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Which Diesel Pickup Should I Buy?

78 messages,  Last post on Oct 01, 2009 at 11:39 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Dodge Ram Pickup 2500, Ford, Engine, Biodiesel, Diesel, Truck

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#69 of 78 I need some advice by sc2 Aug 03, 2008 (6:45 pm)
I'm considering purchasing my first diesel. I am seriously considering the Duramax/Allison combo but have had several friends report only getting approximately 12 mpg. I like the ride and interior of the GM as opposed to the Dodge...However last week I went fishing with a friend in his Dodge (programmed with a Bullydog and upgraded tourque converter) and that truck screemed. We averaged over 20 mpg and he could smoke the tires without trying. I like the idea of the Cummons but I'm not sure about the Iason tranny. The GM seems to be holding it's value a bit better but the Cummons was a really strong motor. I will be towing toys (boat, bikes, and 4 wheelers). Any suggestions? Thanks
#70 of 78 Thanks for the responses by sc2 Aug 06, 2008 (4:05 pm)
I asked for the advise between the GM and Dodge a few days ago. To go a bit deeper, I'm going to buy a 4x4 crew cab (kids are all grown and don't need a mega) in Utah the GMC's are really holding their values. I passed on a 07 Dodge yesterday with 7,800 miles on it for 28K (I'm still wondering if I did the right thing) I have located an 06 GMC that I'm seriously considering for about 27K. I'll be pulling toys with it and that's about it. How have your experiences with programmers vs chips been? This GM has a bullydog (generally I see the Edge in GM products and the Bullydog in the Dodge) but the milage is showing close to 20+. Would you go chip or programmer? Gages to monitor temps or program it and forget it? I won't be smoking the tires on it (much) but I'm concerned about the chip or programmer shortening the life of the engine. Thanks again
#71 of 78 Looking for a new truck by madison4 Aug 13, 2008 (5:59 pm)
Hello, and thank you for reading my post.   I live in Atlanta, and will be moving to Colorado this year. I have two trucks, an 01 F150 Supercrew, and a 94 F250 XLT Diesel. Both are two wheel drive, so I am selling both.   I am also hearing that diesel 250s, 2500s, 350's and 3500 are selling at 40% to 50% off sticker based on drop in demand. True ?   I do know my next truck will be a diesel, and 4 wheel drive. Here is where I need help.   1. As I am moving from a warm climate to a cold climate, should I shop for dealer stock only in colder states to be sure the truck on the lot has block heaters and other cold weather specific applications ?   2. In a couple of years, I may buy a fifth wheel camper. A local dealer said to get a 3 ton series dually. But, having driven two, I just don't find dually's to my preference. I will be using the truck on a hobby farm with horses. Does a dual rear wheel make a big difference ?   3. Ok, now for the religiuous questions. I have never owned a Dodge. My first truck was a GMC, with my two current trucks as Fords. A local Dodge dealer (depending on answers to question one) appears to have the most aggressive pricing. But I know the 09 Dodge will change body styles.   So, for a truck used 50% for driving, 35% for work and 15% for hauling, a 2 ton or 3 ton ? Dually or single ? and which brand ?   4. Can any of there trucks run biodiesel with no modifications or with modifications that do not void a warranty ?   5. For the Chevy fans, what is the difference in a GMD and Chevy ?   Thanks   Chip Replies to this message: obyone (Aug 13, 2008 6:47 pm)
#72 of 78 Re: Looking for a new truck [madison4] by obyone Aug 13, 2008 (6:47 pm)
Replying to: madison4 (Aug 13, 2008 5:59 pm) For the Chevy fans, what is the difference in a GMD and Chevy ?   GMC has lock washers and Chevy doesn't.   One thing for sure if you're looking for a 4x4 I'd buy it in a warmer state that doesn't need 4x4 as the pricing should be better compared to an area that needs 4x4.   The SRW 350s or 3500 are rated to haul and tow more than a dually. The benefit to a dually is stability of the load and not a higher tow or haul rating.   Better buy it now before gas and diesel prices drop anymore resulting in people buying trucks again.
#73 of 78 Re: Pickup Choices: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Ram? [kentaco] by moparman6 Nov 01, 2008 (4:49 pm)
Replying to: kentaco (Jan 03, 2008 8:19 pm) WRONG!!! I have a 2001 3500 with a 5.9 cummins and I average 18.5 on the back roads and 20 on highway I have heard the chevys get poor mileage ( not surprising chevy's are junk) but if it's any consolation the new fords are getting 8 to 10mpg! Want a real diesel buy a dodge with the cummins!!
#74 of 78 Its all about the transmission. by trucktricks Nov 13, 2008 (11:14 am)
If you are looking for a 3/4 or 1-ton package that is not going to break, there is ony one choice. Ford and Dodge use warmed over car automatic transmissions. Chevy and GMC use a transmission that is used in 33,000 # heavy duty trucks built by Freightliner, Navistar, Peterbilt etc.   My brother-in-law is the service manager at a very reputable auto/truck repair center here in the mid-west. He says that he sees lots of F-350's and Rams for tramsmission problems and the repairs are VERY expensive. They never see a problem with the Allison in the Chevy and GMC. He claims it basically goes forever.   Looks like a no-brainer to me. Replies to this message: shoulderboards (May 05, 2009 8:13 am)
#75 of 78 Reading these are funny. by carny92 Nov 19, 2008 (5:16 pm)
It is funny how one person has problems with one and others with the different ones. I own a 95' Ford and a 96' Ford F350's and a Dodge 1 Ton all with diesel motors.   On the 95' Automatic have had quite a few problems with only 168k miles on it. The 96' just general maintence with 268k miles on it. Manual transmission, Same rear ends, and they both get about the same fuel mileage pulling close to the same loads.   Now the 2000 Dodge that I have has had the same injector problem that I read someone else has had. Mine was $3400 with the conversion kit, and already had problems after about another 30k miles on it. Everyone always told me they got 20 to 25mtg, Mine is 4x4 and it only gets 17 when it is strictly hwy miles no load, 10 to 15 with a load. Both my Fords pull my 50' Fifth wheel way better that that dodge does. Now if it was a manual it prob would be better, I really don't like auto's pulling.   I once had a 1990 Dodge with a 360 in it that the odometer stopped at 220k miles and I know I put another 30 or so on it before I parked it. It would still start after just sitting there, it only got 8 mpg so the Diesels took over. I think I am going to try a Chevy the next go around.... lol. New Fords are getting 5 to 10 mpg with those twin turbos. Replies to this message: jcharl91 (Oct 01, 2009 11:39 am)
#76 of 78 Re: Its all about the transmission. [trucktricks] by shoulderboards May 05, 2009 (8:13 am)
Replying to: trucktricks (Nov 13, 2008 11:14 am) I have three farm trucks that see hard daily use and regular towing duties. All have manual transmissions for their increased control over automatics not to mention their greater durability compared to current autos. My 2002 Chevy 2500 has the 6.0L gasoline V8 and is basically bulletproof and indestructible no matter how hard it gets used. It handles much better than my Ford and Dodge diesels since there is much less weight hanging over the front end. The 2005 Ford 250 has the powerstroke diesel which has been a strong runner as well, but is heavier than the Chevy and suffers in the handling department as a result. I recently went to my Chevy dealer to get a new 2500 duramax, and was told they do not come with manual transmissions anymore. This was a deal breaker for me, so I now have a 2008 Dodge 2500 Cummins with the 6-speed manual. Although the truck only has a few thousand miles on it, I like it the best of the three. The power is certainly there, and I prefer the ride over my Ford. Time will tell how it holds up in the long run. I wonder how many loyal Chevy owners have switched to Dodge and Ford because GM will not put manual transmissions in their new trucks?
#77 of 78 Re: Pickup Choices: Chevy Duramax or Dodge Ram? [joeboston] by cbrents Jun 12, 2009 (12:36 pm)
Replying to: joeboston (Jan 04, 2008 10:50 am) I own a 2001 Duramax. With 178,00 miles on it it now sits in a Chevy Dealer with all of the injectors bad. Chevy extended the warranty on the injectors to 200,000 miles or 7 years. Guess what? I'm at 8. Now they admit that they have an injector porblem but they say 7 years is the life of an injector. Our company has owned 3 Ford Power strokes and we have run them 10 years 300,000 miles with no engine problems, just normal maintenace. I have just spent 2 hours on the phone with GM with no postive results. So what would I recommend? Anything but a Chevy.
#78 of 78 Re: Reading these are funny. [carny92] by jcharl91 Oct 01, 2009 (11:39 am)
Replying to: carny92 (Nov 19, 2008 5:16 pm) The twin turbos are not the culprit of bad MPG's in the new Ford 6.4l trucks. It's the new emissions laws being passed by the EPA pushing for almost no NOX. In other words, they expect you to almost be able to put your lips up to the tailpipe and be able to breathe. Theoretically, the twin turbos could increase fuel economy if Ford was able to tune them correctly. The 7.3s had almost no emissions restrictions on them, that is the reason why they are so much better on gas.

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