looking at a 09 superduty 6.4L powerstroke

[Duffster]

If you think "doing fuel filters on a DMAX" is tough, then you are VERY mechanically challenged. :laughing:

I do them with ease. Maybe just another negative DMAX internet story you read? :confused2:

Did I say it was tough?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Did I say it was tough?

Good point. You did not, you simply stated you must remove the inner fender.



Chris

 

[Builder]

Did I say it was tough?

Nope, you implied it was tough. Enough for me, Al.
:laughing:

 

[Duffster]

even Hawaii has snow capped mountains 365 days/yr.

I forgot to ask did you discover this when you were doing research looking for a state that doesn't get below 32. :laughing:

 

[westcliffe01]

Builder, I believe you are right regarding it being the vacuum pump. I had to look up what the autohubs were, and apparently mine work fine, since I have had cause to use them the last week with the patchy snow and reduced plowing and salting we have going on nowadays.

I will follow some of the advice I found which is to get out and manually lock the hubs if actually going off pavement. So far, I have only used 4wd high on icy roads where it dramatically reduces the tendency for the rear to break free and tracking is improved too. Makes me wokder how I survived several winters in the 2wd dodge.... High pucker factor I guess...

 

[JB4310]

Might be for you. I have owned a Dodge and just did not have good luck with it. Worst vehicle I have ever owned but funny thing is I still like them and would buy another. Dodge and the local dealer took very good care of me and my issues.

The big problem I see with Dodge right now is GM and Ford are so far a head when it comes to HP/TQ and tow ratings. Dodge makes a handsome truck but have not tapped into the Cab and Chassis market here at all. I know it may be different in other parts of the country but Ford still dominates in my area. They have a reputation for being a great engine with a not so great package. They seem to rust quicker than the competition and seem to have more small problems but they do have a pretty strong following, just not as strong as Ford in my area.

As for right now Dodge is just playing 3rd fiddle living off the Cummins legendary name. Don't get me wrong, I love them. The Cummins corp is just 50 miles down the road and I have many friends whom work for them. They have been a big supporter and employer of Indiana residents but right now they need to steep up and get on par or even better yet best Ford and GM.

Chris

I'm guessing you had a gasser?
I do love my truck, it's a pleasure to drive, you don't hear that much coming from someone driving a 12,000 pound utility truck around. I know Dodge is #3 and it will always be.

The economy killed Dodge's big plans to cut into that C/C market that Ford dominates, but I was in the market for a new truck, I had to get it right since I'm a one truck contractor and can't afford down time. Now I don't have the hard facts but from what I remember Dodge had the heaviest frame and brakes in it's class, the engine even being new and unproven is a pretty safe bet, the tranny is awesome with longest warranty in the industry (can't be had in a pick-up though).

I know the HP/TQ numbers are not the highest and as far as towing goes, Fords supposed to be highest but every one of those hot shot truckers I see with those huge loaded car carriers are driving Cummins powered Dodges. That's gotta tell you something, all Dodges every one I've seen. is it just the fuel milage? makes me wonder if the guy who needs to rely on a tow rig more than anyone else...... And I really mean rig, these things are operated like little over the road interstate long haul trucks. Gotta be something more than just manufacturers numbers that makes the right truck for the job.

John,

 

[MossRoad]

Thread closed pending pruning.

 

[MossRoad]

Thread opened after pruning. There is lots of good information in this thread. Please keep to the subject and drop the personal attacks, jousting, etc...

No PMs sent, as there were too many participants.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm guessing you had a gasser?


I know the HP/TQ numbers are not the highest and as far as towing goes, Fords supposed to be highest but every one of those hot shot truckers I see with those huge loaded car carriers are driving Cummins powered Dodges. That's gotta tell you something, all Dodges every one I've seen. is it just the fuel milage? makes me wonder if the guy who needs to rely on a tow rig more than anyone else...... And I really mean rig, these things are operated like little over the road interstate long haul trucks. Gotta be something more than just manufacturers numbers that makes the right truck for the job.

John,

I had a Hemi 2500 4x4. Not a single issue with the engine but in 68,000 miles 2 trannys, AC compressor, Radiator Cooling fans, Power Steering, numerous switches, rust on the doors after 2.5 years, ect. Just issue after issue. Like I said I must have just gotten a bad one but Dodge and the dealer were awesome and would consider them again.

I would say the Hot Shotters are 50/50 Ford and Dodge with maybe 1 in 25 being GM. I live right on the main corridor from Detroit Earhart and 3.5 miles from my home is a large area of 4 truck stops on I69. Its a major stop for these guys hauling cars and campers. When Katrina hit we had over 1000 campers staged there. I was asked to add my 2 trucks to the fleet but there was know way I was going to do that.

Chris

 

[Builder]

I'm guessing you had a gasser?
I do love my truck, it's a pleasure to drive, you don't hear that much coming from someone driving a 12,000 pound utility truck around. I know Dodge is #3 and it will always be.

The economy killed Dodge's big plans to cut into that C/C market that Ford dominates, but I was in the market for a new truck, I had to get it right since I'm a one truck contractor and can't afford down time. Now I don't have the hard facts but from what I remember Dodge had the heaviest frame and brakes in it's class, the engine even being new and unproven is a pretty safe bet, the tranny is awesome with longest warranty in the industry (can't be had in a pick-up though).

That's the one thing that kills me. I wish the Aisin could be had in the pickup.

I wouldn't worry about sales numbers. Let Ford have 'em. Eminem sold the most CD's last year. Any of you listen to that garbage? McD's sells the most burgers, but the were rated as having the worst taste. Sales figures are more a measure of the company's ability to MARKET a product more successfully than the competition. Give Ford credit for doing a great job with their brochures, but I have found the more you dig, the more you see that brochure numbers can hide the truth.
For example, Ford rates their new diesel as being 400HP. GM rates theirs at 397HP yet according to the first tests, GM puts out more rear wheel horsepower than Ford. Ford relies on their buyers being dumb enough to think that because their truck puts 400HP at the flywheel, it must put more power to the pavement than the 397HP GM diesel. Who cares about flywheel HP? Maybe kids do. I care about the power on the pavement.

Another perceived Ford advantage is front axle ratings. Ford will impress you with massive 5,200-5,800 lb front axle ratings while GM's are ~4,800-5,000lbs. You would think that means the Ford has to be able to carry a lot more weight on the front axle, but dig a little deeper and you find out GM's diesel engine weighs 300lbs less and their front axle componenets weigh considerably less. Suddenly the perceived GAWR advantage Ford had disappears.

I know the HP/TQ numbers are not the highest and as far as towing goes, Fords supposed to be highest but every one of those hot shot truckers I see with those huge loaded car carriers are driving Cummins powered Dodges. That's gotta tell you something, all Dodges every one I've seen. is it just the fuel milage? makes me wonder if the guy who needs to rely on a tow rig more than anyone else...... And I really mean rig, these things are operated like little over the road interstate long haul trucks. Gotta be something more than just manufacturers numbers that makes the right truck for the job.

John,

John I think it's because Cummins has traditionally had the longest B50 rating of the 3 diesel engines at 350,000 miles. This may have been equalled by Ford or GM recently, but the perception still exists. Cummins diesels have the least moving parts and have an excellent reputation based off the 5.9L platform. The long distance hauler boys like that type of reliability.

I bet you see a lot of the older 5.9L car hauler guys have the NV manual trannies in them too for even more reliabilty or if they have an auto, it's taken out and hardened-up.

Nothing I own is the "biggest seller", either, but I still manage to get the job done after nearly 25 years in 2 buisinesses.