Dodge mega cab or chevy duramax
- Thread starter RX-1MT
- Start date
Dodges are nice and got lotsa power but my vote is for the Duramax. I have been to montana in one 4 times, lots of power, good shifts, easy to control downhill with a 40 ft gooseneck too. The duramax/ allison tranny combo is really good imo. Stock they are good, but a chip, lift, exhaust, intake, and that duramax will be a rocket!! my .02
NOOOO!!!
What's this world coming to?
A fellow montana boy lookin at Dodge's and Chevy's.
FORD, FORD, FORD, man!!!!
What's this world coming to?
A fellow montana boy lookin at Dodge's and Chevy's.
FORD, FORD, FORD, man!!!!
D
DARKO
Well-known member
5.9 is an awesome motor, i miss mine. I switched to a 6.7 Mega cab and the 6.7 sure doesnt live upto the hype. 5.9 was faster and gets alot better mileage and much easier to mod.
Nothing wrong with a D-max either, havent owned one since 2004 so im outta the loop on the newer generation dmax.
Nothing wrong with a D-max either, havent owned one since 2004 so im outta the loop on the newer generation dmax.
When it comes to tolling the 5.9 was the way to go... good tq gets good mileage esp. against the duramax. I would get upgraded torque converter if i had a new cummins. Seem to hear too many tranny problems as of late
On the duramax end you have a reliable 6speed and a little bit more power. The biggest complaint i hear about the new duramax (LBZ?) is the poor MPG. I have a 05 LLY duramax chip/lifted and only changed a couple of ball-jts in 85,000KM.
Pricewise i think the Duramax is still more $$$.
On the duramax end you have a reliable 6speed and a little bit more power. The biggest complaint i hear about the new duramax (LBZ?) is the poor MPG. I have a 05 LLY duramax chip/lifted and only changed a couple of ball-jts in 85,000KM.
Pricewise i think the Duramax is still more $$$.
Whatever you do, I would stay away from the 6.7 dodge and the lmm chevy. With the emmision upgrades, they tend to get worse mileage and also have many more things that can go wrong.
Personally, I love my Dmax. With the LT3 package, it has a great interior even though i cannot fit a full size queen matress in the back seat area like the mega cab. To me, my back seat seems like enough room for the most part. If I were to haul a family around all the time the mega cab would be a great option.
The engine/tranny combos on either one are great. Even though it has less power, the cummins seems like the best engine if you are doing lots of pulling; I would stick with the manual though. The duramax/allison combo is a great all around pulling/daily driving powertrain.
Either way, now is the time to buy a used diesel pickup if you don't mind paying the extra cash for diesel. When I filled up the other day, diesel was only a few cents higher then premium gas; so the difference in price is shrinking.
Personally, I love my Dmax. With the LT3 package, it has a great interior even though i cannot fit a full size queen matress in the back seat area like the mega cab. To me, my back seat seems like enough room for the most part. If I were to haul a family around all the time the mega cab would be a great option.
The engine/tranny combos on either one are great. Even though it has less power, the cummins seems like the best engine if you are doing lots of pulling; I would stick with the manual though. The duramax/allison combo is a great all around pulling/daily driving powertrain.
Either way, now is the time to buy a used diesel pickup if you don't mind paying the extra cash for diesel. When I filled up the other day, diesel was only a few cents higher then premium gas; so the difference in price is shrinking.
I would be trading up from a 99 gmc 1/2 ton so diesel power would be all new to me i have been a gm man all my life they both sound like they have there good and bad points the dodge i am looking at has 56000 on it anything i should look at to be aware that may cause a problem down the road?
Thanks for the input!!!!
Thanks for the input!!!!
5.9 cummins. I have seen to many problems with the Duramax. Chevy is better with comfort. A friend of mine has a 5.9 cummins in a chevy Duely. Damn nice set up. Damn expensive, He did all the work himself.
I'm in the same exact position I want to trade in my 03 chev 1/2 ton. I drove a 2007 mega cab the other day and man I like it alot. The back seat has rediculous amounts of space and I have been finding the dodges ALOT cheaper than the chevs in my area. I dont do any real heavy pulling mostly sleds boats and rvs so I'm not worried about the tranny too much. I have yet to drive a 5.9 but I really think I'm going to make the move to dodge. It seems stupid to spend 20K more for a truck with a smaller cab and worse mileage. my.02 Let us know what kind of screamin deals you run acrossed 
I've got a '02 LB7 Duramax/Alli Crew Cab and '07 Mega 5.9, 6speed sitting in the garage.
Chevy has almost 100k mi on it without a lick of trouble, almost (water pump warranty, NSBU switch on the trans, $70, power window motor $120). Truck has been run with a 90hp tune since almost new. Other than the typical GM steering shaft clunk, the truck still rides, drives, looks like new.
Dodge has 15k mi, bought at 10kmi. PO had tie rod ends, steering box, and something else replaced in the front end, warranty, before 10k mi. I have had no trouble to date. Running about a 90hp tune all the time (stock clutch won't handle much more than that in 6th gear).
They both pull great. Chevy is faster with the auto, even making a little less power than the Dodge. Chevy is expectedly a little more comfortable. Dodge is burly as he!!.
I'd say personal preference, they are both great trucks.
Chevy has almost 100k mi on it without a lick of trouble, almost (water pump warranty, NSBU switch on the trans, $70, power window motor $120). Truck has been run with a 90hp tune since almost new. Other than the typical GM steering shaft clunk, the truck still rides, drives, looks like new.
Dodge has 15k mi, bought at 10kmi. PO had tie rod ends, steering box, and something else replaced in the front end, warranty, before 10k mi. I have had no trouble to date. Running about a 90hp tune all the time (stock clutch won't handle much more than that in 6th gear).
They both pull great. Chevy is faster with the auto, even making a little less power than the Dodge. Chevy is expectedly a little more comfortable. Dodge is burly as he!!.
I'd say personal preference, they are both great trucks.
Had an '04 5.9 3500 quad and really liked it for 70k+. Traded to an '06 3500 4 door Dmax in april and have put 25k on it. Liked them both. 1st chev, had 3 dodges. Like the chevy better for comfort, rear seating room (I didn't have the mega cab) mileage, quiet engine, and the trans. The tow/haul mode with manual shifting and trans braking on the 6 spd Allison is great. They need to mate that cummins with an allison
You can get a emissions delete and by-pass the cpu exhaust on the new duramax. But its gonna cost you if you dont have any connections
I've got an 07 1/2 Mega Cab 6 sp auto, and love it. It only has 34000k on it but absolutly no problems yet and it has a real tranny, unlike the 4 speed you get with the 5.9. Don't get me wrong, the 5.9 is a great motor but the tranny is a pos. I know 10 or more guys that have taken them out and some more than once. The 6.7 has lot's of power and the milage isn't that bad. I have a 40' fifth wheel that is over 18000 lbs and is 13 1/2' high and I've gotten as high as 11mpg on the hiway. My kids can recline the back seats and watch tv and you never hear, "are we there yet?" lol.
The tow/haul mode with manual shifting and trans braking on the 6 spd Allison is great. They need to mate that cummins with an allison
I just drove an 07 cummins with the 6spd auto and it had the manual mode and brake also seemed pretty sweet from what i could tell around town with no load.
I've have an 08 D Max and I had an 07 Dodge Mega Cab with the Cummins. Honestly I miss my Dodge, wish I never had gotten rid of it. It got better mileage, pulled my trailers better, the Dodge just seemed more stout and solid while pulling heavy loads. The extra room in the Mega cab my kids miss BIG TIME. My Max seems to be more spongy and darts around more when I'm pulling my trailers, that are loaded heavy. The Max has more comfortable seats and a little better fit and finish, but IMHO that's it.........
R
RMK7SledHead
Well-known member
load it up...it only gets better with 20k behind it. That exhaust brake works soooo good when it's loaded heavy and the tranny starts down shifting.
5.9 cummins, best motor on the road, that's it,
K
Kevco
Well-known member
As long as it only has 12 valves
I am a Dodge boy to the marrow. But the guys at my shop told me " if everyone drove a D max Id be out of biz." I almost pulled the trigger on a D max twice this year if biz was better I would have. Just my $.02
