Diesel mechanics on the board? Howie?

[herm]

Quick threadjack.

Duramax, Powerstroke or Cummins, which one and why?

Im looking at a 2500HD.  Love the quiet powerplant as opposed to the charter boat-like Powerstrokes that I've been around....
thx for the jack!

the new generation of Power strokes have had issues. until ford (international) gets a handle on that, or ford goes with their own engine (supposedly code named "scorpion?") i would personally steer clear of the fords.

i have always liked how quiet the duramax engine is (i think its actually built by Isuzi.) but i dont have any other first hand experience.

cummins are supposed to be awsome engines, but they only come in dodge trucks (although you can get one stuffed in a ford if you have the time and $$$.)

all very subjective of course.

[Bun-bun]

The Cummins...

in anything but a Dodge.

Why...?

A diesel should be an inline engine.

Dodge has a well deserved reputation for building crappy cars, but I've owned 4 Dodge trucks, and found the build quality to be much higher than their cars. I currently own a '97 2500 diesel, and a '00 1500 5.2. Both have well over 100k miles. Not only are the engines trouble free to this point, but the rest of both the vehicles has held up very well, and everything still works on both trucks.
I just got back from two weeks in Florida, and put 2800+ miles on the diesel without a hiccup.

An inline diesel is a simpler engine than a V design (Read, fewer parts to break).
Also, as mentioned above, the Cummins has no glowplugs to go bad. The benefit to the Cummins system are;
If the cold start system goes bad, there's only one component to replace, instead of eight,

The grid heater is a simple replacement that can be done in your driveway,

The glowplug equipped diesels seem to rely on the glowplugs even in warm weather, while the grid heater only runs when temps are below 55 degrees, so the system runs less often and hopefully lasts longer.

I too like the quiet of the GM diesel, but the noise from my Cummins becomes much less noticeable at cruise speeds.

[lethe]

What's the best source for good used complete Cummins engines and how much do they usually go for. I have a '77 Wagoneer that has been hanging out back in the corner of my garage forever that if I could ever find the time for (read as 100 years from now  ) that would probably be a great home for one.

[rgramjet]

I like the Dodge Mega Cab.....never driven one. Think Ill try one!  What kind of mileage did you gef on the 2800 mile journey?

[Bun-bun]

I averaged 17mpg at 69 mph

But

My truck is a 2500 longbed extra cab 4x4 with 4:10 gears and weighs in at 7200lbs empty.
That model truck also came with 3.55 gearing, which dropped the cruise rpms and raised the mpg to over 20.

It's also the 12v with mechanical fuel injection. The later models with EFI also get better mileage.

There's a lot of really good info on this site; www.turbodieselregister.com

[ducpainter]

My experience with Dodge trucks comes from time spent in the auto body field.

Both cars and trucks have had the lowest quality body components and build quality of the big 3 IMO.

I don't do cars anymore. Maybe it's changed.

[GAAN]

I've got limitied first hand experience with the dodge and the ford but of the units on our fleet

The Fords are in the shop all the time for injector, EGR, and turbo issues

The Dodge has been in the shop once for steering component issues and 3 times for exhaust issues

[herm]

What's the best source for good used complete Cummins engines and how much do they usually go for. I have a '77 Wagoneer that has been hanging out back in the corner of my garage forever that if I could ever find the time for (read as 100 years from now  ) that would probably be a great home for one.

for the mechanically inclined, i think this is a good place to shop for a diesel engine

http://www.dieselenginemotor.com/manufacturer/Cummins/100.html

or for those with more money than sense, this option

http://fordcummins.com/index.html

[Bun-bun]

I've got limitied first hand experience with the dodge and the ford but of the units on our fleet

The Fords are in the shop all the time for injector, EGR, and turbo issues

The Dodge has been in the shop once for steering component issues and 3 times for exhaust issues

Do you remember what kind of exhaust issues?

I had to replace my exhaust last year when it rusted out after 13 years. I upgraded to a turbo back 4" stainless version.

[GAAN]

Do you remember what kind of exhaust issues?

I had to replace my exhaust last year when it rusted out after 13 years. I upgraded to a turbo back 4" stainless version.

just leaks

no big replacements

[Kopfjäger]

My experience with Dodge trucks comes from time spent in the auto body field.

Both cars and trucks have had the lowest quality body components and build quality of the big 3 IMO.

I don't do cars anymore. Maybe it's changed.

It hasn't. 

[herm]

was it stupid of me to assume that a dealer would be able to work on my vehicle (which they sell) without making it worse?

[Popeye the Sailor]

was it stupid of me to assume that a dealer would be able to work on my vehicle (which they sell) without making it worse?

Yup!

[sno_duc]

was it stupid of me to assume that a dealer would be able to work on my vehicle (which they sell) without making it worse?

I thought this thread was about diesel trucks not VW's 

[ducpainter]

was it stupid of me to assume that a dealer would be able to work on my vehicle (which they sell) without making it worse?

Where did you take it?

AutoFair?