PSD vs. Cummings Turbo or Chebby even ??

[Jaffer]

Crunch time!

Yesterday a guy pulls up next to where I'd just parked and offered to buy my Blazer that I'd just cleaned up in prepatation to putting on the market.
He's so hot for it he's supposed to bring me a bank check and pick it up today~ ... it's a '93 K Cheyanne ... the last of the 2 doors ...

Now I've GOT to make some decisions ...
Ford ... never even owned one ...
Dodge ... same
Desel ... never owned one either but know this is the way to go.

All I know for sure is I want a 2500 with a cab and a half and short bed ... plus now is the time to buy.
I want a solid, reliable brute of a truck with probably an automatic trannie.

But every one I talk to has a different opinion as to which has the better, strongest, most RELIABLE engine AND braking.
Both critically important here in the Rockies.

I'm going to start doing some test driving but opinion wise ...
which drive train is the very best for a tow rig?

I'm opening a can of worms I suspect, but would appreciate a consensus of opinion so all comment is welcome ...

[smurfsdad]

They are all good. Go drive them and the one that feels the best to ya is the one to buy.

[utahjeepr]

They are all good engines. Of the three the Cummins has the longest legs (300-400K), it will outlast the truck. The PSD is just a little behind (250-300K) could be because of it's v-8 design or it's slightly higher power ratings. The jury is still out on the lifespan of the Duramax but things are looking good so far. The Duramax is proving to be pretty reliable according to the hotshot freight haulers.

Of the available auto transmissions the Allison available in the GMs is by far the best. The Ford and Dodge offerings have had some trouble, but not too bad.

As far as braking goes, you are going to want to get an exhaust brake no matter what you buy. Diesels don't engine brake worth squat, especially turbodiesels. None of these engines have a true engine brake available. I would love to have a "Jake" on my Cummins, but I'll have to settle for a BD exhast brake (best one for the CTD). There are several exhaust brakes available for the Cummins, and at least a couple for the PSD (probably more than I know of, I have a Cummins so that's what I know about). I don't know if there are any out for the Duramax yet, but if not there will be. These brakes do work with auto trannys. They lock up the torque convertor when applying the brake

[offroadr35]

Originally posted by utahjeepr
Of the available auto transmissions the Allison available in the GMs is by far the best. The Ford and Dodge offerings have had some trouble, but not too bad.

I've actually heard that Chevy is having a lot of problems with those trannies. I personally have a 6-speed Superduty and love it. I do believe that the Cummins is probably the best engine of the 3 but the rest of the truck is lacking. The PSD is IMO very close to the cummins and the rest of the truck is up to par. You might also want to considre a Crew Cab...it seems lots of people go Supercab and wish they had the extra room whereas i've never heard anyone complain about having 2 extra doors. For a truck that's going to last for 400k miles you had better plan for the future.

-Steve

[Jaffer]

Originally posted by offroadr35
For a truck that's going to last for 400k miles you had better plan for the future.
-Steve

Thanks for the honest comments, UtahJ and Steve ...
just what I am looking for.
I'm giving up "ShyAnnie" after 10 good years so yes, it's a question of the 'long haul' here ...
Other comments? ... c ome awn ...

[That Mick]

Originally posted by utahjeepr

I would love to have a "Jake" on my Cummins, but I'll have to settle for a BD exhast brake (best one for the CTD).

Actually, there is a regular Jake style available for the 12 valve.

[mike]

Originally posted by The Mick


Actually, there is a regular Jake style available for the 12 valve.

Really? I wasnt aware the B series could run em

[Bill Collins]

when i was shopping for a new truck,i drove both dodge and ford(chevy was to many$$$)i liked them both.i wanted a 6-speed,but my wife talked me into an auto,and it is nice in traffic.i ended up with the crewcab ford because i have 3 kids.the supercab shortbeds rode rough compared to the f-150 i had before,but the crewcab short bed is a little better riding.and all i gotta say about the deisel is i love the torque,but the maint.cost is alot more than a gasser...

[utahjeepr]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by The Mick


Actually, there is a regular Jake style available for the 12 valve.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jacobs does make an exhaust brake. I have talked to a Jacobs rep on the phone about a true "jake" and he said there just isn't enough demand to R&D an engine brake for the B engines. Apparently I am not the only one who has called, they say more or less the same thing on their web page now.

If someone else is manufacturing a true decompression type engine brake for the B engines, I'd love to know about it.

Fess up Dammit! Where can I get one? I want to pop my "Jake" on the freeway and scare the crap out of the Honda drivers just like a big rig!

[That Mick]

Dangnabbit guys, now you've got me doubting myself.

It was a couple-three years ago I read about a jake-style brake being available for the first gen CTD Rams. I honestly don't remember who was making it.


(off to find an answer, cause this is annoying!!!)

[Eskimo]

I've driven all 3...

The Duramax/Allison combo is sweet. The brakes are very good, considering the truck I drove weighed 7000+.. (crew cab 3500 dually 4x4). GET THE CREW CAB/double cab etc.. it's not that much more, and you'll think it's worth it the first time you need it.

The Dodge has a great motor, and you can sure hear it, if that's your thing. The Max was QUIET! Couldn't hear the turbo at all

All the 4x2's ride similarly, but the 4x4 was much more stiff. Didn't like it that much.

The Chevy's interior was the nicest IMO, and coupled with the motor/tranny, was a shoe-in. All 3 trucks wound up being within $500 of each other similarly equipped.

The Duramax is simply 2 Isuzu motors that have been in the medium duty trucks for a while on a common crank to make a V8. They are having a few teething problems, 99% of which are correctable with a ECU flash which the dealers can do.

This *IS* the time to get a truck, especially since the '03's are BUTT ugly now with that Avalanche front end...

[5.9ctd_fj40]

there are no "jake brakes" for the cummins 12 valve. there is no way to fit big hydraulic jake brideges on top. and there is no way to cut out the injector for proper "jake operation"

[TEX]

Originally posted by Eskimo
GET THE CREW CAB/double cab etc.. it's not that much more, and you'll think it's worth it the first time you need it.

Actually, I'm quite happy with my X-cab, but I'm 5'8" and any potential rear-seat passengers that I'd have are similarly sized. To me, the extra $1,500 just wasn't justifiable. Were I taller or hauled adult, rear-seat passengers all the time, I would have gotten the crewcab. As is, glad I got what I have (plus, the extra 10" of length would have had my truck parked outside the garage).

This *IS* the time to get a truck, especially since the '03's are BUTT ugly now with that Avalanche front end...

Gotta agree there, 'course the '03 GMC's are much less objectionable.


TEX

[Eskimo]

Good points Tex... I'm 6', and I was pleasantly surprised with the 4-door Dodge's head room... But the leg room isn't all that in the dodge...

I plan on sleeping in the back seat of my truck when at the races, so the extracab won't cut it...

Yeah, the GMC's aren't AS bad, but the plastic filler between the body and the bumper looks cheap cheap! the 1500's aren't that bad though.

My xtracab Tacoma doesn't fit in my garage anymore (workbench), so that wasn't in my consideration...

[Travis Waldher]

Anyone got power numbers for those diesels? (I'm looking to and know I want diesel)

12V Cummins

24V Cummins

Powerstroke V8 (any different years producing different power?)

[Eskimo]

manual or auto tranny?

[TyTy]

Originally posted by Eskimo
All 3 trucks wound up being within $500 of each other similarly equipped.

Im gonna have to call a big old bullshit factor on that. If you found a Duramax diesel for within 500 bucks of a Dodge or PSD 'similarily' equiped you were smoking crack, or looking at used versus new trucks.

[TEX]

Originally posted by TyTy


Im gonna have to call a big old bullshit factor on that. If you found a Duramax diesel for within 500 bucks of a Dodge or PSD 'similarily' equiped you were smoking crack, or looking at used versus new trucks.

BULLSCHIT right back at you. When I was checking into new 2002 trucks I optioned out several online. The Duramax was SLIGHTLY higher than the Ford & CHEAPER than the Dodge the way I had them configured with a 6-speed. And there was less than $1,000 difference with AT's. A lot of the stuff that was standard on the GM trucks was an option for Dodge & especially Ford, so by the time you tacked on the options, they were every bit as pricey.


TEX

[TyTy]

Originally posted by offroadr35
I do believe that the Cummins is probably the best engine of the 3 but the rest of the truck is lacking.

Yeah, I hear those D60 fronts, D80 rear, 1310 ujoints in the d-lines, NV4500 (NV4600), NP431, etc... are really pieces of shit!

Dodge's have a beefy drivetrain and are built to tow. They are just not made for the panzies who are looking for a half ton truck that can tow heavy loads. They are loud, stiff ride, simple interior, hard seats, etc... However, ask anyone that has towed with both and they will tell you, they are built for towing and do it the best.

NOW, a FORD on the other hand IS probably the better choice for the majority of owners. It is more user friendly and probably more comfortable to most. Not to mention a great drivetrain worthy of any situation.

However, I dont mind my stiff ride, high ride height, and loud motor. Reminds me that at least someone still makes a real truck

[Eskimo]

Yup, what Tex said... right back atcha...

I was pricing NEW, using KBB's option configurator... and they were loaded ones, 4x2.. (well, 6x4, since I was looking dually)

Off-topic... Chevy calling the 3500 "Big Dooley" just caters to the 4th grade education rednecks.. I hate it. It's DUALLY, as in Dual wheels, not DOOL wheels.. Fawking GM.. first that, now the Avalanche front end.

[TyTy]

Originally posted by Eskimo
Yup, what Tex said... right back atcha...

I was pricing NEW, using KBB's option configurator... and they were loaded ones, 4x2.. (well, 6x4, since I was looking dually)

Off-topic... Chevy calling the 3500 "Big Dooley" just caters to the 4th grade education rednecks.. I hate it. It's DUALLY, as in Dual wheels, not DOOL wheels.. Fawking GM.. first that, now the Avalanche front end.

I tend to go by real life prices, as in what you pay in real dollars and not what the internet tells me.

You tell me what you paid for your Duramax and Ill tell you what I paid for my Dodge and we'll see if the difference was 500 bucks.

(That's dollars too, not monopoly money.)

[TyTy]

Originally posted by TEX


BULLSCHIT right back at you. When I was checking into new 2002 trucks I optioned out several online. The Duramax was SLIGHTLY higher than the Ford & CHEAPER than the Dodge the way I had them configured with a 6-speed. And there was less than $1,000 difference with AT's. A lot of the stuff that was standard on the GM trucks was an option for Dodge & especially Ford, so by the time you tacked on the options, they were every bit as pricey.


TEX

Same goes for you. Internet pricing means shit. Im talking about how much you pay in reality.

[Travis Waldher]

Originally posted by TyTy


Yeah, I hear those D60 fronts, D80 rear, 1310 ujoints in the d-lines, NV4500 (NV4600), NP431, etc... are really pieces of shit!

Dodge's have a beefy drivetrain and are built to tow. They are just not made for the panzies who are looking for a half ton truck that can tow heavy loads. They are loud, stiff ride, simple interior, hard seats, etc... However, ask anyone that has towed with both and they will tell you, they are built for towing and do it the best.

He mighta been referencing the automatic in the Dodge behind the Cummins. Which, from everything I hear is a POS when it comes to putting it under a load. Same as Ford, Same as Chevy. (either that or a big cooler and change teh tranny fluid every 10-15,000 miles)

[toykid]

if you want a real brute of a truck go with the super duty. that's what i have. i looked at the chevy's and noticed that the suspension is only the 1/2 ton a little beefed up. nothing special. then you have the super duty which everything is beefy. just my .02

[Eskimo]

Originally posted by toykid
if you want a real brute of a truck go with the super duty. that's what i have. i looked at the chevy's and noticed that the suspension is only the 1/2 ton a little beefed up. nothing special. then you have the super duty which everything is beefy. just my .02

Oh please... there's more leafs in the rear of a Chevy 1 ton that there is on my entire FJ-40... Not to mention the axle, monstrous driveshaft, yadda yadda.

Same deal with the Dodge...

It really boils down to personal preference, interior/exterior styling, comfort/ride, and whose engine / tranny you like most.

IMNSHO:
Engine would be: '03 Dodge HO or D-max. (Will be driving the new dodge in 2 weeks, but from what the insiders have said, it's bad ass)
Interior: Chevy, hands down.
Exterior: '02 Chevy... '03's, it's a toss-up.
tranny: Allison Auto, or any of the manuals (my preference)(Stock dodge clutches can be weak though)
Brakes: I think the '03 Dodge is gonna have it.. 13.9" discs on all 4 corners
Oh, the Ford's wheels are the nicest on the dually's.

Just my opinions from seeing / driving all 3...