That's not a rig!!!!This is a rig <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />She's got a massive 2.8lt engine and transfers that torque to the ground through a 4 speed box,she does 0 to 100 in 15 minutes with her sheep skin seat covers and her muilty size adverse terrain tryes, and she comes with a manual tyre pump,,,and I drilled big holes in the floor so when it turns into a sub the water can drain out when we finally get back on terra firma,,,and,,and SHE'S CONVERTIBLE, so there <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Hunting the Mountains Look and learn from the little things, but do not be to hasty to draw conclusions, for only the mountain has been here long enough to be that wise.
Dude that truck ROCKS! It has a nice bumper as well, not as fancy as ARB or TJM but it's gonna work just as well. I found this place to do mine. Much like the fancy ARB but much heavier. That truck of yours is a true hunting machine with what must be great manouverability!
www.huntingadventures.net Are you living your life, or just paying bills until you die? When you hit the pearly gates I want to be there just to see the massive pile of dead 5hit at your feet. ( John Peyton)
My friend. I'm throwing the "BS flag" on you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I have explained this issue in detail before. As such, I will not let you off so easily this time................. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Of course, you knew this would be coming.............
The Dmax has thrived under power levels that folks used to think only the Cummins could withstand. There have not been issues with durability of the aluminum heads. It was originally thought that the Dmax engine would be the weakpoint and the Allison would be bullet proof. However, the truth is the opposite. The Alli can only handle about 680 ft lbs of torque when shifting from 4th to 5th, and the Dmax can generate well in excess of that. Mine currently generates about 380 RWHP at 2700 rpm and 810 ft lbs of torque at 2300 rpm. I know guys who have been running 450 RWHP+ with no problems.
Your comments about the '04 redesign are a bit misleading. The Dmax was the first Bosch common rail injection diesel pickup sold here in the states. Some early '01s had injector issues, most likely related to the junk diesel fuel we have here in the US. However, these growing pains were relatively minor, unlike the '03 Ford 6.0 PSD which initially had huge problems (which are now sorted out).
Anyone familiar with diesel engines knows the injection system is the heart of the engine, and the new common rail systems--like on your Dodge--tend to be fussy about fuel. All three brands of trucks had growing pains when first introduced. Even your '03 HO Cummins has had it's share of injection system problems. I posted a list of some of these before.
However, Cummins went to school on the '01 Dmax and introduced their common rail system with external injectors at the beginning. Why? Because they saw the even common rail diesel injectors have a tendency to fail, and it just makes sense to make it quick and easy to change them.
This is the "complete redesign" you keep talking about. The injectors on the 01-03 DMaxes (BTW that is three years of production) are not external, they are inside the valve covers and are a pain to change. GM must have initially thought the Bosch system (same brand that is on your truck) would be more relibale than it is. However, GM--like Cummins--has come to realize the injectors on these common rails will periodically fail. As such, they have redesigned the external portion of the heads and valve covers to allow easy replacement of the injectors.
The '04 LLY motor has also gone to a variable vane turbo to make it more compatible with the EGR systems that are now being forced on diesels. I also think they improved fuel filtration (the real issue), but I am not sure on that.
The above is hardly a major redesign.
Also, the engine is not really Japanese. GM contrated with Isuzu to design a diesel engine to GMs specs. The engine is built in Ohio. Isuzu as been building diesels for 60 years for duty all over the world. Their engine design has not been a problem. Though the majority of Dmaxes are trouble free (like mine), it has been the European designed (like on your truck) Bosch common rail system that no one knew would be so sensitive to US fuel that has caused the most problems.
The reason you have read about so many Dmax owners loving their trucks is because the problems are few, the truck is reliable, and it performs very well. All that is evidence of a very good truck. If you want something to compare it with, Ford bought back over 500 2003 6.0 PSDs from owners--that is the sign of something very wrong (but again, it now appears to be sorted out).
GM is to be commended for making injector maintenance easier on the DMax. I suppose you could say they should of thought of that in 01, but no one else even stepped up to the plate with a similar injection system on an American pick-up until two years later.
Having said all that, all three brands of US trucks are good pickups. They all have their quirks. They all have their strong and weak points. Each brand has it's lemons, and each brand had problems with first year models. They all need clean air, clean fuel, and clean oil to run reliably.
JJ thats one flash rig you got there....How do you get into it????with a step ladder, man thats ground clearance for ya
Hunting the Mountains Look and learn from the little things, but do not be to hasty to draw conclusions, for only the mountain has been here long enough to be that wise.
Hey - I never said it was the best hunting rig. I just answered the question that was asked, to the best of my knowledge. As you yourself stated, the H1 would not have a good time on the Rubicon, nor would your Ram, allthough both are quite capable rigs in their own right.
And I never said that a stock Rubicon was the ideal vehicle for rock crawling, just as close as you can get, stock. I think...
Personally, living where I do, I could go out tomorrow and buy some sort of wild-thing trail rig for a fifth of the price of the Rubicon or less. Something that was both more capable of rock crawling and hauling anything needed for hunting. And there would be no need to ever worry about its sheet metal getting too munched, as it would have been extensively modified by the Granite Body Shop.
fwiw, I'm driving a 2003 Ford Excursion 4x4 with locking rear differential and the 7.3 PSD and 4 speed auto OD. It's a pleasure to drive on the open road, however, it does not inspire confidence off pavement. Have to hitch a ride with a buddy when we call fox on the farm. Everybody in the extended family either has a Diesel Powered Excursion or Super Duty Pickup and they are uniformly useless off pavement... My next truck, no more SUVs, is going to be a 4 door cab Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with a short bed. A spray in bedliner and a set of Extreme floor mats and there we go...(grin)
If we are talking about a stock, off the show room floor vehicle, then my vote goes for the the Jeep Rubicon. Here are my reasons:
1) Better tires (Goodyear MTRs versus the street tires now coming out on most 4X4s - even those with the "Off-Road" packages).
2) Manuverability - can get through really tight places 3) Front and Rear selectable lockers.
Items #1 and #3 the things most people do to their stock vehicles when they want to make it more capable off-raod and the Jeep comes stock with it. Many trucks have the rear locker (or limited slip), but I have not seen too many with the front.
The Rubicon has also been given beefed up axles (Dana 44's front and rear) which should help with its durability. They are also priced where most people could afford them.
The main drawback as mentioned earlier is their cargo capacity, but I live pretty close to where I do most of my hunting (and we have put many a dead deer in the back of my brother's Jeep) so this is as big of an issue for me. Just my thoughts.
The question of "best street-legal off-roader" is a no-brainer. The top three (in order) are Jeep YJ, TJ, CJ.
Pickup trucks offer cargo handling advantages, but they also mandate that you will park then walk the rest of the way in. If any vehicle can DRIVE in all the way - it's a Jeep.
Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. Robert Frost
At long last I've been able to afford the best of both worlds. My 3/4 ton Cummins Dodge carrys my fully equipped cab over camper and tows my Jeep ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
E, if they lost the motors at 100,000 miles, they never changed the oil. I have owned 15 Toyota trucks and NOTHING, not even a Jeep comes close. I would like to hear the details of your "neighbors" whoas with Totyotas <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Flinch
Flinch Outdoor Gear broadhead extractor. The best device for pulling your head out.
Here is the ultimate rig, complete with naked passenger <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Sorry Muley, but this picture just keeps cracking me up. Flinch
Last edited by RickBin; 05/22/04.
Flinch Outdoor Gear broadhead extractor. The best device for pulling your head out.
how about the hummer H3 pickup? I saw a picture in newspaper a while back. I have a 94 gmc suburban around 148000 miles. My next truck will be toyota tundra 4 door.
Yep, Good choice for your next vehicle. I own a 2002 Tundra. It is not wanting. My previous 1980 Toy pick up I owned for 17 years. It boldly goes where no other 4x4 has gone before!! .....................and it keeps going I may add.
I used to work as a union construction worker in the SF Bay Area. Because wages and housing prices are so high there, many I knew would drive up to 70,000 miles per year comuting in from the central valley. Some took good care of them and some didn't. But 100,000 miles and they were running on the edge. Valves gone and often using oil. Very few made it over 150,000 miles. Toyotas, because of their great rep were very popular. So were Mazdas. Nissians were also popular, but didn't seem to last as well or be as trouble free. You are quite right about proper servicing. I bought a used 66 Dodge in 1976 with 50,000 miles. It had the old, big "Y" block 318 in it. I drove it to 189,000 miles and replaced the motor. It was using oil and the valves needed attention. The timing chain was streched badly, but it still worked. I believe in preventative maintanence, so I replaced the engine before it slipped the timing chain, or something happend. I drove that truck until Jan. of 1989 when I sold it for $1200. It had 290,000 miles on it. I had paid $1400 for the truck in 1976. I'm currently driving a 1989 Dodge Cummins. One of the very first ones Dodge built. It has some 267,000 miles on it and is in great shape. It hauls my camper and pulls my Jeep where I want to go. Except for a few electrical problems due to bad regulators, I've had no problems in spite of some very serious off road and camper use. I also owned a 1973 Int. Harvestor Scout II. I bought it in 1973 and sold it in 1989. It had 140,000 miles on it. Still with original everything and running fine. I paid $5200 for it and sold it for $2500. I haven't owned that many trucks. Just the two Dodges. I've owned 5 4WD's, one of which is the above Dodge, and the other, my first Jeep, I lost in my 2nd divorce. It was still quite new. So, from 1967 to present, I've only owned 2 International Harvestors, a Travelall, and the Scout; two Dodge trucks, one I still have, and really only one Jeep. That's about 37 yrs. I think I've had good service from vehicles other than Toyota. E
The Ford is using a different type of injection system all together. I am not as familiar with it, but the early ones had huge problems leaking fuel into the oil, which is part of what the external injectors solve. However, Fors seems to have resolves that. Their system is supposed to be similar to a CAT injection system.
That old AMC six is a very good engine,Chrysler has even beefed it up a touch.The TJ has a much better rep around here than the WJ.That 5-link suspension is as good as a solid can get,on and off road.Where a coils are compromise is in loading,it affects handling more than a leaf spring.
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