Chevy vs. Ford

Guys, I can't really decide between the Duramax Chevy 2500 HD Crew Cab with a short wheel base or the Powerstroke F-250 or even F-350 Crew Cab with a short wheel base. Of course, 4x4. It seems to me that Fords are easier to lift and fix up. Although the chevy comes with 360hp and 650ft/lbs. of torque and the ford comes with 325hp and 570ft/lbs. of torque, an employee from Bank's Turbo told me that it is a little easier and cheaper to get more power out of a ford than out of the chevy. I am also wondering about fuel economy. I have really been looking around my area in Alabama and have noticed that I am seeing a lot more ford f-250 trucks than I am seeing of the chevy duramax. Is there a reason for this as far as how the two trucks hold up or what? I also think the ford looks better with the rounded fenders (than the chevy with square fenders) and also the big bulky front looks alot better. But if I am going to spend $40K-$45K on a truck I want to get one that I know will last and be dependable. Thanks for any help you guys can give me to assist me in my decision.

SonnyU

were you lookin for new or used??

were you lookin for new or used??
Good lookin truck. I am looking to buy one brand new.

Go spend some time on the Ford forum and some time here. Check out the posts on what folks like/dislike or do or do not have problems with and then decide. Basically just remember you'll be driving this thing for awhile. Personally, as far as I'm concern, I'm driving the the right truck (and I think I'd pick Dodge over Ford)...but that's my choice (and one I've been happy with for awhile now). Good luck with whatever you choose!!!

Go drive 'em both....!!!

You know you want the chevy when you post over here and not at the ford forum. Go with the chevy though, you will never lose. :) I know , i'm a homer.

I own an '04 Cummins 3500 4x4 and LOVE it. I have had 8 diesel trucks now from all the big 3. One note, remember, those HP and Torque ratings are for the ENGINE only. A good example is the Duramax, it's #s are great, but it is seriously detuned so as not to scatter that precious Allison. Actual HP and Torque on a dyno is more like 295/580. Still great numbers, but not as advertised. The Duramax has numerous TSB's for injector problems and turbo failures too. Rumor has it, GM has gotten VERY tight on warranty issues with the 6.6. The 6.0 Powerstroke is not Ford's best work. They have been having numerous problems--serious problems since it's induction. Do a search, that's all I can say. I have had them all and am now a devoted Cummins owner. You simply can't beat them for towing/hauling or simplicity of design. They are brutes. Hook 10,000 lbs. to a Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. The Cummins will pull away from the others every time. On the other hand, a Powerstroke or a Duramax will smoke a Cummins in a 1/4 mile. Strange, but true. My advice? If you are towing anything and like a simple design with outstanding support and warranty = Cummins hands down. If you just want light-to-light speed and want to stay stock (unbombed) = Duramax. If you enjoy frequent trips to the dealer = Powerstroke.

Moose is partly correct. Having owned a new 04 Duramax, I will say that it is an awsome truck--and a plug in juice box made it an incredible truck. The Cummins is a better diesel, but your stuck with the truck they put it in, the chevy is a better truck. It as been posted on many a diesel site that the ultimate truck is a Ford, with a Cummins and an Allison! There is some truth to that. That said, if I get another diesel, it will be a--cough--Dodge with a 6spd manual.

Moose is partly correct. Having owned a new 04 Duramax, I will say that it is an awsome truck--and a plug in juice box made it an incredible truck. The Cummins is a better diesel, but your stuck with the truck they put it in, the chevy is a better truck. It as been posted on many a diesel site that the ultimate truck is a Ford, with a Cummins and an Allison! There is some truth to that. That said, if I get another diesel, it will be a--cough--Dodge with a 6spd manual.

I second that "ultimate truck" I admit I was very leary about buying a Dodge; I had one in '96 and it was junk. My '04 has been a dream. I have just over 50K on it now with zero problems. Now, if they would just mate that Allison to that Cummins (like you said), they would have the better mousetrap.

ford'd 7.3 turbo was a good eng. the 6.0L has had problems the bed plate leaks that require eng. removal also require body removal to get the eng. out. the automatic trans is a komacozze .
the cummins eng rules! down side Komacozze trans and its in a dodge.
sorry i'm pretty biased
6.6L iscewyou diesels- can't get past a diesel with alum. heads but the ones we have at work have been much better than the 6.5L
i think a chey w/ a cummins and allison would be dux delux

We have a 1998 Dodge Ram w/ the Cummins Diesel and a 5 speed manuel. 150,000 miles and no problems period.

Yeah....my old man had a 93 Dodge w/ Cummins-5 Speed-3.42's out back, and was a 1/2 ton believe it or not. It was the last year they made the cummins in a 1/2 ton if I'm not mistaken. He'd put a Banks intercooler on it and it'd pull pretty good.. With the gears it'd run like a scalded dog on the highway too. He loaded a high-lift crane on a 28ft flatbed that tipped the total scales at 34K lbs and pretty much ruined the clutch on it too. The cummins loved every minute of it but the rest of the truck was squealing like a stuck hog. He's now got a 97 1 ton dually w/cummins and an updated 5-speed and 4.10's (I believe) that does waaaaaay better. The interior and tranny still leave a bit to be desired but the rest of her is a dream. I've heard nothing but horror stories about Ford....period. Not all true I'd say but there's still a grain of truth to every rumor. Duramax is the middle of the road I'd say. The body and interior are nice, but the engine leaves a little bit. I've still yet to hear either way about that allison, other than it'll break the bank if you gotta have her fixed on your own dime.

To the original question, I'd buy Chevy. Not because I own one but just going off of experience from myself and others.

You know, I really think the big 3 ought to offer diesels in their half tons again. I didn' know Dodge used to, but I knew Chevy did

I heard it was because the frames couldn't handle the stress from the engine torque and power. Just not HD enough. Dunno how true it is but it sounds right. I know guys are pounding out 600+ HP in modified 1/2 ton trucks, but I'm not sure what all they do chassis wise. With the kind of numbers diesels put out though, the extra weight and mass from a 3/4 or 1 ton doesn't really matter. If anyone knows for sure why they don't, speak up cause I'd like to know.

I did a search on google..... Not much out there.. but here's what i found..
So it's the suspension you think ? Probably would drive the cost up to a 2500 so they don't do it.

The smallest domestic pick-up with a diesel engine that I know of in
recent years is the Chevy/GMC 1500 (half-ton) with the 6.5L V-8 turbo
diesel. Small is relative, since it uses the same outer body components
as the 2500 and 3500, but has a lower capacity due to its half-ton
suspension, brakes, etc. so technically the body is the same size, just
the capacity is smaller. GM is the only domestic auto maker to offer a
diesel in a half-ton truck - Ford cannot fit the Navistar/Powerstroke in
the current light-duty F150/250's engine bay, and the Cummins is too
heavy for the front suspension on the half-ton Ram. Hence, Ford and
Dodge have only offered their diesels in 3/4-ton and larger models
(Ford's is now only available in the Super-Duty chassis which has a
larger engine bay than the standard duty pick-up).
GM has only offered their diesel thru the '98 and prior body style, but
the new 1999 Silverado/Sierra's will not have a diesel until the
introduction of the new Isuzu-designed, GM-built 6.6L V-8 diesel for the
2000 or 2001 model year. It appears from what I can gather that this
new motor will also be of a size that will allow it to be used in a
half-ton chassis, but I can find no definitive answer to this.
Personally I own a '95 Chevy C1500 (half-ton) with the 6.5L diesel and
believe in the diesel option for smaller capacity trucks. Many people
have called it a waste, but I believe that the increased mileage over a
comparable gas motor, the increased capacity, and the more stable fuel
prices of diesel more than make up for the added initial expense (which,
unlike Ford or Dodge, does not include the price of moving up to a
larger capacity truck just to get the motor I wanted). Additionally,
since I bought my truck used, I didn't pay a dime extra for the motor
but I chalk that up to just plain luck in finding what I wanted when I
was ready to buy (although I don't think I would have chosen teal green
as my first color option, but then beggers can't be choosers....). I
jokingly tell people that it was the largest half-ton teal green diesel
powered low rider pick-up I could find - not to mention the ONLY.



Here's the link http://groups.google.com/group/rec.outdoors.rv-travel/browse_thread/thread/9a6aaf3128591e80/ac0370e0a62814b3?lnk=st&q=%22half-ton%22+%221500%22+%22diesels%22+why+not+a+option+i n+1500&rnum=3&hl=en#ac0370e0a62814b3

I did a search on google..... Not much out there.. but here's what i found..
So it's the suspension you think ? Probably would drive the cost up to a 2500 so they don't do it.

The smallest domestic pick-up with a diesel engine that I know of in
recent years is the Chevy/GMC 1500 (half-ton) with the 6.5L V-8 turbo
diesel. Small is relative, since it uses the same outer body components
as the 2500 and 3500, but has a lower capacity due to its half-ton
suspension, brakes, etc. so technically the body is the same size, just
the capacity is smaller. GM is the only domestic auto maker to offer a
diesel in a half-ton truck - Ford cannot fit the Navistar/Powerstroke in
the current light-duty F150/250's engine bay, and the Cummins is too
heavy for the front suspension on the half-ton Ram. Hence, Ford and
Dodge have only offered their diesels in 3/4-ton and larger models
(Ford's is now only available in the Super-Duty chassis which has a
larger engine bay than the standard duty pick-up).
GM has only offered their diesel thru the '98 and prior body style, but
the new 1999 Silverado/Sierra's will not have a diesel until the
introduction of the new Isuzu-designed, GM-built 6.6L V-8 diesel for the
2000 or 2001 model year. It appears from what I can gather that this
new motor will also be of a size that will allow it to be used in a
half-ton chassis, but I can find no definitive answer to this.
Personally I own a '95 Chevy C1500 (half-ton) with the 6.5L diesel and
believe in the diesel option for smaller capacity trucks. Many people
have called it a waste, but I believe that the increased mileage over a
comparable gas motor, the increased capacity, and the more stable fuel
prices of diesel more than make up for the added initial expense (which,
unlike Ford or Dodge, does not include the price of moving up to a
larger capacity truck just to get the motor I wanted). Additionally,
since I bought my truck used, I didn't pay a dime extra for the motor
but I chalk that up to just plain luck in finding what I wanted when I
was ready to buy (although I don't think I would have chosen teal green
as my first color option, but then beggers can't be choosers....). I
jokingly tell people that it was the largest half-ton teal green diesel
powered low rider pick-up I could find - not to mention the ONLY.



Here's the link http://groups.google.com/group/rec.outdoors.rv-travel/browse_thread/thread/9a6aaf3128591e80/ac0370e0a62814b3?lnk=st&q=%22half-ton%22+%221500%22+%22diesels%22+why+not+a+option+i n+1500&rnum=3&hl=en#ac0370e0a62814b3

i didn't know Chevy offered a diesel in a half ton that late. maybe they'll do it again sometime

SonnyU - I too am looking at Duramax / Powerstroke for a new truck and found a few things - in a recent 4Wheel&Off-Road mag, they stated that Powerstrokes have had 77 TSB's issued, Duramax has had 12 TSB's, and Cummins 0. The other thing that has to be considered is the fact that Powerstroke has been in existance longer, and at least where I live - everyone has one, while the Duramax is on the rise. Of course your going to have more problems reported when you have more product out there like Ford. Regarding the Duramax injector issue, I found that GM is warranting the injectors for 7 years from the individual truck's original purchase or 200,000 miles. The only downfall is that they will only look at the injectors individually, they will only replace on an as needed basis per injector. Just my 2ct's

My dad has a Ford powerstroke. Transmission went out on it at 95000 miles, then it blew a head gasket at 160000. The cummins in the dodge is the best engine out of the three, but Dodge has had some transmission problems in alot of their vehicles, including trucks. Haven't heard much good or bad regarding the chevy.

Go check out dieselplace.com...........almost everything is about diesel's.

Go with the duramax, you cant go wrong.