if I was you stick with a chevy duramax I think they got it figured out.

 

What do you pull? Do you even need a Diesel?

 

Yes, the parts left over are Dodge. I don't think there is a lot of difference in the quality of the parts between the makes. I know some people complain about the thin paint but everyone has thinned out their paint.

Do a lot of research and see who has the most complaints about the vehicle overall. Rule out the engine and concentrate on the other items important to you. This should tell you something about the quality of the parts. Personally I don't know where the different manufacturers stand on parts quality. I have been satisfied with my Dodge.

Take a test drive and if you like it buy it. If you don't then look at something else. I have been happy with the Dodges I have owned and will probably own others in the years ahead.

 

I won't buy another Chrysler product . They just aren't safe . They didn't learn their lesson with bad ball joints on the Durangos and Dakotas . All the Jeep Libertys have the same problem . I've been waiting a month ffor ball joints for a Liberty plus a recall notice came for the torque convertor on the same vehicle . Both front wheel bearings went out on my '04 dually before 78,000 miles and I had to wait for parts both times . The bearings are sealed and the whole hub assembly has to be replaced . I later learned aftermarket old style hubs are available . You can even get Warn locking hubs for your 4wd .

 

Im pretty sure chev and ford dont have any problems. I would stick with them.

 

Yep, both my 1996 and 2002 duallies have been extremely reliable even though both have spent most of their working lives towing our 5th wheel RVs. Our 2002 has never been back to the dealer with any problem whatsoever.

Regardless, if you're more comfortable with the Chevy, then buy what works best for you.

Rusty

 

My '98 Chevy C1500 was a POS. The Chevy has a good drivetrain but the body felt like it had 200k miles by the time 50k miles rolled on it.
The quality of my '03 Ram is lightyears ahead compared to the Chevy.

MikeyB

 

if you need to be "convinced" into buying a dodge CTD, i'm thinking it's not for you. if you where born and brought up on chev products ( as i was dodge ) and you bought one, you would be constantly explaining yourself to your pals, family and ect. i know for me the other brands just didn't "feel" or "look" right to me and i would have hated making payments on something i didn't really want, but did cause i was swayed. take on for a ride, see if they will let you hook up and puul a hill or two with a trailer, the off idle power will amaze you though, and then do the same run with a chevy think that would help your decision alot. and if the like a rock commercials put a tear in your eye , get a bowtie.

 

As was asked previously, what do you tow ? how heavy ? and how regularly ?

Personally, I wouldn't want a diesel for what you say you use it for (hunting and such).

They are too nose heavy, and unless lifted with aggressive tires, will most likely get you stuck more often. I bought an older jeep cherokee just for hunting. Runs good, plenty of room, can tow up to 3500 lbs easily, and it's small and light (only 3100 lbs). It also gets good mpg (18-20), has working a/c, and a pretty good sound system.

On our property, we have a pretty bad mudhole. Well, it is actually a series of holes & deep ruts stretching about 400 yds. It is the quickest way from one side of the property to the other. The only other way will cost you about 40 minutes of driving. Last time we went thru it as a group, I sat as a chevy 6.5l got stuck, and then a brand new lifted duramax got stuck (ironically both chevy products - no ford diesel products present). Well, almost 90 minutes later, when it was my turn, I drove thru it, in 2wd, in the same ruts, with my jeep at less than 5 mph. They had to go pedal matted to get thru. They even have more ground clearance. The full size gas trucks also went thru it matted, but they didn't get stuck.

The big issue is weight. I weigh a ton less, literally, than they do (3500 lbs loaded vs 5500+ lbs empty). When I feel the axle drag, I give it a little gas. I go thru the hole at 1200 rpm, so I don't do as much damage as they do flying thru it.



A full day of hunting & idling in the woods, including the 200 mile round trip, runs me about 20 bucks in gas. It will cost more than that just getting there and back in fuel alone with a diesel.

Don't get me wrong, I love my CTD, but it's just not suited (even tho it is 4wd), for off road use IMHO.

If I were you, I'd consider doing as I did. Maybe not a jeep, (but they do have numerous benefits), but buy something old that is reliable, and use it. That way, if you kill it, you won't be as upset at the repair bill, and you'll still have whatever new truck you buy to drive around in while it gets fixed.

 

Actually, the Diesel would be more my vacation vehicle. I have a 1970 Ford Bronco 302 Sport for my hunting vehicle. I do tow a toy hauler, not that big, but I'm more of a Diesel guy. I just like Diesels. To me, the extra 5k isn't that big of a deal-because like I say, I like them.

I'm not very interested in buying Dodge because it wouldn't feel right. I've already got my mind on another chevy. I actually have a duramax now. I just thought that the cummins would have been a good motor.

 

To me, brand loyality goes out the window when you step up to buying a new truck. I have been a Ferd guy my whole life. I test drove an 05 PSD/6-speed and the truck did not feel right to me. I told myself I couldn't imagine driving it every day. Plus I felt like I was gambling my money on an unreliable engine. The Dodge "fits" me, and I absolutely love driving it. I don't think the body and paint are quite as good, but the interior is every bit as good or better IMO. And of course the engine/drivetrain is great.

I think whats most important is to buy what you are most happy with so you don't have remorse or second guess yourself after the fact.

 

You'll look kinda silly hanging around DTR with a ferd in your signature.

That's the best reason right there, I don't care who you are!

 

If you've ALWAYS driven GM, then you wouldn't be happy with a Dodge. I have always driven Dodges and have NO idea why people buy GMs. Just how it is.

Dodge people will understand this completely. GM people won't. Just go with what you want and remember that you could have made the best decision, but you decided to settle for a GM instead.

 

They all have their pros and cons. Drive each one of them and then buy which ever one gives you that,"warm and fuzzy" They're pretty expensive to make a mistake. I personally wouldn't worry about what the family thinks...they aren't paying for the truck!

 

That's a really good point. But I'm not about loyalty or what others may think. The thing is is that I personally like the chevy. I have one very good friend that used to have an 80s chevy. But he was a mechanic for a paving company and knew diesels. So he went out and bought what I would think of as THE PERFECT TRUCK:


2001 Ext. Cab, Shortbed
Mineral Grey Metallic
Sport 4x4
6-Speed Manual, CTD

I'll say right now that I would buy this truck from him.-If it was for sale.