Posted by TURBO98 over in the engines section . . .

With the delays in shipping, all the talk about the horrid mileage for the 600 and now THIS, I'm starting to re-think my position. All of the sudden, the Fords are looking pretty good to me.

Someone please slap some sense into me . . .

Neil

 

How many miles on both? Are both 4X4?

 

At least with the Cummins, the problem appears to be SOFTWARE, not HARDWARE. This is the same hardware that's been proven to last a million miles easily. Surely if there's a 3mpg improvement to be had from just a programming change, SOMEONE will come out with a box that does just that. It's a shame that it has to come to this, but to me it's more the fault of the EPA than Cummins. As for the 6.0 pulling hills better than the Cummins... I'd have to see it to believe it. Anyways, I'd take a motor with a software glitch before I'd take one that's based on hardware I don't believe will last nearly as long, especially if I want to have a reliable 450HP daily driver. Give the 600's some time, they'll come around.

 

From what I've heard and read, from both people who've driven both and from Edmunds car reviews, and other editor reviews of both trucks, the 250 and up Fords don't handle nearly as well.

The Ford's steering is supposed to be very loose and sloppy.

 

:NJ, stick to your guns! I just got rid of my Ford. Do I miss the truck? Yes, a little. I really liked the power of the PSD, and alot of other things. However, it was the most unreliable, needing-a-tow, wondering-what-was-gonna-break-next in a perfectly maintained vehicle I ever owned.

This new truck is the finest vehicle I have ever owned. Drives like a big-block gasser (and I had a 97 V10, and I believe this blows that away.)

Now, mileage. My commuting, which is most of my driving, is stop and ...stop. The PSD got in the 15s on that. The V10, I was LUCKY to get 10. So far, the Cummins 600 is getting around 11, although today on some highway driving, it was around 13.

Now, this truck is also the LARGEST and HEAVIEST of those three. All were 4x4, the V10 was a 2500 with 47RE. The PSD was a srw 350, with 6 speed. Best highway mileage (trip to Maine with extended high speed) was about 22 mpg in the Ford, and 14 with the V10.

I KNOW my V10 in this truck would be lucky to get 8-9. Do I expect
to get in the 15s commuting with this big heavy dually? No. I WOULD eventually expect about 13s, at least on summer #2 fuel. I'm in the 11s now, but I only have 450, mostly commuting,miles on this engine.

Just something to think about. I'll say it again - this is the FINEST vehicle. Handles beautifully. I look forward to each time I can drive it. Today I went out and put 100 miles on it, just for the hell of it. Also picked up a big heavy sofa and ottoman for the inlaws. Truck didn't even know anything was in the bed. Tow/haul on that tranny works nice to. Can't say enough good things about it.

ONly thing that's gonna be a PITA is WASHING and waxing it. :cool

 

Wexman,

Which engine did your Ford have? Mine had the 7.3L. I bought it used with 35k on the clock and sold it 2yrs later with 55k on it. I never had it in the shop except for the trans TSB to put the in-tank cooler on it. If I thought for an instant that the 6.0 would be as reliable as the 7.3, I never would have even looked elsewhere.

I do prefer the maneuverability of the shorter WB of the Dodge, the bigger fuel tank (compared to other SBs) and the warranty. And, if my old truck (now belongs to a friend) passes me on a hill, I guess I can always get a VA box or something (like I wasn't going to get one anyway ). There, I feel better now.

Now, would someone please do something soon about this mileage issue? That would make me feel MUCH better about this purchase.

Neil

 

Mine was a 2001 7.3 with ZF-6 tranny. Rated at 275 hp, 520 lb ft. Fast truck, although not quick off the line with the 6er.

Bought it new, traded at just under 36,000 miles. Three pages of warranty issues, on a truck never worked much, and METICULOUSLY maintained. HPOP line and turbo pedestal orings (twice in 6 weeks),clutch hydraulics issues, e brake mechanism snapping, glow plug relay, steering wandering, many other things. I have friends with these trucks, hot-rodded, chipped, etc, that are perfect. I happened to get a bad one. I loved that truck, it didn't love me back.

I wouldn't TOUCH a 6.0 for at least another year. Even if the 6.0 had been perfect, I had too many issues with the Ford truck part. MY two previous Dodge trucks were very reliable, as is my Neon.

I made the RIGHT decision, and so are YOU!

 

Neil...Let me chime in on the mileage issue. I picked my truck up yesterday and reset the MPG. Tonight I have 220 miles on her, mixed driving, and my average is 15.4. I know that is not hand calculated but it is promising.
John

 

Just topped mine off for the first time, only had 157 miles on her & took 12.971 gallons....that was at two clicks.

The dealer had given me a FULL tank...but I doubt he filled it past the first click...truck had 7 miles on her when I picked it up.

So if you minus the 5 miles or so she had on her from the delivery, (before the dealer drove her over to the station to fill her up....) she still got almost 12 mpg in combo driving.

I know it's not 18 or 20, but so far so good for a 04.5 600 3500 dually auto with 4:10's.... in her 1st 100 miles!
(Now if she is still only getting 12 mpg 6 months from now.... )

Actually, she drives and handles so fantastic.... I'd buy Dodge again even if I knew 12 was all the 600 would ever do!!!!

Defdog2

 

Oops, almost forgot...she's a 4X4 too.

Defdog2

 

Thanks, guys. I just don't want to buy something that turns out to be DC's bad idea. I would hate to look back at this and say, "Wow, I knew better and I went through with it anyway - how stupid is that?" I have always told friends, "Never buy the first model year after a major technology change. It always has bugs." Here I am going against my own advice. My hope is that it isn't that major of a change and that any downside is easily corrected. The problem is that solutions may only be available from third parties with "FOR OFFROAD USE ONLY" on the sticker as they likely will cause the engine to fail to meet the polution standards the new design is intended to address.

I guess I'll hang in there. At least I know I'll have a compassionate bunch of folks here to commiserate with if I end up stuck with a pig in a poke.

Neil

 

An "amen" to that!

 

I sold my '02 Powerstroke F-250 4X4 that I bought brand new to get a 3500 Quad 4X4 Dually...There is NO comparison between these two trucks...The Dodge is by far much quieter, and not just the engine. The Dually Dodge rides better, steers a 100 percent better and the brakes are like night and day. Yeah, I'm getting 12mpg on winter blend here in Maine. So what?? There was NO WAY I was going to roll the dice on a new 6.0 PSD...Getting stuck on the side of the road after spending 40 large is not fun. Open the hood and take a look at the Cummins, it makes the 6.0 look like a toy...I love Fords, had everything from 5.0 Mustangs to Lincolns...But as far as a heavy duty truck....Dodge wins in my book...hands down.

 

well here^s my story. I ordered a 2004.5 3500 srw long bed quad auto in march got a good deal too $33000. But now with all this fuel milage dilema i started looking for a 2004 555lb. I found one too but will cost 1000 more what do you think should i go for the 2004? Does anyone out there have milage figures on the early 2004s?

 

I forgot to mention my 2004.5 hasn`t come in so i have time to change my mind. I just dont want to regret the decision. I plan to drive this thing a long time.