Big 3 diesel trucks comparison

[PTMTJ]

I went through this about 2 years ago. I do get Ford and GM employee pricing for life but I'm not brand loyal at all.

Ford diesels still use a Bosch CP4 pump which I've never been a fan of but the 10R140 transmissions now have all the issues worked out. GM diesels use a better Denso pump but they still haven't corrected the transmission issues that Ford already has (it was co-developed between them). The new L6P diesel will be out in a couple years if you want to wait for it. Dodge Cummins diesels are solid but they don't use the Aisin or ZF transmissions now. All the emissions equipment sucks regardless of brand.

I live in one of the flattest states so I ended up choosing a SuperDuty with a 7.3 gas and 10R140 transmission with the new bigger rear axle rated for 17,700lbs towing conventional. It tows my "cigarette boat" great but sucks fuel down and no mountains anywhere within 4-5 hours.

If you want to compare the trucks towing first hand, find an Enterprise Rent-A-Truck close to you and rent one of each for as long as you need to decide.

 

[Woodrow]

I think the problem is Mike put the money into it already and isn’t happy.

Buy new and you have at least 3 years fully warrantied. Extend the warranty and you can make it 125k and like 10 years for a couple grand.

Thats where I’m at. Predictably, a lot of folks here would favor sticking with something old and simple, and I am somewhat in that camp in theory. The complexity of emission systems on modern diesels and just the electronics in general on all modern cars does seem to increase the planned obsolescence. That just seems wasteful to me.

What I need is a truck that just works when I need a truck so I can focus on other things like the jeep family and my job. The truck is not my hobby. Unfortunately, I’ve come to believe that that means staying in a newer truck.

Also, old versus new wasn’t the question I was posing. The question is: Of the three new 1T diesel truck options, what are the pros and cons of each?

Kinda. The allison swap was a big gamble. They work great in chevys,but only with a perfect tune and components. Throw one in a dodge and it needs to go to a duramax tuner shop.and probably get rebuilt by the handful of guys who know tuned allisons.

He isn't saying why he's throwing in the towel but i have some suspicions he wishes he'd just done a dodge trans with billet parts since even wildman can work on those

You’re right. It’s the transmission. Long, expensive story but the Allison swap isn’t what I had hoped.At all. Another minivan transmission might’ve been a better short-term solution, but the truth is I never liked that transmission even when it was new.If there was a manual that could reliably survive modern diesel power and fit in a light duty truck, that would be the obvious answer. But there isn’t and there are a host of other things that need attention on this 19 yr old, 180K mi truck. So its time to cut my losses (money and time).

 

[Zorba]

What I need is a truck that just works when I need a truck so I can focus on other things like the jeep family and my job. The truck is not my hobby. Unfortunately, I’ve come to believe that that means staying in a newer truck.

When I keep reading about new trucks spending weeks and months in a dealership for warranty repairs that they can't get parts for and/or can't seem to fix - never mind the electronic bullshit; an older, well maintained truck makes more sense TO ME. You gotta do you. If it were me, and it isn't, I'd spend whatever money I needed to to get the '08 back to reliability - I think you'd end up spending a LOT less money, but I could be wrong. Apparently, something called an "Eaton Fuller RoadRanger" manual transmission can handle the power of a modern diesel pickup - but whether or not you can fit one in a pickup truck is an exercise for the reader...

 

[Abendage]

I have a 2020 Powerstroke that I wouldn’t hesitate one second to buy again. It has absolutely been trouble free since new with only maintenance. I think it has about 130k on it now. It’s never had a wrench turned on it otherwise besides installing a 55 gal tank. Plenty of power, quiet ride, maybe not smooth but I’ll put up with how it rides empty for how it handles with my 5th wheel hooked up.

I personally prefer the Ford cabs over the other two. Rear seat is huge and so is headroom. Cupholders everywhere and they are big enough to hold a Gatorade bottle or the like (I had a Chevy 1/2 ton as a work vehicle for awhile and while it may seem trivial the cupholder situation in that truck really turned me off to the whole truck). I also want to hug whoever designed where the oil filter is. Completely accessible with nothing below it. No complaints with the truck.

 

[Blove63]

When I keep reading about new trucks spending weeks and months in a dealership for warranty repairs that they can't get parts for and/or can't seem to fix - never mind the electronic bullshit; an older, well maintained truck makes more sense TO ME. You gotta do you. If it were me, and it isn't, I'd spend whatever money I needed to to get the '08 back to reliability - I think you'd end up spending a LOT less money, but I could be wrong. Apparently, something called an "Eaton Fuller RoadRanger" manual transmission can handle the power of a modern diesel pickup - but whether or not you can fit one in a pickup truck is an exercise for the reader...

After reading this thread I'll keep my 98 f250 HD, last of the square Ford's. I've had it since 04 and it keeps going. Granted this one has a 460 so it's like flushing a toilet when you step on the accelerator, but Diesel in CA is $8 a gallon so you don't save much with better MPG.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I have a 2019 F350 PS and honestly love it. I was always a Chevy or Ram guy and hated Ford. When it was time for a "new" truck, I was after a diesel and my research, and talking with people I personally know, pointed me to Ford. I checked out the others, but just liked the Ford better. At first, I kind of wished that I had been able to get a 2020+ because I liked the 2020 front end a little better and some other things. But then I got to thinking and appreciate that it's the last year of the 6 speed auto so the bugs should be worked out, and it's pre-covid.

We checked out a 2026 or 2027 (it was January and I don't remember what model year it was) and I really liked it, but new was just out of our budget. If I was buying new, I'd still pick the Ford. My friend Jeremy has always been a Ford diesel guy and upgraded from his '19 350 to a '24 350 a few years ago and says he really likes the 10 speed.

 

[macleanflood]

2001 F250 V-10. 7 to 12 mpg. Easy enough to work on. It's got 263k so it's going to eventually sooner need a complete engine and transmission rebuild. Looking forward to it.

-Mac

 

[Abendage]

I have a 2019 F350 PS and honestly love it. I was always a Chevy or Ram guy and hated Ford. When it was time for a "new" truck, I was after a diesel and my research, and talking with people I personally know, pointed me to Ford. I checked out the others, but just liked the Ford better. At first, I kind of wished that I had been able to get a 2020+ because I liked the 2020 front end a little better and some other things. But then I got to thinking and appreciate that it's the last year of the 6 speed auto so the bugs should be worked out, and it's pre-covid.

We checked out a 2026 or 2027 (it was January and I don't remember what model year it was) and I really liked it, but new was just out of our budget. If I was buying new, I'd still pick the Ford. My friend Jeremy has always been a Ford diesel guy and upgraded from his '19 350 to a '24 350 a few years ago and says he really likes the 10 speed.

Mine is the first year of the 10 speed and it’s been flawless. There has actually been an open recall on it for a year or two for a programming update and I’ve been afraid to do it because I haven’t had any problems. Mine has the 3.31 gears and with the 10 speed I wouldn’t want it any other way. 1st is plenty low and when towing I just lock out 9 and 10 and it’s always in the right gear powerband wise. Never wishing for it to downshift and when empty it gets 20mpg pretty easily on the highway if I keep it below 80.

 

[Apparition]

Mine is the first year of the 10 speed and it’s been flawless. There has actually been an open recall on it for a year or two for a programming update and I’ve been afraid to do it because I haven’t had any problems. Mine has the 3.31 gears and with the 10 speed I wouldn’t want it any other way. 1st is plenty low and when towing I just lock out 9 and 10 and it’s always in the right gear powerband wise. Never wishing for it to downshift and when empty it gets 20mpg pretty easily on the highway if I keep it below 80.

Mine's a '21 so ordered right in the midst of Covid. Never had any issues with the trans. It's always been my opinion that the truck was designed for the powerstroke, that includes the trans. The trans was tweaked a bit for the 7.3 and it seems like those are the trucks that see more likely to see trans issues and the F150's. I also see people complain about towing heavy with the Godzilla more, not because of a lack of power but because the front end is lighter and it'll wander a bit more than the heavier diesel.

3.55 rear end in mine, can easily exceed the speed limit going up I-70 to the Eisenhower, either direction, and never drop out of 10th pulling the Jeep if traffic doesn't slow me down and then I still can easily pass most anything.

I don't know anyone with a new Ram diesel so don't really have any experience with them. The GM was in the shop the week after my coworker bought it brand new, the logo fell out of the grille at the car wash. Around me, it's primarily Fords on the road if they are newer.

There's a great Ford forum that's the closest thing to this one, same style too. There's even a member here who liked my truck so much that he bought one exactly like it except a year newer. Then he drove it all over including up to the arctic circle and -40 temps.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Mine's a '21 so ordered right in the midst of Covid. Never had any issues with the trans. It's always been my opinion that the truck was designed for the powerstroke, that includes the trans. The trans was tweaked a bit for the 7.3 and it seems like those are the trucks that see more likely to see trans issues and the F150's. I also see people complain about towing heavy with the Godzilla more, not because of a lack of power but because the front end is lighter and it'll wander a bit more than the heavier diesel.

3.55 rear end in mine, can easily exceed the speed limit going up I-70 to the Eisenhower, either direction, and never drop out of 10th pulling the Jeep if traffic doesn't slow me down and then I still can easily pass most anything.

I don't know anyone with a new Ram diesel so don't really have any experience with them. The GM was in the shop the week after my coworker bought it brand new, the logo fell out of the grille at the car wash. Around me, it's primarily Fords on the road if they are newer.

There's a great Ford forum that's the closest thing to this one, same style too. There's even a member here who liked my truck so much that he bought one exactly like it except a year newer. Then he drove it all over including up to the arctic circle and -40 temps.

With the 6speed, 4.10s, and DRW, fuel mileage is not something mine excels in, but it pulls great. I considered a 7.3 for a bit until I read some of the same concerns you mentioned.

What is the forum you mention? I joined Ford Truck Enthusiast, but don't get on there much so I'm not sure how helpful the SD/PS folks are yet.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I may be the only one on the forum who actually knows why Mikey is considering a new truck...

 

[Apparition]

With the 6speed, 4.10s, and DRW, fuel mileage is not something mine excels in, but it pulls great. I considered a 7.3 for a bit until I read some of the same concerns you mentioned.

What is the forum you mention? I joined Ford Truck Enthusiast, but don't get on there much so I'm not sure how helpful the SD/PS folks are yet.

https://www.fordtremor.com/

 

[NashvilleTJ]

https://www.fordtremor.com/

Oh man, I knew the diesel Tremor gives up a little in tow capacity for the off-road capability, but I just looked. Is it really 20,000 vs. 15,000? Looks like the 7.3 takes the Tremor up to 18.2 - I assume because of the weight of the diesel?

 

[speeding_infraction]

I would buy a brand new ram 2500 6.7/ 8 speed if it was my money. The cummins forum is super helpful and there's an active hotshot driver on it putting ~100k a year on his trucks. He used the lemon law on a 2026 5500 and swapped it for a 26 3500. After the warranty runs out delete it.

The cummins is definitely the easiest to work on, after having to do the injectors on my 04 last year I doubt I will ever own any other diesel. The whole process took about 8 hours (my first time doing it, usually can be done in 6 hours or less(, compared to 16-20 hours on the Duramax/powerstroke. YMMV, but I know where I stand. Edit to add, the only reason I bought my truck is because it's a 6 speed manual. I'll never own a pre 2026 ram/cummins unless it's a manual or has an 8 speed ZF swap

 

[Apparition]

Oh man, I knew the diesel Tremor gives up a little in tow capacity for the off-road capability, but I just looked. Is it really 20,000 vs. 15,000? Looks like the 7.3 takes the Tremor up to 18.2 - I assume because of the weight of the diesel?

I'm not seeing where the 7.3 is more. It's also limited to 15k conventional tow. Looks like most of that is dictated by tire choice. All terrains get the lower capacity when All seasons get a higher one. It's not just a Tremor thing.

My truck can tow 21,900 gooseneck which is the eventual plan regular, non Tremor trucks are 22k. The 7.3 Tremor version is 20k, non Tremor gets 200 more lbs.

Payload is where the 7.3 has an advantage.

 

[macleanflood]

I've had mine up to 29k.

-Mac

 

[gasiorv]

I may be the only one on the forum who actually knows why Mikey is considering a new truck...

With the knowledge that you have. Should I offer to buy the Dodge and how much of a low ball offer should I make?

 

[Apparition]

I would buy a brand new ram 2500 6.7/ 8 speed if it was my money. The cummins forum is super helpful and there's an active hotshot driver on it putting ~100k a year on his trucks. He used the lemon law on a 2026 5500 and swapped it for a 26 3500. After the warranty runs out delete it.

The cummins is definitely the easiest to work on, after having to do the injectors on my 04 last year I doubt I will ever own any other diesel. The whole process took about 8 hours (my first time doing it, usually can be done in 6 hours or less(, compared to 16-20 hours on the Duramax/powerstroke. YMMV, but I know where I stand. Edit to add, the only reason I bought my truck is because it's a 6 speed manual. I'll never own a pre 2026 ram/cummins unless it's a manual or has an 8 speed ZF swap

https://www.topspeed.com/highest-mileage-trucks-in-the-world/

 

[speeding_infraction]

https://www.topspeed.com/highest-mileage-trucks-in-the-world/

Imo it has very little to with the engine/vehicle, and a lot to do with how the owner maintains the vehicle. My truck has 357k miles on it and has no rust.

 

[That'll Buff]

I don't have any experience with any of the brands outside of the few time's I've towed my jeep with my dads 2019 6.2L F250, and I certainly have 0 experience with diesels. That being said I do have similar needs, wanting a truck to pull something and it just being worry free in general.

I've done some research and am slightly biased towards Ford, but even without that what is really driving my decision to look at Ford closer is that they are EVERYWHERE around me. I see them used as commuter trucks, weekend car haulers, work trucks, fleet trucks, you name it. To me, that is at least somewhat a sign of quality and performance. I'd like to think that if this many people buy from a brand, that it says good things about them, but then again people still buy Kias.