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Let's talk trucks. I currently have a 2002 Ford F-250 Diesel 4x4 that I primarily use for towing boats and hunting and its time for a new one. I was hoping to get some opinions on the differences between the two from folks who have actually driven both while towing. When I purchased the current truck, I was partial to Chevy but when I test drove the Power Stroke and only 1 Duramax, the Ford was night and day difference in performance. Granted, the Chevy may have had some issues since they were both slightly used demos but there was so much difference that it was a no brainer decision. Now, it looks like Fords are using 6.0 vs the 7.3 liter whereas the Chevy is comparable to the 6.0. I will get an extended warranty so any modification will be out of the question. I don't mean to start a Ford vs Chevy debate (and I will not buy a Dodge...EVER) but I would like some first hand opinions on towing and perforamnce.
Either one will will do what you ask of em.I test drove both and liked them,but went with Chevy.The deciding factor in my case was family ties to GM [service,parts and almost 14K off the sticker]
as great as the 7.3 was, I don't think that the 6.0 out now stacks up at all. The issues that were present in the 01 & 02 duramaxes (fuel rail & injector issues) have been taken care of, and they seem to be holding together quite well these days. In this case, I would go with the chevy, or seek out a low milage used 7.3 ford.
Personally, I don't think either even remotely compairs to the only "real" diesel left in the pickup market, of course I'm talking about the cummins which is a true beast, especially if mated with a manual transmission, but you say you don't like dodges, so I dont' guess that's an option.
Tough one. Hard to beat the Allison transmission in the Chevy, however. I like the apearance of the Ford better...particularly the Harley Davidson option.
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Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24 Outrage, twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros
I bought a 2006 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Diesel about three months ago with the new 6 speed allison trany. It is one towing machine. Its also quieter than the F250 Diesel. I drove both trucks before I bought because I like the Ford body style the best. Towing my 220LTS Triton to Florida last month, I got from 11 to 13 MPG with only 2000 Miles on the truck. You could not tell the boat was back there. Drive both the Ford and Chevrolet, then make your decision. good luck Rangerman
I have an 05' F250 and use it primarily for towing a 27' Contender from La. all the way through Fl. I have been extremely happy with the truck so far. I had always liked the way the Fords looked but my previous truck was a 2500HD due to the fact it had the allison tranny. The deciding facter for the ford this time is that the 05' and up fords also have the allison tranny now, chevy no longer has that one up.
Thanks for all the info so far. I guess I should mention that I currently tow a 31' Fountain and may be getting a 38' Fountian freshwater version as well so I do tow some heavy stuff. I have been very happy with my 2002 7.3 Ford and it tows the 31' at 75-80mph with no problem. I just need something newer and not sure of the performance differences between the newer technologies.
there is no allison in the ford, with the exception of some of their larger comercial duty applications. The 5 speed auto is the Torque Shift which is made by ford.
Mine has been great........... I must admit I didn't consider the Ford or Dodge because of my previous search and truck which was a 2002 GMC 1500........ I just like the looks and feel of the Chevy.
I came to the conclusion from reading many discussions that the easiest way for me to deal with the truck question was to stick with the brand I had a good experience with....... and the good experience continues. I had one warranty issue with a fuse and the dealer was great....... and it wasn't the dealer I bought it from......
I have looked at the duramax and the powerstroke real real close, I looked at them this year because I usually buy a new diesel every two years. SO anyways I looked at both of them, drove both of them, and then went and bought a cummins, my 4th cummins. You cannot and will not find a better diesel in a pickup truck hands down no argument. Giving credit where it is due however, if i had to choose, would have been the Chevy, much more power, quieter (although thats not my thing), and the Chevy had a better ride, however it is IFS so thats something to be aware of, if your going to plow with it, it kinda sucks, I like to see solid front axles on all my plow trucks, now the 350 has one and so do the previous 3500 Dodge.
Chevy is tough to beat in all around smoothness and comfort. Currently, Chevy has the edge in the power train as well thanks to its excellent duramax and alison. I just towed a 26' hydrasport on a triple axle trailer (10,000lb+) 600 miles on my 2002 Chevy and it did great.
They are all pretty good these days....more a matter of personal preference on looks and interior...
I think the transimission thing is covered up a bit as far as reliability.....they all seem to have transimission issues of some sort...not sure if that is all been worked out or not...I would do my homework on that....
Also, you may see a difference in the brakes on these....I have not checked lately but I would investigate that was well...
I personally would buy a ford 6.0 since both the G.M. and Dodge diesels are limited by RPM's when pulling hills the ford has a broader rpm range when it kicks down at highway speeds when towing. No matter what you purchase today your looking at a fine truck.
I personally would buy a ford 6.0 since both the G.M. and Dodge diesels are limited by RPM's when pulling hills the ford has a broader rpm range when it kicks down at highway speeds when towing. No matter what you purchase today your looking at a fine truck.
IMO, that is the downfall of the ford, I don't want a diesel screaming to pull a load, needs to make it's power lower in the RPM range, not spin 4k to get up a hill.
Autobaun & Jeff Freeman you are the true champions of this thread. I have a 99 Dodge with 267,000 miles on it & I have pulled my 28 HydraSport from GA to Venice,LA Ft Lauderdale, Morehead city, & numerous other places. It has never failed. Cummins is the only tried & true diesel that has been around for many,many years. They are actually available in the Ford 450 & 550's, along with the allison tranny. I am a diesel junky, so let me tell you guys a few flaws in all these trucks. Oh I forgot to mention I just bought an 03 Ford with a 7.3 in it. The last month they produced an 03 7.3. It is hands down a better motor than the 6.0. In fact Ford is alreadt prepping to scrap the 6.0 & go to a 6.4 or 6.6. I am not sure, but I just recently ran across that. As previously stated the GM's will ride better due to the IFS front end. The down side is it is not ANY where as strong as the Ford or Dodge front ends which either have DANA 70's or the American AXLE under them. Dodge has always had the best AUTO tranny in my book even though they have had their problems like the other 2. I have run the Hell out of my truck from day one. it is still in one piece. The Allison is a great transmission behind a school bus motor, but behind a Duramax, it is a piece of junk.Here is why GM has had so many issues with them: Allison sends those trannies to GM with Allison programming in them to shift the way Allison wants them to. GM unloads the Allison programming & puts their own in. This is where the problem has alwys come in. Those of you out there that have any model Duramax, just go to an Allison dealer(Williams Detroit Allison) usually, & have them unload the GM junk & put back in the Allison programming. You will not void your warranty as long as you don't tell on yourself. GM can't tell in spite of what kind of BS they may shoot you. Once you put the Allison programming back in, Now you have a machine. The Isuzu motor,oops Duramax for those of you who didn't know, will make some awesome power. I have a friend that has done a lot of the performance work on my truck & he has a program on a laptop that will put the Duramax to 500 rearwheel HP. I watched a guy leave his shop after installing(about 5 minutes) & cheap. He called us back. He needed a tow truck. He blew the Allison Torque convertor all to pieces. So you add power & lose tranny life. The Crew Cab Ford is the most awesome looking of all 3 trucks. I just bought a supercab, because I got to good a deal on it. I can't ait to power it up & see what it will do. I have had it in the shop for 2 weeks. The front end components on a Ford are junk. I had to have the Rotors,pads,tierod ends,drag
link & track bar all replaced & this truck only has 81000 miles on it. At least everything else about it is nice. Have you seen the new Dodge Mega Cab. I sat in one yesterday, the back seat. I am 6'3 & I could stretch completely out in it without putting my feet under the front seat. It s MEGA alright. I think Cummins has the most RELIABL diesel on the market. I have run them in big trucks for 12 years.
Game on to answer your question between a FERD or CHEBBY, I would go with FERD. They are not about to go Bankrupt like GM is. Oh yeah think about that gentlemen, when you buy a vehicle. GM is closing 9 plants & cutting 30,000 jobs. They are on the verge of bankruptcy. Another reason to look at the Ford or Dodge. If you are slightly interested in the Dodge's, go to www.dieseltruckresource.com .It is a dodge only site full of all kind of info. If I can answer anything else for you let me know. I also do Diesel performance at my truck shop, on all of them. Ford or Dodge. GM stay away.
Ford or Chevy Diesel for towing 
