If I do remember what I read correctly the first series PSD were actually weaker than the 94 TDIs. The truck you drove was a building block. Get in a newer model and feel the power. It's a big difference. Remember...Any fool can ram it. Only a real man can Stroke it.

 

I just read this entire thread for the first time, and keep in mind that I'm coming off the midshift and have already enjoyed a couple of 9 AM beers:

This whole Dodge vs Ford thing: doesn't Ford have the best selling truck for nearly thirty years? (27 or so?) I think a stat like that is a combination of well deserved reputation, as well as those who jump on the bandwagon. Dodge, where are you?

As far as overbuilding the Cummins: A larger main bearing or rod bearing diameter results in faster effective bearing speeds. I think that the strength comes in the bearing caps and the rod ends, not the pure mass of the rod - which adds to reciprocating weight and reduces power.

I'll be honest: I've been a Ford guy since I could spell Ford (it could be Dad's fault...). But this topic was started by a guy that sounds like a Dodge guy, but is considering a Ford (right or wrong, that's what I'm thinking right now). I've owned nothing but Fords, and have never waivered. The way I see it, I have never had a reason to stray from our beloved blue oval, but why is the "Dodge guy" considering a Ford?

Last note: I'm really tired and all this stuff is coming off the tongue. But I am curious to see if I've stoked the fire or not.

 

Not true. The first PSD was stronger than the IDI.

1994 7.3 IDI n/a-185 HP/360 lb/ft
1994 7.3 IDI turbo-190 HP/395 lb/ft
1994 7.3 PSD-210 HP/425 lb/ft

 

Some time back, my roofer had 80 bundle of used shingles off my house in a tandem dump trailer. I have a steep driveway, and he tried to tow the trailer with a 99 Dodge 3500 dually, Cummins. After repeated stall outs and attempts, his battery went dead. I chained my 02 PSD to his truck and hauled the Dodge and the trailer up the hill. Did not engage 4wd, just "1" on the transmissions. Any questions?

 

I have owned both Dodge Cummins and now the Ford PSD 7.3, and the Ford has more power and better MPG..

 

yep i hear that crap ever year and havent seen it yet.

i had 2 dodges at one time and hated them both.

brakes were bad all the time. roof leaked along with the door seal, inj. pump failed. craked oil pump ear, lost oil pressure on top side. tire wear was awful, kingpin failed, sending unit in tank went bad, radio failed, seats tore from normal use, fuel return line rotted, fuel shut off went bad, and weak weak weak

 

I do believe I worded my last response incorrectly. The Powerstroke was the new motor coming out so they tuned down the IDI motors to keep it from overshadowing the PSD. I only read it so don't know the actual truth to it. I apologize for the TDI remark...I work an evening shift and the 11pm beers make me type poorly.

 

The IDI was not tuned down from the previous model year though. Electronic fuel injection simply allowed the PSD to make more power.

 

Like I said ealier. All I did was read it from a magazine. Believe none of what you hear and half of what you read.Te mag had a break down of every stock diesel engine ever put out and showed the advantages and disadvantages of each. It also noted that the stock output on several could be changed with the addition of a Turbo or a chip. In one part it said that the IDI was factory tuned to be at a lower power rating than the PSD because of the hype and sales factor. They didn't want the older engine to smoke the newer engine and ruin sales. Once again..This is just info I read and it could be all crap.

 

I'd be interested to know where you read that. All engines are detuned from the factory, but I would certainly say that an engine with electronic injection has a lot more potential, although power upgrades to a mechanical injection system are cheap.

 

Don't get me wrong I love my 99 PSD 4X4, 107K miles almost pure stock, just the AIS filter. I hear a lot about mileage, I don't that great empty best at 17.5, normally around 13, can't seem to drive under 2000 RPM to see if it makes a difference. But it doesn't drop that much when hauling. I didn't buy a truck for mileage.

My brakes don't last either, replaced front twice already and rear once, front are getting thin again. My wife bought a 2004 Dodge 2500 with the Hemi. Fun to drive, very poor mileage, as I expected. I haul heavy loads with slide in camper on the box, and convinced her to get the 2500 rather than the 1500. Tried to tow the same load without the camper and it was just not the same. Differences in torque, I expect. Forget mileage. The newer Dodge trucks appear to have a lot of things fixed, like the brakes, I actually like the dodge door and rear seating better than my Ford.

I don't like the steering on my 99 either, seems to wander a lot and is mushy compared to the dodge.

Would I get a dodge, no, When it comes time I will get a new Ford, but for now I will continue driving my 99. Sure would be nice to be able to order all the best of both worlds wouldn't it. I would like the Dodge style cab and steering on my next Ford PSD. Hmmmm may it is time to test drive a 2005 to see if there are any positive changes.

 

what mods do u have to ur truck johnsdiesel??

 

The info that I got came from a magazine called Off-Road Adventures. It's a subscription that the wife got me from the internet and it's a good thing it was free. It had one good article on diesel engines and showed each of them pictured along with the years and power ratings. It stated that the IDI was detuned to keep it from making the PSD look like a chump. If that is the case I would like to know why the IDI was discontinued. If it was that good of a motor why reinvent the wheel? I suppose some smog limitations might have something to do with it but there are more then one way to skin a cat. I do believe that it was the August mag that had that info. If I find it around the house somewhere I will verify the info and post all of the numbers that they use.

 

Tymar intake, straight pipe exhaust, gauges, LuK clutch, and tuner. Hopefully more to come as money permits.

 

I have a mostly stock f350. Picture this : a 9200 lb. truck pulling an 8000 lb trailer uphill going 65 miles an hour. Oh yeah, with 216,000 miles on the clock. I read an article comparing the new diesels(2005). Ford won of course. They said the psd defies the laws of physics!