This might seem to be a redundant question, but I was wondering if there are any former Ford 6.0 PSD owners that are on this sight that switched to the Cummins and if so how do you like it? The engine is not my concern since the Cummins is a good motor compared to the new PSD. I have a 7.3 that have and still is giving me good service. I have always been suspicious of the Dodge truck itself. Yes I like the Super Duty pickups but in searching for a new one I am VERY hesitant about the new 6.0 PSD. And that leads me to the Cummins. Another BIG reason is the torque. The curve stays flat and at peak thru most of the torque band on the Cummins compared to the 6.0. I liked the feature of getting a EB with the Cummins but with the new trouble this subject might be up for grabs. Any comments will be helpful. Just looking for some help in making the right decision.
DJ

 

I loved my Superduty untill I drove a Dodge. The ford engine was OK but the Cummins is far superior in all respects much more responsive. I just wish I got the extra 2 MPG the PSD got it adds up. Although the cab is smaller compared with my Ford crew it is much more comfortable with more goodies inside. And the main reason for my Dodge selection was turning radius and steering. I had a multitude of problems with the steering system in the Ford it was in the shop at least 5 times in the 25,000 miles I owned it. I also needed the Wal-mart parking lot to turn the thing around in not so with the Dodge. Get down an old dirt path here in Alaska with a 24' jet boat and try and launch or turn around sometime with a Superduty its an extremely frustrating experience. After owning 2 Superduty trucks with the PSD I can truthfully say the Dodge is a much better truck all around.

Good Luck with your decision

 

I'm a Ford convert. The 6.0L is the "emissions" engine. The 7.3L is relatively dirty compared to the LLY and the new CTD. It's all about the smog. So they cranked the operating temp up, cranked the boost up, added more valves all to increase the combustion efficeincy which means cleaner exhaust. The 6.0l ain't cutting it and they are pretty much maxed out on the power output - now they're talking 6.4L.

You can only have upto 4v/cyl (practically)
You can only effectively put 25-30 PSI through an air to air intercooler before the temp drop becomes insugnifigant.
You can only presurize diesel so much with available pumps
You can only spin an engine so fast.

Basically look at foriegn cars (ala Honda) - 1.8L 240hp @8800 RPM.
HP and torque curves that look like a sharpened pencil.

The EPA is killing the mfg's. Ford gave up trying to "update" the 7.3L. They could have gone to 4v heads, 30 PSI boost and a hotter fuel pump but it was probably cheaper to design a new, lighter, computer controlled diesel than update the 7.3L.

Cummins is doing the exact opposite. They are obviously updating their over-built block (12v, 24v, 600). When you have a good solid platform you can keep up with buyer demand/desire. The 7.3L with 30 psi of boost - Watch out Cummins 600. Nope, too much raw fuel out the tail pipe. So Cummins can do things like 600 ft/lbs in `04 and 610 ft/lbs in `05 - and leave us all to figure out what they did, what's the difference. Hmmmmm, that TSB everyone's talking about???

The 6.0L is a maxed out platform. It was maxed out from day one. We all saw and are seeing this happen to the DM. Now they're stuck and facing losing their foothold on the SD empire to the CTD 600. Well they lost me. It wasen't about the money. I don't think it is for most of us. We buy a platform that will out last the sheet metal. I personally don't care if a milk crate is attached to a chassis is all I get if I got the best long lasting platform I can at the time. I don't like the look of my CTD, but I love what is under the drivers seat. But I'm one of those functon over form wierdos.

How do you say.... Don't know what you got til it's gone.... Maybe Ford will come out with a TSB to R&R the 6.0L with a 7.3L @ 23psi. Then there will be an `05 CTD w/500 miles up for sale.

PS:
You'll love the coil spring front end - very smoothe and positive feeling - not like the floaty kidney racking `99 PSD 350 my pop has. Rear end is stiff though.
The turning radius is awsome - I drive around Chicago in one - 100 miles anyway - man those mirrors are out there!!! 140" WB in my SB (160" LB) - 172" in my dad's LB. (SkyJacker has a coil spring conversion for the PSD if you have an extra $3500 laying around - wonder why they bothered to develop one - could it be better than leafs? you decide)

 

I currently own 3 Fords, 93 F350 7.3, 95 F250 7.3 Powerstroke, 2000 F550 7.3 Powerstroke. I've spent 2K a year to keep the powerstrokes running.... each has over 250K miles.... the 93 7.3 w/o Turbo has 350K miles and never needs work..... The powerstrokes always brake down 300 plus miles from home.... BTW each truck carries a cam senor in the glove box... as they just die.....

My 01 3500 Dually now has 165K miles, my 04 3500 Dually now has 83K miles and my 05 Dually has 35 miles on it.... Nothing but tires and normal service on these trucks.....

Does this tell the story....

Jim

 

Just got rid of my 6.0L. Thing that made me switch was
1. MPG
2. 3 Transmissions
3. 6 EGR Valves
4. 4 EBP sensors or whatever they are called.
5. White smoke every morning no matter what the Temp

Oh yeah and the fact that ford is voiding warranties left and right and also the quality has gone down the crapper.

 

Ford voids warranties because of aftermarket performance enhancements. The concept is really not that difficult to understand. You modify your cummins, and you will encounter the same thing unless you have a close friend who is a mechanic. My friends 2004 3500 CTD 600 warranty is under review because of AFE Stage II intake. Just wanted to clarify that.
What was the reason for the trannies?
White smoke seems to be a problem, I know the 6.0's as well as the 5.9 600's have this, so it goes both ways...
regards,
Chase

 

I got rid of my 99 PSD in August. 6 trips to the dealer and I replaced parts myself all in 56k of ownership. The new 6.0 scared me or I would of went back to a Ford. I'm VERY happy with this new truck. I wanted a 6 speed but had to opt for the auto due to surgery reasons or I wouldn't be driving until December. The engine is AWESOME!!

 

I had a 02 F250 PSD SC SB 6 spd and traded it because I wanted 4 doors, auto, better turning radius, better ride/handling and a long bed. Reason I bought the 6 spd was because I read about so many problems with the Ford tranny. But when I bought the Ram I felt comforable about the 48RE, so far so good.

As far as power, I dont feel anymore power when pulling the fiver with the Ram than I did when pulling with the F250. Although the F250 was rated at 275hp/520tq compared to 305hp/555tq. I'm guessing the longer drive shaft and auto is the reason I dont feel the difference but it such a small difference could be another reason.

I didnt look at Ford again because of the 6.0 problems and not unitl the 05's their turning radius got better. My current truck only lost 9 inches to the F250 when doing a complete circle, and the Ram is almost 2 feet long than the F250. Ford's 05 models surpose to have a better turning radius.

Only negative thing I dont like about the Ram are the cloth seat, I should of gotten leather!

 

The transmissions they arent sure about. They blew out one right after they replaced it quite funny. But they wanted to void my warranty because I unplugged the EGR valve because the mechanic at the dealership told me to and that might stop the coolant blow out. Didn't and then the ford rep. said that the mechanic was wrong and I was at fault. They didn't void it because I argued enough to the point that they blamed the mechanic finally. But, after that ordeal I decided I was done with Ford.

 

I decided to give GM a break and get a Cummins for the fun of it. You gotta admit the Cummins crowd knows how to tinker. These engines are neat.

 

I had a 99 Superduty/7.3 and it was flawless for 120000 miles,only thing that was done to it was a recall on the brakes,I sold it in Jan.2000 and the guy I sold it to is still driving it 206000 miles,no problems.
The only reason I switched was because Ford wanted 6000 more for the same truck I had,so I went to look at Dodge,swore I would never drive one,well I am on my second Dodge and am very satisfied.To me the Cummins is awsome,I like Fords but will not give up my Dodge and with the 6.0 in the Ford,Dodge is the only truck for me.

 

I still have my 01' PSD Excursion. When I went to trade in my last vehicle for an 04' SD I was very disappointed. The exterior hadn't changed in years, the interior was the same as my 01', the 6.0 was having all kinds of problems and at employee pricing on each, the SD was almost $4K more. I never saw myself in Dodge but since there was a dealership right next to the Ford dealership I thought I'd go for a ride. After the ride I did a little research & pulled the trigger. NO regrets but a few gripes: seats could be larger (from front to back), stock rims are ugly as hell, paint chips easy, local dealerships are incompetent compared to the service I'm used to at the Ford dealership.

 

With the nearest dealer 150 miles away and working the back country day in and day out, I must have a reliable and durable truck. I don't have time for dealer trips. It's also a safety issue for me not to get stranded. Cel phones don't work.

The new Dodge package has been bullet proof. Strong off road 4 x 4 hauling performance, proven and reliable engine, 48RE auto trans performing as well as a manual (so far), smaller turning radius, no rattles, great brakes with no fade or warping, better mileage, more comfortable, better handling, quiet, strong body integrity, good fuel mileage and lots of reasonably priced options. In 35K the truck has only been to the dealer for scheduled service.

I liked my Ford 7.3s' but the new Dodge is better. I've heard Ford die hards say the Dodge's body and frame isn't as good as the Ford's but I see absolutely no evidence of that in real world ranch work. I work rugged desert mountain back country most people would be hesistant to fly over.

Besides the Dodge was cheaper

 

Thanks for all the replys...that was my other question. How is the Dodge holding up? In high mountain desert, rugged terrain, etc. My old '85 F250 was still tight after 16 years of driving on gravel roads and fields etc so I bought the new '01 with the PSD and have been very happy. But now I am wanting a new one and the 6.0 PSD does nothing for my confidence. I like the truck but.... If the Dodge holds up then I am going to look very hard with price being the factor to decide. One ton dually...hope they get the Mega Cab out soon.
DJA

 

Why did I switch to a dodge cummins? Easy, because my 2000 ford lightning just wasn't fast enough