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Direct injection fixed most of the "hard starting" issues in diesel-land, assuming of course that out of the gate you have the proper fuel/additive for cold weather operation.

Above -10F ambient, I wait 4-5 seconds to start after turning the key to "on". Below -10F I wait ~30sec. FWIW, mine won't even attempt to crank until the glow plugs are warm enough to start it. You can turn the key all you want but nothing happens until some sensor says "Go". @ -20F and below I get a "Wait to Start" message with a countdown, and again, it won't start until the glow-plugs are hot enough. Doesn't matter if it's been plugged in overnight or just sat for a week, pretty much just fires right up once it's ready.

No issues with starting and we just had some -15 to -25 mornings. I did put additive in and have it plugged in overnight. Push the button and it fires right up, sometimes has a 4-5 sec wait for the plugs.

Good to know. Thanks

I like my Dodges, the 2004 has 205,000 miles on it. I had front end rebuilt, couple water pumps, that’s it. I never had to take the 2018 back for any warranty work.

since 2006, I've had the following:

2006 RAM 3500 dually 6.7 cummins manual. the thing was a beast, wish I still had it. I pulled a 16k lb fiver and it was flawless, but I only put about 15k miles on it. Only sold it because I was active duty Military transferring and couldn't keep all my vehicles.
I replaced it later with a 2012 F-450. this thing was also a beast, I pulled the same 16k lb fifth wheel across country..BUT when I got the 4th call from an attorney wanting to represent me in my lawsuit for the CP4, I got rid of it. Although I never had a problem, I didn't trust the TON of info on the CP4, I would avoid the CP4 with all I have!

I now have a 2015 RAM 2500 with 6.7L (68RFE) and a 2018 RAM 3500 dually with AISIN, both are great trucks, and both fully deleted.

Here's my $.02--the EPA is gonna crack down on the deletes. They have already put most, if not all, American companies out of business. you can find the small shops still doing deletes but they get the gear from Canada. I deleted my 2018 3500 but I still have the emissions equip If I need to go back to stock. I'm in the process of trading my RAM 2500 for a 2000 F-250 with the 7.3 (legendary) because I don't have the original emissions for the 2500, and It is going to come down to where the Feds put the screws to the states to NOT allow registration for deleted diesels.

My humble opinion is find a pre-emissions diesel- Duramax 6.6L, International 7.3L Power Stroke ('94-2003 F-250, 350) or Cummins 5.9L (third gen RAM?)

The EPA isn't going to stand still for the new diesels to stay deleted...that totally sux but that's the simple truth

Reading all this makes me want to keep my '03 GMC 2500HD with 8.1l gas and 6 speed ZF-6 manual.

They are already cracking down big time on deletes. I’ve heard $10,000 fines for the owner of the deleted truck, plus the shop that did it gets hit hard. It can also be hard to sell or trade a deleted truck to some dealers. I have also heard they are inspecting folks who get pulled over with a portable DEF tailpipe ‘sniffer’ to ensure the truck has a functioning SCR system. I don’t have any firsthand proof of this but was told this by someone in the diesel industry.

I just got rid of my 2011 LML with about 145,000 on it, and I kind of feel like I dodged a bullet. It was a pulling fool and truly a great truck, but there were a bunch of diesel problems that had (or could) occur. It needed an EGR cooler bypass valve, which requires removing the transmission to get to. Easily a $2,000 job. It also had a coolant leak at the oil cooler, which requires removing the front diff to get to. A $1,000 job. The DPF was near the end of its projected lifespan. That’s a $2,800 part alone. It also has the dreaded CP4 pump that may (or may not) grenade to the tune of $10.000. It already had the entire DEF delivery and sensor system replaced under warranty several years ago, so that had some age and miles on it.

I’m willing to bet that it will cost the next owner more per mile with less reliability than it cost me. For the trailers I tow I couldn’t justify the headache of the diesel, so I went with a 6.6 liter gasser. Time will tell if it is as good as my old truck was, but you could buy a new crate gas engine for the repair cost of some of the diesel problems.

Jesus Krist K1500 your the grimm reaper of diesels.

To be fair, some of the bigger things (DPF and CP4) haven’t failed yet. But...they were due. I think some of the problems get overblown online, but I’ve known a few guys with failed CP4’s. The 2011 was the first year of the LML and the first year of the SCR/DEF system. First year is never good for reliability.

I almost forgot, it would blow out massive clouds of white ‘smoke’ (actually unburned fuel vapor) from the tailpipe when in a regen. Dealer said it’s normal but it isn’t. It is a degraded 9th injector. Good times.

The Ford 7.3 gasser is looking better than ever after reading this thread.

Well, I've got a 2001 Dodge with the 5.9 Cummins that I dearly love. It is currently sitting as it won't start - getting ready to launch into a stem-to-stern fuel system troubleshoot. Hoping it's not the VP44. I replaced the lift pump about 6 years ago and other than some front end work I've never had to touch it.

Any experience with olde 6.0 yo compare the 6.6l to it? Having issues with my ‘19 duramax and thinking about trading and going back to a gas truck. Pull skid steer or mini at least 4 days a week

Yes, I also own a 2016 Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas motor and 4:10’s (the 6.6 only comes with 3.73’s). The new truck has more get up and go empty and gets somewhat better mileage. I only have 2,500 miles in the new one and have only towed a fairly light aluminum bay boat. For both trucks it’s like the boat isn’t back there. I am pulling a heavier camper through some mountains mid June. I’ll report back when I do (remind me if I forget). So far, I do not regret leaving the Duramax for a gas truck. Also, the 2021 with Z71 rides better than the 2011 Z71 and way better than the 2016 4x4/non-Z71. I’m not sure if it’s shocks or what, but it is noticeable over potholes and dirt roads.

I dont think you can beat the Allison tranny. I have one in my 05 GMC diesel with 283,000 mi. and no problems yet. I change oil and filter with AMsoil Totque drive about every 50,000 mi. and no problems . My engine runs perfect . I get 19 mpg and about 15 mpg towing my double axle with tractor and concrete in it . The towing is about 7,000 lbs , so 15 mpg is pretty good. I have yet to replace a front end part or an engine part. I did need a transfer case rebuild @ 158,000 , a fuel cooler and some wire harness and break lines so far.

I had an 06 Megacab, 6 speed G56 and 5.9 for 230 K, U-Joints is all I ever replaced in that truck, 2014 Megacab 6.7 with the 6 speed G56 with 200k on it and replaced the water pump under warranty and the turbo actuator, that truck was deleted at 100k cause I felt like it but not because anything was wrong, current truck is a 2020 6.7 with the Aisin with 38k on it so far.

All three have pulled my trailers up and down the East coast and to Wyoming, Idaho, or Oregon yearly. Sometimes two states.

While I hate the DEF and emissions, I don’t baby them. If I drive them they get warmed up and ran. Mostly with either a 20ft enclosed, 41ft toy hauler or a 24ft gooseneck with my tractor and implements on it.

The latest truck is such an animal. The first two were great pulling trucks once they were programmed and such but this 20 is just a danged monster.

I will take my chances to 100k and if after that I have problems and I don’t feel like I’ll get hurt I’ll delete it. Right now, I wouldn’t touch a thing though.

Sounds like any truck will be better than your last truck. If you only put145k miles on a 2011 diesel truck chances are it was more of a want than a need.
A Ford V10 gas engine or GM 8.1 in a pickup was pretty much a bullet proof set up.

My Uncle was shopping for a 5th wheel RV in 2020, he was a lifetime Chevy 1/2 ton pickup owner. Well, once he got to looking at trailers he knew he should step up to a 3/4 ton truck. He ended up getting a 2500 Chevy with the 6.6 gas motor and man, he couldn't be happier. He pulls a 34ft 5th wheel all over the NE with the truck and it does excellent. I don't think it has the total grunt of a diesel, but with the 10 speed auto he has no complaints at all with it. Plus he gets better mileage empty than I do with my diesel. I pull a bit heavier than him and more often, so for now I like the diesel, but I wouldn't balk for a second if I traded into an adequate sized gasser that is set up properly.

GM 6.6 gas only comes with a 6 speed (a revised 6L90). It does seem to have plenty of grunt when towing.