there are quite a few things to tinker with on the mechanical motors. your tools do the tuning vs. a computer. the pumps on the cummins lend to easier mods than the ford or chevy.

 

I get about 19-22 hand calculated out of my 2000 Cummins. Now, I dont know who said they wouldnt want a manual to drive in hills or for towing but there is a reason Peterbuilts and Kenworths are not automatics . Think when you're going up a hill pulling a trailer. With an auto, you put your foot down further and further til the trans downshifts. How much fuel did you just burn waiting for the trans to shift? With a manual, you can drop your gear when you want without waiting and burning extra fuel. Also keeps your EGTs down becuase you are not foot to the floor waiting for a down shift. Another thing with MPGs is watching your boost. Keeping your boost down can help your driving style to increase mpgs. The EFI live can really increase the DMax's MPGs though. Ive seen 20+ on these trucks with EFI Live, an intake, and an exhaust.

 

allison 06+ has manual gear select.. but there is no pushing the pedal more and more till it downshifts.. it's pretty darn good at doing it when it needs to, and a lot faster than you can move your arm and a clutch.

The reason i bought chevy i was always getting passed by them hauling bigger stuff on hills..

 

Ok I wasnt referring to the Allison. It was towards the Ford guy who said driving an auto is better for towing and mpgs.

 

ok, bit it depends on how well you drive the manual..

I don't know all the specs on all autos but the driveline losses in ally vs manual are only 5% at the most.. so you have to be pretty darn good on the shift to notice a difference

 

If you ever have to work on a Powerstroke or that Duramax you'll go back to driving a horse and buggy! LOOK UNDER THE HOOD!!!

I had a dealer tell me you have to remove the right/front fender well to replace a frikkin' fuel filter on a Durajunk!!!!! How that for engineering genius?

 

Ii can get it just fine without removing the fender. but taking the 2 minutes to remove the inner fender makes it a lot easier since you can just sit there and do it without straining.

the only issue i see working on it is getting around or removing the massive skid plate that covers the whole underside of the truck

now what was that about cab removal to do turbo or head work to a ford? hahaha

 

Ive owned a old chevy 6.2, the ford 6.9 7.3idi, and the powerstroke and a second gen cummins. In my preference the cummins had the best Milage, and was easier to work on. I hate my powerstroke, lots of electrical problems with mine, and I don't like the computer controlled engine. My 92 7.3idi with a banks turbo did well on milage, but felt low on power. I'm doing a conversion on my 94 f350, pulling the powerstroke out and putting in a 2nd gen 12 valve cummins. Like the ford bodystile and the performance of the cummins. All my trucks had a 5 speed. Powerstroke got 15 on average, idi was about 18, and the cummins was around 22.