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Diesel engines, which is better: Ford, Dodge, Chevy
which diesal engine( ford, dodge, chevy) is the best for dependibility and gas milage?
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Comments
Swoosh Man
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.
Leo
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
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
Leo
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.
Rob
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!!!
Rob
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.
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.
Buying American is tough but that is one nut worth cracking... or at least trying to.
Rob
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.
Rob
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
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.
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.
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.
Trussman
Contributor
Posts: 51
From: Staples, Minnesota
Registered: Apr 2001
posted 11-01-2001 01:56 PM
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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.
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'01 2500HD Ext. Short Box, white, alloys, buckets, 3.73 G80. To compliment my '99 PSD. Both pulling 15k loads daily.
Cylinder index, 82
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.
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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
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!.
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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???