New dodge power wagon-anyone?

Harold H

BUT, I think the differences are so small that it isn't worth arguing about and I would be happy to own any one of them. Mostly boils down to brand loyalty, which believe it or not, has existed since they started making things with 4 wheels.

I need a full-size to pull my trailer, but 95% of my driving is just the truck, empty, commuting back and forth to my day job. Even at $3 a gallon it doesn't make financial sense to have two vehicles, but I still want better mileage.

I've heard people claiming 20MPG or better with their jacked-up 4x4 dually diesels. My theory is that I could get better mileage with a 2-wheel-drive 3/4 ton diesel than I do with my 1/2 ton gasser. I'm getting 18-20 MPG in the summer, and 16-17 in the winter.

Plus there's that whole bio-diesel thing...

A couple things I think are important when choosing a pickup/motor combination. First is basic engine design.

The Dodge hemi is simply an engine with a combustion chamber with a hemispherical dome on top of the piston rather than some other shape. The hemi is nothing real fancy, old technology that has been around, tested, and proven to enhance performance and fuel efficiency.

Inline six cylinder engines typically have a longer stroke than a V formation. This generally means more torque (longer lever on the crankshaft) and much better lugging power especially at lower speeds. If you are going to be pulling hills at lower speeds an inline six will handle it better than the same size V formation. However, if you are going to get on the Interstate and try to cruise at 75 or better the V will have more high-end horsepower. Simple physics here, can’t change those laws.

Diesels usually are more fuel efficient than gassers, but right now diesel costs more than gasoline. Right now Dodge has the Cummins and that engine has a long, proven track record for durability and reliability. Ford has had the powerstroke for just over ten years, and Chevy, well...can’t seem to make up their mind.

Personally, I chose to go with the V-8 formation because I wanted a “snappier” engine off the line and more power at higher speeds. Another reason I chose a Ford at the time was because Dodge and Ford were the only ones to offer a full floating rear axle (like the big rigs have) in their ¾ Ton pickups and I liked the Ford’s ride and extended cab better than the Dodge. I have not researched the Duramax engine much, but I HATE, repeat HATE automatic transmissions for pulling and won’t even consider one for my own use.

I suggest that you sit down and figure out what you want to do with the vehicle, and then go buy the one that will get you the closes to your needs. My nickels worth.

I find that so many times they are not in the gear that I want or need for what the traffic or road conditions warrant at the time. So many times I’m idling along in town or something and the auto has just up-shifted so the engine is idling, but it can’t see the slight incline coming and the need for more power. Or, I’m pulling a hill and almost to the top when it un-necessarily down-shifts. I also dislike them on slippery roads because I never know for sure when they are going to shift and potentially cause a skid.

Call me a control freak, but when I have a good old manual I know when the shift will happen with no surprises. As far as burning clutches out, I realize that when you have others driving that may not know how to use a clutch this can be an issue, but personally I have never burned out a clutch in a vehicle. It’s called using the proper gear (granny) for starting out heavy loads and keeping your foot off the pedal when you aren’t shifting gears. Double clutching to better synchronize the gears helps too…

With current pricing, the $45.6K unit went for less than $38K.

I have talked to many haulers, and they nearly universally say to get a diesel and stay away from gas, because torque is what you want. And, nothing smaller than a 2500/250. I personally wanted the Hemi because I am old and Hemi means something to me, but decided to get smart. The Hemi is a car engine, really.

Don't compare any diesel engine to the 95 engines as they all are 1/2 as noisy now than the 95 models.

I have a 02 PSD and don't notice any noise other than at idle standing next to the engine. The 05's are quiter than my 02.

My son bought a 04.5 Dodge, CC, CTD, 6spd, SRW, swb, 4wd. Had Dodge built the same truck in 02 I would be driving a Dodge.

The Dodge 6spd shifts twice as smooth as my Ford 6spd. My Ford CC has about 6" more room than the Dodge CC. A Huge difference.

I get 19.2mpg empty on my 02 F350 DRW, 6spd, 4wd with 3:73 and 14.1mpg pulling 16kGCW thru the Colo Rockies. My 15k mile liftime average 17.1mpg. The diesel option takes about 100k miles to break even on cost vs fuel savings. I don't trade until 300k so I'll save a ton of money.

Both have or did have manual 4wd. That's very useful for backing heavy loads in lo-2wd.

T_Bone

Dale

my 2 cents

scotty