I may be some help for you...owned (2) cummins, tried a Ford (not a chevy but still a V8 Diesel...) Get a Cummins, I can't wait to get back Especially for towing!

 

Open the hood on both, which would you rather work on?

 

ran them both 06 and 07 d-max worse fuel mileage ever thought i had a 454. truck is a lot more comfortable then the dodge but as far as pulling nothing beats 6 in a row

 

I get up to 19.8 this time of year and as low as 18.3 in the summer w/AC on constantly - mixed driving. Not sure about towing cuz my camping trips are always short and it's hard to breakdown the towing mpg but I know it's at least 12-13 mpg. 20k miles with these mods and the clutch holds very strong even when the tires are breaking loose at 65mph with the 5er on. The first owner might have put in a better clutch - I don't know. Craig

 

I jest got back from a 5 month trip out west pulling my camper.all so used it like a car. I have 6.733 that i drove 13.8 miles per gal miles round trip. Most was 63 mph sone was at 75 mph. My total weight is 22.900 lb. when all fuel tanks are full.

 

I have both D-max(03) and cummins(97). Both have good points. Im partial to cummins, but the Dmax is good to. If i get a newer truck it would probalby be a 04 cummins with 6 spd. I pull a lot, so i need a manual. our d max pulls good, but with a lot of weight, I can see where a manual will benefit.

Did you also post this on Diesel Place? I think I read it there too.
Whys your sig say Iowa and MN?
Im up near Ames.

 

Correct. Allison tranny all the way.

 

The Dmaxs where available with a manual tranie up until somewhere around 04 or so then they stoped offering it and the Alison was the only option.
I am on my 3rd Cummins and my dad finaly just replaced his 84 chevy 6.2 with 250,000 with a 03 Dmax. So far the Dmax is getting 18+ mpg if he keeps his speed down. He kept the 84 to use for cutting wood and a work truck.

Personaly I will never buy anouther diesel with an auto. I had an 04.5 with a 6 speed and traded it for my current 06 auto and its like taking a swift kick to the nuts. This factory auto robs so much horse power its unbalivable. Its ok for just driving around empti but when I hook to my camper I literaly curse every time I have to start from a dead stop. Ive note realy compared SRW to DRW prices but I would asume that the majoraty of the reason DRW are cheaper is cause no one wants to drive a DRW empty in the snow.

 

I go to college in Mankato MN and my folks live in Oskaloosa IA (about and hour southeast of Des Moines). I am transferring to Iowa State next fall though.

 

I had an 04.5 with a 6 speed and traded it for my current 06 auto and its like taking a swift kick to the nuts.

Now that's funny right there!!!

 

I think 05 was the last year the offered the 6 speed in the d-max's. Go with a cummins, you will love it...........

 

Cummins with a Dmaxx seat, now theres a truck!

 

Farmboy, please don't take this wrong, cause I'm happy for ya. If you can already afford a new D-Max or Cummins, maybe you don't need college. I just remember driving VW's or whatever and having just enough money, but not enough for a new car.------- Unless you pull heavy most of the time, I would wait a few years for all the EGR and DPF stuff to get way better. I guess a lot of people just delete the DPF. I know on my VW diesel, you can delete the EGR, don't know if you can delete it on the diesel pickup trucks. From little I read on the 6.7 liter on here, seems like they get better every year. I would like to drive one of new ones with the auto, just to see. I am like you, I like my stick. BUT my truck is not an everyday driver, drive an auto VW tdi to work. Rather drive my truck though, LOT more fun. My B-Iaw lives in Cedar Rapids. Corn.. Corn Corn. I liked it, a little to cold for a southern boy though.

 

I had an 06 Duramax with the Alison 6 speed. Now I have an 08 Cummins with the 6 speed....
Go with the Duramax.. They cost more for a reason

Dale M

 

Have a friend you has had an 04 and now an 08 D-Max......very plush and nice riding truck. However, it wont pull like my CTD.