Author Topic: new diesel pickup, which one is best? (Read 1613 times)

ihookem · « **on:** January 26, 2006, 02:13:49 PM »

I am looking at a new pickup with a diesel engine. One of the big three in a three quarter ton is what seems to be the only options. So has anyone heard which of the three has been the most dependable? I don't care about power,they all have plenty. Any good info would be appreciated. Thanks.

wis_sharpshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2006, 04:01:27 PM »

Chevy Duramax..enough said

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2006, 10:07:07 PM »

The one with the Cummins.... :toast:

Actually I think I would prefer the Ford truck with the Cummins engine

roper · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2006, 03:37:12 AM »

I'm a Ford guy but alot of changes taking place, dodge has the bigger crew cab, both chev and ford are coming out with a different motors more horsepower.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:06:29 AM »

Bear in mind that Ford and Dodge's warranty has a deductable so in other words you do not get a warranty. You get breakdown insurance

GM does not do this YET.

NYH1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2006, 01:29:05 PM »

Quote from: krochus

Bear in mind that Ford and Dodge's warranty has a deductable so in other words you do not get a warranty. You get breakdown insurance GM does not do this YET.

That's the first I've heard of that. It's definitely something to look into and consider. Having a good warranty is very important, especially when you're gonna drop 30 to 40 large on a new truck!

WorkinStiff · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2006, 02:34:35 PM »

Really do your research......The Ford 6.0 liter is a MAJOR LEMON....I was warned away from them by a relative who works at a Ford dealership...Ford has been working hard to get their new 6.4 liter out...Relative says that resale on 6.0 liters will drop dramatically when the 6.4 is introduced next year...The Duramax is a great engine but has had some injector issues, $2000+ to replace....Those who do serious hauling for a living overwhelmingly use the Dodge/Cummins.....They are way overbuilt for pickup applications and are an option in Ford'sFf-550 thru F-850 .....I ended up with the cummins...Got 73K and NO issues, never been back to the dealer.....

acearch72 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2006, 03:04:51 PM »

I have a '04 F250 w/6.0L diesel. My son has one also but he jacked his up and put big tires on it.

I considered the Ford and Chevy both, and decided on the Ford basically because of the inside room, which seems considerably more than the Chevy. I had always had a Chevy before, but not diesel. The talk about the 6.0L having problems was basically for the first issue in '03, but it was solved in '04. I would say that I have a mixed review on the Ford.....some good......some bad........

the Good.....
Lots of inside room.
pretty good milage. get about 17.5 around town, but drops off on interstate at above 70mph.
great pulling trailer and loads.
LOTS of power.

the Bad.......
takes 40 acres to turn around. forget 90 degree parking slots.
too tall for most inside garages. also can't make sharp turns.
AC sucks. no AC in back and front barely cools front.
Sucks big time in mud. I will try next year with with MT tires instead of AT, but with ATs it WILL NOT go.
Radio pretty much sucks. Chevy has much better sound systems.

I have had absolutely no problems with the truck and neither has my son. When I go to get another one, I don't know how I will go. I like lots of things about the Chevy, but the Ford is a powerhouse.

Rogue Ram · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2006, 05:17:12 PM »

I've had both the Ford Powerstroke and the Dodge 24 valve Cummins. The Ford truck itself was BY FAR the better truck...body, suspension, interior, etc. was great. The engine leaked like a sieve, and the transmission headed south under 50k miles. It didn't help when the dealership had the engine out to fix the leaks that the cherry picker broke :shock: and dropped the engine on the truck.

The Dodge was built in Saltillo, Mexico....probably by a bunch of drunks at 4:59 PM on a Friday night. The problems are endless and most are endemic to Dodges: track bars, lift pumps, fuel gauge sending units, transmissions, AND defective engine blocks on early 24 valve engines....the Dodge is getting sold THIS WEEK. Both of the above were a complete and total waste of money, the Dodge being the big money pit with me trying to fix things that Dodge had no answer for.

That leaves the Duramax. Do your research you'll see they have issues as well. Far as I'm concerned none of them are worth the outrageous money it takes to buy one. If I HAD to have one I truly don't know what I'd do, but it would get the longest and most comprehensive extended warranty I could afford! Mine paid for itself on the Dodge nearly 3 times over!

You pays your money you takes your chances....

RR

P.S.: The truck was dropped at the local dealership for numerous warranty issues, as the extended warrant is running out and I want to sell it in good shape. The front seatbelts had totally locked up on me: dealer ordering entirely new seatbelt system. :shock: They claim the stock lift pump is fine......stock lift pumps SUCK on the 24 valvers, this is my 4TH ONE, and when we checked the pressure our gauge said its bad :evil: so, the dealer wins that one. What else......several other issues haven't been looked at so I had to "REMIND THEM" that for my $50 deductible I want ALL the issues dealt with. Finally, last year, Mr. Badwrench didn't replace all my bolts when he hooked the front driveshaft to the transfer case, and those bolts he did fasten he failed to tighten. ONE bolt stayed (of course........can you see this coming)and the shaft swung like a crankshaft and spun up busting the transfer case in TWO PIECES. They fixed it as it was their problem. Ever since the new case didn't work right...."gee it has to break in". :roll: Right. Well, guess what? "Uh, your new case is FROZE UP SOLID, we have to order a new one, and its, well, on us". Welcome to my nightmare, some of which is attributable to a truck that wasn't thought out well, some of which is attributable to a dealership that can't keep mechanics around. Sorry for the long post, but there you go. Now what to replace the truck with...........

bgoldhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2006, 09:55:21 AM »

I work in a Chevy dealership, and would not buy a Duramax. In fact, after my 2500HD (with 8500 miles) which I traded in on my wife's Tahoe, I don't think I'll buy another GM until QC issues can be resolved.

Dodge has come a long way with their trucks, and the Cummins is great. However I would go with the Ford, as the Powerstroke issues are resolved and not as big a deal or as common as some would lead you to believe. The 05 models have had the steering issues resolved. The Super Duty will be my next truck, no doubt about it!

tmagnum · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:02:16 PM »

How is the new ford transmission working out? I had a number of friends drop the old tranny out of their fords, and I heard there was some concern about this new one.

acearch72 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:28:22 PM »

I have about 50k and mine is still OK.....

That said, it doesn't seem to be as good as the Chevy. I deep down don't have a lot of confidence in it, but have not had problems so far.

tmagnum · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2006, 04:07:14 AM »

Since I posted the question above, I have developed a problem in my duramax with 4000 miles on it. For a while I didn't think it had the power that my 03 had, but ignored this. Now I have a tick or knock developing, and you can really note a drop in power from the 30mph range and up, with very sluggish response, and poor response once it does go. I am hoping this is a simple injector problem...any ideas?

ihookem · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2006, 01:54:40 PM »

Well guys thanks for all the opinions about diesels. I bought one ten days ago and got a used 05 Gmc diesel extended long box with 25k on it. I think I got at least a fair deal on it, 35k with tax and a new cap. It's nice to get real thoughts from people all over the country from level headed people. For the Ford guys I didn't buy one mostly because of the 6.0 engine. but I did like the Ford. Last two trucks 96 f-150 2wd 6cyl stick. 225k and it's junk now but still doesn't burn oil. Truck before, 86 f-150 6cyl 2wd stick 213k , junked it too. I didn't even test drive the Dodge because it seemed like sales men didn't care much. My inlaw has a 04 dodge diesel and swears by it. Again thanks for the info!

rockbilly · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2006, 02:49:48 PM »

:roll: Too late for my advice to do you any good, but I would have gone with the Ford and the 6.0. I have owned all three of the big trucks, and must admit, I did have a problem with the Ford, but once it was fixed, it has been great. I have a F-250 FX4 Crew Cab with the automatic transmission. I pull a 38 foot 5th wheel travel trailer (empty weight 13,700 lbs, the Ford handles the job better than the Dodge or the Chevy, gets better mileage and will run away and leave either of the others with a simular load. Running without the trailer, I get about 23 miles per gallon on the highway, and about 14.5 around town, when I hook up I get about 11 miles per gal.

The problems cited with the Fords is mostly with the early production models. That being, the ones made late 02-early 03. FOrd knew they had a problem with the injectors and turbo, but did not do a recall, they just replaced them as they failed. That is what happened to mine, after I got the updated turbo and injection system it has not given me any more problems. I currently have 87K on it. The Chevy found a new home after less than 30K. As for the Dodge, the Cummings was great, I just didn't have enough duct tape and baleing wire to keep the body in one piece. :wink: