Why don't you go drive all three and then get back to us on the "Noise Level."

The Dodge is a school bus rattle with a whistle from the turbo at freeway speed.

The modern diesels are way quieter than the older ones. But the 2008 Duramax is quieter than the 2008 Dodge. Idle is quieter and no turbo whistle on the Duramax.

 

Why don't you go drive all three and then get back to us on the "Noise Level."

Yes, I did that in the past week - drove a '10 Powerstroke F-250, a '10 Cummins 2500 and a '10 Duramax 2500.

The Ford is the quietest, in Lariat trim. The ride is the worst on a non-FX4 2500. The reliability ratings for the current engine are horrendous.

The Dodge is almost as quiet, in Laramie trim, and has a much better ride around town and on the freeway. It also has horrendous reliability ratings for the current powertrain, almost entirely due to the emissions equipment.

The GMC is the noisiest in SLT trim. The whole truck vibrates at idle, and the engine and road noise are enough louder around town and on the freeway that one has to raise one's voice to carry on a conversation. The GMC had the best ride of the three, and by far the best reliability ratings.

I understand the current trucks are quieter than their predecessors. At least in the case of the GMC, it's still quite a bit louder than the gas version (we until recently owned a Yukon 1500). It makes a real difference in driver fatigue on longer trips.

 

Interior noise is the one thing which is potentially easy to cure aftermarket however?

Thanks,
Ben

Yes. Don't waste your money on dynamat, there are much cheaper alternatives, such as peel-n-seal

Personally, I don't find my truck to be very loud at all compared to an 03 Cummins, and a 01 Ford... (work trucks)

 

My LB7 is way quieter than my '02 F250 was, but I'd still like to kill off some of the road noise. I'm probably gonna go with Second Skin Audio's Damplifier in the doors and B and C pillars. That by itself should help a lot, I may do the firewall and the floor too later.


I wouldn't go with an asphalt based mat, especially if you live somewhere where it gets hot.

 

I'd be interested in hearing about people's experience soundproofing the interior of the current generation of Duramax trucks? RIght now, the GM diesel trucks seem to be the most reliable but also by far the noisiest inside (vs Ford & Dodge) while driving / cruising. Interior noise is the one thing which is potentially easy to cure aftermarket however?

Thanks,
Ben

What year/engine and mods do you have installed ?

Your truck must be way different than mine listed below, which is stock.
My truck, I can barely hear when its running, I drive fords for work and there is no comparison on the noise level and the dodge is even louder than the fords, when compared to my truck.
I do not find the need for noise abatement in my truck.
That is one of the reasons, why I bought what I have, is the lack of noise and the high reliability vs the others.

 

We tested a stock '10 Powerstroke F250 and a '10 Duramax Sierra 2500 this weekend.

At 70 mph cruise, the F250 clocked 70-71 decibels (A-weighted) while the Sierra clocked 76-77 decibels. This was consistent with my earlier subjective impression.

 

We tested a stock '10 Powerstroke F250 and a '10 Duramax Sierra 2500 this weekend.

At 70 mph cruise, the F250 clocked 70-71 decibels (A-weighted) while the Sierra clocked 76-77 decibels. This was consistent with my earlier subjective impression.

If you don't have the pulling requirement for a diesel - get a gasser if quietness is your main focus. No diesel will be as quiet as a gasser.

Although the current Duramax engine is remarkably quiet, especially new.

 

Funny when I'm at a light next to a new Dodge or Ford all I hear is their truck idling, the dmax is pretty quiet.

 

Addendum - I ended up solving my truck dilemma a different way, today, after my wife suggested we "go big or go home".

 

So you got an FL or IH mdt?

 

A turbo diesel makes music dude........... Peeps here want them louder, not quieter.......

 

i dont know, my 09 was stupid quiet inside when everything was stock. i was actually surprised how easy and quiet of a ride it was at any speed after I bought it. compared to my friends 06 PSD, the thing is muchhhh louder inside the cab idle and on the throttle.

 

Well bought, but gotta ask - how loud is that?

 

:lol:

 

That's some good cab insulation! New mdts are pretty nice, even my brothers Kenworth is a comfy ride.

 

Maybe I just "got lucky" with the right combo, but I am IMPRESSED with the noise level in my truck at all levels. Mine has the rubber mat floor vs carpet and I do use approx 3 oz of Opti Lube per tank . . truck is stock and, as I said, couldnt be happier with the noise level OR the ride in it ..