Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives No B/S, whats the best late model 3/4 ton diesel?

OK, I know this subject has been through the ringer time and time again. I am a died in the wool GMC/Chevy fan, I currently own a newer Chevy 1/2 ton model and is satisfactory when it comes to a hunting vehicle, it however is under powered when it comes to hauling a trailer up mountain grades.
Therefore, I am in the market for a replacement and am looking at either a GM or Dodge 3/4 ton diesel for hauling a toy hauler up the mountain, approximately 10K lbs. loaded.

Sorry, with those limitations I'm afraid I can't help you.

Ford Chassis, Dodge 5.9 with an Allison Tranny or built billet tranny

Nothing like a diesel for pulling. I think right now, Gm has the best diesel truck. Just go on the internet and watch the head to head test. Of course me having a 2006 2500 HD with the Duramax might sway my opinion. I think all three Dodge, Ford and Chevy make a pretty good truck. Kind of like guns, we have a choice and some people prefer certain makes and models. One thing to keep in mind is the newer diesel trucks (Chevy and Ford, not sure about Dodge) have the DEF on them. Also I think they might have the particle filters. To clean the particle filter the trucks have to go into a regeneration mode and I am sure that burns more fuel on the long run. Unless you are set on a new diesel truck you might want to find you a good used pre particle filter and pre DEF diesel truck. If you can live with the new emission stuff on the new ones then have at it. I must say those new trucks are nice, but have a heck of a price tag with them.

Good luck with your decision.

What he said +1

The Cummins and Duramax are both good motors, both are good trucks.

The Cummins has a little more low end pump off the line when pulling a load, regardless of what paper stats say, I've driven both. Obviously, the in line 6 cyl. Cummins will have fewer parts and less things to break. But the Duramax is a good motor.

If you prefer the stouter front axle, then Dodge is the way to go, Chevy has the independent front suspension thingy. If you don't plan on any rough use off road its a moot point.

If you like a nice cushy ride, then the Chevy is the way to go.

Either would propably serve you well, drive both and see which suits you the best.

Bill

Flip a coin between the GM and dodge diesels, they're both good trucks. I'm not a GM fan but I have to admit that the duramax/allison combo is pretty good in it's current form. Dodge also makes a good truck, the cummins is unrivaled and the transmission they put in the current truck is as good as the allison.

Growing up and into my twenties I was a Ford fan. I'd never owned anything other than a Ford product until I was 30 years old other than a worn out mazda that my folks gave me when I was 15 years old. That being said, Ford has never made a diesel pickup that I would own. The jury's still out on the new 6.7L engines, maybe they'll change my opinion when they get some miles on them. Even the 7.3L engine that all the Ford fans crow about wasn't really that good of an engine, it just didn't blow up at regular intervals like the 6.0 they replaced it with. Maybe Ford finally got it right with their new engine, but I wouldn't want to be the beta tester. Their track record isn't good with diesel pickups.

The problem with that is it's a complete crap shoot to get a good 6.0 Ford, less of a crap shoot to get a good 6.4 but still taking a chance. New 6.7 is supposed to be a hell of a motor but LOTS of $$$$$

All three of their strengths and weaknesses, no matter what you choose look at upgrading or adding to the stock fuel filtration to protect those common rails and spendy injectors.


The comment about off the line is very true, not matter what chart you look at. My folks have a '01 7.3, looking at the numbers on paper you wouldn't think it's a dog compared to the new output but in the real world it's not that far behind.

If you are a Chevy fan, you won't be happy with the RAM. The new Chevy is a beast. Go to the Chevy website and watch the HD to HD videos. The Chevy leaves the others far behind. Truthfully, you will be happy with any of them, so go with your stated favorite brand.

I would save my money on a new truck. Look into long tube headers, dry filter intake and a custom tune for your truck. Add air bags to the back and you should be set. That is maybe 4k and will really wake up your truck. If that's not enough consider a slightly steeper gear. Having a half ton I would guess you have the 5.3l and they like to rev when towing.

If you are set on a new truck and don't toe that often I would consider an 06 or later ford v10. They tow great and I prefer the ford suspension and interior to the others. The maintenance is much much less than a diesel. I have a 7.3 and it is a good engine but oil changes are almost a hundred bucks and I do then myself. Anything else gets real expensive fast.

Trying to pull a 10,000 lb trailer on a regular basis with a 1/2 ton truck is an accident waiting to happen, I don't care how many air bags, tunes, headers, or intakes you put on it.

I pull quite a bit, 10,000 lbs is a decent load for a 3/4 ton pickup much less a 1/2 ton.

Bill

+1 on that. 10,000# is too much for a 1500. You are looking in the right direction.

Find a 2007 LBZ with low miles and enjoy!

Then why are the numbers so much lower than that of Ford and Chevy? I'm thinking the motor is detuned to save the tranny.


That's funny right there.

10,000-lbs is to much weight for even a FORD! Yeah, they advertise 10,000 pulling ability with a 1/2 ton but read the fine print people. Gears so low you would travel at 55mph down hill on the interstate!

The fact is the 3/4-tons are peak out at 10,000 especially going up hills etc. You need 4.10 gears for sure. I have a Ford 1-ton and pulling it up hill with 10,000 lbs is not picnic with even a V-10 gas rig. A diesel no problem!

I still like the Cummins 5.9 engine the best of the bunch! Great fuel mileage and pulls very strong. My buddies 1-ton Dodge was pulling a trailer and backhoe the other day and said it didn't seem like anything was behind him until the big hills came into play. He has 4.10's and a 5.9, pulling almost 16,000 lbs.

Slip Skinker, the Ford 7.3 was a brute and yes noisy but it would pull a friggin bridge into the water. They leaked some but got good fuel mileage. I hope FORD gets things right with this new diesel, hell I might buy one in a year or three. However, that will be a 450 or even 550 and not a 1-ton. I want to cover all the bases.

My 7.3 oil changes cost:
15 qts Rotella T x $3/qt = $45
Baldwin B7039 = $14.49
$59.49 + tax = $64.40 total

Hey, I like all the noise!! grin

2012 has the 6.7l Cummins at 800lb/ft of torque and over 22 000lb towing capacity. Not sure if its a marketing deal, or they've beefed up the tranny for '12. Aftermarket parts have long been available to beef up the Dodge trannys, in fact the 48RE is now the transmission of choice for the diesel drag guys, even behind the Duramaxes. My tranny was beefed up with Suncoast components at 65k miles and it has lived with 502RWHP and 1060 lb/ft of torque for 142k without any issues. Truck now has 217k on it.

Right and I suspect they beefed it up...I mean why not this year if it's the same tranny. Just a guess though.