I am currently looking to upgrade to a newer truck. I now have a 2006 Duramax and I am looking at a 2016-2017 with 0-10k mi Cummins or 2013-2014 50k mi Duramax. Apples to Apples the Cummins is a cheaper truck and I do honest beleive the Duramax to be a better set up, but can't justify the extra cost of a Dmax. I am leaning towards the Cummins. I think the Dodge has a nicer interior and the exterior isn't bad either. Is the Duramax worth that much more than the Cummins?Please don't turn this into a diesel vs gas debate and Ford is absolutely off the table.

We love our 2015 RAM 3500 SRW. The 3.42 gears with the optional Aisin(3500) transmission is a great setup. It cruises at 80 MPH at only 1750 RPM. The low Aisin first and second gears get our 16k 5th wheel rolling very easily.Ours is a Laramie with nice bells and whistles. Keyless entry and power folding tow mirrors are two of the nicer features.One small complaint is the tow mirrors when down are not as good as when in Antlers UP position! So I added a small spot mirror on the arms. This is our third RAM truck. The I6 is a great engine, however they are not hotrods. Well our 2001.5 was, but that is a different story, fueled by injectors, chip, turbo, exhaust, transmission on and on. I miss that just a little bit, but the luxury of the new truck offsets that greatly.

just read a thread about frequent $5,000 engine repairs to duramax????????????bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:just read a thread about frequent $5,000 engine repairs to duramax????????????bumpyAnd maybe that was the 1st gen Duramax injectors issues with the early ones.They are all pretty bullet proof now. I did however purchase a 120K 8 year extended warranty on our truck because of all the electronics these new rigs have. Chris

As seen in my sig that I prefer the Cummins. I also had the option of buying GM with a family discount and still preferred the Cummins over the Duramax. That's just my preference, Cummins design has been around for a lot of years, not so much with Duramax.

If you can tolerate the RAM, buy it. I leaned away from it. I'm one of those who didn't like the looks of the RAM or GMC/Chevrolet. Maybe next generation I'll like them more. Instead, I bought a Ford which is off your table. Yeah, I know a horrible 6.4. Funny thing is that 3 years ago, all of my sources said it was a toss up between the 6.4 and 6.7.I haven't seen threads that say they hate their RAM with Cummins. Could be they are saying it in private. :) My guess is they are liking them, and most reviews say the RAMs have just been getting better the past few years.

Used Dmax or New Cummins | Good Sam Community

91 Replies

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2017
Me Again wrote:
davisenvy wrote:
Thanks for the number. I found 39.5 for a 2016 Ram 4x4 crew. My FW is low to begin with, this will add another hurdle.

Maybe a 3500 with rear air and alt ride height setting is the answer?

Or just spend 5-600 bucks and that the trailer subframed and raised to level it. Chris

My RAM with factory rear air sits at 55" top bed at back corner in Alt ride ht.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2017
davisenvy wrote:
Thanks for the number. I found 39.5 for a 2016 Ram 4x4 crew. My FW is low to begin with, this will add another hurdle.

Maybe a 3500 with rear air and alt ride height setting is the answer?

Or just spend 5-600 bucks and that the trailer subframed and raised to level it. Chris
4x4ord
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2017
I considered removing the spacer block on the rear axle of my f350 but in the end decided to live with it as is.
davisenvy
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
Thanks for the number. I found 39.5 for a 2016 Ram 4x4 crew. My FW is low to begin with, this will add another hurdle.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2017
The 2017 GMC is 39.37 inches. That is a regular cab 3500 4x4. They are all too tall.
davisenvy
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
kw/00 wrote:
Your getting a lot of info and some off topic stuff as well. Drive both and pick the one that you want to plant yourself into everyday. Both are good, both will work, both will pull very well, and both will last. Good luck

I sold my truck last night, so I guess its time to pull the trigger on a new one. I have driven both and here's my thoughts. I like the Duramax/Allison drives, but I like the way the Ram looks inside and out (especially inside). Does anyone know the ground to floor of bed measurements for both trucks in 4x4. I found one measurement on NADA, but can't find one for GM trucks. It just says TBD. The Ram "looks" taller and want to make sure it'll fit under my FW.
jimh406
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2017
Duplicate post.
jimh406
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2017
blofgren wrote:
I have noticed MANY more new V10 gas F-650 trucks than diesel since this change was made. It appears that commercial customers that depend on these trucks don't believe the hype either.

Got proof?

I found that one of the options is compressed natural gas for the 6.8. This could explain seeing more gas models because they are actually running CNG not gasoline. F650 article.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Apr 18, 2017
blofgren wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
4x4ord wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

They also powered the F650/750 until a couple years ago with an Allison 3000 behind it. Lots of Freightliner MD's.

Why would Ford switch from an almighty Cummins to a light duty engine to power their F650/750 trucks......unbelievable:?

I think FISH got tired of me pointing that out and got someone at Ford to make the change!

The reason for the change is:

6.7 Cummins B10 rating is 250k miles

6.7 Power Stroke B10 rating is >500k miles. Also the Power Stroke has a 5 year 250k mile powertrain warranty.

I know which engine I want in my medium duty application. :B

And the commercial industry is loving the new Ford medium duty trucks since they can simple take their truck to any Ford dealer and have the truck serviced or repaired and from I'm hearing the new factory is backlogged into the unforeseeable future. Hence the reason GM is jumping back into the medium duty truck industry.

LOL a 500k rating for the 6.7L Powerstroke; I'll truly believe that when there is a consistent history of it. Why would they not have made this change in 2011 when the 6.7L Powerstroke hit the market? Guaranteed the reason they made this change is that there is more profit for Ford in only offering their in-house engine, both in sales and follow up parts and repairs.

I have noticed MANY more new V10 gas F-650 trucks than diesel since this change was made. It appears that commercial customers that depend on these trucks don't believe the hype either.

Negative Ghost Rider....In 2011 the Ford medium duty trucks were still built by Navistar. Since Ford has now designed and producing their own medium duty trucks in the US they decided to go with the best drive train for their medium duty trucks and one that give the customer the best value.

The only V10's I've seen have been the U Haul trucks which has always been the case, otherwise I see a lot of Power Stroke powered trucks by a large percentage. With a ~12 week lead time these medium duty trucks are a high demand. So spin the wheel however you like!
blofgren
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
FishOnOne wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
4x4ord wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

They also powered the F650/750 until a couple years ago with an Allison 3000 behind it. Lots of Freightliner MD's.

Why would Ford switch from an almighty Cummins to a light duty engine to power their F650/750 trucks......unbelievable:?

I think FISH got tired of me pointing that out and got someone at Ford to make the change!

The reason for the change is:

6.7 Cummins B10 rating is 250k miles

6.7 Power Stroke B10 rating is >500k miles. Also the Power Stroke has a 5 year 250k mile powertrain warranty.

I know which engine I want in my medium duty application. :B

And the commercial industry is loving the new Ford medium duty trucks since they can simple take their truck to any Ford dealer and have the truck serviced or repaired and from I'm hearing the new factory is backlogged into the unforeseeable future. Hence the reason GM is jumping back into the medium duty truck industry.

LOL a 500k rating for the 6.7L Powerstroke; I'll truly believe that when there is a consistent history of it. Why would they not have made this change in 2011 when the 6.7L Powerstroke hit the market? Guaranteed the reason they made this change is that there is more profit for Ford in only offering their in-house engine, both in sales and follow up parts and repairs.

I have noticed MANY more new V10 gas F-650 trucks than diesel since this change was made. It appears that commercial customers that depend on these trucks don't believe the hype either.

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Used Dmax or New Cummins

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