Truck guys

[Shuffler]

I have a 2500 HD Chevy with Duramax /Allison combo. I highly recommend it.

[Slash27]

First let me say that I'm a Ford guy through and through, I'm also a Cummins man. That being said the Chevy Duramax, Allison combination is tough to beat. The concern about longevity with the Dmax comes from the fact that they use aluminum heads, and many in the diesel community felt that would lead to early failures, and really something that has not proved to be true. The thing I dislike the most about the GM trucks is the independent front suspension on their four wheel drive trucks. Dodge has a real work horse with the Cummins which will most likely outlive the chassis it is in. The 7.3 Powerstrokes are the most desirable of the Powerstrokes in my book with the 6.0 being somewhat akin to the plague. I don't know anything about the new 6.4's which are actually built in house at Ford. The previous Powerstroke engines were built by International, the Dmax is built by Isuzu, and of course the Cummins is built by Cummins.

All three brands respond well to electronic tuners, but if you are looking to go much further the two V8 diesels can get very expensive to modify, and repair.  The Dmax's did have an issue with hanging injectors that could burn down the engine if you didn't catch it in time. Ford's seemed to have an issue of killing the injectors (which run around $270 each) and in many cases Ford would decline warranty say the injector had been damaged from unclean fuel. Fords also seemed to go through a lot of cam sensors. The '98.5 to 2003 Cummins use a vp44 fuel pump that did have some reliability issues, and was a rather expensive item to replace running around $2,300, for the pump.

Oh and I wouldn't hold my breath for a Caterpillar. Last I heard they were getting out of the OTR business all together.

If you did get a diesel make sure you put gauges on it before you do any modifications. With a pyrometer being the first priority, followed by a boost gauge.

What he said. Avoid that damn 6.0 Powerstroke, it's crap.

And Cat is done with OTR for sure. I always hoped Detroit would make a pickup engine for Chevy but they went with the Duramax. Turned out pretty good for them though.

[Maverick]

You cannot push start a gas engine vehicle without a battery. The alternator will not produce any power without the field being activated by the battery no matter how fast you spin it. No battery and the alternator is just a lump of wiring and metal.

A generator WILL create electricity without a battery due to the construction and use of magnets just by being spun.

Fixed the original post. Had the wrong term there. 

[SIK1]

I would like to correct something. I said earlier the 6.4 was built in house by Ford and that is incorrect. The 6.4 is a Navistar (International) engine. The new '11 up 6.7's are the engines built by Ford.

[Ripsnort]

Q: How do you ruin a Cummings diesel?

A: Wrap a Dodge truck around it.

[saggs]

You cannot push start a gas engine vehicle without a battery. The alternator will not produce any power without the field being activated by the battery no matter how fast you spin it. No battery and the generator is just a lump of wiring and metal.

A generator WILL create electricity without a battery due to the construction and use of magnets just by being spun.

Yup...  Unless you have a permanent magnet alternator.

But even a "dead" battery (in the sense that it cannot crank the starter) will still energize the field.  It takes very little current, even if you left your lights on all day, you could still push start a gas car.  I never meant you could push start without a battery, just a dead one.  Point was it's not the same with a diesel, since the preheat system (glow plugs/manifold heater) take quite a lot of current.

[Shuffler]

Dielsels now heat instantaniously. No turn key wait for beep.

One battery goes bad you can still jump start one also. If both go bad then not much chance.

I have an alarm system on my truck where I can check battery condition and temperature inside the truck while in my office.

[NaTorino]

buy a ford 1 ton and put a Cummings in it!!

i love this one, coldstart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7mEeW_x5tQ&feature=related


this guy lives near me-39 Chevy with a little b series Cummings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVlov_t4fjg

[olds442]

The Chevy Duramax diesel paired with the Allison transmission is a match made in heaven.  Don't even think about the Dodge.

EDIT:  Also, Chevy is the only one to offer the Eaton G80 full locking rear differential.  Ford and Dodge use a limited slip, which isn't nearly as good.

[ghi]

im looking at diesel trucks...dont ask why i have always liked them. Anyway im looking at dodge and chevy, i dont want anything newer then a 04. i want to put a big fuel injection system with a turbo. I dont know much about diesel engines, but i hear cummin's engines are the best out there. Also another question, if i go with a turbo, should i go with a twin turbo or a single?

Edit: 4x4 aswell

The diesel price is higher than gas about 30-40 cents/gal , and Michigan is known for high diesel price, i never fill up in Mi. I live across the River, we have cold winters,   i have problems cold starting after new ultra low sulfur was introduced. I'm not sure if you get same fuel at small car pumps, but the ULSD is blended with bio, pig fat and has higher gelling point, worst lube capacity for injectors and less energy/ volume than old low sulfur diesel fuel.  My fuel filters got clogged many times in temps around 0-10F  which is normal here in winter around Great Lakes. You need a good stronger battery for diesel, fuel additives in winter even if you use winterized diesel #1 fuel. I have a block heater in my truck and keep it plugged when is cold; the tanks ,fuel lines isolated also don't forget in cold weather you will get lower MPG in any diesel motor.Another problem is oil, i'm using only synthetic in winter time, are way better but more expensive.

[Slash27]

I have a 2500 HD Chevy with Duramax /Allison combo. I highly recommend it.

'06?

[Shuffler]

'06?

'05

[icepac]

You can't push start any of the common rail diesels unless you have replaced the alternator with a generator.

The newest US consumer truck you can push start in stock configuration is probably the 2002 cummins dodges.....and even then you will have to apply power to a solenoid to enable fuel injection.

[Spikes]

I have a 2500 HD Chevy with Duramax /Allison combo. I highly recommend it.

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Don't ruin a beautiful truck with a lift kit
My dad had a 03 black just like that (extended cab, 2500hd vortec) with a Boss 7.6 vplow for the longest time, just bought a new 2011...thing drives like a Mercedes...unreal how far technology has come.

[JOACH1M]

Don't ruin a beautiful truck with a lift kit
My dad had a 03 black just like that (extended cab, 2500hd vortec) with a Boss 7.6 vplow for the longest time, just bought a new 2011...thing drives like a Mercedes...unreal how far technology has come.

Lifts don't look bad at all, although I prefer leveling kits