Dodge 3500

[Chief409]

What I and other drivers for the railroad in my department (IT/Communications) put trucks thru at work could be considered a torture track. 2 hours of freeway speeds then into the rocks, ruts, sand, mud or snow depending on the season or your location (we're in 23 states). When it REALLY rains, there are plenty of roads with water running across. LOT'S of 4X4 time. I gave up on the Chevy's after a C/K3500 SRW and two 2500's, plus a Blazer or three. Frame cracks, frame flex so bad the exhaust, a ONE piece stainless piece from the headers back to the bumper and expensive, broke the weld at the front of the cat converter and pulled apart, couldn't keep the front end even close to alignment, transfer cases self destructing because of a known design error (found that out from a Chev mechanic when he discovered it on my last one), emission systems computer going into "get home" mode in the middle of nowhere, aw h***, I spent more time in the fancy waiting room at the Chev dealers then on the road. I like the engines, they just need to build a frame to mount it in. I have a picture somewhere of a company 2500 4X4 on a lift, at least the cab is. The frame folded behind the cab and the back bumper is on the garage floor. And what they make the beds out of can best be described as "pot metal". There IS a reason Chevy's are lighter when you weigh them.

Then the company went to Ford trucks because of the excessive maintenance expense of the Chevy's. The only thing that's has broken a Ford that I drive has been a truck driver pulling an "U Turn" smack in front of me, leaving me nowhere to go. During the last 12 months I've put 40k miles on my XL F250 4X4, the only shop time is every 5k for service and tire rotation. My district runs from Tehachapi, half way to Bishop, south to Cajon Pass and east past Barstow. The California Mojave Desert.

Plus the seating position is better in the Ford. More upright, not slouching in the seat. In Chevy's my lower back used to kill me after work. Even the younger guys at work have commented on this.

So all of this was on my mind when I went shopping for my own trucks. Ford had problems with the early Super Duty's, V10's spitting out spark plugs, the diesel switch becuase of the new ULS fuel..., but nothing they haven't corrected.

[Mike Clay]

You and Mike Rowe Had two fords left me stranded had 5 Dodge CTD all broke down one time or another and guess what I bet this Chevy will also. Im starting to feel what I dont like to feel on my/the truck site so lets be careful on these truck threads. You guys dont want me to get stressed do you.

[Chief409]

Sorry 'bout that Chief.

[Mike Clay]

Sorry 'bout that Chief.

ROFL

[CaptainSkidmark]

Yup, I too have had all three brands at sometime or another through out my life. I won't go back any further than 2000 since that could be considered another era. But as we all know, the three manufacturers have had their own problems since the year 2000, Chevy duramax with it's overheating problem, Dodge with transmissions failures, and Ford with the 6.0 issues. This has given each manufacturer a bad reputation at one time or another. My main thought of this is "Have they corrected their problems?" Yup! They have all made changes.

As much as I like what the aftermarket programers did to the performance in my ole truck, I can't give the manufacturer a bad rap for those who use the programmers to tune to max performance and dog the bling out of the trucks. Would I use another programmer in the future....you bet. I do like having my set to tow mode which allows for a 30hp gain. It's like going from the old days of a two barrel carb to a nice four barrel.... you get the picture. hey remember when the four barrel kicked in with that loud kirby vacuum sound. Woot! Ole memories.

[Shields]

Well, contemplation is over. I drove the 3500 Laramie home today, now (with GMAC) the proud owner of a dually. Mentioned to my wife that I had to use it for a work job (knowing the response) and sure did get a rise out of her.

Get a pic on here when I return from a business trip.

[BMullins46]

Welcome to the Cummins club. It's sure a kick to drive once you get it broken in. Don't expect the great fuel mileage you hear about for diesels until you get a few miles on it.

[campswithcritters]

Yep Al I think you'll like the pullin power of a good ole straight 6! Make sure you get 599 mi or so before hookin it up, break-in is important.

[snoking]

Most of the Dodge and Chevy break in period is for the rear diff to wear in the gears correctly. It is very important on this axles.

For the Dodge/Cummins, after 500-600 miles drive it like you stole it. Tow helps break in the engine.

Chris

[campswithcritters]

Most of the Dodge and Chevy break in period is for the rear diff to wear in the gears correctly. It is very important on this axles.

For the Dodge/Cummins, after 500-600 miles drive it like you stole it. Tow helps break in the engine.

Chris

Agree with that, break-in is for the drivetrain. When I bought the big boy truck cummins owners manual said hook it up and go as engine was tested at full power on dyno before delivery to truck maker.

[Shields]

I am at 500 now and the co-pilot keeps telling me to slow down....but I haven't figured out how yet.
Got the hitch installed and anxious to tow the porta-potty down the road now.

[CaptainSkidmark]

Since you have the 500+ miles on the new truck, "How are you feeling about it now?" I'm approaching 3500 miles on mine and have noticed that the mileage is moving upward to 14.2 mpg. It still is taking some time for me to get the hang of turning this big thing around, but I'm still in awe on how much difference it makes in the pulling department.

[Shields]

I am fluctuating between 13.2 and 13.9. i hope it improves more, and it will.
My 5.9 started life at about 16-17 and now does about 19-20 at 100k miles.

[BMullins46]

Al,
Did you get the Megacab or the crewcab look-a-like extended cab?

[Shields]

No megacab, 4 door unit crew cab

I want a long bed which ruled out the mega, even if I did want it.