Cummins vs Duramax vs PowerStroke

Boosted · Apr 26, 2009

Yeah I know I could have searched and found the answers but I have very little time as Im planning on buying a truck tomorrow.

Im looking for something in the $15000 range and want to be able to tow my junk back home in a year (South Carolina to Seattle). What Im hoping to get out of this is which tow rig I should buy and why. Keep in mind the Dodge or Ford would be a 2003-2005 and the GM a 2002-2004 based on the price range. These are all 4x4's with under 100k miles....

Thanks, Bill

LMAO @ Cummings....damn typo! :fawkdancesmiley:

J_SIN · Apr 26, 2009

I'm a ford guy but even I wouldnt buy a powerstroke from 2003-2005. I dont hear much good about the 6.0 powerstrokes.

1bigtj · Apr 26, 2009

ford

just bought an 01 powerstroke 4x4 with 47000 miles very happy with it so far i paid 16000 but it has extremely low miles. so i am gonna have to say ford

Nuzzy · Apr 26, 2009

Nothing good will come of this thread :haha:

Lucky Jeff · Apr 26, 2009

I'd pretty much base the Dodge vs Chevy on looks alone.. Either one will be a great riding/driving tow rig and get good mileage.

And the 6.0's of those year Fords can be real hit and miss.. The later models seem to do fine.. Either that or go a little earlier and snag a 7.3.. They'll make a decent enough amount of power for most people and are way more reliable then the earlier 6ohno's. Only downfall is the mileage. They just can't seem to compete with the Dmaxs and Cummins. And of course I'm against the front leaf springs.. I'm a sissy. :redneck:

ain'tstuckjustresting · Apr 26, 2009

We have all Powerstroke 250 and 450's at work and the 6.0L has proven to be real **** pile. No wonder Ford and Navistar are sueing each other. I have a 03' Chev dmax and "love it" bought it new and have ran it pretty hard. Can't say much bad about the Cummins but my wife drives a 02' Dodge and I like the Interior of the chevy better. Might be worth it to find someone really familiar with whatever rig you decide to look at. As all diesels have things to look out for. Watch out on the common rail 5.9 if it seems to crank longer than expected befor it starts you have injectors failing and you don't want that bill. On a Cheby stand on the brake pedal and crank the wheels stop to stop to check the hydroboost. Very common to get gunked up, also look for a slight oil residue on the firewall below the master cyl. All diesels it is worth draining a little fuel from the separator to see how much rust/water is in there. These new injectors are really frail and if you find a bunch of crap in the filter move on as factory filter systems are marginal at best. Good luck!:beer:

KarlVP · Apr 26, 2009

If you go with the D-max watch out for the injectors. They like to fail fairly often in the 01 to 04 engines. (LB7 engine code)

However GM warrantied it for 7 years or 200K miles.

I got mine fixed for free when they went out. The thing is, when they go out, the truck dosen't lose power or act up, you just spout clouds of gray smoke at idle.

Aside from the injector issue (which was fixed for free) I love my duramax.

Mike G · Apr 26, 2009

Cummins

Fordzuki · Apr 26, 2009

Don't kid yourselves. It's all about the 6.2. :awesomework:

MyDixieWrecked · Apr 26, 2009

ALL I GOTTA SAY IS MY DODGE MY DODGE MY DODGE... ... :Acheers:

boxboy · Apr 27, 2009

Ford 7.3

But really find the best deal and buy it I think you will be happy with any of them...

Clark · Apr 27, 2009

I voted for the duramax, I've got a crew cab short bed duramax/allison, and love it. If the dodge had an allison i'd have bought the dodge though. The tranny sold me on the chevy, but i love the duramax too, i've got efi live and it is in my opinion the best tuner available period for any diesel be it gm, ford, or dodge.:awesomework: Can't go wrong with a cummins though. Just don't get a ford:eeek:

JBuck · Apr 27, 2009

Cummin's all the way. Look for the H.O. 04.5-05 though. And if you are going to mod stick to the manual tranny. Stay away from the 6.0 read lots of bad about it, but the Chevy probably would be too bad either.

PORTER · Apr 27, 2009

I bought my truck for the Cummins engine, the rest of the truck is just a bonus.

crash2 · Apr 27, 2009

KarlVP said:
If you go with the D-max watch out for the injectors. They like to fail fairly often in the 01 to 04 engines. (LB7 engine code)

However GM warrantied it for 7 years or 200K miles.

I got mine fixed for free when they went out. The thing is, when they go out, the truck dosen't lose power or act up, you just spout clouds of gray smoke at idle.

Aside from the injector issue (which was fixed for free) I love my duramax.

I don't know about fairly often (not enough IMO) but I see them with an easy 100k without ever being touched.

As for when they go---there are a number of issues but the typical one is no start or extened crank due to lack of being able to build pressure..

When I was in the market for my rig the one thing I found was for a comprable rig***dodge/chev*** the chev was close to $8k more.

inline61 · Apr 27, 2009

longer life out of the Cummins engine, JMHO. Get a 6 speed as well, easier to fix, well cheaper.

Interiors and stuff are all up to personal preference.

Boosted · Apr 27, 2009

Thanks for all the replies guys n gals....much appreciated.

Right now my 1st choice is a newer 6spd Cummins followed by an automatic with a HUGE trans cooler.

Its a toss up between early Duramax or 7.3 Powerstroke for 3rd choice.

As for upgrades, I would probably not do much other than programmer, exhaust and intake.... :awesomework:

Just waiting for the dealer to call me with a list of finds. Then I will go down to the stealership and take a look before deciding.

Thanks again!
Bill

mark · Apr 27, 2009

Good luck finding a crew-cab Durramax for under 15K. I'm on the hunt for the "right" d-max CC and most seem to be hovering in the 19-20 range +. Couple have been cheaper, but they disappear REAL quick so you better be ready to move. But then I'm also looks for a very specific truck.

I got to find more sources to search. CL, Autotrader(online) and Ebay are pretty used up for me. Ocationaly Cars.com.... any suggestions from anyone?
________
Cheap Police Action Shotgun Airsoft Powered

Boosted · Apr 27, 2009

mark said:
Good luck finding a crew-cab Durramax for under 15K. I'm on the hunt for the "right" d-max CC and most seem to be hovering in the 19-20 range +. Couple have been cheaper, but they disappear REAL quick so you better be ready to move. But then I'm also looks for a very specific truck.

I got to find more sources to search. CL, Autotrader(online) and Ebay are pretty used up for me. Ocationaly Cars.com.... any suggestions from anyone?

Ive been able to find several down here in the Southeast....

I have a broker doing the search for me and he has access to vehicles that are not on Craigslist, Autotrader, ebay etc.... Mainly auctions and such.

The deal with the Duramaxs that I have found in the my price range are they are not in as good condition as the others which is due to the generally higher price.