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Comments
My personl ownership of Chrysler products was favorable even though Consumer Report said it was horrible. I currently own two GM products a Buick Park Ave and a 1500 series Chevy... both are great.. The Ford HD drives and handles great but now with 2 transmission problems behind me I am just very nervous about pulling the camper again. My problem with Dodges is probably very personal..my former employer purchased the cheapest junk that Chrysler Corp. could make... from Jeeps to Dodge / Plymouth vehicles... I know this is not representive of what was available from a dealer but that's my experience anyway. What junk! I am sure this is poisoning my rational decision making process.
Anyway I appreciate the more honest and informational posts while the ones with just opinions and such are not needed. I will try to keep my discussions to facts as best I can and not add in my personal feelings on such things as the Dodges.
So anyone that has real information that will help me decided between the two would be appreciated.
Since at this time neither mfg's are making any real deals on financing etc I will probably just watch this site until late summer/fall and pick up a new one... Getting a chevy with the new body style makes some sense. Heck my 90 model chevvy looks about like the new ones. I guess owning one for 17 years might be long enough..
Perhaps the latest generation of GM pickups will change my mind. We have recently made a small buy of 2006 Chevy 1500 class PUs. Our previous F150s were very good, but the new versions are not so good.
In the meantime the RAM 1500 and 2500s that we own (2002-2005s) have proved to be exceptionally solid and extremely reliable. These are all gas models, but in my experience the Cummins engine is in a league of it's own.
Most people I talk to or know are getting much better than 11.5 MPG with their Cummins equiped RAMs. I would survey some more Cummins owners before rushing to the conclusion that 11.5 is normal for that engine. Also, judging fuel consumption on a new motor is usually misleading. The Cummins is an exceptionally tight diesel motor. It may need 10,000 miles before you start to see "normal" numbers.
For '06 the Cummins equiped RAM comes with a new very heavy 4-speed 48RE fully adaptive automatic transmission. If you wait another year the RAM will have a new 6-speed heavy automatic built off of the extremely reliable 545RFE transmission.
Good luck and best regards,
Dusty
c57
c57
Now the question is does a person wait for the 07's to come out and see what Chevy has waiting in the wings or buy an OLD 06 style.. ??
Might have to see what INCENTIVES will come out in the next few months.
Then its bye bye Ford.
They make it sound like their 7.2% grade in California was really a big test.. I know there are two grades in Eastern TN in the 7%+ range and lots in WNC... I only ran across one like that driving to Alaska last summer and it was coming out of Skagway.. Seems like lots of it was 7% running up to 11% but I might have forgotten.it was also really long... like 20 miles or so pulling UPGRADE... I have CRS now so the figures are only my gueses....estimates.... Both the Dodges and Chevy's ran around me on those grades with my 99 Ford diesel and I was only towing 9000lbs or so. It doesn't seem like the new Chevy would have a problem with the grades and my new 12000 5th wheel. I know those I talked to last summer really liked their Chevrolets but then so did the Dodge owners..
This article really helped me!! Thanks again.
If it wasn't for the inordinate amount of problems were having with the F150 series right now, the GM versions would be the worst. And at the moment the RAM series is our best performer for reliability. Only random electrical problems keep these vehicles from being as good as a Tundra. Next year the Cummins equiped RAM gets a six-speed automatic and a horsepower and torque boost. I haven't heard anything about Ford introducing six-speed auto, but it wouldn't surprize me that one's in the works.
Regards,
Dusty
The Cummins revs much lower than the Duramax, Powerstroke, or any of the gasoline V8s... its horsepower peak is just 2900 rpm. The torque comes from the piston stroke, which is much longer in the Cummins 6-cylinder.
The Duramax is the 6.6 liter, by the way - the 8.1L is the gasoline engine.
kcram - Pickups Host
As stated before, if automatic trans is a must and shift quality is a top priority, then the Ford or Chevy may be a better option than the Dodge, with it only having 4 ratios in it's tranny, but it is still remarkably stout and dependable. But for rowing your own, Dodge's 6-speed is about as good as it gets. And with a new 6.7L Cummins with a reported 700lbs-ft of torque and close to 400-hp mated to a new 6-speed auto coming for '07/'08, it's going to be a different ball game, with all of the manufacturers upgrading their powertrains...
Test drove chevy and ford and I have no regrets whatsoever, VERY QUIET, unlike ford 6.0
Regards,
Dusty
FWIW...I did not even consider the Chevy. Looks OK, but rode in one less than a year old and it squeeked and rattled like a 20 yr old farm truck. Plus it was not as comfortable as the Ram. F-150 looks good, but the Ram was a better deal. Not just because of the incentives either.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe Granite Crystal over Saddle
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My son home from Iraq just picked me up this morning for breakfast in his buddy's 2005 Chevy 1500. It only had 16,000 miles on it and no rattles. But most GMs seemed to squeak, buzz, and rattle a lot as they get years and miles.
I hear from owners of of competive models all the time about how bad the gas mileage is in RAMs and how much better it is in GMs, especially. Well, this Chevy does no better than 16 on the highway according to it's owner, and 13-14 around town. My son has had use of this truck for two weeks and he said the best it's turned in was 16.7, and that's easy driving. Most guys driving Hemi RAMs do that or a little better.
Bests,
Dusty
I pulled the bass boat down to Jocassee last saturday another 200 mil trip... got only 13.1... hope that improves when its warn in a bit
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There is absolutely no question about the Cummins engine just being great; 0 recalls so far. I have had Fords and GM and have nothing bad to say about the ones I owned. As far as cranking the engine, I have never had any problems whatsoever, even in the coldest days.
Mine is a crew cab, not the megacab. I personally think the rear cab should have been a little bigger, but is no biggy.
You will like this truck as much or even more than your old CTD, I guarantee it!
Good luck and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a funny thing how many times I listen to a Ford or Chevy guy mention problems they've had with their truck, yet one time you say that your Dodge had to see the dealer for a repair and suddenly a Dodge is junk.
The truth be known the Dodge trucks of recent years have been the most reliable.
Regards,
Dusty
Dusty, you know that isn't quite true. I don't hardly know anyone who owns a automatic transmission dodge who hasn't replaced it.
Rocky
I had a Ford 250 diesel 1999 vintage... good engine... horrible tranny... wish I had gotten the stick shift...
Oh well my Duramax seems more than adequate..
Rocky
I still can't figure why they got rid of the 7.3L... lots of folks out there with over 300K on them...
Rocky
The transmission comment is a monument to exaggeration. I know of quite a few 45, 46, and 47REs that are still operating without a repair or a rebuild, some after 150,000 miles. They most certainly are no worse than a 4LE60! The new 545FRE transmission has had very few problems and far less failures. With the exception of V6s, this transmission is used on all V8 RAMs.
Dusty
Rocky"
I've owned Dodge trucks since 1976 and the only automatic tranny I have had to replace was on my wife's FORD Mustang........
2005 Dodge Ram 3500 dually, Cummins and 48RE, will be 2 years old March 8, closing in on 40K... no trans problems.
Maintain any automatic by the book (fluid, filter, pan gasket, band adjustment), and it will last as long as you need it. If you just let the quick-lube places suck the fluid out the dipstick tube, kiss the trans goodbye. Doesn't matter who makes the trans.
kcram - Pickups Host
I was wondering if any of you have had this problem and if it is, as the dealer said "normal". My truck starts in the coldest winter day at first crank, and my average fuel economy is 18-19 mpg (crew cab 4x4 auto trans)
Thank you!!!
But with all of the plow jockeys and landscapers using the 1500 series when they should've had a 2500 or 3500, towing above the rated limit, with the transmission in overdrive, using Dexron-Mercon fluid instead of the correct ATF+, I think those 45 and 46REs did pretty darn well.
Compare that to the 4LE60, 80 series that went through the sun gear failures, direct clutches breaking, reverse boost valves sticking causing high line pressure and breaking low reverse and 2nd bands, input shafts wearing prematurely, intermediate sprag failures, burned forward clutches from excess forward drum travel, I guess only a person having a love affair with GM would think that GM transmissions are better than Chryslers. (And I haven't even mentioned the GM toilet TH200.)
And, oh, try to rebuild one (properly) without breaking a freakin' reluctor gear!!
Bests,
Dusty
I would be suspecting a bad electrical connection or a borderline battery.
Regards,
Dusty
Rocky
It is normal. It is the intake heater grid cycling in the "post start". I believe there is mention to it in the owner's manual. Three people I know have and 03, 05, and an 06 CTD and they all do it here in Ak.
Steve
Morgan
Listen, Dodge transmissions break just like those from GM or Ford or anybody else, really. I personally know two people that own (owned in one case) Titans and they both have had transmission trouble already. But that doesn't mean they'll all suffer the same fate. When you're in love with a particular brand you'll inherently find a convenient way to forget problems you've seen with your pet brand, and remember everything bad about something else. That's what causes selective memory and exaggerated statements. Because you're in love, you must believe that anything else is less than your favorite brand. With all of the problems GM has had with their machinery, the worshipers must point out all of the flaws in other brands, especially if you're going to lose $2000-4000 on resale because of piston slap.
Prior to '98 the Dodge A500 and A518 transmissions and the 45REs had insufficient oil flow to the overdrive unit. This caused advanced oxidation of the ATF and subsequent loss of clutch friction material in extreme lower temperatures or when towing heavy loads near the max in overdrive. When operated in accordance with the operator's manual, meaning turning the overdrive off when towing in hilly country or at maximum tow rating, and regular maintenance, these transmissions would last a lifetime.
After '98 problems with the 45 and 46REs seemed to fade significantly. The oil flow fix and some other enhancements makes these transmissions as good as the competition in the same range.
In my experience too many of these earlier 1/2 ton Dodge transmissions required repair or rebuild because they were used above the maximum rating, or for plowing, or because they were never maintenenced. (Unless properly equiped, you're not supposed to plow with a Dodge 1/2, just like Chevy and Fords.) Still others had Dexron-Mercon used in them which will always mean certain death in a Dodge truck transmission. The 47RE in the 3/4 and 1 ton Dodges were never much of a problem. Most certainly less of a problem then I'd see with 4LE80s in 3/4 or 1 ton Chevrolets. The 47RE behind the Cummins proved to be marginal for the same reasons the 45RE could be problematic in 1/2 ton chassis Dodges.
Now there were intermittent problems with shift solenoids for a while, and dirty ATF in a Dodge will probably choke the anti-drain back valve and restrict fluid flow sooner than in most other designs. However, in an EO4D or a Hydramatic you'll operate with dirty fluid longer but when the transmission does fail you'll be looking at a $2500 to $3500 rebuild because the pumps like to fail on Fords and other things like to wear (input shafts, forward clutches, reverse piston bore wear, etc.) on a Hydramatics.
That was yesterday. The 48RE in the Cummins is strong and has been very reliable. The 545RFE has been exceptional. In fact so exceptional, until very recently no one other than Chrysler made a rebuild kit for this transmission! And it's been out since MY 2000. This is now the only transmission used in a V-8 RAM, V-8 Jeeps and 4.7 Dakotas.
Best regards,
Dusty
I told him to buy the proven Duramax because this new truck is the highest quality HD on the market with a proven motor. I said the new Ford HD, might end up being a good truck but it's not proven. His Dodge, has had some quality issues with the interior and exterior and like he said like all dodges the engines will out last the body. He does have a point with that based on what I've seen. Dodge makes a pretty good engine but the body's aren't up to snuff
IMHO.
Rocky
I've never known anyone with Piston slap. I've heard about this but never known anyone to have this problem. Well based on looking a bluebooks GM, has the highest residuals out of domestic trucks. :confuse: True Market Value makes the gap even higher.
Ford is #2
Dodge #3
Rocky
The Duramax has not been a stellar performer. As far as truck bodies go, oh please! GM's bodies are the worst. Around here you will see GMs with rust perforation in 6-7 years. My last Chevy had rust through at the end of five and had more rattles and squeaks than a B-24 with 30 missions. Rusted cab mounts, rocker panels, bottoms of front fenders, rear wheel lips rusted through. In contrast the RAM is the longest lasting full-size pick up sold in America and they typically go 9-10 years before you see perforation.
As far as resale, if you just look at the Blue Book price at end of term, yep, you'll see a larger number for a Chevy or GMC. But they also are sold at a higher average rate. The true resale is the difference between what was paid and what the vehicle returned at the end of term. GMs don't do so well when held to this standard.
Yeah. The GM deity lives!
Dusty
As for rust, I had my 1989 GMC for 9 years and my 2000 GMC for the past 7-1/2. NO signs of any rust yet and I live in snowy, salty Minnesota.
Ya know what? I am not even going to get into this discussion comparing Dodges to GM's. There is NO comparison. BTW, How's Dodge doing these days?
Dodge....Ptooey You could GIVE me one and I wouldn't drive it.
I could trade anecdotal snipets all day and it wouldn't prove a thing. But I'll tell you what, being in the fleet management business for eleven years I've learned to detect the superiority in GM flag wavers. Unfortunately, its based on self-proclaimed myths.
Although our GM products have been sour notes for many years, maybe the new GMT900 platform will finally live up to the past 30 years of exaggerated claims by the hyper-religious GM following.
As to advising us that you'd never drive a Dodge if given one, it proves the severity of your bias. I might drive a GM truck in the future, although now that Toyota's in the full size fray I suspect they'll dominate eventually just on quality and reliability alone.
In the mean time I'd take a Dodge...or a Ford, or a Titan...or a Tundra. I have greater faith in them at the moment than a GM based on past history.
As for lowest cost of ownership, I just read it in a magazine article the other day. I read so many articles in mags and online, I don't recall which one, but I read it, I know it, and I don't have to prove it to you.
My bias against Chrysler products is based on previous experience and experiences of people I know. Am I a diehard GM fan? yeah, I guess so. But I have nothing against Ford and I would buy one under the right circumstances and be a proud owner of it. Dodge on the other hand? Not a chance!!!
My past experience with my last 2 GM's gives me NO reason to consider changing loyalties. My 89 and my 2000 both were awesome trucks that NEVER gave me ANY trouble. Not one!!! Never broke down and/or left me stranded. Never had any warranty issues. Only money I spent was routine maintenance (brakes, tires, etc). Oh, and couple of VERY minor recall items. None of them left me without a vehicle. The were taken care of "on the spot" when I brought it in.
Until GM lets me down, they have my business and my loyalty.
Well, my last two GMs were garbage. Like another GM worshipper said recently, you are among the lucky few.
And if you think GM is really doing any better, I think you're fooling yourself.
IMO, whatever that is worth. I've had a 2002 Chevy Tahoe for 5 years... great vehicle. Will pick up my 2007 Silverado in 3 to 4 weeks. I had a friend that bought a brand new Jeep Cherokee , the top of the line model, brought it home and the second he put it into reverse, it locked ( the transmission ) , seems that the previous years transmissions were used in the new years models, they were " leftovers " and they didn't exactly fit! Presently, Mercedes is trying to dump Chrysler. At a recent meeting, the CEO of Chrysler was forced by a journalist ,into admitting that he was making the company's balance sheet look more attractive by not counting vehicles in the factories lots that were not shipped. Well, in the final analysis , we either love the truck or hate it. With all the poblems Chrysler has had with honesty and the way they do business, I find myself hating them and through personal experience loving Chevy. As we all realize... this happens to all of us with regard to the vehicle we love...so....
buy what you love and enjoy
Chromedome
fortunat;ly we did't have any preconceived bias against dodge. our three have been super trucks. two of them have never been back to the dealer for anything. our first one had the instrument cluster replaced by Dodge. but my dad's chevy had that problem too. i guess we make decisiuons based on personal experience and the exprience of others. our neighbors have had excellent results from Dodge and so have we. we'll never go back to ford, that's for sure and based on what we see chevys no better. good luck with your truck.
morgan
Duramax oil requirement is 10 quarts, not 6.
kcram - Pickups Host
Wierd... rust?
morgan