OT; Diesel trucks

Anonymous-0 · Dec 4, 2009

I have a 2000 Ford F250XL 4wd diesel, which I love. Was thinking about another truck, a Dodge 2500 with the Cummings. I know the front ends on Dodge are junk , but how about the rest of the truck? Seats interior, and so on. I have a 1999 Dakota, v6 gas, first Dodge I ever had and I love it for what it is. Im looking for a used 2500, so what years were good? Never mind Chevy, they stoped making trucks in the late 80s. Ye know now they have cheap front ends, thin sheet metal, few leaf springs in the rear, a big price tag and so on. Now China owns 51%of GM j

sotxbill · Dec 4, 2009

If you can stand the poor cab, the Cummins will surprise you. I"ve had nothing but Fords till this last one. got a used 2001" 3500 clubcab dually high hp, 6sp cummins with 57k on the clock. Its great,, the rest is disappointing but its a farm truck not my wife, so I dont have to like it,, it pulls 32,000lbs like no tomorrow.. My 36" goose neck with two 12k tractors or full of round bales, make no difference. Just hope I never get stopped and weighed.. Didnt want to gamble on the Duramax or the 6.0 Ford as both didnt have a track record at the time I needed the truck. kid got behind and the bank put it at the tractor auction. bought it along with a 7710 and 7700. Dont regret it one minute. Oh yeah.. there"s something on the hood that begins with a d. But the Cummins is a great truck. Get 19 to 21mpg empty 17mpg with the 16" tandom, 13mpg with a medium (13,000lbs) load on the gooseneck where I"m still able to run in 6th. 9mpg when I have to run in 5th at 68 to 70 miles per hour with it overloaded. If you want to love a truck, dont get this one, If you what to pull everything you need to, then its a clear winner.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 4, 2009

What do you mean by poor cab? I like my Dakota cab the best. Bucket seats, air, ect. My Ford, bench seat, air. My Chevys bench seat /no air I guess it depends on the model package you get?? But the Cummings must be something, I hope to get to have one!

RobMD · Dec 4, 2009

Hey Jay,

I am all for Dodge and Ford diesels, except for non-7.3L Ford Diesels.

Concerning the Dodges, Keep in mind that 1999-2002 model 2500/3500 Rams had the STANDARD output AND the HIGH Output versions. High outputs were backed up with a heavy duty 6 speed. Standard outputs are followed by the NV6000? 5 speed shiny aluminum box. I have no hard feelings concerning the 5 speed, but I love that extra 6th gear!

The front ends were beefed up in '03 as we all know, but in 2000, a different grade of steel tubing was used for the front control arms. But in reality, they were still cheapish. However, full steel aftermarket arms are available from offroading suppliers found in Peterson's 4wd mag.

As for the seats, their cloth buckets are surprisingly formed to my arse, but everyone's arses are different, so I can't give you much info on the seats.

As of now, Fords and Dodges are the same prices (new and older) but you can't beat the shaker 5.9.

All I know is that I daren't touch a GM diesel. Especially with the way the front end looks new today. Looks like a big silver alligator coming to bite your arse.

JMOR · Dec 4, 2009

(quoted from post at 00:17:50 12/05/09) What do you mean by poor cab? I like my Dakota cab the best. Bucket seats, air, ect. My Ford, bench seat, air. My Chevys bench seat /no air I guess it depends on the model package you get?? But the Cummings must be something, I hope to get to have one!

Not sure what he meant by "the cab", but about 2 years ago I was looking at a new one and noticed that the flex of the structure along where the door hinges attach is unbelievable. Door open and you can see it flex. Lift up on the door corner and there is a lot of movement of cab/cowl structure.....not much strength there for sure. Guess all the metal is in the motor. They also have a less than stellar transmission history...a lot less.

RobMD · Dec 4, 2009

Yupp, flexing equals thinner metal gauge. Then again, isn't that the trend everywhere these days? Thinner stuff = cheaper production costs = more profit.

Look at the massive hoods and grille assemblies on the silverados. Plastic crap.

I also cannot imagine a 6.7L cummins in a thinly built truck.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 4, 2009

Good point, I forgot about the transmissions! My friend use to work doing Chysler service warrantry contracts, and she said that was a problem, when snow plowing. She even said there were alot of problems with the windshield wiper motors,. But this was 10 years ago.J

redtom · Dec 4, 2009

This is about as loaded a topic as you can get, (ford vs chevy vs Dodge). As a former chevy owner and former ford owner, both diesels, I can tell you that my 06 3500 Dodge is problem free. All brands have their down sides and all brands use thin sheet metal and skimp where they can. I can tell you that my brother-in -law has used Dodge CTD's for 15 yrs and hauls trailers every day, driving hard and fast moving nursery stock hundreds of miles. Mostly problem free. There is a reason all HD semi trucks have a 6 cyl diesel instead of a V-8.

Kevin Bismark · Dec 4, 2009

What problem do you have with the 7.3, from what I have seen that was about the best engine around, I have one right now with over 200,000 and have done nothing but change oil and still running strong, she takes NO oil and still runs like new, plenty of power.
Did you run across something I missed?

BCnT · Dec 4, 2009

every Dodge pu i seen around here with a toolbox has cracks running down both sides of bed...most run till bed goes,then put a steel flat bed on.
i know quite a few haulin hay with the 1 tons...6 speed seems to be ok for 200k with occasional clutch...auto's sometimes make 100k.

da-bees · Dec 4, 2009

Few will put down the cummins engine,not me. Unless your 2000 is worn out,not much will be gained going to cummins from the turbo 7.3. For diesel farm trucks that will do a lot of heavy towing,good price and cummins(and cat for that matter)can be had in a Ford 550 and up box & flatbeds used or ordered new with any engine,transmission,bed configuration and other equipment you preferr. Like anything used,you have to know what you are looking at or have a diesel mechanic check it over unless you have an inside with the selling company telling you how it has been treated. Ford cab&chassis,cummins powered backed by your choice of tranny. Don't get much better.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 4, 2009

Oh, sorry, this isent about Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge. Like I said before Chevy dosent make TRUCKS anymore. So count them out. I wanted to know how anyyone who has a Dodge 2500 ctd likes it.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 4, 2009

No, my 7.3 is not worn out. I just wanted to try the Cummings.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 4, 2009

As owner of 2 Cummins Dodge trucks.. '92 and '01.. They are tough trucks, best made IMHO, but the little stuff ike seats and trim is below par. And their paint is a joke.. But I would still buy another one..

Bob · Dec 5, 2009

If you love and worship Cummins so much, WHY don't you learn to spell it?

Cummins Engine Company is named after Clessie Cummins "the father of the American truck diesel".
Clessie on Wiki... an interesting read

rockyridgefarm · Dec 5, 2009

Hey Jay,

We have a 6spd manual 2wd '04 3500 dually and a 6spd manual 4wd '05 3500 dually at work. Before these two trucks, the bean counters got us an '03 automatic gasser dually. It was a joke. I would not recommend Dodge's offerings in gasoline engines and automatic transmissions. All our saleman's trucks were Dodge 1500 hemis. It's a powerful engine, but a real fuel hog. After we ended our agreement with Dodge, they've been transitioning into F-150s and loving them.

The diesel manual trucks have been good, reliable trucks for us. I wouldn't say they're the most comfortable truck, but hey, they're a 1 ton diesel dually.

mike321 · Dec 5, 2009

Dodge never beefed up the front end on the 2000 and up. I have 60,000 on mine and have replaced everything in the front end. I dont even haul with it. They have the thickest E coat avaliable. other than the fit and finish on a dodge being poor, they are not that bad. Everything I replaced on the front end was non greaseable and I made sure I put greasable parts back in, it should last alot longer this time. As for chevy they made the best trucks in the mid 90s I got one with 250000 on it and it still runs good.

davpal · Dec 5, 2009

I have this 2000 Dodge 2500 quad cab and I really like it. This truck has a 360 automatic gas motor with 175,000 miles on it and runs better than my ford pickups did when they were new. That is no kidding. I was a ford guy for 25 years and I've had it with their bass akwards engineering and problems. I defended ford to a fault and all it got me was frustrated working on trucks all the time. This Dodge is a real pleasure to drive. Cab inside is very nice. Hauls gravity boxes very well and just does most things good. Easy engine to get at under the hood too. I would drive this thing to California tomorrow without batting an eye and I live in michigan!

Doug in IL · Dec 5, 2009

I'm not sure where this "junk front ends" idea comes from. I have a '97 2500 and a '02 3500. Both are Cummins 5 speeds that I bought new. They each have around 150,000 miles on them. The front ends have never been touched.

Mike Aylward · Dec 5, 2009

Jay, I have a 2008 Dodge 3500 pickup and love it. It is a diesel with a 6-speed automatic transmisssion. I wasn't sure if I would like the automatic after running a 5-speed in the '96 Dodge it replaced. But I like it. The truck has an engine brake and works in tandem with the transmission to downshift when slowing down or going downhill. I have friends that own Ford diesels that have ridden with me and even they are impressed with the setup. The '96 I had had 313,000 trouble free miles on it and I would still be driving it had someone not ran a stop sign and drove out in front of me. For as good luck as I had with the '96 I didn't even consider anything but the Dodge/Cummins. And if this truck is any indication the next one will be the same as well. Very satisfied. Mike

ncdiesel48 · Dec 5, 2009

The "G" in cummins is so silent you can't even see it.......

JDemaris · Dec 5, 2009

This "cheap front-end" thing I keep hearing is kind of silly. I see people complaining when they have to change a ball-joint or tie-rod end at 120K miles on a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, and then say it's "cheap."

I suspect these complainer's never owned a 50s, 60s, or 70s truck.

John M · Dec 5, 2009

"All I know is that I daren't touch a GM diesel. Especially with the way the front end looks new today. Looks like a big silver alligator coming to bite your arse."

And it will too!!!I am somewhat agreeing with you, as I drive one of the alligators, but after driving all 3 of them, the Chevy is what I bought. The Ford and Dodge had that "lull" in them that the Duramax didnt have, and after pulling my M a few weeks back, Im glad I made this purchase. Just remeber if youre getting new, none of what everyone here says about mileage is going to be right unless the yhave a DPF on their trucks. I am comparing this to my buddies 08 Ford, but Im getting 4 - 6 more mpgs than his Ford.

GordoSD · Dec 5, 2009

I have a 96 12 valve CTD in a 2500 Ram. !45,000 miles and I have replaced the horn, and ball joints on one side. Tweaked the fuel plate open about 3/32 and DOUBLED the torque! Installed the pyro in the EGT and it pulls up a pretty steep hill in 5th gear, at about 1300 degrees. Just checked injector timing and it was one degree off. 5 spd manual, gets 20.1 mpg at 65 mph pulling light 17 foot fishing boat. 15 mpg with 10,000 lb loaded trailer.
Wouldn't trade for brand new Chebby.

Gordo

Anonymous-0 · Dec 5, 2009

Ya, sorrry Cummins!

Anonymous-0 · Dec 5, 2009

I thought Dodge had some problems with thr ball joints and other front end parts? Im not sure, Do they still have the solid front axel? Or are they all independent suspision? My superduty has the soild front axle, and I know Chevy doesnt have that anymore.

Mark · Dec 5, 2009

What"s a Cummings?

scot in pa · Dec 5, 2009

The biggest trouble with the front end is the track bar, the springs in the axle end aren't up to par. There are a couple options for aftermarket replacement, and I put a Luke's Link repair kit on my 01 1500. Mainly the steering gets looser and looser til you can't keep up correcting it. At that point it's referred to as the "death wobble".

The 98 2500 we had had a 360 in it, and I swear if you could make it stick, it would climb a brick wall at 80. I know it would light up all 4 wheels on a hard dirt road pulling a gravity box.

sotxbill · Dec 5, 2009

doors rattle, dash cracks in 60 places, electrical gremlins here and there, windows whistle.. but the cummins pulls like no tomorrow.. Like I said,, its not my wife. it a stupid clunky truck that keep pulling and pulling.

kyhayman · Dec 5, 2009

I've got a 2001 Dodge 2500 with the 24 valve. I'd rate it fair. 185,000 miles on it. The good... pulls like no tomorrow, 6 leaf springs, good undercoating, and it rides like a truck.

The bad..... replaced head, injectors, and injection pump at 172,000. Then needed a clutch, ball joints, and an ac core.

Looking at it next to my dads 2010 Ford, thicker sheet metal, more and better springs, and no lock out hubs on my Dodge. Plus way more power and better fuel economy.

lustforrust · Dec 6, 2009

I love my 94 chevy 3500. Pulls what I need to pull. More comfortable than ford or dodge, and I don't have to worry about the cab, front end, bed, rear end whine, glow plug circuit problem, or any other problems with ford or dodge. Oh, and I have worked for ford and dodge dealers, but I drive a chevy.

OT; Diesel trucks

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