Ok since Ive started shopping for trucks I decided to be fair to drive the 05 Chev Dmax crew cab and a 04 dodge cummins ext cab. Did just that, there are things I like about each one but over all the Ford PS is the one, then the Dodge, last the Chev Dmax. Some comparisons, the Dmax is by far the quietest followed by the Cummins. The dmax and cummins all appeared easier to work on, nice water filter drains, etc. The Powerstroke is by far the funnest most powerful feeling motor! The cab in the Chev dmax neither me or the wife liked, cramped, just something about it. Didn't like the Chev sitting low and the frame hanging down! The Dodge's interior was like a Ford for a extended cab it was pretty roomy not bad. The ride in the Chev and Ford was about the same, I thought the Dodge may have rode a little better, but felt not to track quite as good. Well anyway Im glad I got the opportunity to have driven all three deisels! In my opinon Ford is the winner!!

 

Nice test and one that is real, no math, no magazines just what YOU think...very nice.
Nothing wrong with seat of the pants testing.

 

Driving all three is the best thing you could ever do. Because then you get the truck that fits yo.. I am going to go drive a diesel sprinter here in a few weeks, just because I'm in the market to start a business and need a good tall van.

 

It would be real nice if they would let you hook up a 4K trailer and test all three also..

 

Sure you can........ but the dealer doseant have to know about it.

 

I found it interesting that you found the D-max and Cummins to be quieter. Was that from an inside the cab perspective? Sitting by a Cummins on the street, all you can hear is the engine noise. It sounds like a "big rig" sitting next to you. The Fords, I can barely hear, even when accelerating. I seldom even take the time to listen to a GM.

 

It was from standing outside the truck near the engine area. My neighbor has a older cummins and its loud but that 04 Dodge was quiet inside also. The Powerstroke is also quiet in the cab but stand outside and try to talk to someone its seems the PS is the loud est at idle but then once you start to accelerate it quiets down. It don't bother me the 6.0 IS IT, now I just need the dealer to quite being so tight on trade in on 98 expy.

 

All the ones I have heard you have been able to hear pretty well from the outside. You can the engine well, but the turbo even more. But the 6.0's are still too quiet for me.

 

I was at the gas station last night. The island over from a new cummins. I thought it was a gasser when it pulled up. Didnt hear the engine coming. Im filling up and it occurs to me that its a diesel as its sitting there idling. It was so quiet I almost missed it. Even though the 6.0 was quiet too. I can hear it. Because it sounds weird.

 

The NEW cummins is real quiet.... I'm not sure what they did, but it does indeed sound like a gas motor... My dad says he never understood why the 5.9 was so noisy, he'd been a mechanic for the big rigs and said they weren't real noisy like that 5.9...

 

My 04.5 600 was very quiet when i first bought it, you could barely even hear the thing running with the hood open.....It has got louder as i have put more miles on it....starting to sound like a diesel...Finally....I happen to like the sound of the 6.0 especially the turbo whine.....

 

I drive an 03 E-350 for my business and I tell ya it's a mule with plenty to spare. I have a 200 gallon tank behind the cab equipped with pump, 200' reel of hose, battery, etc, and have the remainder of bed regularly loaded with a ton of dry fertilizer. Plus I carry a ride-on fertilizer spreader/sprayer off the hitch, not to mention all the other goodies. Great van!

 

That's a great idea !!!!

 

I know they all drive nice, the first time in them.....however I want to know the real stuff....and you all know a lot can change in drivability with weight behind you…wonder if anyone has ever tried

 

In the early Fall of 02 (Prior to the release of the 6.0) I rented a DuraMax extended cab and pulled our 7,400 lb boat on a 900 mile trip. Honestly, I liked the truck but was somewhat disapointed in the acceleration with the load compared to my friends that were pulling bigger boats with the 7.3. In early 03, I was in the market and drove several 7.3's, somemore DuraMax's and two 6.0's. I bought the 6.0 Crewcab which now has 39,128 miles.

I did that same 900 mile tow three months later in the 6.0 and there is no doubt the Ford pulled stronger and my wife says it rides better, especially on the long trips. This summer I took two roadtrips (3,200 & 1,200 miles) and this truck is an unbelievable roadtrip machine. Typical 600-700 mile days with no back fatigue.

For the record: This vehicle has surpassed my expectations in every category.