BIG diesel trucks!!

Wadded Beef

Banned
Dec 15, 2004
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GMC sierra 3500, Ford F-350, Dodge Ram 3500, or something else?... A friend is looking for a big truck for his business, he wants it to have...a diesel engine, auto tranny, dually tires in the back, a good towing package option, and overall good bang for the buck (duh :) ) he's prepared to spend up to 40k but would like to spend more towards 30k if possible. whaddya think?
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
tough call, I think all domestics are awesome....

the most torque is the RAM, and i think it's the overall largest truck, but we're talking NEW models, which might be hard to get for that much $.

I think any big 3 truck would suffice to be honest.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
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Originally posted by: CraigRT
price as tested.... $80k :Q

Yeah it's not cheap.

Thought you could configure it closer to the $40K mark, but to really be useful it's more like $60.

Oh well.

Viper GTS
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Sierra 3500 SLE has an allison transmission and a duramax diesel.

both are HIGHLY regarded.

but will cost about 38 grand if you get a 4dr 4wd extended cab with diesel, tranny, camper style mirrors, towing package, cruise control and fifth wheel package.

Ford F-350 XL (4wd, 4dr) will set you back about 35 for

extended cab XL, with 6.0 l v8 diesel, 5 speed, ac, cruise/tilt, tow command, class V hitch, heavy service suspension, telescoping mirrors

Ram 3500 ST will set you back about 35 for

quad cab (no crew available), 5.9 L V6 Turbo Diesel, AM/FM radio, folding trailer mirrors, speed control, trailering group, full size spare (i cant believe some of those are options)

im pretty sure i picked the same base options for both im not sure on Ford, or Dodge and dodge you cant get a extended cab.

now as to which i would pick....

the GMC is proven, but slightly more expensive. Ford is all new truck (engine is the same, tranny the same im pretty sure) and the Ford also has 2500 cash back. i didnt notice any for the GMC

the dodge, im not sure about it has a much smaller engine, its a V6, compared to V8.
so pick between Ford, and GMC.

a Chevy, with the same options as the GMC runs about the same price. 38 grand.

so you really have Chevy, GMC, Ford as options.

up to him which he likes best.

MIKE
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: CraigRT
tough call, I think all domestics are awesome....

the most torque is the RAM, and i think it's the overall largest truck, but we're talking NEW models, which might be hard to get for that much $.

I think any big 3 truck would suffice to be honest.

thats not diesel though. and that was one of his requirements.

MIKE
 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,032
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What I always hear in other forums when this comes up is take the cummins engine from the dodge, the allison trans from the chevy, and stick them in the ford body :).
 

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
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Really, the biggest difference will be creature comforts. Tell him to go sit in all 3, whichever his ass prefers is the one to buy (The one with the best seats).
From a performance perspective, there all very similiar, and all have gobs more power then 99% of the people out there will really tap.

Oh yes, and drop the dualies. I'm not a fan of those for the most part.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: CraigRT
tough call, I think all domestics are awesome....

the most torque is the RAM, and i think it's the overall largest truck, but we're talking NEW models, which might be hard to get for that much $.

I think any big 3 truck would suffice to be honest.

thats not diesel though. and that was one of his requirements.

MIKE

I have no clue what you are talking about.....

Diesel? all domestic fullsize trucks have many diesel models.. are you OK? :p
 

Wadded Beef

Banned
Dec 15, 2004
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good info, thanks!

edit: and about the duallies, i'm not the buyer, it's my dad's friend, and he wants duallies. i'm more of a sport compact kinda guy =]
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: CraigRT
tough call, I think all domestics are awesome....

the most torque is the RAM, and i think it's the overall largest truck, but we're talking NEW models, which might be hard to get for that much $.

I think any big 3 truck would suffice to be honest.

thats not diesel though. and that was one of his requirements.

MIKE

I have no clue what you are talking about.....

Diesel? all domestic fullsize trucks have many diesel models.. are you OK? :p

the rams high torque truck was a gas wasnt it? i forget. because they have a v6 as the diesel on edmunds. thats where i got all my info from i didnt look at engine specs. just picked the diesels.

MIKE
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Sierra 3500 SLE has an allison transmission and a duramax diesel.

both are HIGHLY regarded.

but will cost about 38 grand if you get a 4dr 4wd extended cab with diesel, tranny, camper style mirrors, towing package, cruise control and fifth wheel package.

Ford F-350 XL (4wd, 4dr) will set you back about 35 for

extended cab XL, with 6.0 l v8 diesel, 5 speed, ac, cruise/tilt, tow command, class V hitch, heavy service suspension, telescoping mirrors

Ram 3500 ST will set you back about 35 for

quad cab (no crew available), 5.9 L V6 Turbo Diesel, AM/FM radio, folding trailer mirrors, speed control, trailering group, full size spare (i cant believe some of those are options)

im pretty sure i picked the same base options for both im not sure on Ford, or Dodge and dodge you cant get a extended cab.

now as to which i would pick....

the GMC is proven, but slightly more expensive. Ford is all new truck (engine is the same, tranny the same im pretty sure) and the Ford also has 2500 cash back. i didnt notice any for the GMC

the dodge, im not sure about it has a much smaller engine, its a V6, compared to V8.
so pick between Ford, and GMC.

a Chevy, with the same options as the GMC runs about the same price. 38 grand.

so you really have Chevy, GMC, Ford as options.

up to him which he likes best.

MIKE

The RAM is an I-6, not a V6, and it makes more torque than any of the other trucks if you get the high output diesel... 610 ft lbs to be exact. the I-6 is an incredible motor from Cummins.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: CraigRT
tough call, I think all domestics are awesome....

the most torque is the RAM, and i think it's the overall largest truck, but we're talking NEW models, which might be hard to get for that much $.

I think any big 3 truck would suffice to be honest.

thats not diesel though. and that was one of his requirements.

MIKE

I have no clue what you are talking about.....

Diesel? all domestic fullsize trucks have many diesel models.. are you OK? :p

the rams high torque truck was a gas wasnt it? i forget. because they have a v6 as the diesel on edmunds. thats where i got all my info from i didnt look at engine specs. just picked the diesels.

MIKE

no, all of the high torque trucks are diesels (if you go on statistics at least)
the HEMI (biggest gas engine) has 375 ft lbs of torque, not even close to the I6 diesel.
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: CraigRT

The RAM is an I-6, not a V6, and it makes more torque than any of the other trucks if you get the high output diesel... 610 ft lbs to be exact. the I-6 is an incredible motor from Cummins.


my bad, all i saw was 6 cyl, assumed V6.

so yea. you would like a custom truck as mentioned above

Cummins, Allison, Ford.

Cum all for???? huh?

MIKE
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,294
12,816
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Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: CraigRT
tough call, I think all domestics are awesome....

the most torque is the RAM, and i think it's the overall largest truck, but we're talking NEW models, which might be hard to get for that much $.

I think any big 3 truck would suffice to be honest.

thats not diesel though. and that was one of his requirements.

MIKE

I have no clue what you are talking about.....

Diesel? all domestic fullsize trucks have many diesel models.. are you OK? :p
Obviously he is not. He keeps refering to the Cummins Diesel as a V6. Its an inline 6 that makes more power than most other diesels out there.
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
obviously i dont know much about diesel engines.

just from the grapevine i have heard that the tranny in the GMC is one of the best available period.

i just went to edmunds and priced them out. obviously more than you guys did in terms of research for his budget.

o yea, i couldnt find any comparisons on edmunds for HD trucks either.

MIKE
 

flxnimprtmscl

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2003
7,962
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Originally posted by: tfinch2
A GM Duramax diesel with an Allison transmission.

/Thread.

Seriously incredible truck. My boss has one that I've put a bunch of miles on and I'm in love with that truck. Rides like a car, good mileage, pulls so smooth you wouldn't even know you've got anything back there, interior fit and finish is great, etc.. I keep telling him I'm not going to bring it back some day.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,294
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Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
obviously i dont know much about diesel engines.

just from the grapevine i have heard that the tranny in the GMC is one of the best available period.

i just went to edmunds and priced them out. obviously more than you guys did in terms of research for his budget.

MIKE
beware of the grapevines. That's the same people who tried to convince me the Turbohydramatic 400 transmission was the strongest ever put into a musclecar. They were wrong of course. ;)


 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
compare
there are the 4 trucks in a comparison, with the same "base package" i changed the Dodge's package to a comparable one with the ford/GM trucks

another change, made the ford a dualie. and i cant get a diesel/dualie combo on the dodge

MIKE
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,294
12,816
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Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
compare

does that work? if so thats the four trucks he is considering all in a comparison.

MIKE
interesting....makes the Ram look like the best choice.
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
compare

does that work? if so thats the four trucks he is considering all in a comparison.

MIKE
interesting....makes the Ram look like the best choice.

the ford is cheapest, but doesnt really have any "well known" engine/tranny combo.

Dodge looks like a good choice but so does either of the GM models, the Chevy since its cheaper, and there really is no difference.

still its down to the feel of the ass.

MIKE
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,294
12,816
136
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
compare

does that work? if so thats the four trucks he is considering all in a comparison.

MIKE
interesting....makes the Ram look like the best choice.

the ford is cheapest, but doesnt really have any "well known" engine/tranny combo.

Dodge looks like a good choice but so does either of the GM models, the Chevy since its cheaper, and there really is no difference.

still its down to the feel of the ass.

MIKE
I like the 7/70 drivetrain warranty from Mopar. Shows they have faith in the long term life of their vehicle.
 

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
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Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
compare

does that work? if so thats the four trucks he is considering all in a comparison.

MIKE
interesting....makes the Ram look like the best choice.

the ford is cheapest, but doesnt really have any "well known" engine/tranny combo.

Dodge looks like a good choice but so does either of the GM models, the Chevy since its cheaper, and there really is no difference.

still its down to the feel of the ass.

MIKE
I like the 7/70 drivetrain warranty from Mopar. Shows they have faith in the long term life of their vehicle.

Believing doesnt make it so ;)