My uncle has a new 4500 low-boy chebbie w/ the dmax and the allison and it is very strong ( the trans is beauuuuutiful )...i think it is a very good engine,however, it's only downfall will always be the "V" block versus "straight"...other than that, Isuzu has been building diesels for years, and they build some BIG ones too so i'm sure they can engineer a strong V-8 if the challenge came (which it did )...Now that I spoke my peace....dodge is better ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

I get a GM supplier discount, and I've maxed out my GM Card rebate, but until they boot that design team responsible for these butt ugly models, (Aztek, Avalanche, Silverado, even Cadillac). I won't take a second look at em.

 

The Cummins is a great engine. But the Dodge truck? :

 

the dodge truck? well, ive also got a 99' tahoe which im very happy with and i will say (2) things...the dodge has less squeaks and rattles in cab and not too many rears compete w/ Dana...dodge's weak point=trannys (autos)...i am a bit biased though, im a big fan of ma mopar (see sig)

 

[quote author=reera link=board=8;threadid=19869;start=15#msg189613 date=1064579979]
Spots, you are correct. My truck has the "normal" front-end. I personally don't like the newer models.


As far as medium duty goes. The Duramax is available in the 4500 and 5500 series trucks. The Powerstrokes are available in the F-450, F-550, and I think F-650 (not sure about that one). Aren't those considered medium duty? :
[/quote]

Medium duty is FL 50, 60 70 Freighliners, School busses (some) International 4900 series etc. F450 and up are just pickups on steroids. Ever driven a 450 with a auto and a 513 gear?? They scream on the road, even with 19.5 rubber.
I believe even the Topkick (huge POS) is considered medium duty with a Cat engine in it. HTH. Glad your truck ain't the ugly ones.

 

Mom and dad just bought a brand new D-max/Auto. 2004 Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4 LT package. Probably pick it up sometime this week. It's in Austin right now and they have to ship it down here.

 

[quote author=reera link=board=8;threadid=19869;start=30#msg189639 date=1064586390]
The Cummins is a great engine. But the Dodge truck? :
[/quote]
After having a '98 Chevy C1500 I believe Dodge builds a better truck. Fit and finish is much better, and no interior rattles. The '03 2500HD xcab with the Duramax/Allison I test drove squeaked and moaned when the body was flex and had interior rattles. I liked the Dura/Allison but hated the rest of the truck.

MikeyB

 

Maybe ya'll can't hear the squeaks and rattles in your trucks over all the engine rattling. Don't get me wrong. It's music to my ears. Just a thought.

 

[quote author=reera link=board=8;threadid=19869;start=30#msg190489 date=1064841128]
Maybe ya'll can't hear the squeaks and rattles in your trucks over all the engine rattling. Don't get me wrong. It's music to my ears. Just a thought.
[/quote]
I don't think the 03 engine sis as loud as the older ones : my engine only rattles at idle. Thats why I keep it at WOT ;D
DM01
P/S my 94 has no sqeeks with 140k on it

 

aaahh yes...the sweet, sweet rattle ;D...i enjoy that sound more than my ol' big-block in the 'cuda ;D

 

I'll throw in my two cents:

The Dmax needs rpm to generate power. I see this on the dyno all of the time with stock ones. The Juice will correct this in about 2 mins. Juiced, the Dmax puts out good clean power and is a force to be dealt with.

The Cummins is a solid motor and Dodge has done a good job with making a good truck to go around it. I have two 98 Dodge trucks and both are very solid, rattle free and I live on a dirt road so they get plenty of wash boards to run over.

The new 6.0 seems to be a power house as well but too many problems still.

My 98 24v pulls my dyno at about 23k gross. Has 150k+ miles on it and just works without complaining. It will still outpull the new trucks in stock form with just a VA and 275's. All of the 03's are putting aroun 230- 260hp to the wheels and my Dodge does 267/605 last run.

BUT - Dodge had better come out with a true crew or I will be driving something else when new truck time comes...

 

There is nothing wrong with my max...either in the hp or tq departments
a 3rd place showing at PDR took care of that
543.3RWHP
All boxes...stock turbo, injectors and tranny.

 

How's that tranny holding up to that kind of power? Do you tow with it? What are your EGT's like? What kind of boost are you seeing?

 

[quote author=BigBlue link=board=8;threadid=19869;start=30#msg191468 date=1065037912]
How's that tranny holding up to that kind of power? Do you tow with it? What are your EGT's like? What kind of boost are you seeing?
[/quote]

Tranny is holding fine until 4th gear.... that does need to be done. on my 408 hp setting 5th is fine.
Egt's are high on my high hp setting and i do not use it to tow at that setting.
I tow more weight/rigs than i care to mention, lets just say my minimum is 8000 lbs. all rigs are kingpin or gooseneck.
boost is around 27#'s our mountain passes here are in the 7-9% range, so i do watch the gauge on mountain passes.

 

That's really impressive. Mom and Dad just bought an 04 Dmax/Allison and I'm DYING to upgrade it. I may be able to talk my dad into an exhaust (I've got a spare straight through muffler lying around in the garage) and intake, but don't know bout a chip. I've heard that you can drop a full second off your 1/4 mile time by just chopping the muffler off. Is that true?