3/4 ton Ford Chevy GM Off Road
 

I'm going to edit this for shortness.

lb for lb stock for stock. opinions on which truck has the tightest turn radius. Best general off road durability and tractability. I want to build a 2500/f350 chevy or dodge or ford truck. I don't own a diesel now but I know how i am with new things and it won't be pretty once I get going. I need crew cab (for the kids and camping) I need long term reliability even with the occassional mud romping or high speed off road excursion.

I am not afraid to get my trucks hood deep in water (should I be with diesels? Ford and chevy's air intake is prime for suckin h20)

Link up some good reading if at all possible..and I happen to be a cummins fan..no offense to the chevy fans but chevy doesn't have a long standing diesel rep like dodge and ford. I won't lie I'd like to be able to keep up with mustang or charger to make him do a double take..SO could someone link up a post that breaks down popular modifications and well...what some of this lingo means? 10k mod? Delete and well if your a guru and know some common slang would help. Thanks..damn still too damn long..

i would probably look for a mega cab dodge cummins:pca1:

I'd go with the Dodge too.

Let's see how about

why? besides owning one and cummins is a good long term vehicle.

Turn radius? Axles durability? SUspension availability?

Upgrade availability? new chevy is pulling more power..does that make a huge difference? not really but damn chevy parts are like @$$ holes everyones got one and a spare for a boss.

PS how about can someone throw me a bone on some of the slang..10k mod? what are popular mods for diesels? (besides exhaust but I'd love to hear opinions on exhaust) Flame me call me stupid and then throw some knowledge down on me and I'm happy..Just hoping to learn a whole lot more.

Ok, Dodge has solid axles, Chevy doesn't. Dodge has Cummins, Ford doesn't. Turning on a Dodge quadcab shortbed is tight enough for a fullsize 4-door. I don't know if you prefer auto or standard but Dodge seems to have more standards out there. If it's fourwheeling you like the low end grunt of the straight 6 Cummins is way more than enough in stock form. In my opinion the Cummins is like the Chevy 350, everyone carries parts for it and the aftermarket is flooded with stuff. As for modding it, it's as easy as 1-2-3......take care of the air/fuel in, exhaust out and suspension.

Yeah, I'd have to say if you want off-roading ability the Ford or Dodge is better. I don't like the new Ford engines due to the reliabilty issues they've been having since the 6.0 came out, and now with Navistar cancelling production. GMs are excellent trucks, they last just as long as anything else, but their offroad abilities in 3/4 ton and larger leave a lot to be desired. They come stock with tiny tires, weak tie rods and weaker front suspension designs. IFS just can't take the beating that a solid front can. That being said, I'd swing the way of a Cummins. The engines last forever, the front axle is more robust although I've heard they need bearings done more often (dodge guys can correct me here), and as they said there's a ton of mods out there for them, although I'd say there's just as many out there for the duramaxes. If you don't plan on beating your front end too much and you like everyday driveability and fuel economy the Duramax would be a great choice. Fords are tough, but the new ones suffer from terrible fuel economy. (10-14mpg, and you'd be lucky to get 19mpg on the highway)

for off roading, i'd go with the dodge. the front axle is a dana 60, as opposed to the dana 50 in the ford. for those that don't know, a D50 is basically D44 guts in a D60 housing. the knuckles and housing is D60 but that's it. rear ends are pretty even, D80 for the dodge and whatever ford calls theirs.

the chevy has IFs in teh front, so thats pretty much all you need to know for off roading a chevy.

Dodge has a diesel rep... but ford? ... no offense, but a cummins powers ford's big trucks now-a-days...

Amen :5:

If you want stupid simple and reliable I would get the dodge with a cummins anyday everyone has them they have become the small block chevy of the diesel world.

Mods are popular if you plan on lifting it there is a few really good companies out there for them.

My suggestion would be once you figure out what you want to go into that section there is a lot of awesome info for them.:U:

That's what I'm talkin about. Solid axle I figured was a stronger option I had hoped maybe chevy had found a way to strengthen the front end..still don't know why they went with IFS other than to keep the old folks happy (ride quality)

Again not to be a question whore but can I get some basics on the cummins. I hear

12v (what years anyone know the good and bad of this motor?
24V same questions and what kind of power were these motors putting out after you replaced exhaust and perhaps fuel rails..

What forum should I be reading for basics on diesels and cummins.
?'s boost controllers (I had a friend that had a digital dinger in his truck that let him up the boost..or so he said)
how much boost is safe if someone wants to have a fun quick little truck. I admit acceleration is fun and it's even better when a big 4x4 walks past a mustang..sorry if I sound ignorant but damnit I love power.

Some basics. Common rail fuel injection? I see 200 injectors 120 injectors.. You guys have a TON of information you don't even know you have lol. CTD? cummins turbo diesel? VB and TC? just your sig toy4x is encrypted to my green ass. Searching for some info I appreciate all the responses. I am familiar with dana 60s,50s,44s (44'x are for jeeps an lil stuff imho)

3KGSK?
and if you had 4k to put into a motor. what would you do and what would that motor be pushing when you were finished? (assume cummins thanks for reassuring my dodge loyalty)
BD Boost Fooler Hot Rod VP FASS 150 ?

It's a new language I am trying to learn.. I'm going to google some of it but if you can recommend some things to search the forum for where I can research? and give some of your own opinions. I would certainly appreciate it.

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PS I saw a video that just about had me come out of my seat.. This dodge diesel 2500 I think 4wd behind him is a dodge 1500 and behind the dodge is an RV Good sized one too.. This 2500 or 3500 not sure which is strapped to the truck and the truck (that is stuck in the dirt) is strapped to the RV..all you hear is the motor go a little the strap tightens up a little diesel whine (I love that sound) and this guy pulls both trucks and the RV out without a puff of smoke.. Didn't even rev up.. slicker than snot on linoleum