duramax diesels

deere755 · Aug 30, 2005

I had a little time to kill today so I looked at a power stroke and talked with the dealer a little and he really shocked me when he said that when it comes to diesels it makes no difference what brand you buy they are all good. This came from a ford dealer. I wish I would have driven it but maybe later.

Docsknotinn · Sep 1, 2005

I have had two Duramax's. I put 70k on a 2002 with no problems and I now have 55k on my '04. No problems. I do run a pre-OEM Cat 2 micron fuel filter system on my '04 that ran about $250 installed. As far as reliability goes I think the Dodge has the Duramax beat and Ford is at the bottom. On the other hand I'd take any of them as they are all pretty darn nice. I average 18 MPG on my '02 and 17 mpg on my '04 which is a bit lower thanx to the Bridgestone revos I run on this truck. Stick with the factory air filter. I have never had the need for a chip. Increasing the exhaust diameter does next to nothing for performance unless you are running a LOT of serious mods like nitrous and stacked chips.

Spanky100 · Sep 1, 2005

Deere755 re Cold temp starting

Your concern about cold temperture starting without using engine block heater should be minimal. I have had two Duramax, 2002 and 2005, never plugged them in Ohio and Michigan winters. Do not park inside and run 15w40 oil year round. Have seen many days 0 to minus 10 degree F and a few minus 15 to minus 22 F. No problem starting and no long wait times. I normally just let engine idle 30 seconds and drive away moderaterly unless we have frost or snow to remove. Diesels do not warm up as fast as a gas engine. So if parked outside in snow frost plan a few mintues to defrost. The 2005 has a fast idle setting (1200 RPM) to permit faster warm up this works great for the few days with heavy ice to remove from windows. No problems either truck. Suburban driving 16 to 17 mpg and hwy at 65 to 75 get 18.5 to 19.5 mpg. Both 2500HD 4wd Crew cabs with allison 5 speed. Now I see press release for 6 speed for 2006. What I like is light trailers under 5000 pounds we see very little mileage drop from empty. Was not like that with previous half ton gas truck. After driving the torque of the diesel would be hard to return to gas engine.
Good luck with your decision. Price out the new truck with incentives maybe not so much more than used.

Wayne

Docsknotinn · Sep 2, 2005

I have never plugged any of mine in and they have started up at minus ten. If you have a Duramax older than '05 a high idle switch is cheap and easy to install. It's a nice addition to let the truck warm up faster in very cold weather to defrost ice etc.

deere755 · Sep 2, 2005

I went to look at and drive a duramax today and it was already gone when I got ther so I drove the power stroke that was traded in for it. I have never owned a ford and thought I would never say this but I liked it. It was a 01 with 140,000 and it purred like a kitten. Seemed to have alot of power and road and drove nice. I still want to drive a duramax before I buy one but a power stroke would be ok too. I may have to drive a Dodge to be sure.

RedRocker · Sep 2, 2005

All three are good trucks with pluses and minuses. You really can't go wrong with any of them. If you could put a Cummins in a Ford with the Allison tranny you'd have a winner.

deere755 · Sep 2, 2005

The only thing I have seen about the Cummins I don't like is they seem to be the noisiest, but I know they are a good engine. One thing I have heard about the dodges is that they are weak in the transmition. I don't know if this true or not.

HGM · Sep 2, 2005

Dont compare that '01 PowerStroke to the Duramax, it wouldnt be a fair comparison. The Duramax is matched closer to the 6.0L Powerstrokes, The 7.3L you drove today is an awsome truck, though the power isnt the same.

deere755 · Sep 3, 2005

What is the difference in the 6.0 and the 7.3's? Which is the best?

jcmseven · Sep 3, 2005

The major differences between the 6.0 and 7.3 are the newer engine has four valves per cylinder, a variable rate turbo for faster spool up, a five speed automatic transmission, and is supposedly more emissions compliant than the 7.3L. That said, I have a 7.3L that I have kept. Last year I put the Banks Power Pack System with Power Elbow and Big Hoss module in my 7.3L. I have driven all the new trucks from each manufacturer mentioned and none have come close to the performance of the 7.3L I already own. I have monstrous power, and can get about 22 mpg highway and 15 city and 14-15 pulling an 8,000-9,000 pound load on the freeway. Of course, as advancements continue, the new engines will make progressively more power, but for now, the 7.3L I have runs really well. It is paid for, and I drive to dealers looking but always leave with my truck. According to the guys at Banks last year, the ones that work there that drive Fords, still keep their 7.3's. Of course, they are coming out with products for the 6.0L every day.

John M