Mid 05 dodge changed the lift pump style 06's are good to go

 

WOW, where do I begin?? I'm new to diesel ownership but an old hand with driving the beasts. AND, I can say I won't ever own another gas engined truck. Not to say I've had bad experiences with gas burners. On the contrary. Every gas engined vehicle I've ever had seemed to drive just fine. Of course, I'm a maintenance fanatic. I bought my 1988 GMC Suburban from a retired Air Force pilot who was a maintenance fanatic as well. Now I've put over 352,000 miles on that gas engined GMC Suburban, never changed the engine myself (bought it with 93k on the clock), had one rebuilt trans (700R4) and a new differential. Other than that, spark plugs, fluids and filters, brake pads and shoes and a set of rotors. There have been no issues except for a small bit of smoke on start up now, which goes away quickly. I figure valve stem oil seals.

My point here is that I just recently bought a 2003 RAM 2500 with the 5.9 H.O. CR, 48RE auto, 4x4, and 4.10s, loaded for only $16,500 plus TTL. I'm betting that if I care for it the same way I cared for the Suburban, I'll probably get similar service.

This is my first Dodge, so we'll see. I love the way it handled on the road on a recent 1600 mile trip. Great fuel mileage and comfort. I know nothing will probably be as comfortable as the Suburban and I've never driven a Ford over any distance to make a comparison.

Treat your truck right and it'll most likely be with you for another 40 years.

 

Heres my break down

The GM

Pros: much nicer interior and ride than the Dodge, stronger/better auto tranny, overall higher quality truck, good powerband
Cons: Probably slightly lower fuel mileage than Cummins, 01-04 LB7 had injector issues

Did I mention the interior is better?

The Fiat

Pros: Basically bulletproof engine, earth moving torque, probably higher fuel mileage than the Dmax, standard transmission is an option
Cons: Not a fan of Dodge bodies or interiors, its not an Allison (hes not planning on programming or chipping it)

Personally if I didnt mind having an auto I would go for an 04 or up Dmax with either a LLY or LBZ engine. Looooove GM seats.

 

21mpg in my duramax tuned, basically the same as my 05CR cummins, that point is pretty much moot

 

Im just going by my personal experiences, and in mine the Cummins usually takes the cake in that area.

 

Being a previous Dmax owner and a current Cummins owner...

Dmax for daily use with occasional work, get a loaded one with on-star & leather & bose...

Tuning and work use, get a 12valve cummins, they will NEVER die on you !!

Work use and no tuning, get a newer Cummins !

 

Still Looking.

I cant friggin decide!!! I am freaked out by the injectors on the d-max. and even more worried about the trans on the cummins.

What i have been finding is Most oft he D-maxs out there. Are mostly owned by old guys. haha Its looking like most of them have toppers on them and have never had a thing in the bed.

Cummins. Its really hard to find one stock. They all have exhaust, lift, or somthing. If they are stock. they have been WORKED!!!

 

As i said... Cummins are more of a work truck as the dmax has better interior, better stereo and is more of a luxury truck...

get a LLY (2004-2006) and you will NEVER have injector problems..

these are very solid... but if you get a 06.5 you might be lucky enough to get a LBZ, these have a more powerful tune from the factory and came with a "manual" feature on the Allison..

All the Cummins trucks here are work trucks, Fords are snobby work trucks and Chevys seldom get used for work but are more of a luxury item...

I'd get a Chevy with the Angry Eyes look...

 

the LLY had head issues and a 5 speed allison. The LBZ is by far the best motor Duramax has come in. It has corrected the injector issues and made it easier to replace them, then the heads have been changed to fix the LLY issue. The other benefit is it comes with a 6 speed allison. The 06 LLY is the same as the LBZ mechanically but with a detuned program and the 5 speed. 06.5-07.5 are the years to get. and as far as working the truck, there are a lot of guys on duramax forum that work the crap out of their trucks with little to no issues. Just pick the truck you want, do your research and figure out what you would rather deal with.

 

Not sure where to begin with any of this reply...Suffice to say, not true at all or at least not enough to base a purchase on or not.
If you're afraid of buying a used truck then just sit on your money and then you won't have to worry about your truck breaking. They all break sometime, I don't care what is on the nameplate. It happens. Get what you like and what you can afford. Stop whining about it and just buy something, if it doesn't work then buy something else. Shoot, that's what we have all done at some point. I'm a GM guy and wouldn't have anything else. Never had an issue at all with my trucks..You'll find Ford and Dodge guys tell you the same thing. Get what you like. It's your money and you will have to drive it for however long you want or can afford to.
Stay safe out there.
Ken