Hi everyone, I am new to the site and I would like to hear opinions on whether I should go with a CTD or D-Max. Either one needs to be mated to a 6 spd handshaker and have 4WD. It will mostly be a daily driver and maybe some light towing. I am interested in getting 20 mpg on the highway (I know that varies with speed, rear end gearing, etc.) and likely doing some bombing of it down the road . I know about the reliability of the CTD and my dad has a 04.5 CTD "600" with a 6 spd, but he only gets 15 mpg on the highway and I want to get a truck that does better than that. Extended cab or crew cab is fine. Of course I want something that is reliable and takes well to making good power without losing too much reliability. I will be looking at 2003-2007 model years, most likely 2500s, no dualies. Thoughts? Any problem areas with either model? Thanks in advance. -

Welcome to the site. -

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If you are looking for a six speed, you will probably have a very difficult time finding one in a DMax as they are VERY uncommon. A little easier to find in the Dodge trucks. 20 mpg with a 4X4, while theoretically attainable, will require you to drive no faster than 55mph pretty much guaranteed. A few have managed such a feat while driving faster, but they are few and far between. I usually see about 16 in town and 18 on the highway at 70mph.
mishkaya -

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Go for the CTD, no bias on my part, of course -

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As for finding a Duramax with 6 spd manual.. its actually not hard at all in the LB7's (2001-2004.5) and there are a few of the LLY (2004.5-2006) models that have a 6 spd manual trans.. as for the LBZ's (2006-2007.5).. there are only a handful of them, extremely hard to come by.

Im not sure with the Dodges, I think they are easier to find a manual trans in. -

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First off: Welcome

I debated the same thing. I really wanted a 6sp. and a crew cab. Both are decent engines and truck platforms. It came down to interior space for me. I am satisfied w/what the Allison can do. I am a typical BOMBER, I can't leave it alone.

I have gotten 22 MPG w/mine on the few occasioins where I am not hammering it several times during a tank of fuel. I have heard stories of 24valves getting 26 MPG. I wonder if that is according to the DIC (Or what ever Dodge calls it) and not hand calculated. -

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I don't know much about the different DMax engines, can someone fill me in to the pro's and con's of each, or at least point me in the right direction?

Do both manual transmissions handle the increased power from modifications? Does one model typically get better mpg than the other? -

Go for the Cummins -

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Welcome aboard,

The Duramax is a very reliable engine as is the Cummins. You just have to get what fits into your budget and what feels the best to your rear end. -

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Dodge will be easier to find a manual in, but it really comes down to which truck you like the best. Both the dmax and Cummins are good engines. I am a GM man so I would say go with the dmax but don't think you can go wrong either way.

The 2001-2004.5(lb7) had some injector issues an GM has extended the warranty 7yrs( 200,000 mi) the 2004.5-2006(LLY) had some over heating issues pulling loads in warm weather, but most of that is fixed or can be, the (LBZ)2006-2007.5 is a solid truck, and you can not buy a hanshaker in a 2007.5-current(LMM) -

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I just read that the LBZ cannot be had with a handshaker. So to narrow down my choices for a DMax, would I be better off going with an '06 LLY (if i can find one) or an '04 LB7? I guess I am a little worried about the injector issue of the LB7. Is there much difference in the rest of the truck between these years?

How does the '04 CTD compare to the '07? What about the rest of the truck?

Since I am looking at used trucks, the price really isn't an issue. -

There is not much difference between the 04 and 06 Chevy. Other then the bar in the middle of the grille they are pretty much identical. I would not worry about buying an LB7 if I was buying a used truck. The warranty pretty much covers any problems you may have had. -

Welcome to db
you know im going to say cummins, there both good trucks if you want fuel econ though the duramax is known to do better. -

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hi, thats a lot of questions, but you will find a lot of answers here. -

Thanks for the replies everyone. Luckily I am going to be able to take my time with this purchase. I am little concerned about the flywheel issue with the DMax, especially after I mod it. After looking online at the new ('07 and newer) DMax, the overall look is hard to beat, but does anyone know how they compare to the previous model, is it worth the extra money? What are your thoughts on the '06/'07 Cummins? I am sure the powertrain stacks up well, but what about the rest of the truck? -