's the second dodge i've had stolen (1 in San Diego, 1 in Phoenix)....think because they're made in Mexico, parts are cheap and they're popular to steal near the border.

Why i'm considering the LBZ: Better Ride Quality, 6spd Auto with real tow/haul mode, 1-6 gear selection....power numbers :-) and the fact it's not a dodge and therefore I hope it wont be stolen!

Test drove one, and it was nice....power wasnt the awe inspiring fire breating beast these boards would leave you to believe, but it was smooth and the numbers dont lie.

Reason's I'm concerned about the GMC: Feels like a car, not a truck!, numb steering, honda accord ride height, durability concerns....

I'd be looking at a fully loaded 06, 4x4, 2500 4dr, Auto , Single rear wheels....

Questions:

1. Will 285's fit without a lift? Any negatives to doing this?
or
1. What's the best tire size to make it look like a real 4x4 (without going huge?)
2. What's a good price? e.g. if Sticker is $47k....
3. How will this thing hold up? I keep my trucks for 8 years+
4. Mileage? Dodge did 15/18 driving it like I stole it...better if I wanted to keep my foot out of it?
5. Do they sell pilliar mounts for guages (tranny, boost, egt)?

Thanks for the inputs guys, I'm really wanting a GMC, but i've really loved both of my dodge trucks, and they're so different it's making me nervous...my trucks were wonderful, reliable and rugged, and never, ever let me down...so it's hard to venture to the other side of the unknown....but It's the 6spd auto that's forcing me over....if it was 08 and the emmissins crap wansnt comming down the pipe, I'd probably stay with dodge (and a james bond self destruct bomb)....but it's not and in my opinion, the LBZ/allison is the best combo out there right now. Any former 04.5+ Dodge owners out there with an opinion?

1) yes 285's will fit fine
1) 285's with agressive sidewall
2) Sticker at $47,000 I would go $40,000 OTD w/ 0%
3) Does the slogan longest lasting truck on the road help?
4) 17/23 depending on driving style
5) Yes

How do they steal them? leave your keys in the truck w/ the doors unocked?

Get the GMC 3500 SRW. It comes with wider rims and 265's. You can put 285's on, adjust the Tbars with hand tools, and you're good to go.

Get the upscale 10-way seats. These are the most comfortable seats for long haul driving I've sat in. And that's Cadillac, Olds, Corvette, Ford upscale seating I'm comparing to.

You should be able to get one for close to invoice if you shop around.

The LBZ I drove home seemed to have some go.
I come up behind a tractor and wagon full of grain , which is common where I live and waited for oncoming trafic to pass . I rolled on the pedal some what quickly and heard a strange noise and seen the farmer turn around looking at me . A quick glimps in the mirror and I was what the **** , white smoke rolling out the back , right away I thought I popped a head gasket . When home I checked the coolant and exhaust with no indication of coolent being lost out of the exhaust. So tell me what it was ? I can only form one conclusion .


:eek:

It is your choice , I do not have enough experience with the Dmax .

Sounds like an injector. White smoke is often unburned fuel, but can be coolant.

If they stole your dodge wait a day or 2 and they will bring it back, then just trade it in on a GM.

Sorry for your lose .
Mcrat ,please let me believe it was tire smoke, :lol: :help2:

1) How do they steal them? leave your keys in the truck w/ the doors unocked?

Nope, locked, keys in my pocket...both times! Next one gets lojack, the club, dealer locking mechanism and a booby trap! (j/k)

JG

Get the GMC 3500 SRW. It comes with wider rims and 265's. You can put 285's on, adjust the Tbars with hand tools, and you're good to go.

Get the upscale 10-way seats. These are the most comfortable seats for long haul driving I've sat in. And that's Cadillac, Olds, Corvette, Ford upscale seating I'm comparing to.

You should be able to get one for close to invoice if you shop around.

3500 sounds good, but are there any drawbacks...e.g. aftermarket part selection,....specific to the 3500? example...dont make bilsteen shocks for the 3500 but do for the 2500?? Just curious?

Test drove one, and it was nice....power wasnt the awe inspiring fire breating beast these boards would leave you to believe, but it was smooth and the numbers dont lie.



Was the truck you drove warmed up or not? Until the engine and tranny are warmed up, you will not feel the full potential the truck has!! From my past experience from both Dodge and Chevy, I prefer the Chevy. Cummins is a great engine, but the DMAX really runs.

Didn't know Dodges were made in Mexico:( . Anyway sorry to here your lost, that sux

As a former 04.5 Cummins owner and know we own a new LBZ truck I think they both are great vehicles. The Cummins had so much low end power compared to the LBZ, but the Chevy is no slouch, you just have to rev it up a little more. In my opnion I would rather have a Cummins truck, but my wife likes the Chevy a lot better and they were both her trucks. I don't want anybody to think I am bashing any GM product because I am not, I think that the new LBZ package is an excellent combo. Good luck with your choice.
MGarland

I was kind of disappointed when I bought my truck, I was expecting a fire breather also. But I eventually realized is was just stiff because it was new. As it breaks in, it is loosening up and pulling harder every day. I accidently goosed it taking off from a stop light the other day and my 18 year old son was slammed back in the seat. He looked at me and said "you drag racing somebody dad"?:eek:

Buy one, I think you will like it as good as your dodges!

Rick

I had a Dodge 05 half ton hemi and i loved it but i leased it and would have nothing after 4 years when the 72 0% came out i was lookin at dodges quadcab cummins 3/4 it didnt excite me i was used to the hemi i know its a heavy truck but for 35000+ it should spin the tires then i went home got on the computer found exactly what i didnt need in a chevy and went and bought it it may not be a half ton hemi killer (drag strip only ) but its a bad mo fo ( my dad is pissed at me he wanted my truck and the only other one around is 250 miles away ) i dont have anything to tow all i have is 3 kids and a wife and now that i bought the truck i cant afford anything to tow (gonna get some free tents from Marlboro) but i love the truck it rides much better than the dodge (dosent seem as sturdy funky torsion bar crap) get about the same gas/fuel milage as my hemi i guess its time for a change the dodge is still stuck in 40's live axel in the front but if you want a much more comfortable truck with more power go with the chevy and supposdly the dodge 4 speed auto is a beefed up car tranny the allison is smooth and well i lost my train of thought im drunk but check one out i think you will like it unless ur 16 and want the worst ride possible (i still love my 83 dodge power ram my first truck 17 years old a.k.a. the poop brown ****ter ) well any ways check one out and let us know

Go with a GMC - I had a 2005 GMC D/A that had some minor problems. It was traded in on a 2005 Dodge 3500 with CTD and 6 speed. Now I have a 2006 GM 1500HD with a 6.0 gasser and the older Allison auto. The 1500HD is much quicker. I am taking my first trip with it this weekend - I am sure it will out pull the Dodge. Mileage loos better as well. Based on the fuel gage readings I am getting, I am close to 18 - 19 MPG running 75 MPH ( Empty)

I may not own a diesel, but as least I own a GM again.

Don't know if you can say anything bad about the Cummins but I still feel the truck GM vs Dodge is decidedly in favor of GM. Quality is usually better, parts availability and price all favor GM.

I had a Dodge 05 half ton hemi and i loved it but i leased it and would have nothing after 4 years when the 72 0% came out i was lookin at dodges quadcab cummins 3/4 it didnt excite me i was used to the hemi i know its a heavy truck but for 35000+ it should spin the tires then i went home got on the computer found exactly what i didnt need in a chevy and went and bought it it may not be a half ton hemi killer (drag strip only ) but its a bad mo fo ( my dad is pissed at me he wanted my truck and the only other one around is 250 miles away ) i dont have anything to tow all i have is 3 kids and a wife and now that i bought the truck i cant afford anything to tow (gonna get some free tents from Marlboro) but i love the truck it rides much better than the dodge (dosent seem as sturdy funky torsion bar crap) get about the same gas/fuel milage as my hemi i guess its time for a change the dodge is still stuck in 40's live axel in the front but if you want a much more comfortable truck with more power go with the chevy and supposdly the dodge 4 speed auto is a beefed up car tranny the allison is smooth and well i lost my train of thought im drunk but check one out i think you will like it unless ur 16 and want the worst ride possible (i still love my 83 dodge power ram my first truck 17 years old a.k.a. the poop brown ****ter ) well any ways check one out and let us know


Put a little punctuation in there next time!

Go with a GMC - I had a 2005 GMC D/A that had some minor problems. It was traded in on a 2005 Dodge 3500 with CTD and 6 speed. Now I have a 2006 GM 1500HD with a 6.0 gasser and the older Allison auto. The 1500HD is much quicker. I am taking my first trip with it this weekend - I am sure it will out pull the Dodge. Mileage loos better as well. Based on the fuel gage readings I am getting, I am close to 18 - 19 MPG running 75 MPH ( Empty)

I may not own a diesel, but as least I own a GM again.

The Allison has never been available in the 1500 HD or with the 6.0 Gasoline engine. Better check your specs...

I had a Dodge 05 half ton hemi and i loved it but i leased it and would have nothing after 4 years when the 72 0% came out i was lookin at dodges quadcab cummins 3/4 it didnt excite me i was used to the hemi i know its a heavy truck but for 35000+ it should spin the tires then i went home got on the computer found exactly what i didnt need in a chevy and went and bought it it may not be a half ton hemi killer (drag strip only ) but its a bad mo fo ( my dad is pissed at me he wanted my truck and the only other one around is 250 miles away ) i dont have anything to tow all i have is 3 kids and a wife and now that i bought the truck i cant afford anything to tow (gonna get some free tents from Marlboro) but i love the truck it rides much better than the dodge (dosent seem as sturdy funky torsion bar crap) get about the same gas/fuel milage as my hemi i guess its time for a change the dodge is still stuck in 40's live axel in the front but if you want a much more comfortable truck with more power go with the chevy and supposdly the dodge 4 speed auto is a beefed up car tranny the allison is smooth and well i lost my train of thought im drunk but check one out i think you will like it unless ur 16 and want the worst ride possible (i still love my 83 dodge power ram my first truck 17 years old a.k.a. the poop brown ****ter ) well any ways check one out and let us know

Hey,
We will forgive him about the punctuation. He's drunk!! Happy belated 4th everyone!!

Go with a GMC - I had a 2005 GMC D/A that had some minor problems. It was traded in on a 2005 Dodge 3500 with CTD and 6 speed. Now I have a 2006 GM 1500HD with a 6.0 gasser and the older Allison auto. The 1500HD is much quicker. I am taking my first trip with it this weekend - I am sure it will out pull the Dodge. Mileage loos better as well. Based on the fuel gage readings I am getting, I am close to 18 - 19 MPG running 75 MPH ( Empty)

I may not own a diesel, but as least I own a GM again.When did they start putting 5speed Allisons in 6.0 1500's?

When did they start putting 5speed Allisons in 6.0 1500's?They didn't..

I guide and come hunting season I use my truck pretty hard.The rest of the time,I am just hard on it.These trucks are every bit as tough as a dodge solid axle.EXCEPT for the tie rod ends.They suck.Upgraded ones are HIGHLY advisable.

Put a little punctuation in there next time!i was never much on punctuation. I wish the spell checker would do it for me .

From what I read, the bigger gas engine always got the Allison transmission. I was thinking that the 6.0 liter just used the older, less heavy duty version. Iam incorrect on this matter?

Thanks

From what I read, the bigger gas engine always got the Allison transmission. I was thinking that the 6.0 liter just used the older, less heavy duty version. Iam incorrect on this matter?

ThanksYup.The 6.0 is the base engine in the HD line.The other is a 496c.i.(i think) motor.I am not aware of any other Allisons besides the 5 and 6 speeds to be offered in gm pickups.6.0 gas motors come with a 4spd overdrive auto which is not an allison.

franklinman1999- you get the allison tranny with the big gas motor- the 8.1 liter!!!. there is no way that a 1500 hd with a 6.0 liter gas engine will out pull a cummins diesel- your head is in the clouds!!

Hey,
We will forgive him about the punctuation. He's drunk!! Happy belated 4th everyone!!

:muahaha:

Buy a Dmax! I'm selling mine for health reasons, but I couldn't be happier with it! I've owned three Dodge Cummins and two Dmax's.

My '06 Dmax 4x4 is a jewel! Gobs of power and 20 to 23 MPG with a nice ride! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88818