Opinions on Diesel Trucks???

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a Dodge HO series diesel.. The Ford 6.0 engine around here and on the Plowsite net that I also am a member of have a lot of complaints about this new 6.0.. Like anything else, they have to iron out some problems. I see Fords new 6.0 as the likes of a Briggs and Stratton wringing out 75 HP instead of 18 or so. As for my Dodge, a late 01 model, yes, it is noisy, but after many tractor trailer units most all with 3406 Cat's, I don't hear a thing. The new Cummins has a forced pressure fule rail and other refinements where they drastically reduced the loud noise.. I'm sticking with Dodge...

 

[rockyridgefarm]

To me, the Cummins strength is that it is an inline 6. That is where all that torque comes from. There are fewer parts, no glowplugs. I see them at our dealership all the time with over 500K miles. The biggest shock on the new model - NO Insulation under the hood. Talk about quiet.

But I like the older ones, too. They aren't so noisy going down the road.

The others seem interesting, although we were by a new Ford the other day that sounded terrible. I hope it was sick...

I saw a used Cummins for sale once.

 

[Chief]

I have the Cummins HO 6 speed. I have had horrible experiences with "other" American makes. I have had some warranty work on the block heater and replaced the steering box at the service manager's insistence with I had the block heater looked at. Other than that, GREAT experience so far. I get about 23 mpg empty and it drops down to 16 - 18 loaded, 13 - 14 really heavy loaded. LOTS of TORQUE down low in the rpm range. I love the 6 speed NV5600 transmission, it is the strongest on the market currently. I do wish it had the FULL crew cab like the Ford but as I said. I've had some bad experiences with them and went with Dodge. This is my first Dodge. Had always been a Chevy man until my Suburban, LOTS of trouble. I drove test drove the Powerstroke F-250 & 350 but I did not like how the engine had to be rev'd so high to make power. I did love their crewcab interior. If I could get an F-350 new with no power train and install the Cummins and the NV5600; I would get the Ford. The Quad cab is fairly roomy and gets us (wife and 3 girls) around comfortably. I can now relax pulling our cabin cruiser or pulling 12,000 lbs of wood. The truck pulls it and is not even working hard. This link sums up why I went with the Cummins. It is built STRONG.


Connecting Rod Comparison Picture

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

I have a 2002 Dodge............Last of the noisy cummins..........I had a 1995 dodge before the 02 and I thought the cummins in it was awsome......Then I drove the 02............Like getting in a sprint car !!! They really keep getting better.........I have a heavy tag trailer and haul around 12,000 # on a regular basis behind my dodge and love it's power and fuel economy. I am a diehard chevy person (IT's hard to say the "D" word !!) but the dodge is doing everything I ask it to.......I'll probably buy another one in 5 years or so.......Tom

 

[bgott]

I've got a '98 Dodge with the 24 valve Cummins, I love it! I short hop a lot around the 'hood where I live and have my rentals, I get a steady 15 MPG in town with a close to 7,000 pound truck. The best I've gotten on the highway is 20 going to Dallas and back. That figure includes running 80 MPH there and back and doing some running around in town while I was there. I've hauled some heavy trailers with it, my tractor and lowboy is probably 12,000 pounds, and it is rock steady. I wouldn't go back to a gasser in a 3/4 ton.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Alright I have to set the record straight the new 6.0 liter Powerstroke in the Ford truck is no torque chump at low RPMs. It is ahead of the Dodge Cummins HO for most of the powercurve. It actually has the stick Cummins HO during a large majority of the powercurve in torque and the regular Cummins with the auto isn't even close. The Chevy Duramax stick or auto gets beat in torque during the entire powercurve.

If you look at HP figures the Ford beats Dodge or Chevy through the entire powercurve.

Look at the chart Powerstroke vs. competition

The Dodge may give all of it's torque at a very low RPM (1400) but the Ford is making 500 and it only gets better fom there on. These are real world figures and not "seat of the pants" impressions. The Ford is neck and neck even at low RPMs and then has slightly more torque as RPMs increase. At the same time the Ford is putting out a little more HP.


Now I am not trying to start a war or suggesting the new 6.0 will end up with as good a reputation as the Cummins 5.9 or even the 7.3 Powerstroke. It is too early to tell all new things have problems. Duramax had some problems the first year and even Dodge has made some big changes this year so who knows. Only time will tell. The competition is great and keeeps us supplied with ever more powerful trucks. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I just don't think lack of torque at low RPMs is a logical reason not to choose Ford. The numbers support this and if truth be told it appears the 6.0 is going to move your truck faster loaded or unloaded than either Dodge or Chevy. And as an added bonus you get to enjoy all that power in a very luxurious full size crew cab. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As far as the overall truck I don't think the majority of tow trucks, contractors, ambulances, haulers, etc. dive these Fords for nothin' /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[_RaT_]

Interesting link, it would seem that with the Dodge, the manual is the way to go if you want the power of the Cummins. I think here in California we are restricted on the Cummins or were and only got the Cummins with the engine performance of the automatic. The link you provided was great, but frustrating as well as there is no way I'm ever buying a new truck, have you ever checked into the prices? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It's a luxury I'll easily, well the desire may not diminish, forgo. For those looking into a new diesel truck, all the power to you, I mean that in more ways then one. Rat...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hmmm thats a pretty impressive comparison on the new 6.0 powerstroke. I am still a bit leary on buying it the first year or production.
How does the 7.3 Powerstroke hold up against the competition? I have found 2 2001 Lariats with the 7.3 and I know its been around for quite some time.

 

[Mike_Dumond]

<font color="red">As far as the overall truck I don't think the majority of tow trucks, contractors, ambulances, haulers, etc. dive these Fords for nothin' </font>

All our Ambulances have the 7.3 in them. The oldest is a non-turbo model. All are mounted on an E-350 chassis. All are rated at 10,000 lbs gross. All, except the turbo will do 90+. (Doesn't happen often) The 6.0's I tried won't come close to the preformance of the 7.3's. The biggest difference in our units comes from the transmission and rear end choices. We've been experimenting with different combo's, and I think we finally got it right. Our last two units will only do 93, (compared with 113 on the older units), but they have all the power needed to haul 10,000 lbs around like a sports car. The big trade off between the Ford 7.3 and other models is the noise, big difference there. But, not enough for us to consider another brand. If I can remember, I'll dig out the specs on our latest units. Don't know if you can mix and match transmission/ rearends like we do since most of our changes are after market.

Bottom line, Ford 7.3 Turbo Powerstroke all the way.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My Dodge HO is also a 6sp manual. In fact, that is all that is offered w the HO Cummins. However, the new 6.0 Ford, from what I've seen and read so far on another net, has a very long way to go. Numbers can scream torque from 500 rpm's up to 2100 or so, all day long. Means nothing when you can't keep the engine together.. The PS 7.3 is Navistar/International diesl that has been out there almost since the Last Supper.. It is a proven and great engine to have.. I still miss my 3406 Cat's..