i am looking to buy a diesel. my brother has a common rail and is pushing me towards a dodge. personally i like the looks of duramax's, but i have heard the horror stories. i want a regular cab either way. I want a 03 04 duramax or a 24v or common rail. let me know your thoughts. im not pulling a sled, or towing a thousand cows. i am just looking for a truck that will smoke and get up and go. but has to be reliable! help

 

Well just my 2 cents,

I love my Cummins and I wouldn't ever trade it for a Duramax or a Powerstroke

Don't get me wrong, I like the other diesels, I just like Cummins A LOT better.

 

Go Cummings all the way. My dad has one and it is a very good truck. Haven't really had any problems, its an 08' with over hundred thousand miles and still runs like its new. I'm not pushing you toward dodge, I'm just talking from experience. Want to see a good looking dodge?, Look at my albums. ha ha ha

 

I have a cummins, my dad has an 02 duramax... I personally like both of the trucks. To each his own, they are both awesome trucks.

 

2000 Dodge ram 2500
5.9 cummins turbo diesel
157000 miles
ex cab six foot bed
2.5 inch leveling kit
37 inch tires
fender flares
HID head lights

BRAND NEW!!!
built transmission AUTO only 500 miles!!!!!!!!
8 inch powdercoated mitre stack
painted rockers
window tint
BRAND NEW 3 INCH LIFT IN BOX!!!!
roof lights (uninstalled)

i need help he is asking 11,000 let me know what you think i should do

 

if you're going Cummins, I would go with a common rail. the 24v's have injector pumps go out too often, I'd rather not have to worry bout it with an 03+

for the Dmax, I would shy away from the 01-04 LB7, they had quite a few injector problems. the best Dmax to get would be an LBZ/LMM in an 06+, but an LLY (04-06) would be a good one too.

 

Yea but in the same box the vp trucks were good trucks and if fuel was fed to the pump they could last a long time. And just a little self opinion on the dmax... the lb7's are my favorit ones however the the injector problem was an issue. They are under warranty for 200k miles though. Just a little .02 from another guy. Oh and not to say the truck is not worth it but where i come from you would never get that for that truck. However up in indianapolis where i am going to school that is probably normal priced. Just trying to help.

 

If you're going to buy a VP44 Cummins (98.5-02), I would buy an aftermarket lift pump, and make sure to install a fuel pressure gauge. You should have a good truck then

 

You really cant go wrong with taking a few minutes out to read these:

http://www.genosgarage.com/TDRBuyersGuide2009.pdf

and

Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage

 

that red 24valve looks like a good truck that price sounds good to for what done to it just make sure that it has strong enough gear ratio for those tires.if you dont get that truck id personally recommend a cummins my dad has had each of the big three & we have always like cummins the best the main draw back to them is once you add about another 80 horses to it your gonna need another tranny if ya hotrod it.duramaxs have the allison tranny which is the strongest stock one their is with chevy but up untill they made the 2010+ engines they were always lacking in power comparied to cummins & powerstrokes.if ya want a smokey truck get a 96-97 12valve with some 370 injectors with a turbo back exhuast