I am looking at a 2500 or 3500 diesel. I have a few questions for you experts out there. I'm currently in SoCal and plan on a move to Michigan. Considering my current location, none of the lot trucks come with the AHD snowplow prep package.

Anybody hook up a plow without the prep package? I'm not even certain what all is included in that package. I'll be checking with the dealer on that.

How long does it take to heat the cab in those cold Michigan winters?

How much break in will I need to haul a 19' travel trailer cross-country? I saw in one thread where it was done right away. Not sure if that's the smartest move.

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions as time rolls on. I'm trying to decide between another GMC truck or a Dodge. If you can give me some 'pluses' over a GMC without "bashing", it would be appreciated. My wife is leaning toward a GMC and myself toward the Dodge. I used to have a '78 Power Wagon and was happy with it. No, I'm really not old

 

Here take it from them.
http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/p...4A0004AC33EA57
http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/p...4A0004AC33EA57
It's not like a gas engine.
Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the response. Very differant than a gas engine.

 

gmc/chevy ... if u want a true crew cab and awesmoe comfort ( assuming they are still similar to my 2001 i had ) thats the way to go..


dodge..... CUMMINS..... there are plenty of other + and - for both trucks. if chevy had the cummins thats what i would have in a heartbeat. just my opinion guys.... NO FLAMING ... SCOTT

 

the snow plow prep has stiffer springs and a steering stabilizer i would imagine i don't really know though so don't quote me. however, installing a plow is no biggy as you just add the pushbars and gear. regardless of whatever the gvw is--etc., as long as it's not sagging beyond a reasonable limit, then you're fine. and diesels do push the snow better!

Tom

 

Personally, I wouldn't push snow with my truck. If you have a lot of snow to push around your place, then I'd find a beater with a blade and use it. I pushed snow for $ when I lived in Colorado. I used a Jeep wrangler intially then bought my Bobcat. Pushing snow can be very hard on your truck, especially when you hit something solid that was buried in snow! I only push with the Bobcat now. Good luck!!!

 

The Cummins loves the snow I plow with mine (see sig.) and it handles it just fine. The tranny temp can creep up if you're doing residential drives in 4HI (that's because of old, rickety, crappy, slipping TC). The nicest thing is the smooth torque application. If you are going new, get one with factory plow prep (check dealer incentives, Doge gives you like 300 bucks towards a plow for proof of owning your own business) because of warranty issues. Otherwise, if you are going 2nd gen. it doesn't matter. Depending on how heavy your plow is, mine is 1,000+ lbs., get the 047/048 spring combo from Dodge. I got it and my plow only drops the front about 3/4 of an inch when I raise it! with the factory (038/039 I think) it dropped a good 1.5 to 2 inches. It doesn't ride any stiffer. I think with plow prep you get a bigger alternator, too but I am not positive on that.

As far as Dodge vs. GMC, I would definitely go with a Dodge. First, you get the Cummins 2nd, you get a soldi front axle vs. IFS torsion bar for the GMC. The IFS doesn't like to carry weight, it is a fact. I havent' ridden in a new Chevy yet, but I think the new (and 2nd gen) Dodges are quite comfy. I'll leave you with a pic of my truck with the Blizzard 810 power plow (1 foot wings extend and retact to form 8-10 foot straight blade, and they pivotforward to create a big scoop ) There is also one of an 04 Cummins with same plow

 

Here is the 04 Cummins

 

In looking for info on a new truck and many dealers here have the plow group, which I don't need/want. I did some digging on the plow prep package on this forum and some posts indicated that it indeed didn't come with anything special in a 3rd gen. The Cummins already has the heavy springs, the alternator was the same as stock. The gist was it was $80 wasted. Don't take my word on it, search in the 3rd gen forums.

A friend with the GMC and a plow prep package said his included lots of extras like some pre-wiring for the plow, prewiring for a roof-top strobe w/ OEM dash switch.

As far as GMC/Dodge. I found that the Dodge was a bit cheaper. The Cummins is a plus, but so is the Allison. Hard to describe, but I thought the Dodge drove better, felt more "nimble" if you can say that about such a beast. I know a lot of people want a Dodge with a "real" crew-cab. But the quad-cab, for me, is just the right size. Comfy for people, but keeps the truck a bit shorter than a crew cab. I'm a bit concerned about quality and dealer support from both makes. The Duramax/Allison I drove had a lot of gear whine that I thought was sort of annoying. The GMC seemed better preped for add ons, like the plow prep, or the option to have a 2nd trailer plug pre-wired below the bed for a 5th wheel.

 

Thanks for the comments and I really enjoyed the pics

 

OUR COMPANY JUST BOUGHT ONE OF THOSE BLIZZARD PLOWS W/THE WINGS.ALL I CAN SAY WHAT A MONSTER

 

hmmmm, when I bought my first diesel I had this uncontrollable urge to buy a gooseneck trailer. Didn't really need one but all of the other cool diesel guys had them.

Now that whole plow thing looks pretty cool. Kind of hard to justify buying one for around here though...Wonder if my wife would think I was crazy for suggesting we move north so I can buy a plow?

 

You could be the first in your area to have one!!!!

When I moved back to georgia from the north I brought a snowmoblie with me.....all the kids would bring friends to see this strange machine...they loved it when I would start it and run thru a mud bog with it

 

dang matt ......... is that a plow or a dozer blade ?? that thing looks awesome.

 

Best Advise>

1.Don't move to Mi.

2. won't need snowplow

3. Move to northern Cal instead.

4. Send refer truck I will send you all the snow you want.