Impressions of my Dodge

[AGGIE00]

The b series didn't come out until 89 and dodge used several series of blocks they used. The newer cumming 2006 and up have different valves than the b series. Known as a 3 valve. The engines last and the drive trains are ok but the trucks fall apart.

You have no idea of what you are talking about, but are repeating what a friend of a friend told you after a beer or ten. Before my 07 Dodge mega cab 4x4 6.7l cummins auto, I had 99, 00, 02, 03, and 04 fords. Although good trucks, the 6.0 sucked, they had far more repairs than my Dodge. My Dodge is 4+ years old with 155k on the meter and I have replaced the evaporator core, 2 u-joints, and one front diff seal. Brakes lasted 114k. I get in and out of my truck 30+ times a day and the leather is still good and door hinges are tight. Before you say it is a highway queen you should know that I use 4x4 almost daily on job sites and pull 18k regularly. This is by far the best truck and value I have evr owned.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Well I have had my share of ford and dodges currently have a 04 with 420k on it stock engine and local tranny shop replace stock tranny with a great rebuilt one. Only real issues with it so was factory tranny.
I had a 01 with a gas and 02 with diesel only issues on them was operator errors or abuse. Same goes for my 97 f450 and last 3 ford with 7.3l.
I think all trucks dodge and ford will handle 500k of use without any more than normal repairs.
Never had owned a gm product so no idea about them.

Dodgeman looks like you have a winner but let it breath all trucks should have a straight pipe, mufflers just add dead weight.

Fyi never had a tunner any of my trucks.

 

[MFRED]

I've never taken anyone serious who puts a "g" anywhere in Cummins. We'll have to hear about how Ford owns them next.

I wont bore you with my stories of the 8-10 diesel powered rams I've owned. They've been perfect. well over 200k on a few I still have and they're still towing.

I hope my new 5500 lasts as well.

 

[RobertN]

My interior is still perfect, but the outside edge of the driver seat is mushed down after 10 years. I need to get the foam replaced.

But, my two previous Fords were just as bad...

I have for the most part kept seat covers on though. Had those Wet Okole for a long time; the wetsuit material gave the seat some extra cush, and were very comfortable. Expensive though...

I get in and out of my truck 30+ times a day and the leather is still good and door hinges are tight.

 

[dodge man]

I haven't put a EGT gauge on mine yet. I'm not sure if I will or not. That is one reason I backed my chip down one level. I don't tow often and when I do it will rarely be over 7000lbs. We also don't have a lot of long hills around here so that should help keep the EGT's down.

 

[ForPetesSakeFarm]

I have 2 dodges myself and will own a dodge forever. I have a 95 1500 4x4 that is coming up on the 200k mark on stock 5.2 gas and tranny. Only beef with greenie as I call er, is a rust spot on the drivers door and the headliner coming down. Other than that, that truck owes me nothing as I ran her hard thru my teenage years.

I recently purchased a 2008 3500 4x4 with the 6.7 cummins. 2 words: true love. More power than one can shake 2 sticks at and gets awesome mileage when towing. I have a smarty jr programmer on and only have it set to the towing tune and it is perfect. I also have 5 inch turbo back exhaust which makes the truck smell a little rich when idling but eliminated all the emissions crap that clogged it up and caused me to get 11-13 mpg as compared to the 17-18 I get now.

All in all, to each his own, but I love my dodges and will always have one or more in my stable

 

[crashz]

RobertN,

I think its Dynatrack (???) that makes a kit that eliminates the front unit bearings and replaces them with the older style of spindle & bearings. This allows you to use locking hubs on the Ford and Dodge trucks with a a Dana 50/60 front axle. Not sure if they make the kit for the newer AAM axles in the 03+ trucks.



A new Cummins would be pretty sweet in my driveway. Seems like the Dodge trucks are cheaper here in New England than Ford or GM. I've been torn between a new GM 2500HD or F250, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking that a new Cummins with 6 sped stick would be about the same price as a stripped gasser from Ford or GM. I hope that Dodge does not drop the stick shift transmission before my wife allows me to buy.