I'm not gonna even try to defend the 6.0L Ford because I have never owned one.... I also personally know several people who have them and the failure rate has been astonishing.

But on the Duramax ... I have owned 3 and 2 were flawless. Of every person I know who has them they have been a good motor with the exception of my current truck. For the most part my opinion is the Duramax is an excellent motor ... the GM is an excellent truck ... the Allison is an excellent transmission .... and GM is a **** poor company who has lost sight of their customer base.

Tell me what is good about Dodge ... not your opinion of what is wrong with GM or Ford.

When people say 3rd injector event ... I assume you are talking about some sort of pilot injection to quiet the motor? How much have injector issues plagued the '05-'06 years?

As of right now I am heavily leaning toward finding a low mileage 2005 3/4 or 1ton SRW, CCSB, 4x4 with Automatic/Cummins and loaded with everything I can get.

 

I think what's good about the Dodge has already been decided. The 3rd injection event does quiet the motor as well as heating the exhaust for the CAT for emissions. These engines don't currently run an EGR system like the Dmax and PS.

As far as injection problems I don't know. My 04.5 was built January of 04 and I only have 16k on it. I have run a pressure box on there since new off the lot and stacking shortly there after. I have about a 3 minute commute in the mornings where my temp doesn't get above 133 degrees and I use it as a daily driver. When it is taken for longer runs, I run the guts out of it. I tow, hunt, pleasure drive and commute with this truck. The first year I owned it we had some -33 degree weather and this last winter we had -26 degree weather. I plug it in but start it and go. The temp doesn't hardly register above 100 when it's that cold out by the time I get to work. Basically I treat this truck the exact way it shouldn't be treated according to the "experts" and I have had no injector trouble (staarma knocks on wood and looks around slowly). Here is a link https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...light=injector to a thread started on this site dedicated to injector failure. You can read what some of the problems are/were, etc. I think as a whole, like any, you will hear more negative than positive because people like to be victims (relax, I don't mean this particular thread or people in it). My advice is to run Howe's, Stanadyne, Redline, Power Service or any other additive along with a lubricity enhancer while properly maintaining things like changing the oil and oil and fuel filters and drive the truck like it's a rental and it will last a long time and thank you everytime you drive it.

 

FYI - I own an 04.5 with the 48RE auto (see signature for more). I'll try to provide information based on experience - not so much on opnion.

The Good:
Motor - undisputed great reliable power - potential to add power without sacrificing reliability (granted you don't go too crazy).

Auto Tranny - the 48RE introduced around 2004 (in most trucks) is a re-work/beef-up of the 47RE which has been around for a while. The 47RE's had some problems. Most 48RE's (04+) seem to be doing well and can handle +~50HP/~100TQ without much of a problem granted you avoid doing stupid tricks. I have 45 k on mine - I'm stock power wise - no problems - towed 12 k several times over the years - it did great. I bought the 100k warranty because I didn't know how the reliability of the 48RE was going to shake out.

3rd Injection event - this is an injection event that occurs after the pilot and the main at approximately 20 degrees after TDC (essentially zero power gain - only for emissions purposes). Dodge does not use EGR to cool the exhaust for emissions control, thus the've added a 3rd injection event along with a catalytic converter to meet the EPA requirements. CAT's are an exhaust restriction, and the 3rd event + a CAT cuts mileage (versus previous 2002 and ealier models). I get 17 - 19 MPG with mine, mostly flat highway driving @ 5280 ft. elevation (Denver CO. eastern plains). When I go I-70 west over the passes I get 16 MPG loaded with bikes and gear - not too bad.

Good luck.

 

I have owned an 01' 7.3, 03' 6.0 and have recently purchased an 04.5' qc cummins with 5,700 miles on the odometer. All three trucks have been loaded with the works (heated leather exc.) and I think the comfort levels of the cabs are comparable. I must have gotten a good 6.0 ford because that motor/tranny combo rocked for the 40,000 miles I had the truck. It was fast stock and CRAZY fast with a power box, intake and exhaust. The torqshift tranny was much smoother than the 48re in my new truck and it did a better job of getting power to the wheels with an extra gear (5 speed) It also did a better job finding the right gear when needed. I also liked the relatively aggresive downshifting in tow-haul mode. However, I did not want to buy new this time around and was not willing to risk the odds on an 03' or 04' 6.0. The 7.3 is just to slow and the Chevy would get high centered on a pinecone if I took it off road. To sum things up I love the dodge cummins combo and so far the truck has been near flawless other than some weird vibration at 70 mph. I am very happy with my choice now its time to start bombing the motor.

Corey

 

48re came out in mid year 03.

 

I owned 5 Ford super dutys from 93 to 2004. I had no problems with any of my 7.3 diesels before my 2004 purchase of the 6.0 litre international. I put 74k miles on my 04 F-250. I had nothing but problems with it as well as most of my customers who also owned F-series super duties with the 6.0 diesel. Verrrrrrrry disapointing to Ford. This year i purchased my first Dodge in March 31st. QC 3500 srw TX4. I just hit 10k miles today. I have not had even a hiccup with this truck and I am very pleased thus far. My business partner purchased an Chevy 2500 D-max and had a lot probs with it. EX: Window motors failing, Not cranking when cold due to injector probs. daytime run lights always burning out due to elec. prob and many more... features I like about Dodge vs the other 2 big truck manufacturers and so forth'''''''''''''

1. Cummins motor is quiet
2. Better turn radius than Ford or GM
3. Seats in Dodge not as comfy as Ford or GM(personal op)
4. Cummins has the best torque when pulling a load
5. Ford & GM a better ride, just not as ruff as Dodge
6. Ford & GM do not provide fender well protectors, DC does and for me it does not let mud pack up in the fender wells. A definate plus
7. Dodge gives you a light under the hood. A 52k Ford does not
8. Interior room in GM & Ford bigger than qc unles U opt for Mega Cab
9. MY 48 re is performing just fine, it is a very good tranny.
10. Dodge has glove compartment lighting: Ford & GM do not
11. Filters for Dodge (air , fuel, oil) not as expensive as Ford (don't know about GM).
12. I could go on but am tired, been a long day. Buy what U like and be happy,
I did and am proud to own an 06 QC 3500.

 

I have owned all three(6 litre ford, chevy d-max, dodge cummins) The dodge cummins is the only way to go, period.

 

How can you tell if a 03' has the 48re tranny?

 

For one if its the H.O. 305 horse it will or by vin number.I personaly have NEVER seen a 3rd generation with a 47re or a S.O.motor.When friends were truck shopping and then me a few months later they were all H.O. 48re.The ones I see used or at feed stores and ask are also all H.O. 48re's.I see where some post they own 3rds that are not H.O.but I've personaly never have come across one.

 

I have come across a 03 5spd S.O. and he was claiming over 20mpg with a 4X4.

 

The SO motors with the 47RE were only sold in the states that the 305/555 wouldn't meet emmisions. I know California and Massachussetts were among them, and I think there was another state too. So you would probably have a much better chance of running across one in one of those states.

I bought my 305/555 in late 2003. If you remember back then there were alot of rumors about what the 600 would be like when introduced in January 04. There were horror stories of not only a cat but also an EGR. By the end of 03 trucks were scarce in my area. I got lucky to find a 305/555. I've had it for 40,000 miles with no dealer visits yet. I pull a large 5er and the 48RE works just fine. An exhaust brake would be nice but it isn't necessary here in the east. Out west in the mountains might be a different story. Biggest problem with buying used right now is the prices are pretty close to new truck prices.

BTW, what changes in the frame and suspension were made for 06, I didn't know there were any.

 

A lot of people bash trucks, I've had everything, chevy, ford, dodge, that's it. But anyway it's what you want. Why did I buy a dodge (also owned one previously)

Motor, Cummins. Made by a company that only manufactures diesel engines for medium duty trucks, heavy duty trucks, buses boats, ect. you don't see powerstrokes or duramaxes bigger or in other applications (maybe but you know what I mean) Cummins only makes motors

Axles. Used to be dana, is now AAM (I believe chevy uses these also) I like that the axles are made by a company that again only makes axles. I know I can get parts from somebody other than dodge.

I like the style of the truck (paint is thin) but love everything else about it. It's not the fastest (chevy's and fords are faster off the line) but towing, love the truck, low end torque, love it. The seats could use work I'll admit I love the chevy high back bucket seats a lot. I like a stiff ride, not really soft, just been that way. My friend has a chevy, I love the interior, soft, nice seats, this and that. The fords, just a bit odd, and a little boxy, I do like the super dutys though, those look nice.

There's a lot and it depends what you want. I bought this truck cause I tow a lot, needed a motor that wouldn't break a sweat (it will break the truck before the motor goes) and I bought it. 20,000 miles later, not one problem and I'm still grinning ear to ear

A lot of people are die hard fans, but ask questions and you'll get your answers. Were actually looking at a older chevy diesel to swap out for the 350 boat motor (since the drive will hook up to it) Lots more torque, bigger prop, nice motor. But they do use aluminum, the cummins is all iron, will hold more boost, and all that. I know they limit chevy and ford to around 20psi, where ours are good to 50psi (then you need fire ringed head and studs) which isn't that pricey, and your good to more.

I know what you mean though. Once treated like crap it's time to try a different brand. I've been there before

 

It had injector issues

 

Izuzu has some monster motors in very demanding applications..........such as a 100,000 lb. Hitachi 450 excavator. I still think its tough to beat a cummins but Izuzu definetly makes a great motor.

 

yeah I know what you mean like a lot of the locamotives are GE turbines. What I find odd is that Izuzu makes the motor, but they call it a Power stroke (believe that's who makes it) but like Cummins or Cat, no matter what the size, it's cummins or cat. I bet if they used a name for the cummings you could sell even more Like cummins past you, or I mean if you think about it, what motor dosen't have a "power stroke" only a siezed up one

But I agree, that's why I love the cummins, it's reputation is all kinds of aplications. I know those izuzu motors are tough cause some of the people that drive them are crazy. What i get a kick out of, is all the big equipment, like you stated uses the motor to generate electricity, then they use electric motors to drive it. Wonder why they don't do tht with our trucks? You'd get rid of the drive train, shafts, this and that???