I have crunched the numbers and am trying to decide between a fully loaded 2500 HD Crew Cab Sierra Turbo Diesel/Allison Auto or the 2500 RAM HO Quad cab with every option.<br><br>I respect (most) the opinions shared here and would appreciate your input.<br><br>Thank you in advance.<br><br>Dan

 

My experiences with anything GM has been nothing but bad luck, so please excuse me if I'm biased. I've heard very little good things about the DuraMax diesel. Statistically, I guess its OK, I worry about the aluminum heads, and I don't like that its a Japanese motor. I guess for every horror story, there's twice as many songs of praise. <br>The Cummins is an excellent choice... to me it feels like its got a lot more power in the lower rpm range that ford or chevy/gmc, and thats where it counts when yer pulling. Heck, the cummins name pretty much speaks for itself. <br>I'd say weigh your options very carefully, my friend. Consider what you'll be using the truck for, how long you plan on keeping it, can you afford unplanned repairs? Get what will work best for you.<br>Just my .02<br>-D

 

Crunching numbers will not give you info on which truck is better...driving and using the truck is a truer way to decide which is better.....if you ask a cheb fan which truck is better he would say a cheb of course....the same goes for a dodge fan....you need to look at the facts not numbers the cummins engine is proven to be heavy duty long use engine with fewer problems...and with out a engine your truck is only a lawn ornament

 

<br>I am a lifetime Chebby guy gone Dodge Cummins.<br><br>One thing I will say is GMC has very low financing on the heavy duty series trucks (2500/3500). Play that against your dodge salesman. I did and got 3-1/4 on my 2500 purchase. Given DC doesn have &quot;financing incentives&quot; and only &quot;cash back&quot; the two together could work in your favor.<br><br>Keep in mind I himmed and hawed for about 75 days prior to the dodge dealer folding in my favor.

 

Ditto to Hummin' Cummins. Go with the Dodge! ;D

 

I like the drive and handling of my Dodge much better than the Chev. Tracks better and turns sharper. 1000 more pounds GCWR.

 

Dan, I agree with the others here. First, you have to feel good about what you just spent that big $ chunk of money for. The only way to do that is test drive each, weigh the various options carefully, research the facts of longevity, what you intend to use the truck for, etc. Same as Hummin Cummins said, I used to be a GM fan, and their gassers are still, in my opinion, some of the best gassers there are, however, they never got it together on diesels. They tried their own way with what marketing people decided (instead of good engineers), then when that didn't work, tried to go their own way again with one of their subsidiaries instead of a proven unit (like Cummins or Caterpillar). The big rigs have always used Inline 6 cyl diesel engines because of cost/return ratios, performance, longevity, and pulling power (torque) per displacement. The V8's design was tried for big rigs, but just couldn't compete overall with the I6's. I became a Dodge fan after much research (including posts on this web site) because of the Cummins engine, and have never looked back since. If noone in the pickup truck market made a Cummins powered vehicle, I would have bought a Freightliner tractor coming off lease for $35K - $40K used. I test drove the 7.3 PSD, GMC Duramax, then the Dodge Cummins. For towing a 5th wheel trailer, there was really no comparison in low-end pulling power (torque) - the Cummins stomped the other two IMO. Mid-range, they are probably close these days. I have test driven again, and researched some more, and notice in my signature which one I ordered. ;D 8)

 

As far as raw power and engine life Cummins has been the leader in mid-range diesels....until the computer controlled engines, now with the help of computer controls engines can produce more power and because of this the ford and chev diesels are producing good HP....but it a known fact that a in-line 6 engine produces more torque at lower RPM's by design then V8 motors and V8's can produce more HP because they rev higher the HP keeps going up the scale with RPM's but torque will drop at higher RPM's...the best option is to run in the curve where RPM and TORQUE are the highest (sweet spot)<br><br>Compare a Cummins connecting rod against a ford or chev...the size of the Cummins rod will impress you as will the way the whole engine is built...most cummins engines will out live the first owners use...then the next owner gets to enjoy the cummins again...Dodge started with a great motor and is still trying to improve the truck to match the motor<br><br>Theres a reason these things we drive are called Motor Vehicles.....with out a motor its a just something you need to push so why not get the best motor you can wrapped up in a Dodge truck and drive it till your doors have rusted off ;D

 

Im not saying this in a biased fashion, But the Cummins hands down is a better diesel. As for the trans, everybody sees that drain &amp; spin on filter on the alison &amp; thinks its easier to service. Wrong theres still the main pickup filter inside.<br>The new 48RE should be a fine trans in a as is condition and I would not worry about it one bit.<br>For the truck body &amp; suspension. I don`t like torsion bars.<br>The Dodge is very solid with little sign of any rattles even in the cold weather.<br>And last theres always someone looking for a used CTD.<br> Danny

 

;D Just think of the GM history with diesels.<br>Now compare any info you can find on cummins problems<br>I have worked for GM as a tech for 27 years and have been driving a Dodge diesel for the last 8.<br>You could not ever get me to buy a GM diesel. ;D

 

[quote author=BRDIESEL link=board=17;threadid=10572;start=0#101227 date=1044504481]<br> ;D Just think of the GM history with diesels.<br>Now compare any info you can find on cummins problems<br>I have worked for GM as a tech for 27 years and have been driving a Dodge diesel for the last 8.<br>You could not ever get me to buy a GM diesel. ;D<br>[/quote]<br><br>That's probably the most powerful endorsement yet.

 

Dam I better get rid of mine if the aluminum heads are junk. Especially since I tow heavier than most all week long. Enough with thsi stuff all ready. The heads are proving themselves to be fine. We have sold a ton of Duramaxes and have not had a problem with one yet.

 

Diesel Phil,<br><br>Great site - lots of good information and wonderful photos. However, a portion of their '03 Ram description says: &quot;Aside from all of this, it also provides 9.26 Front Axle Ratio, 11.5 Rear Axle Ratio and a 3.73 Axle Ratio...&quot; <br><br>I've heard of a 3.54, 3.73, and a 4.10 - BUT - what is a 9.26 front and 11.5 rear axle ratio?<br><br>Just trying to understand.<br><br>Wayne