Opinions on Cummins 5.9 Diesel

[Builder]

The allison is a good tranny but not without its problems. Again, warranties sell cars and truck and they needed to win back the buyers once they had a good powertrain with Isuzu and Allison.

Actually, GM had the same powertrain warranty as Ford years after the DMAX/Ally combination was offered. GM didn't increase warranty coverage to exceed Ford & Dodge until 4-5 years ago.

Now if they could just get the fit and finish, better interiors, and a frame/payload selection that can really compete they will be a serious threat.

That's just your opinion and that's great. I'll take my GMC "fit & finish" over a Superduty any day and that's my opinion. No facts there, just opinions. I hope no one will be offended or think I'm arguementative if I choose to disagree with that point? I know this is Ford territory and I hope I can disagree without upsetting everyone.

GM's frame/payload selection is just fine. Everyone knows Ford trucks' payload advantage isn't really that much. Their trucks weigh 700 lbs more, so their payload advantage is smaller than Ford leads buyers to believe. Everyone also knows that a Ford's payload is boosted way up because of it's higher payload front axle, so unless the weight goes on the front of the truck, the rear axle is limited to not much more than a comparable GM or Dodge. If you take a F-350 with 11,200 lb GVWR compared to a GM with 9,900 you've got a 1,300 lb advantage. Take off 700 lbs because the Ford weighs 700 more and you're down to 500lbs. Take the typical 5,500-6,000 lb Ford front axle comared to a GM 4,900 lb front axle and you know where the rest of the "payload advantage" is.

 

[Ryan03]

Did you know the auto trans rebuilders claim the allison has far more issues than the dodge?? The ford is better than either. I think they claim the allison is twice as likely to go out than either of the other two!!!!

I will be sure to remember that next time I pass a Ford SD or Mopar on the side of the interstate with ATF boiling out of the dip stick tube.

IMO, the 5.9 is a great engine, 1 milion mile major service intervals seems kind of far fetched to me, but I suppose once in a blue moon anything is possible.

I Personaly have seen them go 300+ k miles in Dodge pickups, but those pickups were real rags by that point, as any brand most likely would be with random laborers driving it and 10 years of road salt.

My personal favorite is the 12 valve. It is a simple, proven design that set the bar for longevity. I would love to repower a clean 78 or 79 Ford F250 4x4 with one.

 

[jfox]

There was an article a few years ago about a 95 dodge 1 ton that was used for hot shotting trailers.They had a list of all the items replaced up to 1,005,000 miles!!!They said the power was down some, so they retired it. They still used it for local runs.
Not even the injection pump was touched!!! Several clutches and shocks,tires etc.
You know, I use to be a chevy guy. When I realized I was putting starters, water pumps, transmissions in them all the time, I had a chance to buy--at areally good deal--- a dodge.
That dodge went 133,000 without a penny spent other than mantenance. I keep buying them.
I have never--in 30 years replaced a water pump, starter,alternator on a dodge. I have a 92 dakota with 307,000 miles and it has not even had a valve cover off. It did get a trans rebuild under warrantee.
Chevy guys still scream that thier bow ties are better. That is ok, they can be brand loyal. I am with a history of driving both brands.

 

[Builder]

You know, I use to be a chevy guy. When I realized I was putting starters, water pumps, transmissions in them all the time, I had a chance to buy--at areally good deal--- a dodge.
That dodge went 133,000 without a penny spent other than mantenance. I keep buying them.
I have never--in 30 years replaced a water pump, starter,alternator on a dodge. I have a 92 dakota with 307,000 miles and it has not even had a valve cover off. It did get a trans rebuild under warrantee.
Chevy guys still scream that thier bow ties are better. That is ok, they can be brand loyal. I am with a history of driving both brands.

I think anyone can make that claim. I was a Ford guy-got nickled & dimed to death and switched to GM.

There's other guys here that have a horror story with another brand, switch and now they think they made the greatest decision in history.

You know "Different strokes for different folks", "your results may vary", "opinions are like........." all apply here.

 

[Ryan03]

I have gone back and forth over the years betwen Ford and GM, and way back when I owned an AMC Jeep. I have never owned a true Mopar, just a 1/3 Mopar [AMC]. When I purchase a new vehicle, I buy what I think is the best product available at the time, regardless of what brand it is, and I never buy anything that has only been out for a year.

My job as a tech for a large government fleet gives me a unique opertunity to wrench on all three makes and models of pickups and cars, as well as different makes of tractors, construction equipment, lawn care equipment etc. The best way that I can sum it up is that just because GM had the best diesel pickup in say 03, does not mean it was the best in 06, same goes for Ford and Mopar. Even if the drivetrains were identicle, different suppliers probably made things like the window regulators, wiper motors, brake calipers etc. Years ago, we purchased 5 identicle Ford police interceptors with sequential serial numbers, 3 years later, the fuel pumps on 4 of those cars took a crap whithin 6 monthes of one another. This does not mean Ford is bad, just the suppier they happend to be using for those fuel pumps when the cars were built. Many people would be suprised at how often we encounter similar failures with all makes of cars, trucks, and equipment.

 

[Builder]

I have gone back and forth over the years betwen Ford and GM, and way back when I owned an AMC Jeep. I have never owned a true Mopar, just a 1/3 Mopar [AMC]. When I purchase a new vehicle, I buy what I think is the best product available at the time, regardless of what brand it is, and I never buy anything that has only been out for a year.

My job as a tech for a large government fleet gives me a unique opertunity to wrench on all three makes and models of pickups and cars, as well as different makes of tractors, construction equipment, lawn care equipment etc. The best way that I can sum it up is that just because GM had the best diesel pickup in say 03, does not mean it was the best in 06, same goes for Ford and Mopar. Even if the drivetrains were identicle, different suppliers probably made things like the window regulators, wiper motors, brake calipers etc. Years ago, we purchased 5 identicle Ford police interceptors with sequential serial numbers, 3 years later, the fuel pumps on 4 of those cars took a crap whithin 6 monthes of one another. This does not mean Ford is bad, just the suppier they happend to be using for those fuel pumps when the cars were built. Many people would be suprised at how often we encounter similar failures with all makes of cars, trucks, and equipment.

Sooooo....what do you drive now?

 

[Crash101]

Ok...we heard about the fords, now lets have some opinions on Dodges, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation motors. I own one.

I have an 05 Cummins powered quad cab Dodge. I bought it new 65,000 miles ago. Opinions? I believe the air conditioner is a little weak, especially on the right side of the cab. I don't like the fact that there is no key lock on the right door. What else don't I like about it? That's about it. I often hear and read of reports that the Dodge is not quite up to par with Ford or the GM twins. This isn't true, it's just about as likely to provide hard work for a long time as the competition is. Does it ride as nice? I don't know, I didn't buy it for the ride. I didn't own a Dodge until this generation, so can't speak for the older ones, but I find myself liking it as much or more than anything I've had before. Mine has a 5.9 and like the rest of the truck it does everything I need when I need. I've pulled weights far beyond what it is recommended and may pull my 5th wheel camper across the country at any given time. It don't overheat, it just goes.
Is there a better pickup? I don't know, I don't think so. I know there are many opinions, but so far mine has me convinced when it's time for replacement, another Dodge will probably be taking it's place in my driveway. That is, if there is a Dodge.

 

[RobertN]

Sooooo....what do you drive?

Not the Op, but...

Anything I can get my hands on, wheeled or tracked

 

[Ryan03]

Sooooo....what do you drive now?

A Chevy 2500 DMax/Allison 4x4. For the most part, it has been a good truck and met most of my expectations. Prior to the Chevy, I had a 99 F350 reg cab 4x4 dually. It would be hard for me to say which one I liked better, as each one had its own strong and weak points. I traded the Ford at 98,000 miles for the Chevy which now has about 94,000 miles. The deciding factor that made me go with the Chevy back in 03 was the $4,000 dollar rebate, combined with the GM employee discount that I was able to get through a family member.

 

[JB4310]

Didn't think there would be any negative comments in a 5.9 thread

Even on those viscous truck forums no one ever bashes Cummins.
I had a 95 12 valve in a 2500, low miles but 13 years, the greatest engine ever made in it's class period.

The 4th generation 6.7L ain't no slouch either, I've got one in a 3500 with a Aisin tranny (180,000 mile warranty!) Only time will tell if it can live up to it's little brother as far as longevity goes, probably not due to all the mandated emissions crap but man it is a sweet ride!

JB.