The Dodge powerplant is a lot easier to work on than the Chebby or Ford units.

Haven't had the need to work on my Duramax, but from the two times I have had the hood opened since buying it, it doesn't look too bad... IMO, the W124 with a V8 stuffed under the hood looks much worse to work on!

Hmmm, I need to check one out in person.


I looked at a few of them on the 'net, and the newer body style is only $5-7k more, with comparable options and miles.

The 6 speed manual is nice, but like I said, the ease of sticking it in Drive and rolling away is nice. Especially since I use my truck as my daily driver!

Because it is an inline engine and the others are V8's?

5.9 and 6.7 Cummins have an excellent reputation in the marine world.

I think they get 480hp out of the 6.7 in M trim now and I never hear of one popping.

Much better motors than CAT junk, stay away from the yellow God...

yep

The 2013 RAM offers some advantages over previous models. One is the use of DEF for NOX control with a substantial increase in fuel economy. If you're really serious, the SRW 3500 is available with an Aisin transmission, 385 HP, 850 ft./lbs. of torque, and a 300MM ring gear in the rear end. It also uses a new frame and front suspension, along with a front axle disconnect feature on the 4WD. The Mercedes 6-speed manual is still available, but at a reduced HP and only 660 ft./lbs. of torque.

It also has no glow plugs and the water pump is only held on by two bolts. Oil change intervals for 2013 have also been doubled to 15K miles.

The glow plugs are not needed but there is an intake air heater which works just fine in the weather we have here in Lafayette. I don't have to plug in the heater.

awesome engine. the rest of the truck will fall apart around it. stick with your chebby.

can one be a hippy and have a big diesel truck?

Need to tow my VW Bus with something when it inevitably breaks down..

Seems like a waste of money to me. Basically you are swapping a known towing platform you have done some customization to, for another unknown towing platform with some unnecessary more leg room in the back seat. Both are ponderous bloated trucks and so long as to be hard to maneuver if you actually used them for a work reason, but if you are just towing toys im sure the result will be exactly the same as the truck you currently have.

Unless you were making a bunch of money selling the chevy and getting the dodge, id consider it an easy way to blow yet more money, but who am I kidding? you spent two years average wages in cash on some other toy like a week ago, so you might as well own both trucks at the same time. You can tie the bumpers together and see which one will pull the other. :D

Both engines are excellent, the dodge might get better fuel economy possibly has been my experience.

:D

That's an urban myth that goes back to the first generation trucks. Check the resale value on a mid-2000's mega cab with the 5.9 engine- they're still selling for almost new prices. Let's see the "Built Ford Tough" Ford command those numbers with its 6-litre disaster of an engine.

Yeah, the only problem with the 5.9 is the 4 speed auto behind it.... :(


Which is why I am looking at the 6.9, as Dodge finally stuck a 6 speed auto behind it.