Diesel Enthusiast here, CTD or D-Max?
 

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 :U:. 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.

:hi:
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

:hi:

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

Welcome to DieselBombers!

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.

First off: Welcome:c:

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.

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?

:howdy: :hi:



Go for the Cummins :choochoo::rocking:

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.

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)

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

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

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?

Hey whats up, I have to agree and say that both engines are very well put together and will perform well. I have found in the past when it comes to working on a cummins or a dmax the cummins is a little easier to work on. The one thing about the dmax is you get the allison trans, this is a killer trans and will take more abuse than the torqueflight trans that dodge uses. The best truck in the world would be a Ford 450,5.9 cummins power,and a allison trans. Thats just my thought....:U::U:

The options are limit less but when your looking think about what are want to do down the road some times the d-maxs have a habbit of twisting the frame if you have BOMDED it out some just because the torque is so incredable my good friend did that to his d-max now it was not critically cripiling but it affected the ride and handeling some.

I am going to try to find an LLY (preferably a loaded GMC) with the ZF-6, if that takes too long, I might settle for the LBZ and 6spd Allison.

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

How does that look??:c:

I did see that one, but I am trying to hold out hope that I can find a GMC (I guess I just like the different body). Thanks though.

Nothing wrong with a 6.0..... jk I would say you cant go wrong with whatever you choose. But it might be hard to get a d-max with a 6 speed. As for mpg In my dads 05 3500 he can get 21 if he is easy on it. It has a nv5600 6 speed. good luck oh and :hi:

:c:

i went from a good ole 12ver 96 to my 07 mega and i love it my dad swears by the gm product i do as well in gasers he gets better mpg but when we are gonna tow something he always says he will buy the fuel i we take my truck just my .02 good luck and welcome:U:

:hi: Enjoy the site. There's lot to see and do... :c:

Thanks for the advice everyone, I will update with my search progress when I can, but I am in no hurry.

:howdy:

welcome to db.:howdy:

If I remember correctly, the 8th digit in the VIN indicates the type of engine, and that a 2 is for the LLY and a D is for the LBZ, right? Which digit is for the rear differential? What indicates 3.73 gears? 4.10 gears? Thanks.

:howdy:

:hi::hi::hi:

:hi::hi::hi: