Diesel engines, which is better: Ford, Dodge, Chevy

indian3 · December 2001

which diesal engine( ford, dodge, chevy) is the best for dependibility and gas milage?

swooshman · December 2001

Well my dad has a Ford with the 7.3 and he loves it... We were gonna get a chev with the duramax but they couldn't get any here in Newfoundland at the time so dad got one from ford... I don't like the dodge cause they just don't have the numbers that ford and chev can put out. I am a chev fan and they have the best numbers but I would wait till they iron the bugs out.. Ford's been in the diesel game a long time with their 7.3's... That's just my opinion..

Swoosh Man

sebring95 · December 2001

It's which truck. The ford and dodge diesel engines are both tried and true and have bang-up dependability and ballpark mpg. Chevy is the one with something to prove, and it looks good on paper and initial street time. I'm not a brand loyalist, but I'm not a guinea pig either, so I'll consider the GM truck after they have some major time on them. My taste prefers the cummins along with the Dodge truck. Just what I like and have had good luck with. I know lots of people in horses, and both trucks have their pros and cons. Ford sells alot more 2500/3500 trucks, and one big reason is because of the crew cab as many people working their rigs need the passenger space. One horse trainer I work with just had to upgrade to a Freightliner because noone makes a light-truck with the room/capacity he needed. So it honestly comes down to which truck body will work for you and the dependability of the rest of the chassis. The cummins is going to be beefed this time next year and substantially quieted. Still based on the same 24V design though so nothing scarey.

mullins87 · January 2002

I have a Ford, so I'm partial to them. But looking at the engines alone -

The Ford has an International Navistar engine; these have been around a long time and are great motors.

The Dodge has a Cummins engine; these have also been around a long time, simpler design than the International and it gets slightly better mileage.

The Chevy/GMC uses an Isuzu engine; while Isuzu sells a lot of medium duty city trucks with diesels, this motor is all new with a lot of proving to do. It will be interesting to see how they hold up at 400k miles.

leomort · January 2002

Do they put diesel engines in their F-150's? OR is diesel engines only slotted for heavy-duty trucks?

Leo

sebring95 · January 2002

Diesels are only in 3/4 and 1-ton light trucks amoung all manufacturers. V10 gassers as well.

leomort · January 2002

thanks.

I get confused as to what the denominations mean on the trucks, F-150/GM's 1500= 1/2 ton?

F-250=???

F-350=???

Leo

mledtje · January 2002

150/1500 = 1/2 ton

250/2500 = 3/4 ton

350/3500 = 1 ton

Of course, the terms 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton have no real meaning, and you must consult manufacturer's specs to get real capacity.

Mike L

leomort · January 2002

Guess you can tell I'm a car owner

LOL

Leo

catam · January 2002

catam · January 2002

Indian 65, sorry my earlier post was cut off when my computer died. Anyway, I agree with sebring that you should look at the whole truck not the engine. Both Dodge and Ford diesel engines are rock solid for reliability, and I suspect the GM will be as well. The trucks overall though have had many, and varied problems. As far as fuel economy goes this should really be a non issue, all 3 will get very comparable gas mileage, probably less than 1 MPG difference if driven identically.
Here is my 2 cents worth. I will say up front I am a lifetime Chevy guy. However, if I was putting my hard earned $$ down right now I would buy a Ford (with a manual transmission), if I needed a diesel powered truck. Both Ford and Dodge have had a plethora of problems with their auto tranny's behind diesels. Dodge's problem is so bad that they have to detune the engine, so that the tranny can handle the torque. GM promises to improve this with the Allison auto, but early reports that I have read show it is having problems also. The Dodge overall, I believe has the most problems with elctrical, mechanical, etc. They GM's are on a new platform, and historically all auto makers need a few years to work all the bugs out. That leaves Ford for the next couple of years.
I believe Ford is scrapping the 7.3L in either 03 or 04, and switching to a 6.0L diesel. After that time, I would buy a Chevy,because the bugs should be worked out, and Ford will have a whole set of new bugs to work on.
In a nutshell if your buying soon, buy a Ford, just make sure you get the manual tranny. Don't believe the salesmen who tell you that auto's are better for towing. If that was true they would put them in Semi's. Auto's just cost extra, so the salesmen get a bigger commision.

jwhaelen1 · January 2002

I am considering trading in my current truck,and getting a '03 or '04 Ram 2500 with the new Cummins engine. 650+LB FT @ 1600RPM! & 325 HP. That's VERY tempting! Manual tranny of course.

catam · January 2002

I would advise you to avoid that temptation until about '05. As I mention in my previous post, the 03 heavy duty Ram's will be on an all new platform with an all new engine. While I know how tempting it is to wants all of the new stuff, this is a recipe for an unreliable vehicle, as a whole. You probably like your current Dodge, remember the platform dates back to 94, I don't know what year yours is, but odds are if has been reliable enough for you to want another, it probably was at least made after 96. If I am wrong than you got lucky. I am not saying Dodge makes bad trucks, they don't, it is just that all auto makers have a few engineering flaws in a new design that don't show up for a while. Thus the first year maybe 2 of a new design is usually less reliable than the years that follow. Anyway just my $0.02.

sebring95 · January 2002

I'm also probably going to avoid the first year, but I don't know that I'll wait two years. Most of the basics are coming over from the '02 1/2 tons and the cummins is not an all new engine. It's the same 24V design with some upgrades. Realize it takes next to nothing to bump the HP/torque on these. What I've seen indicates the main changes are for increased throttle response (revied turbo) and moving a few things to gag the engine. I could care less about the noise because it's not loud in the cab in the newer rams. But everybody is concerned about how noisey their trucks are when standing next to them? I just hope they don't screw something up by trying to quiet the thing down. At least they aren't going to a V8 as that would have been the easy solution.

ragee · January 2002

Hi, I got to read a few of the posts and I have my own two cents to add. I have a 01 PSD, and I had to do a lot of searching to come up and buy the Ford over the other two. I started talking to many Dodge fans that own new Rams, and they told me that a lot of the new Rams are built in Mexico and they don't hold up and are having a lot of warranty claims on the truck. The Chevy is unproven still yet and I needed a new truck to haul my farm equipment. So I went with the Ford. Now the PSD has its own problems as well, like it doesn't like to start in cold weather, and it takes time to warm up the glow plugs unlike the Cummins and their fuel grid heater, and the Ford is thirsty when all the power and torque comes in at, unlike the straight six design that is in the Cummins and all of the rigs on the road, and the PSD fuel pump is not known at least to my knowledge of being the best one either, but I wanted to purchase the best overall truck so I went with the Ford, and what I didn't like I decided to fix in upgrades and I am one totally satisfied customer, I went with Banks and added a 100hp superchip and a Jacobs Exhaust Brake, I also got a aluminum work bed, with a fifth wheel hitch made into the bed, and an extra 60 gallon fuel cell, which I run off with a boost pump. I got the crew cab and a six speed tranny and all the rest of the extras. I think that I have made the right choice. I now have 64k on it since I bought it last fall.

Rob

sebring95 · January 2002

Lift pump on the Dodges are problematic too. I've been lucky and mine is still operating withing spec. I got an '01 1/2 Ram which had quite a few upgrades so maybe that made the difference. Curious if you've upgraded the clutch and to what. My father-in-law has an '00 PSD with six speed and he's burned the clutch twice in 20K miles. First one at 3K. He always has dealer do work, but I told him awhile back I'd nib around to see what the consensus was for a good aftermarket. He was a truck driver when he was younger so I believe he knows how to shift it.

lariat1 · January 2002

Slap a centerforce clutch in it they have various clutches for different applications. I dont know for sure what they have now but the centerforce 3 was a stout clutch it was stiff though.

jcmdie · January 2002

For some reason people think that because the truck is assembled in Mexico where labor is cheaper, that the build quality is cheaper. I have seen this brought up on other forums before and it seems that the opposite is actually true. Apparently, in the Mexican plants the workers are cross trained on thier jobs and it seems to improve build quality. At least on the Dodge. My '98 Mexican assembled Dodge has been excellent.

bobsquatch · January 2002

Building trucks in Mexico does have one drawback. It stabs American workers in the back. Shame on Ford and Dodge for exporting American Jobs to save a buck! There is however not much we can do about it. I try to buy U.S. products whenever I can but when I bought my new Ford all I could do is wait and see... I was extatic to find a Kentucky Truck Plant sticker on my rig.

Sorry to get up on my soap box but after 9-11-01 we should all do everything we can to support our country. BUY AMERICAN, NOW MORE THAN EVER!!!

ragee · January 2002

Well I know that there are good and bad trucks made both in Mexico and the U.S. but I have a neighbor who bought a Dodge and he has had nothing but problems with the body due to vibration and brake problems and he hauls as much as I do, and I don't want anything marginal as far as braking goes when I need to stop. So I personally don't have a lot of faith in the Dodge products. That is my personal opinion. I don't know about clutch problems on the Ford, I don't have any problems with the clutch, probably becuase I don't use the clutch except to start and stop, I shift by the RPM for the most part, just like I do when I drive rigs, because I have some expirence doing that as well. As to the fact that your father-in-law uses the dealer to reinstall the clutch that doesn't mean that the guy that installed his clutch does that kind of work all the time. Maybe that is not true, but my personal expirence is that I would take it to a diesel shop where all they do is work on diesels and other components. Or I got lucky and got a good clutch who knows? I am weary when it comes time to service my truck, and I will either do the work myself or let someone I know and trust their opinion and craftsmanship do the work for me. It costs me more money that way but I have often heard that a good job is not done fast, or costs cheap, but it is done right the first time. So that is why I justify the extra costs. Someone else says to try an aftermarket clutch, and that could totally solve the problems he is having, but is he willing to pay the extra money for a heavier duty clutch? Keep me posted.

Rob

jcmdie · January 2002

I agree with you 100%. I also go out of my way to buy American. My point was that the quality, at least on the Mexican assembled Dodge does not appear to be comprimised.

quadrunner500 · January 2002

...says made in Mexico also...

catam · January 2002

Then you need to remeber that Dodge is now owned by Daimler Benz, so ultimately the profits from your purchase go to a foreign company. I realize this is a small point, DC still employs 1,000's of American workers but for some its a good thing to keep in mind.

bobsquatch · January 2002

But I have to say, to claim "Made in the USA" should require the product be made in the USA by US citizens with raw matierials originating in the USA. There would be little out there that would qualify but I would bend over backwards to support these type of businesses.

JCMDIE I agree, the build quality will likely be the same. The manufacturing standards will not vary between production facilities. Besides, it is a moot point as all manufacturers get some parts or assembly done out of the country and we cannot specify where we want our ordered vehicles built.

sebring95 · January 2002

go to the stockholders. How many are german/us/asian/uk/mexican/etc I have no clue. There are foreigners that own stock in GM and every other US company. I own stock in several foreign companies, one of which is DC. Most Americans that invest own stock in foreign companies as well. Buying products made by American workers probably has alot more impact than where the profits go because lord knows they go all over the place.

A 100% Made in USA product would actually be: made in the USA by US citizens with raw materials originating from companies owned 100% by private US citizens, and sold by a company owned 100% by private US citizens. Good luck on that. Don't take this wrong because I'm as American as anyone gets. The "Buy American" thing is a tough nut to crack anymore. Just have to do what benefits the most.

To get back on-topic: I ordered my '01 2500 Ram and the dice gave me a Mexican assembled truck. Delivered flawless and at 60K still very tight. It is worth noting that the US plant is going to be building ALL 3/4 and 1-ton 2003 rams. The rumor I heard was there was a contest for quality between the two plants and the winner got the job. So maybe there is a difference and I just got lucky. I figured the auto tranny would be gagging by now, but it's holding up fine even with light bombing.

bobsquatch · January 2002

I learned when I ordered my 2002 F350 that approximately 5% of the 3/4ton+ trucks were made in Mexico and the remainder in Kentucky. I took issue with this and immediately tried to insure the origin of my truck was U.S. Despite my passionate efforts, I was unable to designate the birthplace of my truck. I anxiously awaited the arrival of my new rig and was extatic to see the Kentucky Truck Plant sticker on the windshield. After a little thought I decided that had it originated in Mexico, after the initial dissapointment wore off I am certain I would have been satisfied with the truck.

Buying American is tough but that is one nut worth cracking... or at least trying to.

ragee · January 2002

If that is true about Dodge trucks being all made in the US. Then I will consider buying me a new Dodge for other duties I have as far as towing. I have always been a huge fan of Cummins and that was my origional choice. but the fact remains I know that all companies buy parts from everywhere and they want quality parts from whoever will make them the cheapest, and I understand that fully. It keeps the costs down and if they were all made buy Americans then who knows how much we would be paying for our new rigs...but the fact that Americans take a huge part of the construction/Assembly process of the trucks that I buy make me feel like I am helping out on supporting Americans and helping them keep their jobs. I think that is the whole issue of BUYING AMERICAN! If we support, and demand that the trucks we buy come from an American Assembly plant and basically boycott all the other trucks then the company will keep the American plant open and thus American's keep their jobs. That is why I am so fond of trying to buy American.

Rob

sebring95 · January 2002

Agree. And while I've not seen anything as far as corporate news releases, the word I got was they were building them all in St. Louis. The new cummins is supposed to be 80% quieter, lowest NOx ratings of any diesel, 250hp standard, 305hp HO, revised turbo with more throttle response, a heavier-duty automatic (although nobody will say if it's an Allison or not), and supposedly good for another 1mpg or so. The high-output model is supposed to be available with an automatic as well, but late availability. I'll be watching...supposed to be released at Chicago Auto Show in Feb.

Dodge is also building a Combat Ram for the Military supposed to be powered by a Diesel-Electric Hybrid being designed by the Army. Some of the features are supposed to filter down to a new Ram model to be released in '04. Cool stuff.

ragee · January 2002

Sebring...Thanks for the info I will be watching out for a new ram to hit the market, but I think I will end up going for the six speed manual, I have no faith in automatics espically when you are on a downgrade with a load, it is so much easier to drop a gear and hit the exhaust brake than it is to try to downshift an auto tranny.

Rob

26psiboost · January 2002

I have put 87,000 miles on my '99 PSD and it has only been in for a repair once and that was a $185 warranty claim. I added a Superchip at 60K that added 70HP and 130 ft/lb torque to the rear tires for a mere $350. I should have done this the day I bought it! This truck will easily run in the upper 80's in the quarter and it removed the speed limiter so it runs 115-118 mph until the 3.73 gears and the 3300 redline run out of breath. I don't tow a lot, but I drive this truck like a sports car and I have yet to have a complaint especially related to quality. Ford is putting a 5sp (5R120 if I'm not mistaken) auto in it shortly, so I would wait for that if one can. I wouldn't drive anything else when it comes to a diesel, although the Cummins is no doubt a proven motor.

mesazone · January 2002

Okay. I keep hearing about this Superchip. Where do I get one and how do you install it? (I work with and on computers so I know how to handle these things.) Will it affect my warranty?

26psiboost · January 2002

You can find distributors on Superchips web site or you can actually find people that program these chips and sell them on E-Bay. I bought mine through www.fordspecialists.com which happens to be a local dealer in my area. Full list on these chips for the PSD is $500, but they can be found as low as $350. I had mine installed for $425 and they are a very reputable dealer with one of the best PSD mechanics in the country (Doug Lewis). There are various chip manufacturers out there, but Superchips is regarded as having the best programming for the PSD. If you own a PSD the best money you can spend is on a pyrometer. The PSD has a sweet spot (best fuel economy) at 600 degrees of exhaust gas temperature going into the turbo. Anything below or above yields significantly less fuel economy. Unfortunately 65 mph is about the most you can run unladen on level land and maintain this temperature. 1250-1270 degrees is the high side at which the tips of the turbines begin to glow. Anything over 1250-1270 degrees and the turbo self-destructs. This is very important when towing heavy in the mountains.

26psiboost · January 2002

They are plug-and-play and install in the panel next to the parking brake. Like anything aftermarket if you really screw something up the dealer will want to pin it on your modification if they can. I have been told to always remove it before service and that the dealer scanners can not find it.(?) You will need the computer code which is in the driver's door jamb near the the front fender. Another company has just come out with a flip chip that has three different settings with highest being 420 HP and 918 ft/lbs of torque!

indian3 · January 2002

When you are at the "sweet spot" Did this increase your mpg? What mpg are you getting with the superchip?

26psiboost · January 2002

Maintaining 600 degrees BEFORE the turbo will give you the absolute best mileage. Numerous people report up to 25 mpg by doing this, but it is very hard to do the way a "normal" person drives. International is even quoted as saying 65 is the absolute max for economy. I think if someone didn't tow much a 3.55 or 3.42 rear would be superb in this truck. By watching the gauge you accelerate by holding the needle on 600 as you are getting the best mpg. As I said you can not maintain 600 while cruising at 70 or 80. It is suggested you speed up while going down grades and slow down while going up grades, but I despise people that drive like this especially in front of me on the interstate in the hammer lane. I set the cruise at 79-80 and I average 17-18 on the interstate. W/O the chip I got 18-20 with a 2wd automatic supercab. The loss of 2mpg is NOTHING compared to what the chip offers. I also have the 70hp chip. There is a 40 and a 110 from Superchip. One of my customers put a 40 in a 99 6 sp 4x4 dually and averaged about 2 mpg better fuel economy, but he is 59 and I'm 26 if that tells you anything.

mesazone · January 2002

Thanks for the tips. I do have the PSD so something like this would be nice. But I'll have to think about it.

jrosasmc · January 2002

How good and reliable are the old 6.5-liter diesel engines in the heavy-duty Chevy C/K pickups from the late '90s (i.e., 1997-2000)? My roommate's father has a 2000 Chevy K3500 Crew Cab Dually with the 6.5. It currently has 54k miles on it. He tells me that while the motor is rock-solid reliable, he has had some glitches/problems with the tranny, and this is heavy-duty.

ak4x4 · January 2002

The Ford's 7.3 is made by Cat and Cummins correct? I have seen both blocks in the same year 350's? Great engine!.

The Cummins inthe Dodge is a good engine as well. I read that Detriot Diesel was going to be manufacturing the new engines for the 2500 and 3500 that should have some power and tourque!

The Chevy Duramax is made by Isuzu, but at which plant? I am thinking of SIU where they build the Subies and Isuzu's? But I could be wrong on that!. he only problem on th Duramax is not the engine, it's the Allison tranny it's a POS!

My input for now

jrosasmc · January 2002

The Allison 5-speed tranny is really a POS? I thought they were tough.

badramman · January 2002

AK4x4:

NO, the Ford 7.3 is made by International and has NOTHING to do with Cummins.

CAT doesn't build a light duty engine for a pick-up yet.

Detroit Diesel is owned and operated by GMC, so I don't think that motor is going anywhere near a Dodge!

The Duramax is made by Isuzu(on this you are correct)Isuzu has a long history on the diesel field, that dates back to the early 80's. The only thing wrong with the Duramax is the price tag!($42,000 for a ext. cab short bed is insane in my opinion)

The Allison tranny is the toughest automatic you can buy. They have been used extensively in school buses and moving trucks for the past 10 years or so.

bobsquatch · January 2002

Caterpillar designed the fuel injection system on the International engine that is the Powerstroke. Also, the Allison transmission behind Chevy's Duramax is nowhere near the same as the one in buses and moving trucks. Just because it is a Allison doesn't mean its the same. From what I have read it is an all new transmission with a lot of problems to work out but everyone is touting it as tough because of the Allison name which has been very successful in the medium duty truck market. As far as I can tell none of the light duty truck manufacturers have made a descent automatic overdrive transmission. The old C6 and Turbo400 autos were the last good slushboxes made but they were 3 speeds. Thats my opinion anyway.

quadrunner500 · January 2002

I've read about a few problems with the Allison 1000, but not too many. The owners with the most experience are at http://www.thedieselpage.com

Some of the issues are about various noises, whines, clunks, shifting, that may be normal characteristic of the design, not reliability concerns.

Allison spent so much time developing the 1000, I think they have most of the bugs worked out. No one outside of the company has seen the inside of one. For the first year, all suspect units were replaced, not repaired.

One of the tantalizing rumors concerning the 1000, is that it's actually a SIX speed automatic, but through electronics, is programmed to use only five.

sebring95 · January 2002

The reason for the auto tranny problems in light duties is simply whining owners. There is no doubt any of the big three can produce a reliable slushbox powered by a diesel. The problem is typically heavy-duty equipment isn't smooth, quiet, and sporty. So like a poster above that wants an F-350 to be a sports car, or the guy that daily drives his truck and wants a smooth, quiet, tranny, they build them weak but refined. Imagine how many sports truck/daily drivers would whine if their Dodge/Chevy/Ford shifted like a school bus. I needed an automatic when I bought mine, but went into it expecting to replace it at some point and time. Someone familiar with these trannies can rebuild them for less than $1500 so it's not exactly a big deal. You're going to have to replace a clutch on the manual tranny regardless, so there is an outlay of cash one way or the other. I'm at 60K on my auto, so I'm ahead of my plan already.

And cummins is building the engine for the '03 2500/3500 Rams. 80% quieter, boost in HP/Torque, extra mpg, improved throttle response, etc. No word on the tranny yet, been on and off as to wether it's an Allison.

jcmdie · January 2002

I have heard that detroit diesel was owned by diamler-chrysler. Both mercedes and detroit diesel could have supplied the engine for the new pickup, but diamler chrysler didn't want to lose the cummins, cult-like followers.

bamatundra · January 2002

I went to the website you suggested and found this:

Trussman
Contributor
Posts: 51
From: Staples, Minnesota
Registered: Apr 2001
posted 11-01-2001 01:56 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mine does it too. It sucks!!!!!!!!!!!I pulled 15k back from Atlanta to Minnesota. The stupid allison wouldn't pull in fifth. I had 3000+ rpms to maintain highway speed. I was getting 5mpg, sure am glad I sprang for the $4000 duramax and $1000 allison, what a pathetic combo. Then typical of GM they just leave you swingnin from the tree, no fix no nothin! I should have learned with my '96 2500 Sub, they couldn't ever get that to run right either, "really sir that jerking trans is normal, live with it". I will NEVER again buy a GM product. This truck is great as a car or light hauler, maybe the best. When put to WORK it stinks! My other truck is a '99 F350 SRW Powerstroke. It has over 150k miles on it now, still on the original 4r100 trans(which was supposed to be failure prone). I was so ****ed after my trip to GA that I pulled the same trailer and load on the same road on the same day, bite the bullet guys, the old Ford puts the duramax/allison to shame. They both run the same tires, the same rear ratio. Both turn ~2000rpm at 70, only one has the balls to stay in overdrive and pull the load, I am sad to say it is not the Chevy as I thought it would be. It is a really nice truck, quiet, smooth, but it can't do the work. I would sell it off in a heartbeat, but it already has 30k miles, maybe a little steep for a 2001. Actually I may try, I am that dissappointed with it, what a sad showing.
------------------
'01 2500HD Ext. Short Box, white, alloys, buckets, 3.73 G80. To compliment my '99 PSD. Both pulling 15k loads daily.
Cylinder index, 82

jaijay · January 2002

I think if you reread the posts from Trussman and the symtoms that he has posted, it will read as a different story rather than the post he placed there based upon fustration. Currently there are many folks working with him (including the folks from Allison) and will try to get to the bottom of it.

As for myself I have and D/A and pull a 5th wheel trailer. I as well as many others (you can read their responses to Trussman as well) pull large loads without any problem. With any brand, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, you will certainly be able to have vehicles that do have their problems.

However the problem that Trussman has seems to be an isolated incedent and not one a global one as you would like everyone to think.

quadrunner500 · January 2002

Bama, your truck is on the Center for Auto Safety's list of the 25 worst vehicles for receiving complaints to the government by Americans having problems with their Tundras. Please explain why Consumer Reports distorted the facts, and then tell us again about YOUR flawless Tundra! LMAO!!
******************************

Top 25 Best and Worst Vehicles
The Center for Auto Safety analyzed complaints made to the government by Americans having problems with their vehicles. Below are the models that received the fewest complaints, and those that received the most. Models introduced in 2000 and 2001 are not represented due to a lack of data.
Best (Fewest complaints) Worst (Most complaints)
1. Ford F-Series 1. Mazda MPV
2. BMW 3 Series 2. Kia Sportage
3. BMW 5 Series 3. Ford Excursion
4. Volkswagen Golf 4. Ford Windstar
5. Mazda Truck 5. Mercury Cougar
6. Volvo C70 6. Volvo S40
7. Volkswagen Beetle 7. Honda Passport
8. Nissan Sentra 8. Honda S2000
9. Infiniti G20 9. Mitsubishi Eclipse
10. Acura RL 10. Isuzu Rodeo
11. Saab 9-5 11. Ford Explorer
12. Chevrolet Prizm 12. Land Rover Range Rover
13. Toyota Corolla 13. Audi A6
14. Infiniti QX4 14. Hyundai Tiburon
15. Nissan Altima 15. Honda Odyssey
16. Lexus RX300 16. Lincoln LS
17. Nissan Maxima 17. Jeep Grand Cherokee
18. Acura TL 18. Volkswagen Passat
19. Saab 9-3 19. Buick LeSabre
20. Pontiac Bonneville 20. Suzuki Grand Vitara
21. Mazda Millenia 21. Chevrolet Blazer
22. Mazda 626 22. Chevrolet Impala
23. Lincoln Town Car 23. Toyota Tundra
24. Ford Focus 24. Dodge Dakota
25. Honda Accord 25. Dodge Neon

26psiboost · January 2002

I must say puting well over 600 ft/lbs of torque to my 4R100 has concerned me since the install of the Superchip, but it hasn't let me down yet. The Superchip made a huge difference in the way the trans shifts. The shifts are a lot firmer and the truck no longer has that 1-2 second torque converter hesitation when leaving from a stop. The 99's and 2000's have a Mickey Mouse trans cooler which I intentionally replaced with an aftermarket at 50K. There is a TSB out there for 99's and 2000's that are still under the 36K warranty to get the new trans cooler setup that is on the 01's and 02's. It is a $1000 warranty job if you demand it. After all heat is the cause of 90% of auto tranny failures. If anyone is interested I can get the TSB #.

modvptnl · January 2002

38 of 48 It's not which truck, it's which cmpany to buy the engine from in your truck! by ak4x4 Jan 29, 2002 (04:03 pm)
The Ford's 7.3 is made by Cat and Cummins correct? I have seen both blocks in the same year 350's? Great engine!.

--------------------------------------------------

How in the he!! has ANYONE seen a Cat or Cummins block in a same year 350??? Especially when it's a NAVISTAR aka International. Will this guy EVER get any info correct???

sebring95 · January 2002

Cummins and Detroit blocks look almost identical, (quick quiz, anyone know why?) but he didn't say that. Smallest thing I've ever seen a Cat in was a 6500 Chevy Medium-duty.

modvptnl · January 2002

I'm going to take a WAG and say they are both Inline 6's. With the PSD being a V8 it makes his comment that much more ignorant.

Diesel engines, which is better: Ford, Dodge, Chevy

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