Pre DEF Diesels - which is better Cummins or Dramax?

[Flashman]

Both I and my buddy have "older" trucks. Mine is a Dodge 2006 and his is a 2004 GMC.

Both trucks have well over 170,000 miles and still running well.

I had a AC compressor failure, He had to replace injectors. Both have been great trucks and we often travel together.

Has anyone owned both these vintage era trucks? If so - what do you think?

I left Ford out because that was 6.0 and 6.4 times and we all know how great that worked out.

[6_6_Oilburner]

01-10 Dodge vs GM, Here is my take: The Dodges started getting alot better in 03. 03-2010 Dodges are pretty much using the same fuel system as the Duramax. The rear diff is the same, the Front diff while one is a SFA and one is IFS they use the same gear set. The Dodge has a front driveshaft and axle joints that will need to be done periodically. The IFS will give less troubles than the Dodge Coil over with higher miles. The 01 to early 04 Dmax trucks have the dreaded LB7 injectors, the 01-06 Early build GMs have the early head gasket design that is prone to failure. Updated gaskets pretty much cures that and the 06s seem to have less trouble with the older style gaskets. I wouldn't even consider a pre 68RFE dodge with an Auto.

[Cummins12V98]

LVJJJ wrote:
Cumminins are loud and stinky and obnoxious, curse them all.

REALLY?????? From one who has a 1965 chevy van that will pollute more driving it to town ONCE than my 15 RAM will ever do. I am also willing to bet the decibels are less inside my RAM driving down the road.

[4x4ord]

jerem0621 wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Motor to Motor?

Cummins...no doubt..

Thanks!

The Cummins are very good engines but there are very few years where I would pick a Cummins over a Duramax....probably 2003 and 2004.

Bingo! And that is the year that the OP is asking about... 04 Dmax to an 06 Cummins...

Cummins...No Doubt!

thanks!

Jeremiah

It sounds to me by the title of the thread that the OP is talking about years 2001 to 2010. In 2001 and 2002 the Duramax was a much more sophisticated and suitable engine for a pick up as compared to the Cummins...mainly on account of the common rail fuel system which allowed for quiet, smooth, efficient and low emissions operation. I believe the biggest downfall of the early Duramax was the fact that changing injectors, which were prone to failure, was much more difficult than it should have been. In 03 Cummins took a big leap forward by adopting the common rail fuel system as well and because GM didn't remedy the injector problem till the mid 2004 model I could see someone choosing an 03 - 04 Cummins over the same year Duramax. From '04.5 through 2010 I don't think anyone has had a more impressive pick up truck power train than GM.

[rhagfo]

LVJJJ wrote:
Cumminins are loud and stinky and obnoxious, curse them all.

Yep, and will move a house!!

less than 270 hp, 3.55's and easily moving 11,000#+ easily at 293,000 miles.

[LVJJJ]

Cumminins are loud and stinky and obnoxious, curse them all.

[Lantley]

Interesting discussion. Easy decision. Go with the motor that is attached to the Allison transmission 😉

[larry_barnhart]

I like our 05 duramax because it did not need a programmer to tow our 35 ft alpenlite plus the dodge trainie was a 4 speed like the one we had once.

much different trucks at this time.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

Flashman wrote:

Me Again wrote:
If you are going to get a newer RAM, get one with DEF! The older 6.7 are OK if you delete them, but stock the later non DEF trucks got really poor mileage.

Chris

I forgot to mention I have the 6 sp manual.

With the manual that is a great combo!!!

[mich800]

CampingN.C. wrote:
I'd say the Cummins with the years being asked about. No if we were talking both 2006 models.....well I think most would say the DMAX.

The OP asked about pre DEF so before 2011. But than said the Ford 6.4 doesn't qualify but that was only DPF. So maybe that is what he meant. In any case my my 6.4 has just under 170k and all original sans batteries and some sensors.

[CampingN_C_]

I'd say the Cummins with the years being asked about. Now if we were talking both 2006 models.....well I think most would say the DMAX.

[gkainz]

way to make a guy feel bad ... my "new" truck is an 07 RAM CTD 6 spd I bought last year to replace a '97 Dodge CTD that I didn't get painted quickly enough before my wife found the suitable replacement for "that ugly gray beast". 🙂

[jerem0621]

4x4ord wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Motor to Motor?

Cummins...no doubt..

Thanks!

The Cummins are very good engines but there are very few years where I would pick a Cummins over a Duramax....probably 2003 and 2004.

Bingo! And that is the year that the OP is asking about... 04 Dmax to an 06 Cummins...

Cummins...No Doubt!

thanks!

Jeremiah

[Flashman]

4x4ord wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Motor to Motor?

Cummins...no doubt..

Thanks!

The Cummins are very good engines but there are very few years where I would pick a Cummins over a Duramax....probably 2003 and 2004.

Why?

[Greentreena]

Both great engines but Dodge for me. Gm/chev style isn't my personal taste.