Topic: Cummins or Durmax (Read 3791 times)

yellow103 · « **on:** October 25, 2013, 09:30:51 PM »

I know this is not MC related, but just looking for some honest feedback, I have a Dodge Cummins I have had since new, first year 24 v. Looking at buying a 2005 Duramax. Is the Duarmax a good motor, I know what I have in the cummins. I have read up to 2004 the Duramax had injector issues, supposed to have been fixed starting with the 05. I have also read that the 05 has heating issues when towing. I tow a 37 foot fifth wheel toy hauler, a dozen or so times a year, loaded own about 11500 lbs. Feedback anyone??

2k · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2013, 09:57:31 PM »

The only diesel that comes close to the cummins is the international....and they don't make little ones. As a cummins owner, like you, I'm suprised you would ask. The 7.3 powerstroke was a great engine, but they quit making them in '03 thanks to the Nazi EPA. I have only owned one duramax, in a GMC, and it spewed chunks. The 6.7 powerstroke has 800lbs tq.....WoW, but new and $$$$$. IMO......stay with the cummins

OBB · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2013, 10:00:09 PM »

Stay away from that 05 Dmax. I have a brother that works for Garrett Turbos in the R&D dept (owned by Honeywell). That was not a good year for them.

porthole · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2013, 11:51:58 PM »

DMax - 06 and above.
Turbo, trans, injectors improvements.

EGR needs to be blocked and is a simple job on the DMax.

krypto2011 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2013, 05:25:57 AM »

Stay cummins!!!! I have done a slew of head gasket replacements on multiple 05 and down Dmax engines. As well as multiple injector replacements. The cummins engines are far superior!! I am looking at an 03 F350 king ranch right now with a blown up 6.0, and if I buy it, it's getting a cummins transplant!!!

knothead · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2013, 09:23:38 AM »

I m a used truck dealer in Houston, The Cummins 5.9 and 8.3 are the best engines built by far. Also consider the International DT 466. These little engines are not expensive to work on and live to around the 500,000 mile mark. Dura max engines are hard to sell, and a check engine light can be a very expensive repair.

JCZ · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2013, 10:07:01 AM »

The truck....and the motor.... that get's the job done with the 5th wheel or just plain basic transportation...

Rooster · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2013, 11:08:32 AM »

Nice truck JC but that wasn't one of the choices

CVOMOE!! · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2013, 12:43:46 PM »

I agree with JC. Same truck I have even though I know that wasn't one of your choices. It would be the best choice though. LOL

Cheers, Moe

krypto2011 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2013, 01:09:19 PM »

I love powerstroke guys, especially the ones with the 6.0. Those generation engines have helped me make more house payments and buy CVO parts than any other diesel on the road!!!! Good thing they are not all built like the 7.3, or I would be broke!!!

smiley1049 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2013, 03:13:50 PM »

I'll second that.

I love powerstroke guys, especially the ones with the 6.0. Those generation engines have helped me make more house payments and buy CVO parts than any other diesel on the road!!!! Good thing they are not all built like the 7.3, or I would be broke!!!
[/quote]

yellow103 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2013, 03:31:33 PM »

Well folks, I must say this is just another reason I love this site, you can ask questions about anything. The guy that was buying my Cummins dually, I called him back and told him I could not go through with the sale. I have had this baby since birth, and can not part with it, for many reasons, Number one reason, I have not had any issues with this truck in the 15 years since I brought him home form the dealer. With the exception of the VP44 pump, crappy lift pump. But I upgraded the lift pump, and never a issue since. Just like my bike, when I buy exactly what it is I want, and it performs well, I keep it. Same with my Screaming Banana. I really appreciate all the thoughtful feedback, it was helpful. But it's me and the cummins until the end, just a matter of who goes first. THanks all

grayghost731 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2013, 04:28:32 PM »

Quote from: yellow103 on October 26, 2013, 03:31:33 PM

Well folks, I must say this is just another reason I love this site, you can ask questions about anything. The guy that was buying my Cummins dually, I called him back and told him I could not go through with the sale. I have had this baby since birth, and can not part with it, for many reasons, Number one reason, I have not had any issues with this truck in the 15 years since I brought him home form the dealer. With the exception of the VP44 pump, crappy lift pump. But I upgraded the lift pump, and never a issue since. Just like my bike, when I buy exactly what it is I want, and it performs well, I keep it. Same with my Screaming Banana. I really appreciate all the thoughtful feedback, it was helpful. But it's me and the cummins until the end, just a matter of who goes first. THanks all

Sounds like you took care of the truck,and it still takes care of you! Good Deal!

CVODON · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2013, 10:27:07 PM »

You didn't mention a Ford, that is good, Stay away from anything with the Ford label and you will tow happier and cheaper.

DCFIREMANN · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2013, 10:38:17 AM »

I have to agree with JC on this one. I own a 2011 F350 Dually with the 6.7, I have 70k on it now and tow a 37 ft fifth wheel around the country doing Pro BBQ Comps. I have never had a problem with ANYTHING on the truck. I do regular services on the truck and that is it. I came across I-70 from the west coast and topped a peak of over 14k Ft. The tuck never missed a beat. While it did drop a couple of gears it still topped the mountain at 50mph pulling 14K behind it. You might want to look at the new Dodge. They are now advertising 850 lbs of TQ!!!! The 6.7 is 400 hp and 800 ft lbs out of the box.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

Hog95023 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2013, 04:39:30 PM »

I'm in the market too and trying to decide between ford and dodge diesel. Are the new fords having issues or was it mostly the 6.0 motor? What king of mileage not towing are the fords getting? Dodge gets about 15-16 hwy according to two people that I know who own them. I like the remote start feature on te dodge. One of the guys can start the truck from his phone. Crazy stuff

DCFIREMANN · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2013, 07:41:04 PM »

The new 6.7 is built by ford and has no issues. My mileage with a crew cab dually with 3.73's can average anywhere from 16.5 to 21 depending on how I am driving it.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

JCZ · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2013, 09:18:58 PM »

The 6.7 L diesel doesn't have any issues in the Ford or Powerstroke forums....everybody's happy with them. I get 17 mpg when not towing (but I've been accused of being an agressive driver....not agressive, just determined) and 13 mpg when pulling the 5th wheel.

Now I could increase both of those if I had the patience to use the cruise control.

The HP and TQ on these new motors is just incredable. Dodge and Chevy both have good motors too. But I came back to the Ford from Chevy for the fit and finish of the Lariet. I spend a lot of time in the cab of this truck and Dodge or Chevy don't even come close in this area.

By the way Hog....you can put a remote start on any of them. But that just makes em easier for the low lifes to steal them.

CVODON · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2013, 09:36:03 PM »

Have to disagree, The GMC/Chev high ends are much more comfortable, nicer inside and drive light years better than any Ford. IMHO and I have driven them all. And the Newer GMC decibel level is SO much better than the Ford, marginally better than the Dodge.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2013, 10:02:02 PM »

Quote from: yellow103 on October 25, 2013, 09:30:51 PM

I know this is not MC related, but just looking for some honest feedback, I have a Dodge Cummins I have had since new, first year 24 v. Looking at buying a 2005 Duramax. Is the Duarmax a good motor, I know what I have in the cummins. I have read up to 2004 the Duramax had injector issues, supposed to have been fixed starting with the 05. I have also read that the 05 has heating issues when towing. I tow a 37 foot fifth wheel toy hauler, a dozen or so times a year, loaded own about 11500 lbs. Feedback anyone??

I had an 01 Crew Cab Dually with the duramax and allison. I put a 100hp tuner on it, and it was a pulling machine. Got the best mpg of any of my diesel trucks. On the east coast, Mount Eagle, Jelico, Fancy gap and such never slowed me pulling 12K with a fatboy in the bed of the truck. Best diesel truck I have ever owned.

At 150K I traded it for the 05 Crew Cab Dually Duramax and allison. They were doing employee pricing for every one. This truck was the biggest POS I ever owned. Got the truck June 05. In August 05 it over heated just out side ST Louis MO pulling a 3 place bike trailer, less than 6K flat road. Did it again in Kansas. And again on the way home from sturgis. GM pulled the truck to the dealer three times on that sturgis trip. Got home started a lemon law on the truck. With a factory rep in the truck and a 9150 trailer hitched we cat scaled it to prove I was well under all capacities on the truck, then I ran him up Watt hill on the interstate, 88 degrees out side. Truck over heated, and went into limp.

After another month of fighting GM said nothing wrong with the truck. Took all documents to BBB. In Jan 06 GMC started building me my new truck, they did a buy back.

The new 06 is great, still have it

DO NOT BUY an 05 DURAMAX the pre 04 are great and the 06 and later are too.

napalm · « **Reply #20 on:** October 30, 2013, 10:21:05 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on October 26, 2013, 10:07:01 AM

The truck....and the motor.... that get's the job done with the 5th wheel or just plain basic transportation...

Sorry, this is the ONE...I have a 2013 and it is a great truck...would not consider a Cummins or a Duramaz....sorry...

napalm

FLH91 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2013, 10:22:38 AM »

I'm in the market for a new truck also. I'm thinking the '13-'14 Dodge has to be the best towing being rated at 30,000 lbs for a fifth wheel! I'm tired of towing with a rig that is right at its max capacity. Alot of the toy haulers out there are 15-18,000 lbs and the trucks are rated about the same, maybe a little higher but not much. None of the others even come close. IMHO Ford would be 2nd, Chevy 3rd….

FLH91

Author Topic: Cummins or Durmax (Read 3791 times)