Decision to buy a Dodge or a Duramax??
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 508
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From: Puyallup, WA
Spent 2 years looking around before I bought my '05. Took so long because I wanted to buy used but really had trouble finding a 4 door with low miles, etc.
Since I owned a gas Ford and was less than pleased with its MPG, turning radius, tranny reliability, interior quality, etc. Fords were out. I'm not bashing Ford just stating that for me they were not an option. Knowing what I do now about the 6.0 PSD, I feel I made a good decision. Again not bashing Ford just stating a personal opinion.
Friend lent me his '03 GMC D/A and I pulled my 7200# Sunnybrook with it. WOW, loved the tranny and engine performance, really nice. BUT, I wasn't crazy about the interior or the ride. They were Ok but just not what I liked. So, I went to a Chevy dealer and tried an '05. The sales guy spend the first 45-60 minutes telling me how great OnStar was. I didn't want it and he thought I was nuts. I digress... Tried the truck out and really liked it, no bad points to talk about, it was nice but again I didn't care for the interior. Too many things just not my cup of tea.
I knew the Dodges were more of a work truck, interior wise, so I went to try one out. I loved it. While the back seat was a bit smaller than Ford or Chevy the rest of the interior was great. Very simple, easy to use, not over done. The ride was a real truck ride. The motor, AWESOME. I even liked the 48re. Bottomline, it was the kind of truck I wanted. Knowing the reputation of the CTD made the decision even easier and the price was ~$3,000 less than the Chevy I drove.
With that said, I am not a fan of the '05 48re, it kind of sucks. Hunts gears like a pack of coyotes even in T/H mode. Just got back from a 2000 mile camping trip and the CTD was incredible, lived up to all my expectations. Ride was great, I am very happy (except for the lack of OD LO).
What would I buy next, depends. If the tranny on the Dodge is upgraded, I'd buy another one but might go with the D/A combination if not.
You gotta buy what you want not what someone else tells you to buy. Drive each one, drive 'em a second time if you have too but pick the one that gives you butterflys as you cruise down the road.
Since I owned a gas Ford and was less than pleased with its MPG, turning radius, tranny reliability, interior quality, etc. Fords were out. I'm not bashing Ford just stating that for me they were not an option. Knowing what I do now about the 6.0 PSD, I feel I made a good decision. Again not bashing Ford just stating a personal opinion.
Friend lent me his '03 GMC D/A and I pulled my 7200# Sunnybrook with it. WOW, loved the tranny and engine performance, really nice. BUT, I wasn't crazy about the interior or the ride. They were Ok but just not what I liked. So, I went to a Chevy dealer and tried an '05. The sales guy spend the first 45-60 minutes telling me how great OnStar was. I didn't want it and he thought I was nuts. I digress... Tried the truck out and really liked it, no bad points to talk about, it was nice but again I didn't care for the interior. Too many things just not my cup of tea.
I knew the Dodges were more of a work truck, interior wise, so I went to try one out. I loved it. While the back seat was a bit smaller than Ford or Chevy the rest of the interior was great. Very simple, easy to use, not over done. The ride was a real truck ride. The motor, AWESOME. I even liked the 48re. Bottomline, it was the kind of truck I wanted. Knowing the reputation of the CTD made the decision even easier and the price was ~$3,000 less than the Chevy I drove.
With that said, I am not a fan of the '05 48re, it kind of sucks. Hunts gears like a pack of coyotes even in T/H mode. Just got back from a 2000 mile camping trip and the CTD was incredible, lived up to all my expectations. Ride was great, I am very happy (except for the lack of OD LO).
What would I buy next, depends. If the tranny on the Dodge is upgraded, I'd buy another one but might go with the D/A combination if not.
You gotta buy what you want not what someone else tells you to buy. Drive each one, drive 'em a second time if you have too but pick the one that gives you butterflys as you cruise down the road.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 452
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From: CT
Originally Posted by jgiachino
Lift: You can get a dodge with 4.10's which are much better for 35" tires....a chevy is stuck with 3.73's and I cant imagine the rpm at 60mph if you had 35" tires
yeah thats for sure! I dont know what guys who have lifted 2006 dmax trucks are doing...6th gear is .61 and with 3.73's and big tires you'd be lugging it hard core..
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Joined: Sep 2006
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i have a 06 lbz duramax crew cab srw 4x4 and I love it i get 19.5 mpg in town and it pulls my 8000lb tt like its a toy 75mph 12.5mpg 1950 rpms up any hill you can throw at it.
I am a GM and ASE cert. tech at a large chevy dealer and the only thing i have ever seen a hd irs front end do is bend a tierod from boosted 4wd launches with bigger than stock tires and 400+ whp, a set of sleeves and that problem is fixed, I do agree the LB7 injectors were a joke thats why they have a special policy warranty for 200,000mi. on them, only seen one duramax in the dealer with a head gasket problem and it was making 550 rwhp and well over 1000ftlb of torque, All engines are just machines and all machines can fail anytime. I have seen a few duramaxes go over 300,000 mi. with no major problems
On a smack talking note whoever said they wanted to tug a war with a duramax im home most of the time and will hook mine up although that wont prove anything it would be better to take about a 20,000 lb trailer out and do some testing between the ctd manual or auto and the lbz allison combo but i bet the lbz will out pull the dodge stock for stock
I am a GM and ASE cert. tech at a large chevy dealer and the only thing i have ever seen a hd irs front end do is bend a tierod from boosted 4wd launches with bigger than stock tires and 400+ whp, a set of sleeves and that problem is fixed, I do agree the LB7 injectors were a joke thats why they have a special policy warranty for 200,000mi. on them, only seen one duramax in the dealer with a head gasket problem and it was making 550 rwhp and well over 1000ftlb of torque, All engines are just machines and all machines can fail anytime. I have seen a few duramaxes go over 300,000 mi. with no major problems
On a smack talking note whoever said they wanted to tug a war with a duramax im home most of the time and will hook mine up although that wont prove anything it would be better to take about a 20,000 lb trailer out and do some testing between the ctd manual or auto and the lbz allison combo but i bet the lbz will out pull the dodge stock for stock
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 620
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From: Alberta, Canada
On a smack talking note whoever said they wanted to tug a war with a duramax im home most of the time and will hook mine up although that wont prove anything it would be better to take about a 20,000 lb trailer out and do some testing between the ctd manual or auto and the lbz allison combo but i bet the lbz will out pull the dodge stock for stock
It should I would think...360/650 vs 325/610. I like the duramax/allison combo in fact I tried to buy one this year but the price was way out of line. I think the new LBZ 6 speed is a very good towing/hauling unit although thats only speculation on my part, as I've only driven them, not towed with them.
I do have a good real world comparison with a LLY/Allison in a 2005 GMC. Last year we towed 21000 GCVR over the Coquihalla summit in British Columbia (some 8% grades). The LLY was down below 60 km/hr and the trans temp was through the roof with the warning indicator on. This year we travelled the same road with my 06 but at 22000 GCVR and warmer weather. I towed the grade at 75 km/hr and no trans heating issues. Both trucks were stock. I suspect the LBZ would perform better but I wouldn't be afraid to hook 20000 lbs on to the dodge to compare.
Towing an 8000 lb trailer with these trucks isn't much of a test either. It should pull it at 75 mph no problem or something is seriously wrong.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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[QUOTE=I do have a good real world comparison with a LLY/Allison in a 2005 GMC. Last year we towed 21000 GCVR over the Coquihalla summit in British Columbia (some 8% grades). The LLY was down below 60 km/hr and the trans temp was through the roof with the warning indicator on. This year we travelled the same road with my 06 but at 22000 GCVR and warmer weather. I towed the grade at 75 km/hr and no trans heating issues. Both trucks were stock. I suspect the LBZ would perform better but I wouldn't be afraid to hook 20000 lbs on to the dodge to compare.[/QUOTE]
Wow this doesn't say much for Chevy.......
Wow this doesn't say much for Chevy.......
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 47
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From: Florida
Hey guys, I thought I had my mind made up on a Dodge but after doing alot of reading on here the vibe I get about the 04.5 to 06 Cummings 5.9 is not getting very good reveiws on here. I've read that the fuel economy is not as good as the 03's. That the 325/610 doesn't have the trottle response that the 305/555 has. The only real good thing I've heard is that the 325 is quieter.
The Duramax 360/650 is impressive to me as a stock motor and the Allison trans. has a good reputation on the newer models. So I don't know what I want.
Whatever I end up with I will be adding a 4" or 6" lift and 35's or 37's.
Some thoughts and opinions are welcome here.
Thanks
The Duramax 360/650 is impressive to me as a stock motor and the Allison trans. has a good reputation on the newer models. So I don't know what I want.
Whatever I end up with I will be adding a 4" or 6" lift and 35's or 37's.
Some thoughts and opinions are welcome here.
Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 798
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From: Northern VA
I had a 2005 LLY model Duramax, and had fueling problems from day one. The things I didn't like about the truck were:
1. Terrible stock suspension
2. Donut tires
3. Knucklebusting engine compartment
4. EGR system that won't spool the turbo until it's closed, which increases lag
5. Outdated cab
6. Weak stock receiver hitch
In my experience, the Dodge rides and handles WAY better than the Chevy. At least stock Dodge suspension has some compression and rebound damping; the Chevy shocks were made of wood.
Four things I miss about my Chevy:
1. Allison shifted much better than the 48RE while towing
2. Automatic headlights
3. Automatic driver and passenger side window down control
4. Better HVAC system
But I love the build quality, spaciousness, engine, and aesthetics of the Dodge WAY more. I-6 makes a lot more sense than V-8 for diesel. Big pistons banging up and down make torque!
From dyno charts I've seen the LBZ makes more ponies than the CTD, but the CTD either makes the same or more torque.
CTD all the way baby! Screw that V-8, knucklebusting, EGR-d out, 3" exhaust Duramax POS. I'm done with the injector problems.
1. Terrible stock suspension
2. Donut tires
3. Knucklebusting engine compartment
4. EGR system that won't spool the turbo until it's closed, which increases lag
5. Outdated cab
6. Weak stock receiver hitch
In my experience, the Dodge rides and handles WAY better than the Chevy. At least stock Dodge suspension has some compression and rebound damping; the Chevy shocks were made of wood.
Four things I miss about my Chevy:
1. Allison shifted much better than the 48RE while towing
2. Automatic headlights
3. Automatic driver and passenger side window down control
4. Better HVAC system
But I love the build quality, spaciousness, engine, and aesthetics of the Dodge WAY more. I-6 makes a lot more sense than V-8 for diesel. Big pistons banging up and down make torque!
From dyno charts I've seen the LBZ makes more ponies than the CTD, but the CTD either makes the same or more torque.
CTD all the way baby! Screw that V-8, knucklebusting, EGR-d out, 3" exhaust Duramax POS. I'm done with the injector problems.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alta Loma, CA
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Joined: Apr 2006
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I know everyone is putting their $.02 in, but I will add one more. I LOVE my Cummins, but the 2005 GMC I had beat this thing hands down. I pull a 40 foot gooseneck, and I liked the Allison much better than this thing I have now. I am going to keep my Cummins, but the next chance I get, I am pawning it off on the wife, and getting another Duramax. Just my opinion, don't crucify me.