I didnt know chevy was having problems with their trannies. From what I know the heavy duties all have allison trannies, and they are realy well known to be a rock solid tranny.

I have heard the chevies were supposed to be equally competing with the SD but it sure doesnt sound like it from what your cousin says.

 

he's pretty dissapointed with them right now. he's wishing they'd buy a cummins, but is worried about the dodge tranny too...

 

Our Mac tool guy has his '06 d-max for sale, he say he just hates it. He bought a little frieghtliner to pull his trailer. His truck only has 72000km. He priced out a new ford sd but he found the frightliner in the us for a lot cheaper than the ford, the frightliner in used though.

 

I would be scared of a dodge tranny too.

I bet the FL pulls that mac trailer along really nicely.

 

Yeah those chevys have some issues someone i know had a 03 duramax transfercase went out to

 

Maybe 03 was a bad year for a few different makes.

 

might have been a change-over...certainly didn't do Ford any favors!!

 

No, but they pulled through, Ive driven a 03 chevy duramax, and a 03 ford 6.0, and the ford did kill it in every which way.

We pulled a nice heavy trailer piled with semi truck tires behind both trucks.

 

i agree. i've been in a tuned Dmax and have to say i like the 6.0 much better even if it wasn't a ford. its a much more refined feeling. smoother in my opinion.

 

I disagree. The Ford is definitely more truck IMHO, but I have a 6.0 that runs exceptionally when its working and my brother has an '05 Dmax. I spend lots of time in each and I feel that the Chev is a smoother and more refined package.
The Dodge auto trans is weak. My cousin just chewed his up in his 04! That Cummins just purrs though!

 

maybe you have more padding in ther rear and can't feel the nasty engine vibrations just kidding... both trucks in my post were '03's, the 6.0 being our framing crew truck in calgary. it was a really good truck. the chebby was our bosses brothers. while he hadn't had any probs that i heard about, i still didn't like it... might be a little biased in my opinion though

 

When comparing trucks ya gotta try not to be biased! I know its hard for me too, but I try my best to give fair reviews. Its hard critizing ford, being a ford guy and all, but someone has gotta do it!

The duramax we had used at the tire shop, didnt compare to the ford. The duramax was a fancy one with leather and everything, and the ford was an xlt, and the ford rode alot nicer loaded and unloaded. As for smoothness, I realy didnt notice any difference in smoothness at all, they were both pretty good. The chev was a tad more quiet with the engine noise, which is a toss up whether thats a good thing or not!There was nothing wrong with the way the DM rode or drove at all but I didnt find it to be as nice.

The ford to me has always felt like way more of a truck, alot more beefier and tougher.

You guys ever read about the frame diferences? The chevy guys always seem to bring that up in a Chev vs Ford. I dont know myself what the big difference is.

 

the "truth about trucks" videos show the F series frames to ba far stronger than any other frames... thats all i know...

 

I have had more Chevs than Fords so I am as unbiased as they come in my opinions. The Duramax (all lengths of box/cab) exhibits a see sawing front to back when driving with no weight in the box. I am not sure what causes it but the cure is very simple. They come stock with a 245 tire on SRW models. All you need to do is turn up the front torsion spring (or some guys replace the key but I am not sure if its any better this way) about two inches and get some 285 tires under it to cushion the road better. This gives the truck some attitude in its stance quite similar to what a levelling kit on a Superduty does.
In the area of transmissions they feel very similar and are both good pieces but would not want to pay the repair bill on either when they fail!

Engines - here is where the Dmax is king in terms of smoothness. We get a chance to compare often with a few different 6.0 and Dmax trucks in our group. The Chevy is more refined and if you still doubt me, bring a bottle of whiskey over and we will get the boys together to put on a display. Day in, day out, the Dmax will go about its routine where the 6.0 (all of them) will fuss and bother on start up, regardless of which flash they have installed and what year they are!

The cab on a FORD is where a big guy like me fits. I like the way the doors close and the room. The interior amenities of the Chevy are nicer - the stereo is better and the truck is quieter.

 

oh well... i'll still believe in my blue oval...no matter what anyone else says