Powerstroke or cummins

**scrambled** · 08-31-2011, 11:47 AM

I am in the market for a truck. I plan on towing at least a 3 car trailer and campers etc. I know I want a dually diesel. I am a diehard ford guy in terms of trucks. I am not opposed to a Ram however. I want to hear owners thoughts on both the Ram 3500 and the F-350 and 450. I know about the 6.0l fords problems, but that doesn't concern me much. Trucks now with the 6.0l were most likely fixed by now. I also don't plan on modding it much. I am looking at used trucks, not new. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Nickell80 · 08-31-2011, 08:36 PM

Keep it simple, drive both and see which one you like best, searching can answer any questions you may have and it doesn't help you any to ask random internet people for their opinions on truck.
Don't rule out the Duramax though, as much as I hate the IFS, they really are great trucks.

wilson1010 · 08-31-2011, 08:37 PM

I'd look for a real clean 2000-2003 7.3 which has only about 10% less torque than a 6.0 and I wouldn't be so sure about all of those head gaskets and cylinder heads having been replaced on a 6.0. I know guys who have not had a problem . . . . yet.

**MGDWJ** · 08-31-2011, 08:55 PM

My vote is for the cummins diesel. Had a 95 dodge with over 500,000 miles 90% was pulling a large trailer. Have had several friends that have went from dodge to ford or chevy and 98% of them get another dodge.

**ssquier92** · 08-31-2011, 08:59 PM

Cummins 5.9l if you dont mind getting one a few years old.. proven engine for years.. theres a reason you see ford and chevy guys swapping in cummins and not the other way around IMO. All the dumptrucks in my dads company have a 5.9l cummins in them and they are still running strong at 300k. He has a 2005 2500 dodge 5.9l with 200k and it hasnt had one issue yet. I will admit dodge trannys can sometimes leave room to be desired but anything can hold up with the right kind of care and maintenance

IEcrawlerTJ01 · 08-31-2011, 09:17 PM

Cummins or GTFO...

Diesels were ment to be straight motors.. As in straight 6's... not v's

Fords have problems no matter how old or new they are

If the above is what you plan on pulling cummins is The ONLY way to go IMO

I know some diehard ford (insert rainbow here) is gonna get on here and disagree. But there will be plenty that will agree with cummins

Just look at dodges towing on you tube and then look at how Many miles they got. Ha

JeepinJarhead03 · 09-01-2011, 05:03 AM

I have no idea how much we put in our F'er trying to get the front end on it right, it'll wear you out on a long trip, with or without the trailer (goose 5th) - i have pulled the trailer loaded with a fellas 3500 and the get up and go and weight handling was pretty equal, it sure drove better

i do NOT drive my F'er unless the trailers on it anymore - when it comes down to the badges on the vehicle or who made it i could care less for the most part, i'm all about function when it comes to that end of the ballgame

32k miles haulin, maybe.. MAYBE.. 10k unloaded.. halfway praying for an oak to fall, ill use the dozer to pick the tree up and put the truck under it if i have to

**Drix** · 09-03-2011, 02:33 PM

Both trucks will do anything the other will do. The 5.9 is a great motor. The 6.0 is fine as long as you look at the 06-07 model years.

If your gonna be traveling long distances. I would say just get the truck you the most comfortable with.

I will throw this out there. Don't disregard getting a duramax. If I was to pick up a diesel truck again. Which I will, it would be an 06 duramax. They are very comfortable. To ride in and the duramax is the best diesel in this market segment right now.

Second choice would be the Ford. If your making short trips and want a truck with a diesel on the cheap side pick up an older dodge with a cummins.

IEcrawlerTJ01 · 09-03-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drix

Both trucks will do anything the other will do. The 5.9 is a great motor. The 6.0 is fine as long as you look at the 06-07 model years.

If your gonna be traveling long distances. I would say just get the truck you the most comfortable with.

I will throw this out there. Don't disregard getting a duramax. If I was to pick up a diesel truck again. Which I will, it would be an 06 duramax. They are very comfortable. To ride in and the duramax is the best diesel in this market segment right now.

Second choice would be the Ford. If your making short trips and want a truck with a diesel on the cheap side pick up an older dodge with a cummins.

You should have noted that you want the 06 duramax for the 6spd Allison

And why do you think the duramax is the best diesel in this market segment right now?

**Jeepit85** · 09-06-2011, 07:02 AM

6 in a row, built to tow=Dodge.

IEcrawlerTJ01 · 09-06-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepit85

6 in a row, built to tow=Dodge.

Exactly...

**Drix** · 09-06-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEcrawlerTJ01

You should have noted that you want the 06 duramax for the 6spd Allison

And why do you think the duramax is the best diesel in this market segment right now?

yes the 6speed allison is nice.

My buddy owns a diesel performance shop, my other buddy has a pretty built 06 duramax, the owner of the shops has an 05.

06 Duramax stock kept up with my tuned 2002 7.3 F-250. we both left my buddy in his 06 F-250 6.0 behind. I have just seen these Duramax engines do stuff with little money that the Dodges and Fords cant with out spending more money.

This is all performance wise.

stock for stock. The dodges transmissions pale in comparison to the Allison or the Ford Torqueshift. If you add HP and have to build the Transmission both the Ford and the Chevy Trans is way less expensive to build.

I have driven another friends 01 Cummins, my 02 Powerstroke, my bosses 03 Duramax and his 05 Duramax, and my Friends 06 Duramax. Drove them all stock and modified. The Dodge he said it was tuned but it was still sluggish compared to my 7.3. and my 7.3 also feels sluggish compared to my friends 06 Duramax.

Not a lot of vehicles feel powerful however after driving a 700hp truck.

Look around and see how many older Dodges with a Cummins are rolling around. you can find a few nice ones. if they are still on the road they probably suffer from body rot. The Cummins is a nice engine, The Dodge truck is not up to par with the engine. I have not driven any 2011 new Dodges. I would hope by now there standards have rose.

Nickell80 · 09-07-2011, 01:32 PM

*just to be technical*

If you can find one, the 07 Silverado "classic" has the LBZ with the 6 speed as well, that's what my dad has now and I love it, I don't like the feel of the ifs though, and the fact that I feels its only fast (very fast rather) because it runs like a hot rod and loves to rev, something I personally don't like in a diesel and we can feel it when pulling the toy hauler.

oteps · 09-08-2011, 08:42 AM

I went with a 99 f350 4 door long bed 7.3 auto. I just rebuilt the tranny, new injector o rings and a couple other little things. I was looking at dodges and fords. But I wanted a full 4 door and 8 ft bed and the price was right for the ford $5600. Drive both and see what you like better.

wilson1010 · 09-08-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilson1010

I'd look for a real clean 2000-2003 7.3 which has only about 10% less torque than a 6.0 and I wouldn't be so sure about all of those head gaskets and cylinder heads having been replaced on a 6.0. I know guys who have not had a problem . . . . yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oteps

I went with a 99 f350 4 door long bed 7.3 auto. I just rebuilt the tranny, new injector o rings and a couple other little things. I was looking at dodges and fords. But I wanted a full 4 door and 8 ft bed and the price was right for the ford $5600. Drive both and see what you like better.

And, once again the old fart hits the bullseye.