So I may be in the market for a new truck.
Have read some posts here, and seems like guys prefer Dodge/Chevy for diesel. Lots of friends have told me the CTD lasts forever. Was at the dealer today, and he says it's not the same CTD. Said the old was a 5.9 liter and the new a 6.7 liter.
Anyone shed any light ? How long has new CTD been out ? Longevity ? Durability ? power? Reliability ?

Thanks,

P.S. Not asking about Chevy at the moment as that's what I'm driving now (2001 1500HD 6.0 liter gas). After the 100,000 mile service, this thing has become a money pit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JD 500,

We bought an 08 Dodge 3500 quad 4x4 about 2 months ago. It has the 6.7 cummins engine, towing package and exhaust brake. My husband installed the prodigy brake control. We pull a 31' fifth wheel and the ATV's on a trailer behind it. The Dodge is pulling about 16K pounds. We have been very happy with the Dodge. We pulled up Turkey Creek and Kenosha pass and the truck did it with ease (much better than our 01 Ford F350 power stroke with a chip).

The fuel mileage at this point isn't very good - it gets between 11-13mpg when pulling. Empty we are getting about 17. We have 1,700 miles on it so far. It's a long way from being broke in.

We looked at Chevy and Dodge (had a 01 Ford and it couldn't pull like we wanted). Both Chevy and Dodge have good points. It came down to price - the Dodge was quite a bit less money so we went that way.

Good luck. Hopefully someone will answer you that has had the 6.7 longer than we have and can help you out.

Kaye

Thanks Kaye!

I have a 08 F-550 with the 6.4 Powerstroke. I sold my 2000 F-350 (chipped). I am pulling about 19,000 pounds (32,000 total) and it pulls it with no problems in the mountains. I have 21,000 miles now and love the rig. It is extremely quiet ride and you can not tell it is a diesel from inside or barely from the outside of the cab. The only thing I dislike is the mileage. But getting 10 with a 33,000 pound rig is really not that bad. My buddy has a new Dodge 08 3500. He works offshore and left his truck to store at my place last month. I drove it several times and is a nice truck. Not as quiet and a much rougher ride than my 550. If I did not love my 550, Dodge would be my next choice... I think all three of the diesels are good engines now. Just preface on cab looks, ride, and warranty....

Spent a little time on the diesel forum last night. Seems as the new 6.7 CTD may have some issues related to the new emissions junk on the engine. ??

All new diesels, and it doesn't matter the brand are having issues with the new emissions controls. With that having been said, I was looking for a diesel and it took me about 5 months to locate a 2005 Dodge 5.9 CTD dually. Like one person said, look under the hood and see which one you would prefer to work on. My logic of going with a six cylinder is you don't see many semi's going down the highway with v-8s in them. I pull a 11,000 lb bumper pull. I have plenty of power and the ride is quite comfortable. I am pleased with the unit.

My favorite diesel forum is here.

Early last year I ordered a F-650 with the Cat motor. Then the new emissions were finally passed and Cat could not pass. Deolman is correct that all had problems on the new emissions in the beginning of last year. I think all three are now in good shape on the 2007 emissions. I also agree that the new ones are much more complex (especially the Ford with twin turbos) and the older ones are much simplier.

On thing to remember that the Cummins is a meduium duty commerical diesel engine and the duramax is a light duty diesel engine. I like the duramax, I just know that my Dodge will fall apart around the engine. If your not worried about going new find a 2005 the only thing on it is a converter(which can be removed w/o issues). But I have to admit with the 2.99 deal there doing is making me want to upgrade to 6 speed. I thought that Dodge was also still offering the 5.9 along with 6.7. I am really surprised that pepole even looking a diesels with fuel prices.

If you are pulling a load, the diesel is the only way to go. There is no comparsion in pulling even at $1.00 a gallon more in my opinion. Right now is the best time to buy a diesel since you have all the people thinking they are saving money bying a small car and selling their diesel trucks.. Also, all three have a bunch of stock and giving some great prices...

Yeah I have been thinking of trading my ford off becouse I dont like it. I would still get a diesel couse of the milage when pulling a load. I am not familure with the newer trucks mileage using a gas vs diesel but in 2003 a chevy 3/4 ton with 6.1 gas was getting 10mpg loaded or empty. The ford and dodge V10 about the same. Which aint that bad when underload but with out load which is most of my driving that sucked even back then let alone now.

7.3 F250 PSD and it does just fine. Run as fast as you possibly can from the Ford V10. You will have to get a loan to feed the under power hunk of junk. I drove one on one trip and will never drive one again. I could watch as the needle dropped and the power was horrible at best. Maybe it had other problems. But it was a hunk of junk that loved to drink, as in single digits 7 to 9 MPG.

I believe the Dodge 6.7 is the 5.9 bored out to gain more power to offset the emmissions. The standard exhaust brake is a great idea. The new emmissions pertain to particulate filters and have to re-gen (burn off soot) to keep them running clean. Most problems I have heard of is people not running enough or hard enough to re-gen. This is my first dodge and I would definately buy another. BTW, even with diesel price I consistantly get 30% better mileage than a gasser. Diesel doesn't cost that much more.

Right now my 6.0 liter Chev gets 10-11mpg city with NO LOAD. I figure If I could get 16-18 mpg, it would be worth the extra 60-70 cents a gallon for diesel. Unfortunately, I'm feeling a little sore after what the Dodge dealer said he'd give me in trade for my 01 Chevy with 115,000 miles.

I would buy an 05-07 5.9 if you want a Cummins. Or a 04-07 DuraMax/Allison. The old Dodge auto trannies sucked.

ALL 08-up emissions diesels eat fuel and will not last as long as their predecessors. Dodge went with a passive DPFE system against what Ford and GM did using active DPFE systems. The Dodge particulate traps are loading up badly compared to GM and Ford. Dodge does not like city driving. If you have to have a new truck the Duramax is doing the best under the new emissions rules. I have chosen to keep my old 05 F250 with a 6L over anything newer...
The Govt has ruined the diesel truck for all of us. I don't know how burning twice as much fuel is better for us... Besides with fuel near 5 bucks a gallon diesels are worth less than V10 gassers..

quote:

Originally posted by TX Camo:
I would buy an 05-07 5.9 if you want a Cummins. Or a 04-07 DuraMax/Allison. The old Dodge auto trannies sucked.

ALL 08-up emissions diesels eat fuel and will not last as long as their predecessors. Dodge went with a passive DPFE system against what Ford and GM did using active DPFE systems. The Dodge particulate traps are loading up badly compared to GM and Ford. Dodge does not like city driving. If you have to have a new truck the Duramax is doing the best under the new emissions rules. I have chosen to keep my old 05 F250 with a 6L over anything newer...
The Govt has ruined the diesel truck for all of us. I don't know how burning twice as much fuel is better for us... Besides with fuel near 5 bucks a gallon diesels are worth less than V10 gassers..

Thanks TX - What kind of (realistic) mileage do you think one could expect from a duramax ?

Maybe we can get Sujada to pipe in. He has an '08 Duramax/Allison 2500 and pulls a 5th wheel, atv and trailer, atv in the bed, and runs empty in and around our elevation. So he should know what kind of real world mileage you might get!

quote:

Maybe we can get Sujada to pipe in

JD 500,
Mines actually and 07 1/2 as the switched models mid year again. Other than the price of diesel since I bought it I like it better every time I drive it. I have 20k miles on it now and fuel economy is still getting better. It's done 21 mpg both secondaries and interstate driveing recently and I've gotten about 18.5 hauling the quad on the pickup as oppossed to hauling on a trailer around 14-15. Last summer pullling 5th wheel, 2 quads, & dirtbike going up to Laramie Peak when I'd hit the passing lanes climbing 65 mph and cruise set, it never downshifted or lost speed, torque convertor unlocked once and climbed right up. Last fall we pulled the 5th wheel and the X behind that to Genoa, NE about 375 miles and averaged right at 14 on the way out.

I know those early 6.0 gassers where real pigs on fuel mileage, never talked to anybody that did over 13-14 empty or loaded, but they never complained about the power. Now they have the computer setup to drop half the cylinders while cruising and claim a lot better mileage on them, but I didn't want to try one, seems like $$$$$ if you'd have any problems with them.

This weekend we are going to Grand Island with the 5th, so I'll know a more current mpg with that.

Thanks Randy (And RB).
Dealer made me a decent offer, just tring to find my way off the fence.

Duramax is prolly the highest mileage engine there is right now. The truck itself is lighter than the others. Most guys get 16-20 where as I get 13-15 with 31" tires and 12-14 with 34" tires. The GM's come with tiny 29" pizza cutters that helps them with mileage and pep.

Can anyone give me info on Block heater use ?
At what temps is it needed ? (Newer Duramax)

That one could sorta be an issue as I live in a condo w/ no outlet near where I park.

Can you plug the heater in before starting (ie w/ generator) or does it need to be on all night ?

Thanks for the help,

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JD 500,