Which Diesel Truck

[Mister Fork]

I have a F-350 CREW Lariat 4x4 with the Scorpion 6.7L diesel engine.  To be honest, I like the engine and it's towing capability, but everything else Ford put into this truck seems sub-par quality.  Cheap feeling/looking plastic adorn my 2013 truck that was $60k new.  It has been into the shop for lots of weird poor quality issues - squealing front end, rear diff bearings, front wheel bearings and seals, death-wobble at 30MPH exactly that the dealership can't replicate (or won't), and that frucking MyTouch (or as my wife calls it - DON'TOUCH) which has more glitches than Windows ME.  To date, I've had it in 17 times for issues. 17 TIMES!

My friend has a 2014  RAM Diesel 4x4 3500 Laraine (basically the exact competition model from Dodge against the Ford Lariat) and his truck seems like a completely different quality of vehicle.  The interior trim feels very rich, quality stereo components, a touch screen menu system that works, and the truck actually feels more solid than my F-350.  It was exactly the same price too. It also has a tonne more features - like heated steering wheel, auto 4x4, and the interior quality is 5X what my Ford has.

I haven't driven the GMC/Chev equivalent, but when I was buying my Ford, rear leg room was non existent for adults, and the rear seats were only half height.  I'm not sure of the current models, but I've heard it's improved.  I did think the Chev had the best ride of the three as before my Ford I had a GMC Sierra which I loved the ride.

This spring, I plan to dump my Ford and get something less problematic. But what do I replace it with?

Anyone here own a newer GMC 4x4 2500/3500 diesel truck?  Opinions?

[Triton28]

I don't know what you're hauling or your transmission preference, but Dodge screwed up royally in 2010 when they decided (I'm told as a concession to the EPA) you could no longer get anything but a 3.73 rear end in a manual tranny 3500.  You'll get the 4.10's in an auto, but automatic transmissions are for the weak and uncoordinated, right? 

Seriously, it made a huge difference.  An 03 Cummins with less torque and HP would handily out pull the '10... mostly because of the gears.  To get the same pulling performance, you have to spend another several thousand dollars for the tuner, clutch, labor, new exhaust, etc.  The 2010 had about 271 scrubbing chambers that served to choke the life out of the truck even more.   

It's just not right to spend $60k on a new truck and then feel like you've got to spend more to get it the way you want it.   

[Maverick]

Personally I prefer the Dogge given the cummins engine and now Dodge also adopted a bit earlier than the competition the new towing standards. I also had a Ford f350 dually for a while. It was a gutless wonder and had issues with the glow plugs.

I have to ask what are you towing and how heavy? Bumper pull or 5th wheel?

[JOACH1M]

I have owned all three, cummins Dmax and powerstroke. I currently have a cummins with a manual trans. My dodge pulls the hardest (maybe because I'm rolling with 600hp and 1100ftlb of torque) but my favorite has been my duramax. Only isssue with new Dmax is the fuel pump design being a cp4. The older cp3 was a lot more reliable and didn't cause catastrophic fuel system failure. Warrenty won't cover it either as they say its "from bad fuel" but it's not always that. Will cost you 10k for it to be fixed when it Goes. 6.7 cummins is known for popping head gaskets, 6.7 ford is eating turbos, 6.6 dmax might trash the fuel sytem.

The ride of gmc is alot better than the other simply from it being IFS front suspension and not solid axel like dodge and ford.

[JOACH1M]

Simple break down

Buy a ford if you are lookin for a work truck

Cummins for towing heavy all the time

Chevy for day to day driving with some towing and also if you want to go fast.

[JOACH1M]

Wasn't an uncommon fight my dmax pulling my ford around...

New rig

[Spikes]

I've always had Chevys and never had issues. On the old 03 I knocked my exhaust off plowing and had to put an aftermarket one on that made it a bit loud, but not Chevys fault of course. That particular one was not great on the road mainly because I had big plow tires on it. All of mine have towed my snowmobile trailers and gooseneck trailers with no problem.

I guess it comes down to what Jo said, what you pull and how often.

[Mister Fork]

Personally I prefer the Dogge given the cummins engine and now Dodge also adopted a bit earlier than the competition the new towing standards. I also had a Ford f350 dually for a while. It was a gutless wonder and had issues with the glow plugs.

I have to ask what are you towing and how heavy? Bumper pull or 5th wheel?

Bumper pull.  It's my O&G work truck for winter and family camping vehicle for summer. I also really like the rear space in the back - adults don't feel cramped back there.

Didn't know the GM had a different front end - probably also has a better turning radius.  I also like the idea of getting a manual Dodge 2500 diesel and doing the DEF delete when it's off warranty - that could be a fun truck to own.

Ok - food for thought. More items to consider. Thanks for your input guys.

[JOACH1M]

Bumper pull.  It's my O&G work truck for winter and family camping vehicle for summer. I also really like the rear space in the back - adults don't feel cramped back there.

Didn't know the GM had a different front end - probably also has a better turning radius.  I also like the idea of getting a manual Dodge 2500 diesel and doing the DEF delete when it's off warranty - that could be a fun truck to own.

Ok - food for thought. More items to consider. Thanks for your input guys.

GM is the only manufacture that uses Independant front suspension in the medium duty market.  2010 is the last year for the manual in the dodge. You still have the fancy 4th gen body which you said you enjoy. The bigger issue is removing the EGR, that is by far the most damaging to Diesel engines. Tuning and deletes are the best thing you can do for any new diesel. Improved fuel economy, engine runs 100% better, and more power.

Also having to add DEF fluid sucks when it's 3$ a gallon.

[JOACH1M]

Recently had reps come in from cummins bridgeway where they talked about getting rid of the EGR systems in their new line of engines in heavy equipment market. What is going to happen is they are going to run the engines hotter and then DPF issues will become less of an issue as soot won't build up and clog like in the new systems.

[Mister Fork]

Recently had reps come in from cummins bridgeway where they talked about getting rid of the EGR systems in their new line of engines in heavy equipment market. What is going to happen is they are going to run the engines hotter and then DPF issues will become less of an issue as carbon won't build up and clog like in the new systems.

Maybe wait then?  In Canada, the RAM Diesel 2500/3500 still are offered in 6-speed manuals...

[scott66]

                      my diesel 

[craz07]

How do you find parking spaces scotty!! lol

[JOACH1M]

Maybe wait then?  In Canada, the RAM Diesel 2500/3500 still are offered in 6-speed manuals...

I didn't know in canada they did that, supposedly the manual will come back in U.S market.  In all honestly ill hold tight with what you have and wait for the new tier of emission equipped trucks.  They are getting better, slowly but surely.

2016 will be a year where changes will happen again.

[craz07]

we had a guy get locked up recently up here in new england after he started flipping out shooting parked cars that were parked in apparently preshoveled spaces.. if you're up here in new england or in northern city areas you know what this guy was dealing with