Hey my brother is looking for a light duty diesel truck and I'm wondering if a duramax wouldn't fit his needs better than a dodge so I'd really like to hear from the guys that have owned both or at least drive a dmax.
He's not going to work with it, the times he tows are occasionally for home repair/upgrade stuff, 20' boat and a car every two years when the air force moves him. He's not going to do any heavy 'wheelin, just needs 4x4 to play in the dirt now and then and drive fire roads in the mtns.
I know the early duramaxes had a bunch of problems but I've heard pretty good things about the '04-newer.
He wants a 4 door auto short bed 4x4, something comfortable that's good for daily driving that he can turn up when he wants to play; something that'll be fine for throwing the carseat and lil' girl in, his wife will drive now and then but she's got a 330.
he's not going to turn it up a whole lot, probably an Edge/attitude, air box, straight pipe and a billet converter; up to 4" lift.

what do you guys think? If this topic has already been covered a million times could you point me to a thread that covers it?
Thanks,
jon

 

When it comes down to 3/4 ton 4wd trucks I'd personally rather have a straight axled monster. Those independant chevy front ends don't impress me. On the same note, I also don't really think much of the allison transmission or a V8 diesel in any form . I'm in some way biased to chevy but thats just another mans opinion. Get whatever you like. You or whomever has to live with it.

Mike

 

He doesn't need a diesel. SOund like he needs a dodge Powerwagon - all the four wheel drive goodies and enough power for what he needs.

He should go test drive then to see what suits him best. A Dodge 2500 cummins 4x4 4 door/short bed is a sweet ride in my opinion.

 

I think in his case it comes down to the cosmetics he likes better. He cretianly dosen't need a 3/4 ton diesel. But if he wants one I would say to get which ever one he is most comfy in, and likes the way he looks in the driveway.

The Dmaxes are becoming maor players. The only other on hanging ith the Cummins boys.

And I ould cast my vote for a Dodge, with a Cummins.

 

Then by ALL means, tell him to stick with a Chevy!

This comes from experience.....................

My '04 was a decent truck 'til about 40-50K, then it really became what a Dodge really is, and that's a work truck. All of my past Silverados have been comfortable to drive from mileage 0000 to 100-200K miles. He won't get that with a Dodge, period.

Plus, when it comes for him to either trade it or sell it, he'll be dang glad he got a Chevrolet over a Dodge. Dodges re-sale values aren't worth a pigs rear-end potatoe.

 

I see that Chevy, Ford or Dodge with a diesel holds their resale values very well compaired to the same truck only being gas. I have owned a lot more Chevy's then have Dodges. 2 of my Dodges were great trucks 1 was complete junk. Overall I believe that Dodge's hold up better then a chevy will. The Dodge just isn't quite a comfortable as a driver as the chevy is. Bottom line, its going to be his truck bought with his money so the only answer is for him to buy what he wants.

Check my sig.

 

Oh I forgot one thing. Actually when they get up over 100000 miles dodges sell probably $2-3000 over what a chevy or ford will. Asumming they are not beat all up, then values fall on anything.

 

If it is a highway queen/grocery getter he will probably like the D Max better. They are supposed to ride better and right now have the 6spd auto. The dodge is a long haul ownership work truck. I am constantly amazed when I drive my 95 with 241k on the ticker. I am a former chevy guy myself and will not own another due to quality issues with mine that I traded with 15k on the clock for my 04 dodge. Honestly that was my last attempt with GM. They refuse to make a truck with a standard transmission that works smoothly . I will go honda before another GM is in the drive. Personal preference and usage is what the decision should really boil down to. I wish your buddy good luck on his decision.

 

Honestly that was my last attempt with GM ....................... I hear ya ....... after all the headaches and bs with the wife's Impala Sport I am done with GM FOREVER as well !!! They wonder why they are in financial straights when their quality and customer service is in the comode . The Impala was the absolute worst new vehicle I have ever owned .......... came from factory with egg shaped alloy wheels and a deformed windshield to name just a few .... !!!!

 

Here I was partial to the 3 attempts to fix the seal in the hydroboost brake system. Never did get the replacement tailgate straps but I did get recalls for over 1 1/2 years after I sold the 03

 

I still get those stupid things. Got rid of the truck 2 years ago.

 

Dodge CTD's have great resale value, more than the early D-max.

 

If he off roads he doesn't want IFS. If he still get a bowtie then be prepared to fix lots of stuff when off roading. Tire size is limited to 35" with IFS. I know some people who put on bigger, but that doesn't make it smart. IFS lifts are 3 times as much as solid axle lifts(depending on height). He could get a solid axle conversion, but that is unrealistic unless he just has to have a dmax solid axle truck. If he off roads 30% of the time. Dodge, any less the chevy will be fine unless he wants to lift it. IMHO ifs lifts look like crap. I love GM, but IFS was a bad move. If DC diddn't make trucks with the Cummins I would never buy a gasser dodge truck unless I had an unlimited gas card I never had to pay off. My v6 get 11 in town and 17 on the highway.

 

None of my chevy gas powered trucks made it past 95k miles. cant speak for a diesel though.

 

If something other than the engine broke then you will probobly have the same experience. I've heard mixed things about the allison. My friend has had two and he never complained about the tranny. But he never got to 95k either.

EDIT: what I mean is he sold his truck before he got to 95k. The one he has now is only a little over a year so it has like 30k. I will admit that those trucks are fast, but my roommate(05' quad cab CTD) and him (dmax 05' single cab) and my other buddy (Y? Z71 4.8L gasser) and me all went offroad and my roommate pulled the other two guys many times and we never got stuck.