powerstroke or cummins

[nitro]

Oh - Theres A Diesel Besides Cummins ...not

ive got over a half a million miles on my two dodges . ive chained 1 fuel pump in all that time-THATS IT.. . i plow with them and pull my sled trailer (24' enclosed w/4 sleds) and my 11,000 lbs 31 ' boat and trailer .
oh yeah ...almost forgot, they have hauled about a gazillion tons of fire wood

the newer one is a 99 24 valve 355 axles and 4x4 and gets around 22mpg highway

and i will buy another in a heartbeat

 

[SWI Don]

I run a '94 Chevy 2500 with a 12V Cummins in it. 4:10 gears 33" tires and 23+ mpg going cross country. The engine is stock so it doesn't have the snort of the new hotrods but it has all of the power I have needed so far.

Don

 

[blackdiesel]

shoot for a 12v cummins with a 5 speed. most reliable dodge out there. you can get 350 hp out of the p-pumpd engine (94-98) with out spending a dime on it.

second choice is a 24v cummins, which is what i'm running. have to watch the injection pumps on these, they suck hardcore. i've had to replace several on my trucks and neighbors trucks. 1000 bucks apiece too boot. also look for the 5 speed in these year models (98.5-02) the 6 speed which is what i'm running are very expensive to rebuild and an automatic robbs lots of power, just like in any auto trans hd truck

third choice is a 7.3 ford. dont know much about these, except that they are pretty reliable.

dont get a 6.0 or a 6.4

 

[KD57]

I've been driving the Ford diesels since 1983. The 7.3 was by far the best engine out there as far as Ford is concerned. I currently have a 2005 1 ton work truck w/ the 6.0 in it. 2005 was the year they worked most of the bugs out, I have 170K on it and have not had one single problem, and I run a programmer on it. You can make some good buys on diesels now, w/ fuel as high as it it. But stay away from the 2003-2004 6.0's. You might get a good one, and you may not, it's the luck of the draw.

 

[chainsawaddict]

over/under

7 pages

 

[Wet1]

I had a 97 12v Cummins and wouldn't trade it for any Ford truck made.

As everyone else said, the 6.0 Ford is crap. The 7.3 is the best of the bunch, but they've certainly had their problems as well. The 5.9 Cummins is a much better engine IMO.

Regarding the truck itself, I really like my Dodge. In fact, it's the only Dodge product I've ever owned that I actually like. I have friends with F350's (7.3's) and I like my truck much better. IMO, mine rides better, is more comfortable, has a a better engine. With a set of Timbrens and E rated tires, it will move anything I've ever asked it to... which is WAY more than it was rated to do.

 

[Zodiac45]

Not much on the domestic diesel market that is worth buying. The powerchoke 7.3 was about as good as you were going to get but I wont bore with a recount with the trouble we had with our 1996 7.3. The 6.0 and new twin turbo are nothing but a headache. The dodge 12 and 24 valve Cummins are good motors but are surrounded by a Dodge truck. You are on you are on your own with the dodge. We went with the Chevy duramax. So far no trouble, but it was not the first choice. Given all options a Mitsubshi Fuso FG 4x4 would have been a top choice but everything we looked at was beat to death and overpriced. Just out of dumb a$$ coincidence, there is one on this weeks craigslist.
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/996291288.html

That Mitzy is a cool looking truck Centaur! That what I need right there! Dump body too! Come springtime, I'll retire the old Ranger (Tonto) and look for another Ford. The Ranger is an 86 and has been a great little 4wd truck for me. Finally rusting out though (bodywise and frame is getting thin too) and not worth fixing anymore. I've had all the American made trucks over the years and have had the best luck with Fords. Dodges had great power by crap bodies, Chevy/GMC were good all round but my Fords were the most comfortable and ran the best for me. I've not a deisel though, always gas motors. Might go for one this time though as they are cheap right now.

 

[chainsawaddict]

IMO, the cummins is the best diesel, but the dodge chassis is just too rough around the edges, unrefined. So many problems with the powerstrokes though, seems like for ever 10 that never have a problem there are 50 that are lemons. Its hard to beat if you are lucky enough to get one of the 10.

I dont have much experience with the duramax, seems like they are getting the early bugs worked out. Might be a solid rig...

Im a ford guy, but i might go with the duramax.

 

[John D]

My 93 1 ton dually has the 7.3 idi with 275,000 and still pulls my skidsteer around no problem. As far as powerstroke vs cummins I would go with an older powerstroke just because I like the V8 more than the L6. A powerstroke with an Allison trans would be the cat's butt IMHO.

Your the first person I ever knew of that would actually preffer a V8 diesel over an inline 6.
I say go Cummins,I have had 2 Dodge/Cummins trucks,the Cummins engines are excellent,no problems,and dry even after 150K+ miles.My buddies have PSD's,they are leakers,the oil pans rot out every 2-3 yrs,they are adding oil between oil changes,this is something ive never done with a cummins,put 12 in,drain 12, 5K miles later.If you live where it gets cold,this is very important, the PSD doesnt start 1/2 as good cold as a Cummins,and if you try to start a 7.3 below 20 degrees without plugging in often,you will be buying a lot of starter motors.My Cummins will fire right up at -15 without being plugged in.My buddies wont run full synthetic oil in there psds to help with the starting,because they burn so much oil,it would cost to much to keep adding $20 a gallon oil.I agree the Ford chassis is better,also like the Ford has so many configurations,and heavier duty options like a 450/550 and full crew cabs.Really like the wide Ford cab from 99 to current,I just cant past the PSD,after owning a Cummins,its hard to settle on a truck with hard to work on,weak heart by comparison.the Cummins in a Ford would be the way to go if only it werent so involved,and $$.

 

[mowarren]

I had a 2001 dodge 2500 watch close if you lose pressure from fuel pump it will still run- injector pump will pull enough to run but not enough volume to cool injector pump once that happens only matter of time b4 piston in it starts to seize. Once again easy fix if you have fuel pressure gauge installed something dodge should have done.rebuilt pumps are not cheap.

 

[CentaurG2]

That Mitzy is a cool looking truck Centaur! That what I need right there! Dump body too!

The little FG Mitsubishi trucks make excellent firewood delivery vehicles or for general farm use. The cab over design and slim profile allow for tight maneuvers. They are one tough little truck and kind of fall in-between a one ton and a medium duty. Spartan old school, with a diesel that can pull your house off its foundation but can’t get out of its own way. Top speed is 68mph. They have always reminded me of a Unimog. Everyone I have ever looked at has been beat to death and they still want the moon and stars for them.

 

[Ske-bum]

I had a 1999 F250 with a Powerstroke in it and loved that truck. However I have been looking at new trucks and I'm not sold on the post '03 powerstrokes. I have heard many, many horror stories. In fact I have rescued a friend from the pass that had a new one crap out.

Not a chevy fan, but that is just me. The cummins engine is probably the best things out there IMHO right now.

BTW, the deals on ebay for new diesel trucks right now are amazing. I have been watching and some people are giving away their '07 & '08 trucks, in over their heads I would guess.

 

[skid row]

cummins.

 

[Zodiac45]

The little FG Mitsubishi trucks make excellent firewood delivery vehicles or for general farm use. The cab over design and slim profile allow for tight maneuvers. They are one tough little truck and kind of fall in-between a one ton and a medium duty. Spartan old school, with a diesel that can pull your house off its foundation but can’t get out of its own way. Top speed is 68mph. They have always reminded me of a Unimog. Everyone I have ever looked at has been beat to death and they still want the moon and stars for them.

Yep they seem like a tough truck. We have several around here that do fish/clam/lobster delivery duty. Here to Portland or Boston fish markets every day. 500/700 miles round trip every day of the week. I'd love that one you listed for firewood duty. Good price for what it has (plow and dumpbody) if it isn't beat too heck. I know they'll go allot of miles but I'd only use it for local use (plow,firewood, landscaping). They make their own deisel's? (Mitsubishi) Speaking of Unimog's, a neighbor down the road has one. Way cool rig but huge money!

 

[jordanh]

I love my dodge cummins......2007 2nd gen last of the 5.9's

I wish I'd waited and bought the same one used for $10K less than what I paid....and I got it with $10K off sticker new......doooooh.

Does great as a logging mule pulling fallen dead trees outta deep steep ditches with a tow rope....it'll pull anything.

 

[BlackCatBone]

Put me down for an F250 or 350 with a Cummins 12V and an Allison trans.

The 7.3 PS is not a bad motor either. You will notice that a ton of commercial and rental vehicles run them.

 

[CentaurG2]

They make their own deisel's? (Mitsubishi) Speaking of Unimog's, a neighbor down the road has one. Way cool rig but huge money!

Mitsubishi Fuso makes many different models of cab over medium duty trucks, all but the FG are two wheel drive. The FG model usual configuration is a 4.9L I-4, 5sp manual with a 10Ft dump body. The 4 wheel drive has hi and low and if I recall the low is a real 4 locker. New FG (2008+) are available with an auto transmission but you need to get the 14ft bed to get the auto. If you flip up the cab and put up the dump body everything on the truck is exposed for the easiest maintenance I have ever seen on a truck. Most of the dump beds I have seen on this truck have fold down sides so you can quickly convert it into a flat bed. Lots of municipalities/contractors in my area use these things as plow/sander trucks. They remain the only “old school” diesel left on the market and if the EPA has its way, they will disappear soon. I am almost positive that Mitsubishi fuso makes its own diesel motors. Only an old fart like me would want a truck like this.

 

[Elim]

Cummins!!!

I purchased a 12V Cummins last year, and love it more than what I thought I would or could. I can not say enough positive things about it. If you can get the standard trans. The auto is fine for stock power, but if you start to turn up the wick it is the first thing to go.

One of the features that appealed to me was that I could get a 6Cyl with just as much power as an 8Cyl. This is not only better on fuel if you go easy on the loud pedal, but also sure makes repairs more affordable if/when needed.

Just to touch on what others have said. Yes the 7.3 is a legend, and the 6.0 is a legend as a disaster. If you have to get a Ford be sure its a 7.3 and not the 6.0. If you have a choice its hard to go wrong with a Cummins.

Best of luck with whatever you end up with!

 

[coog]

Mitsubishi Fuso makes many different models of cab over medium duty trucks, all but the FG are two wheel drive. The FG model usual configuration is a 4.9L I-4, 5sp manual with a 10Ft dump body. The 4 wheel drive has hi and low and if I recall the low is a real 4 locker. New FG (2008+) are available with an auto transmission but you need to get the 14ft bed to get the auto. If you flip up the cab and put up the dump body everything on the truck is exposed for the easiest maintenance I have ever seen on a truck. Most of the dump beds I have seen on this truck have fold down sides so you can quickly convert it into a flat bed. Lots of municipalities/contractors in my area use these things as plow/sander trucks. They remain the only “old school” diesel left on the market and if the EPA has its way, they will disappear soon. I am almost positive that Mitsubishi fuso makes its own diesel motors. Only an old fart like me would want a truck like this.

I am a big fan of early Isuzu NPR trucks.Great handling,visibility and economy.It chaps me that they offer a 4x4 in every market but ours.Seems like a cab-over would make the ultimate plow and firewood truck.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Its simple math, an inline six motor has seven main bearings on the crankshaft to spread the pounding a diesel takes, and a V-8 has five main bearings. Also the V-8's SUCK to do any kind of work on whatsoever. Just look under the hood of each one for five seconds and you will figure that out. How many million mile V-8 diesels are out there? There is a reason

Almost every industrial diesel is an inline 4 or inline 6, why do you think that is?

I like the Dodge chassis except for the fact that it took Dodge five extra years to figure out the public likes four full doors on their pickups.