drove an 06 duramax today, he had a bullydog chip and it was pretty peppy and would take off and spin the tires even tho they are little stocks. but the truck felt like crap, like a lightweight car it drove like a car no firmness at all. the inside is just like the suburban it totaly changed my view of them. and way too quiet i like to know that i have a diesel under the hood. just happy to still be driving the old 7.3

 

I drove one not too long ago as well. This one wasnt chipped or anything and I also didnt like knowing I had a diesel. The salesman told me to go out and have fun and dog it...I did and I told him get in and drive mine...I wasnt impressed at all.

 

I work on these things for a living and I must admit that if it wasn't such a tedious job, I'd find a wrecked 03 Duramax and transplant the engine and transmission into my Super Duty....those things are AWESOME.

 

Our work truck is a deadmax 2008. I'm not impressed. But i did like the way she fired up in the morning @ -15 degess and -25degree windchill. Facing into the wind not plugged in or anything. I didn't think it would start. But it did easily first try, easily.. Thought wow. And that big bazuka tail pipe i just want to cut off. Looks so stupid.

 

A right on evaluation. Except at 75 mph and the wind noise makes mine a lot more noiser than my F250. I just spent 4 days and put 3,200 mi on my Dmax hauln'n 10,000 lbs. Milage was 8.3 . Ride sucked, even with Bilsteins

 

LMAO!!!! You'd put a D'max & an Allison in a PSD?? My quote in your sig stands........

 

Have to agree with you I really like their power plant and trans. but I love the looks of the fords inside and out. Wish they were like semi's you pick the manufacturer that you like and put in the componets (engine trans, seats, rear ends etc.) that would be awesome!!!!!

 

Why would anyone even want to drive a Dmax?

 

When I was looking into buying a diesel, I drove several Duracraps and a lot of PowerStrokes. Some chipped and some not. Even the chipped Duramaxes seemed pretty weak compared to any of the powerstrokes. The duramaxes seemed like they had no low end power, but hey at least the interior was nice...lol... almost too nice.

 

But look in the Diesel Power mag, tons of Dmaxs with 600+ HP. I love the 7.3 but it doesn't take much money to make them run, just like the cummins

 

It seems as though the Chebby and GMC Duramax's are not as numerous around my area. Mostly PSD's and Dodges. And the GM 4x4 trucks look to have a lower ground clearance too. I drove one way back when I was shopping and didn't like the interior nor the feel of the ride. JMHO.

 

My experience is limited - great interiors, inferior drive quality in terms of the driver's input and feedback - nice and quiet though

 

Agreed... if you like the Duracrap so much, stuff a solid axle from a FORD or Dodge under the front and be done with it. Then you'd have at least a 1/2 decent truck...
After having to suffer with having a Chevy for a work truck at my last job (2500HD gasser 4x4, single cab stick shift) I'll not let the gov't stick me with another one again! It was a better choice than the Dodge 1/2 ton which is the only reason I took it... but gawd what a pile. I bounced that POS off more rocks than I care to admit (driving rough roads... stupid truck gets to bouncing because of the foo-foo front end, underslung frame rails bounce off rocks...) I can imagine the Dmax would have been worse because of the weight.
Howcome GM is the only one that seems to think that stupid underslung frame is such a great idea? My wife's Explorer probably has as much ground clearance as that Chevy had.

 

my Bro-in-law was going to get an 07 PSD CC SB, the Amarillo edition (all black leather interior) but then my sister starting making fun of it and he didn't get it. Ended up in an '07 Duramax and loves it for the smooth ride since he sometimes is carrying 3 boys in car seats in back. To each his or her own, and we don't argue about who's is better.... I just smile and know in the back of my mind that I'll outwork him any day of the week & do better off-road too.

 

i agree to each his own, i have three buddies with duramaxes but still prefer my ford. we just got done putting the motor and tranny into a suburban. i just keep telling him to get an excursion.