While I am enduring the endless wait :(, I find myself second guessing myself ??? and going back over the reasons why I choose a Dodge/Cummins over brand X or brand Y. This will not be my first truck (currently have a GMC), but I have no particular brand loyalty. I looked at the Chevys and Fords before I looked at the Dodge. I made the decision for Dodge because (in oder of importance):<br>1. Reputation of the Cummins.<br>2. Large back seat for grandkids but still fits in garage.<br>3. More rugged and better looking than Chevy<br>4. Smoother ride than Ford<br>5. Options I wanted without having to go to top model<br><br>There might be others but those are my main ones. For you guys forking out $35k or more hard earned dollars, what made you decide against the Duramax or the new 6.0 Powerstroke?<br><br>The Boss Hog (KZ and holding)

Boss, if you were 600 miles closer, you could take mine out for a spin. You'd feel better again. All those doubts would be erased.<br><br>Chris<br><br>

Boss Hog,

I bought for all the reasons you quote plus a bunch more.
1. Looks
2. Size of the quad compared to Chev and Ford CC
3. Payload for the HO

I drove the Chev and really like the ride. Drove the Ford - - let's see, what did I like more than Chev or Dodge - - can't remember. I liked the Cummins, but of course had not driven or seen the new Dodge. Drove a 2002 1500, but this new one does not drive much like one. So, this was like buying a pig in a poke in some ways. I definitely needed the towing capacity and for sure didn't want to have to buy the Ford 450 to get it. They drive and ride like a truck. [laugh]

Wait until you drive it, baby. You will be all smiles. Ride, steering, tight cornering, quiet - - jist u wate! 8)

NewToyBob

Boss<br><br>Cummins<br><br>Rear seat without buying a bus<br><br>Economy (fuel, towing and regular)<br><br>Quiet<br><br>Sheer power in the HO 6 speed (brings me back to the 60's muscle cars)<br><br>DC new look and improvements<br><br>Hunter

SRW option on the 3500.<br>Put Chevy/GMC outta the loop.<br>Cheaper than the Ford...Ford's are everywhere in my town...got sick of them. <br> GM's (2500's) always seemed light duty.

PADZZ,<br><br>Look a little closer. The Chevy/GMC 2500HDs are basically the same as a Dodge 3500 SRW. They even share the same American 11.5&quot; rear axle.<br><br>Joe 8)

But who wants that JapanaMaxi Engine with all the extra parts it has? Just more to go wrong. If I wanted an Asian truck I'd of bought one. [laugh]

Cummins engine Long engine life to handle the high mileage I put on it. Decent fuel mileage Incredible, wonderful, stupendous, marvelous, prodigiously noisy engine! ;D (I have an 02)
I have no vehicle brand loyality, and the fact that it was a Dodge wasn't considered in making my decision. As I've said on this forum before, DaimlerChrysler lags far behind GM and Ford in vehicle options and accoutrements. If the powerplant was in a GM, I would have bought GM. In fact, I turned down my GM supplier discount to get the engine I wanted. No DuraMax here!

I have always bought Superduty's to pull my RV. Had the F-350 Crewcab SWB Powerstroke the last time. I was going to order a new one with the 6.0 until I looked at the Dodges. <br> The are a lot of things that sold me on the new Dodge. Honestly a month ago I would have never have thought I would buy a Dodge.<br> FWIW Randy

- Cummins HO<br>- New design has personality<br>- Cummins HO<br>- Easy to lift/modify<br>- Cummins HO<br>- Ride/handling<br><br>Best to y'all<br>Bill :)

I do not know about this truck bring me back to the Muscle of the 60's. I have the Nova for that. <br>I love the look of this truck... I have always liked the look but when they brought the new model out. There was no doubt I had to have one. <br>I was not going to get the Hemi, because if it is like any of the other engine DC offers it will be junk and expensive to fix.<br>Looks is the main reason why I bought mine. Even thought rear seat seems smaller than GM and Fords crew cab. <br>Plus I love the ride height of the Dodge, helps me get over the pot holes in the City... [laugh]<br>Plus the price they offered me at the dealer was cheaper than I could get a GM with the same options at employee price. <br>I do not know if I have made a mistake purchasing a Dodge, already have a bad taste in my mouth about the rear axle. That really got to me... You buy a 40K truck and the dealer can not take 5 mins and do a PDI that they get paid 2.5 hrs to do. <br>When they send me the 5 star survery from the dealer. They will be lucky to get even a decent mark on the fourm. <br>Even the sales department was great, service is a bunch of mopes.... <br>Hope typical Dodge built quality does not bite me where it hurts...

To all above,<br><br>I am definitely not brand loyal. I currently own 2 Dodges (2500 Ram/Dakota), 4 Chevrolets (Step Van/C30/2500HD/FS Blazer), 2 Fords (F700/Explorer), 3 Jeeps (M715/CJ5/Commando), 1 Iveco (Box truck) and a Seagrave Firetruck. They are a mix of diesel and gas power.<br><br>I will still take my 2002 2500HD Duramax/Allison over the Dodges (not trying to start a war here !) if for no other reason than the fact that it has an Allison 5 speed auto - not available in any other light duty truck (Ford or Dodge). I also feel that the new Ram doesn't have a very good look compared to the older Dodges or the Chevy 2500HD. I guess most of you are to insecure to admit that anything can be better than what YOU own. I like my Ram for different reasons than my other trucks, the same goes for my 2002 Chevy 2500HD.<br><br>Just my $.02 worth.<br><br>Joe

...... I guess most of you are to insecure to admit that anything can be better than what YOU own. I like my Ram for different reasons than my other trucks, the same goes for my 2002 Chevy 2500HD.

Just my $.02 worth.

Joe


Please! Not trying to start anything? Gimme a break, Joe. ::) You're not real subtle with your baiting are you? Personally, I could trade my Dodge today for a Chevy DuraMax if I wanted and use my GM supplier discount too. But there's no finer small truck engine out there better than the Cummins. Besides, I won't drive anything made from recycled Silver Bullet cans. ::) I already stated above that DC lags far behind the others in ammenities, accoutrements, options, whatever you want to call them. What more do you want me to say. Insecure? Please! Try baiting the Powerstoke guys. Would you like their web address?

[edit]

And you know what else, Joe. I take umbrage when someone with 4 posts to their name comes on here and lays that horse hockey on me.

If you are all that insecure I guess I will go to a real Truck site. I thought this site might be a bit more open minded, but you guys are all just like the TDR group -- narrow minded and insecure.<br><br>Good bye<br><br>Joe

<br>I will still take my 2002 2500HD Duramax/Allison over the Dodges (not trying to start a war here !) if for no other reason than the fact that it has an Allison 5 speed auto - not available in any other light duty truck ....<br><br><br><br>Just wait untill that Allison gets a leak or shears off the torque convertor bolts and then you will realize that GM does not offer a seal kit for this problem, and that you have to purchase the entire trans. With its $4300 price tag. I work for GM's warranty division I can not in good fair buy a GM truck know how they treat there customers..<br><br>check out this web-site<br>www.gmacsucks.com<br><br><br>I do like the new style of the GM trucks thought.. But they sit to low...

&quot;Goodbye&quot; http://webpages.charter.net/biskit7/wavey.gif (Joe reels in bait, increases speed from &quot;troll&quot; to &quot;cruise&quot;.)

the reason I bought mine was because of:<br>looks <br>the power of a cummins<br>all the problems we had out of our 97 powerjoke and 96 6.5 turblow chevy.<br>all the good things that our 78 dodge has. Never replaced anything excpt the starter. it runs great to this day.<br>all my friends bought dodge ctd. one has 150k and only changed the oil three times. It still runs but has a tick to it [eyecrazy] he is not the smartest guy.<br>never licked fords anyway.

I like Dodges mainly because of the power. The looks are great as well. My $.02 <br><br><br>As for long-lasting, Look a my signature for long-lasting.

I've been Ford biased for many years. I used to collect 427 &amp; 428CJ powered Shelby's and Mustang's so I've always had a soft spot for muscle cars. My current project car is a '67 Camaro SS convertible that I'm transplanting a Y2K LS1/6 speed and complete C4 vette front suspension into. We also have a 2001 TDI Jetta that my wife puts &gt;25k mi. per yr. on I appreciate the benefits of the modern diesel.<br><br>I've been tempted to buy a Ford SD for some time but could never find a 6 speed, Lariat when I was ready to buy and just never ordered one. I bought a '93 CTD Dodge for an uncle of mine last year and was impressed with it but still never thought I'd buy a Dodge. I considered a Ford again with the new 6.0TD since I really like the larger Crew Cab and the King Ranch interior is awsome. Once I found out you couldn't get it with a 6 speed, that ended that idea. I've also recently owned a &quot;94 ton Chevy 6.5 TD, bought with a blown engine that I put a new one in. I think more than anything else, it taught me the benefits of the CTD straight 6, rugged design. It was such a PITA to work on the V8 diesel in that truck. I also wouldn't trust GM with my hard earned cash given the rash of problems they designed into these.<br><br>I'm still waiting for my Atlantic Blue SLT/Sport HO/6 speed to come in. Ordered in mid August, expected to be here in Mid December. I guess the reasons would be:<br>#1 CTD very strong and will last forever. Powerstroke also has a pretty good reputation. All have more than enough stock power for anything I will ever do.<br>#2 6 speed with all the toys, leather etc. and are common so performance parts will be available.<br>#3 looks (more modern than the Ford, better than the Chevy)<br>#4 price about the same as Ford, lower than GM<br><br>On the minus side<br>- &quot;small&quot; crew cab (wife, 3 kids and a greyhound)<br>- only Gray interior colors, would prefer tan<br>- It's still a Dodge. The only other Dodge worth owning is a Viper (not counting some of the old Superbird/Cuda/Daytona's etc.)<br>Kris<br>

I have had my truck for 2 weeks now and I can not say anything bad about it. This is the BEST truck that I have driven or owned over the past 40 years, bar none!<br>I truely believed I would have to put up with a rough ride to get the towing capability that I wanted. Not so with this truck. It is still a truck and you know it is, but not to the degree that I expected. <br>I can't wait to get a 5er hooked up to her, to see what she is really made of.<br>JD

JayDee,<br><br>Ditto. 8) Mine is white 3500 dually HO like yours. I was amazed at the handling and ride. I was expecting it to be like the 2002 3500. No way - - in fact it drives and rides better than the Chev I tested. Holds the road like a leach. I'm very happy.<br><br>Bob

On my personal truck I chose a dodge because of the solid front axle, and I want to put a lift kit on it and have not had good luck with IFS. I realize that ford also offers a solid axle so I chose the cummins over the international (powerstroke) because my family happens to own a trucking company and the cummins is closer to what is in a big rig than the power stroke or the duramax. (Although my company has owned both ford powerstrokes and chevy duramax trucks). I like the dodge.....and the ford....and the chevy, each has their strengths I dont think you can go wrong with any of them.<br><br>And good riddance to joe pool, not trying to start a brand war?...B.S. Im sorry we are not all suffering from little mans disease and therfore bought a duramax to be just like you and made you feel better about your choice. Good luck finding a better site where you can all give each other the warm fuzzies about it....loser

<br>JayDee,<br><br>Ditto. 8) Mine is white 3500 dually HO like yours. I was amazed at the handling and ride. I was expecting it to be like the 2002 3500. No way - - in fact it drives and rides better than the Chev I tested. Holds the road like a leach. I'm very happy.<br><br>Bob<br><br><br>I want my truck :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Everybody be nice now. I guess this problem took care of itself. hehe <br><br>Seriously, lets keep it cool :) Keep it on the trucks, not the people. :)

I have always been, and still am favorably predisposed to Ford products. I was one of those &quot;I'd rather see my daughter in a whorehouse than my son in a Dodge&quot; types. Then along came Cummins. Then along came some innovative styling. This was followed up by continuous minor improvements in the design. Now I'm sold. I have purchased six Cummins equiped Dodges for work trucks, but for the first time the new quad cabs made me decide on a Dodge for my daily driver. My H.O. 4X4 Quad SB Sport is ordered. I have had Powerstrokes (the T444E variety) and have had no trouble with them, but the Dodge/Cummins combo just looks, sounds and feels better to me. I guess my preference is based on several subjective intangibles; frankly I wouldn't have any heartburn over any of the diesels that are currently available, but I believe that any objective comparitive measure will result in a very favorable score for the Dodge/Cummins combination.<br><br>Sleep easy, you know you are going to like it.

commatoze, Ford boys and Chev boys<br><br>Interesting, it seems the Ford and GM boys are haunting our sites, they must have a little interest in our little 2003 ladies! ;D<br><br>Comma, you might want to take a little trip on down to the DC dealer, and check out an option list for a 2003. A mite different than the 2002. You might even be surprised about the &quot;DC lags far behind the others in ammenities, accoutrements, options, whatever you want to call them. &quot;<br><br>Hunter

........
Comma, you might want to take a little trip on down to the DC dealer, and check out an option list for a 2003. A mite different than the 2002. You might even be surprised about the &quot;DC lags far behind the others in ammenities, accoutrements, options, whatever you want to call them. &quot;

Hunter


I did......and they still do. :( Don't worry, i ain't switchin' ;D Besides, the 03's are too quiet.......wait.....wrong thread ;D

Mopar Mud Man,<br><br>Just hang on a little longer, baby. Your baby will arrive in all it's glory. You can change it's oil, wipe it's butt, and clean up it's nose. It will come, promise. [laugh] [laugh]<br><br>Bob

The last 3 trucks that I owed where Fords and I was sick of having to deal with the local Ford dealer. I was in Anchorage AK and my trans was going out for the second time. I picked up a local paper and Dodge was having what I thought was a good sale so I traded my Ford in for an 02 Dodge. I had looked earlier at an 02 Durmax but they would drop below 40K.I have two 5.9Cummins SW diesels in one of my charter boats and they preform real well. That is my .02 worth.

Its just to bad that DC doesnt take more heed to what is written in these forums and just maybe the over priced help upstairs would allow us to buy what we want. Realistically there is no sense picking on Joe as I doubt very much any body hangs out at his garage when he does need help. Also I would recommend he read the TSB's on GM about the infamous Allison that was shoe horned into a GM designed case because the over priced heads upstairs refused to increase the size of the tranny hump in the GM cab configuration. The Allisons have had there problems too just like the Durajunk again a GM engineer inspired configuration, yes they do make 300+ HP but you will not see this engine in everything from farm tractors to logging equipment to drive units. The little Cummins B5.9 is used world wide for everything and the boys at Dodge wrapped there truck around it for this we should give them a hand as this has been there only HD diesel in a HD truck unlike the general. As far as Joe goes let him go, WE dont mind and he dont matter.PK

PKennedy,<br>............well said!