I haven't driven any relatively new Dodges, but I can hardly stand going from my truck our 2001 Duramax.

Past the fact that the Chevy is twenty times quiter, smoother, faster and actually stops, I can't get over how retarded the pedals are.

I think any emissioned/ siliconed engine does basically the same thing, but on my truck I can hit the floor with the pedal, jump the truck to full power for a split second, and then stop it while only going forward two feet. The engine does what the pedal does. On the Duramax if I were to do that, the truck decides to take my foot and run it through a computer, which tells the engine not to accelerate as suddenly as I'm telling it to so I don't kill the gay whales; I can hit the pedal on the floor of our Duramax and the engine will never go to full power. It might rev up to around 1500 RPM, but it won't respond the way a mechanical input would. If I keep it on the floor for a little bit too long, then the power will come as I'm letting up on the gas. There's that split second of delay between gas and go that drives me up a wall.

And the effect isn't smooth either. If I floor it, the power comes on really slowly for a fraction of a second, then snaps my head back. It isn't a turbo-spool thing or something like that; it's just that the engine won't womp as hard as I tell it to womp. (Power braking is really smooth on it, though, because that way the engine is already making power when it starts moving.)

All of the rental cars I've driven in the past few years have been basically the same way. I don't see myself ever driving anything new if the engine doesn't jump when I tell it to jump. If I want to save the gay whale, I will save the stupid gay whale; I don't want my truck to dictate emissions to me.

 

I don't want to start anything but what does anyone expect asking this question on a Dodge website? Of course everyone on here has "heard" horror stories. My last truck was a 2002 Chevy Duramax (LB7) and I didn't have a bit of trouble at all. It now has 138000 miles on it and is being used as a spare truck at work. M brothers truck is a 2004 Chevy Duramax (LLY). It has 115000 on it. The only thing that has gone wrong with it is the injector wiring harness went out. It was under warranty so no problem at all. Also the drivers side hub became warped so they replaced it. If you want to know the real stories about the duramax engine (good or bad) then find a chevy site. You won't find out anything good at all about them on here.

 

Very true there alot of Dmax owners that have had great experiences with their trucks. Before the DMax it was pretty much hands down GM was the bottom of the diesel world in pickups. Since the Dmax and the Allison they have regained formidably. Drove one for three years. It wasn't a lemon but it wasn't the best thing since sliced bread either. If it was so great I wouldn't be driving a Dodge now.

 

i know alot of folks pull heavier than i but i have pulled alot of trips to my brothers farm and back with 22k-25k gross weight loads. before i bought my cummins i pulled it with a 83 one ton 4x4 6.2. i still own and drive a 84 6.2 half ton 4x4 with 6.2. dad kept his 87 gmc 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 6.2 and mom still drives her 85 two wheel drive 6.2. i agree they do not have the horses of any of the late model vehicals but they have performed to my expectations . i have pulled 4 yards of rock on my gooseneck behind a dmax and never had it handle strange. i did have to control the axle wrap on it by changing out the rear overload. i do agree about the drive by wire , do not care for it most noticeable when cold and taking off from a dead stop. i do enjoy driving my cummins and hauling with it just trying to state what i know. i know what was said about fuel issues and ether is not welcome on this farm. if it needs ether it gets fixed.

 

Basically the reasons I chose my dodge over a chevy are 1) I like the new interior design and the color (inferno red). 2) I had also driven a 2001 CTD and didn't have any trouble with it either. 3) I, also IMO, got a great deal on my truck so that also is a reason I chose dodge. I wouldn't get a chevy duramax for what I gave for my dodge. I can say as of now I haven't had a bit of trouble with my dodge and love it. Though I will say I do miss the ride of the chevy. It rides smoother than my dodge does. 4) I also heard ,from guys I work around that drove the duramax's, werent' getting very good MPG. As much driving as I do , that is a big option to me.

 

The D-Max is a very good engine. My dad's had 100k on it with only one problem to speak of. Some computer module went out at 85k and had to get it towed to dealer. Besides that it was quiet, mileage was good, and was pretty snappy. He actually traded it on an 06 cummins cause he couldn't accept that my truck was better

All that being said i am probably like most of you on this forumn in which i am addicted to the sound and grunt of the cummins.

 

I liked my D-Max. I am disappointed in my cummins, it gets about 3 mpg less. I will keep this one as a play toy, but my next one is going to be a D-Max for towing and daily stuff. Turning my Cummins into a racer ASAP. One thing you can't argue is the durability of the 5.9. Maybe one day the Duramax will have been around as long as the Cummins, but that day isn't here yet.

 

sorry guys, i love my truck, but if i had the cash i'd own a dmax. all the sledpulls i go to around here, in the street drivin trucks, it's always dmax in the top 2 or 3, with the cummin's following up, and fords after that. along with that, watching a edge boxed lifted dmax with a 38' enclosed full of quads pull away from me on the highway, while i was unloaded, sealed the deal.

 

Begle1,

The new Dodges have great brakes... 4wheel disc all the way around. Dodge now uses AAM axles. Same as what's on the Dmax trucks except the Dodge versions have a better posi unit (torsen style all gear) than the intricate blowapart Eaton unit GM uses. A lot of Dmax guys are installing the Dodge unit. Also the Dodge rear does not have the neck down axle tubes that GM uses. That reduces the load spec on the GM.
The CR Cummins is very quiet. That only leaves you with the smooth ride. Well guess what... the new Dodge does have a better ride than the older Dodges. Plus they handle a lot better and the 48RE, although it's a mushy four speed, has been upgraded to actually hold up and has proven itself.
The Dmax is definately a smoother running diesel engine than the Cummins can ever be. I noticed the roughness of the Cummins powered Dodge as soon as I drove it for a week. Than after that I forgot all about it. I guess if I had a Dmax and a Dodge to switch back and forth with I would be reminded. The Cummins has a rough edge to it. I personally like it in some ways. It's a purposely built industrial diesel that's why.


The reason the Dmax has done so well in pulling I think is the Allison does a better job with more gears and shift management. I also think the truck itself is able to be setup to pull better. I don't care who wins at the sled pulls and drag races. Most don't buy vehicles based on sled pulling.

bigwhite you drive an older truck. The Common Rail Cummins have a lot more power with just a box than the non CR trucks. I will be curious to see if Dodge doesn't improve in sled pulling with the new 6-speed autos coming out. All in all Cummins is still the power king. The Dmaxes are having explosion issues at higher power levels.

I'm one who likes the straight axle, the nice large wheel openings and the overall "truck" that Dodge builds. I don't care for GM's ugly styling. It looks fine stock but some GMs look ugly as heck with all the aftermarket garbage on them. SEMA .... the GM's were by far the ugliest when decked out. They look weird with big tires cause they have to lift them a mile to clear the tires... than the suspension is ridiculous.

I love the look of the Fords and Dodges when conservatively lifted and conservatively accessorized.

Some GM trucks... especially the GMC's can look real nice when done right. The cushy ride is nice and the large rear crew cab seating is definately nice to have. The Dodge MegaCab is a consideration if you want the big cab.

Couple things I didn't like about my Dmax...

The Allison would go into "limp" mode quite easily. About 90-100 extra hp can put it over the edge. I limped it frequently.

I had a defueling issue that GM could never fix. While still new and low miles it would die while pulling a load. Set codes... overboost and MAF. It was cured by installing a Juice box... go figure.

The injector feed and return lines under the valve covers in the LB7 suck. They loaded up with corrosion around the fittings and WHEN your injectors failed, the tech needed to be extra careful a piece of that loose trash didn't get into the new injectors. I guarantee that's the reason many had injectors replaced soon after a replacement.

My GMC had climate control. On morning rides the defrost would only throw cold A/C air on the windshield effectively making the windshield worse.

Airbag module went south.

NSBU module went bad. This is the electrical module on the side of the Allison. It has a history of going out during cold wet weather because it gets wet inside. I replace one of mine, a friends, and help with another.

Rear pinion seal replaced twice.

Cab roof markers leaked. Had to pull them off and silicone the holes.

I was running the Juice and lp. Blew a head gasket. This was not at any wild power levels. Some of them are prone to head gaskets going. They are showing up in greater numbers now. I know cause I know people who know. Friend of mine has a couple Dmaxes.. One needed injectors twice and he's doing the headgaskets now on one. How much can you take and still say you like the truck? I thought only the Ford guys were that way

So all I'm saying is, seeing a rig blow you off pulling a toy trailer might look impressive at that instance but you always have to remember to ask the question... is the grass greener for real?

Who is buying high mileage Dmaxes? The costs associated with those high mileage trucks are staggering for the average Joe. Then look at the Dodge diesel used market. That tells it all.

 

I would love to run across one of these so called high powered Duramax trucks in a sled pull. I have probably pulled against 10 over the years and from what I have seen they start good and fall flat on their face 3/4 down the track. They just blew smoke (mabey it is just the Driver)
I think the Duramax is a good all around truck with a good auto. Did you know that a factory turbo for the Duramax is $2200 And their brakes are so small they can still use 16in rims. I do have to give the Duramax credit for being the leader of the stock hp and tq.

 

"The reason the Dmax has done so well in pulling I think is the Allison does a better job with more gears and shift management. I also think the truck itself is able to be setup to pull better. "

My truck pulls just fine without an Allison. Seems to be a Dodge thing. "Most be the tranny." Most likely because few if any have seen a ZF6 Dmax. Trust me it is not just the tranny. There is good reason why GM used the V8 design. Mainly it has a wider power band. A inline needs more gears because of the narrower powerband. Downside it is not as easy to work on as a inline. Other than the injectors the V8 is not that bad to work on.

My truck does everything from pull large Goosenecks to dragrace. It brought both my sons home from the hospital. Wife and inlaws use it to haul hay burners. Only issues in 80k miles of use. Clutch went south. Owner caused! My fuel rail pressure regulator is stuck shut. I think I may have caused this to. By feeding the CP3 with too much pressure form the lift pump.

Would I buy another one? Heck yah. Would I test drive a new Dodge with the 6 speed auto. If could find one . And I am looking as i would like to replace my wifes ride.

 

The Cummins will benefit greatly with the 6 speed auto.

I saw a Dmax pulling a trailer down the highway and the front end was bouncing like it was on a trampolene. The highway was raised and had those humps every so often. The truck could not control the bouncing.

 

i do gotta agree on the looks thing i like the 02- and older models gm's but the spanken new ones with the angle stealth fighter nose is not what i really care for . but looks don't haul the groceries. i won't be buying any one of them new and i can pay cash for it. just don't care for the computer stuff. to many glitches in any of them . mystery problems you read them everyday. as long as truck sales are as brisk as they are ( i know lately it has slowed) but compared to the 70's when it wasn't cool to drive a pickup and they had to SELL it to you , not just show it on the lot, pickups have been way more car like. i do enjoy that as long as they don't give up durability and the ablility to haul or pull loads. i gauge a pickup on longevity and cost of operation and usefullness not who is going to beat me up a hill . i could care less. drove over the road trucks for years and was no big deal to go up the large grades slow.usually passed the passer before getting to my destination.

 

As soon as I get over the sticker shock of the LBZ Duramax the dodge will be remanded to play toy/sled puller. I don't think there is any comparison between the two trucks. The dodge I have now is shaking itself apart, too much engine for the rest of the truck. I like the engine and solid fron axle but that is about it. My cousin has a performance shop and has worked on a couple of LBZs. Those new engines will flat out haul the mail. I'm not much on the "stealth" look of the Chevy but then again, thats why I'm looking for a GMC.

 

All of the guys that came to Dodge from a Chevy should just go back to driving a Chevy because they are never going to be happy with a Dodge. A Dodge truck could have the best transmissions on the planet, front suspensions made out of titanium and 2.5 ton military Rockwell rearends, and I'm sure they would still be something on them that would be wrong. Begle you can have all the first gen trucks you want, I have owned them new from 79 to 90 and my 2002 second generation truck is far and above a better truck, the interior is more pleasant, it rides much better, and stops 10 times better I could go on and on, but the first gen guys are a loyal bunch and if that is their thing then more power to you. One thing is for sure they are much less complicated to work on. This is just an opinion. Thanks


2002 2500 Q/C SB 4X4