Duramax vs. Powerstroke. Diesel Power
- Thread starter Johnny
- Start date
i can pound out a front wheel bearing assembly in about 15 mins if i hump on it. 30 mins tops. keep in mind this is with air tools. but good on you doing it all yourself. saves a lot of money.
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northerns4
New member
Hahaha don't lie sean.
Jokes aside I would have to go with the duramax myself. I drive in enough fords at work. I like the fact that my interior is more similar to a luxury car then a standard truck.
Jokes aside I would have to go with the duramax myself. I drive in enough fords at work. I like the fact that my interior is more similar to a luxury car then a standard truck.
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barry1me
Well-known member
I drove a 2011 Duramax and the first thing I noticed is it had the worse turbo lag from a dead dig I have ever drove for a duramax. I have owned an 02, 03 and 05 duramax and I was less then impressed with turbo lag. With that being said once it lit it took off pretty good.
My issues with GM HD trucks..
Front end is weak...I have tried every pitman arm made and they get loose with in 5K miles of install...cognito braces help some, but not enough
garbage transfer case....can you say pump rub??? for those that arent familiar with this term its when the pump in the transfer case rubs a hole through the transfer case and drains out transfer case....had this happen on my 02, and 05. Also the transfer case chains need replaced as they loosen up so much its hard to engage 4x4.
IF Ford and Dodge made such inferior trucks why is it that it took GM till 2011 to put in a fully boxed frame just like ford and Dodge? Some can claim they did this for "a better ride" that they kept the open frame rail....well they jumped on the band wagon this year.
For 2012 the Duramax is getting a new Garret turbo as GM has been paying $50,000,000 in warranty claims yearly on the current turbo design. It will be interesting how the new turbo does in high elevation towing vs the powerstroke.
My issues with GM HD trucks..
Front end is weak...I have tried every pitman arm made and they get loose with in 5K miles of install...cognito braces help some, but not enough
garbage transfer case....can you say pump rub??? for those that arent familiar with this term its when the pump in the transfer case rubs a hole through the transfer case and drains out transfer case....had this happen on my 02, and 05. Also the transfer case chains need replaced as they loosen up so much its hard to engage 4x4.
IF Ford and Dodge made such inferior trucks why is it that it took GM till 2011 to put in a fully boxed frame just like ford and Dodge? Some can claim they did this for "a better ride" that they kept the open frame rail....well they jumped on the band wagon this year.
For 2012 the Duramax is getting a new Garret turbo as GM has been paying $50,000,000 in warranty claims yearly on the current turbo design. It will be interesting how the new turbo does in high elevation towing vs the powerstroke.
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badass1000
Well-known member
the pump rub issue was fixed on the 07.5. I am worried about mine. I am at 95,000 with no problems. don't feel like pulling transfer case out to put a kit in it. I guess I will roll the dice and take my chances. I know it is not a fix, but thought about building some jb weld up on the case in the spot where it wears through.
The wheel bearing issue was fixed on the 07.5 also.
Every one used to always mention the fully boxed frame. Who gives a ****. Its pretty sad if that is all you have to claim your truck is better. Who has ever bent a frame on a chevy that wasn't in a serious accident? Chevy probably jumped on the band wagon so they could quite hearing all the bs on how ford or dodge was better because it has a fully boxed frame.
I don't know any one with a duramax that has had a turbo go out. Ford on the other hand. I know several guys that have had turbos go out on their powerstroke.
Duramax just seems to be the most reliable, smoothest/quitest riding, and best mpg in my experiance.
Sure their are a few little tweaks that could make them better, but dodge and ford need alot more tweeking then the duramax does.
The wheel bearing issue was fixed on the 07.5 also.
Every one used to always mention the fully boxed frame. Who gives a ****. Its pretty sad if that is all you have to claim your truck is better. Who has ever bent a frame on a chevy that wasn't in a serious accident? Chevy probably jumped on the band wagon so they could quite hearing all the bs on how ford or dodge was better because it has a fully boxed frame.
I don't know any one with a duramax that has had a turbo go out. Ford on the other hand. I know several guys that have had turbos go out on their powerstroke.
Duramax just seems to be the most reliable, smoothest/quitest riding, and best mpg in my experiance.
Sure their are a few little tweaks that could make them better, but dodge and ford need alot more tweeking then the duramax does.
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heres a 2003 duramax 3/4 ton pulling a 23,000 lb skytrack with a 7,000 lb trailerhttp://www.snowestonline.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=131571&stc=1&d=1296867765http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=131572&stc=1&d=1296867765
brand
Although I was pretty well convinced the duramax really is the stronger engine, it still comes in a GM truck. That's why I had to go with Ford.
I have run chevy and ford 1/2 and 3/4 tons and my experience has been that overall the Ford will take more abuse/harder use. So when I was looking for a one ton I decided I would go with the Ford.
So I only have 2 towing trips with it so far. In mountains, snow/ice covered roads, windy, pulling loaded enclosed trailer although was only 8000 lbs.
Assessment - again, not as heavy as will be pulling later but road conditions/weather crappy.
1) power - passed a truck and hit 85 in what felt like a moment on flats prior to the climb. Power felt excellent in mountains. Felt like nothing behind the truck.
2) stability in wind/curves/braking/snow-ice roads - excellent. Integrated brake/exhaust brake worked great.
3) interior - I like it. My wife likes it and she drives a girl truck (LTZ suburban).
4) mileage/emissions/etc - it sucks, but it is what it is. The future of diesel depends on cleaning them up and it irritates me also all the extra crap on them. On the other hand - it starts great/runs great/is quiet/does not smell and that helps my wife like this truck (now that's a good thing!)
Will see if I remain a Ford fan after we get some mileage/hard use out of this truck.
BTW - If you buy the Ford one ton has 2 1/2 hitch. If you get a 2 1/2 to 2 inch adaptor consider the Ford factory one as it slides in without hammering/grinding of an aftermarket one whick might require. Even the Ford dealer I bought it from did not know this although you can find out just by reading owner forums. Otherwise just go to 2 1/2 inch if have not already.
Although I was pretty well convinced the duramax really is the stronger engine, it still comes in a GM truck. That's why I had to go with Ford.
I have run chevy and ford 1/2 and 3/4 tons and my experience has been that overall the Ford will take more abuse/harder use. So when I was looking for a one ton I decided I would go with the Ford.
So I only have 2 towing trips with it so far. In mountains, snow/ice covered roads, windy, pulling loaded enclosed trailer although was only 8000 lbs.
Assessment - again, not as heavy as will be pulling later but road conditions/weather crappy.
1) power - passed a truck and hit 85 in what felt like a moment on flats prior to the climb. Power felt excellent in mountains. Felt like nothing behind the truck.
2) stability in wind/curves/braking/snow-ice roads - excellent. Integrated brake/exhaust brake worked great.
3) interior - I like it. My wife likes it and she drives a girl truck (LTZ suburban).
4) mileage/emissions/etc - it sucks, but it is what it is. The future of diesel depends on cleaning them up and it irritates me also all the extra crap on them. On the other hand - it starts great/runs great/is quiet/does not smell and that helps my wife like this truck (now that's a good thing!)
Will see if I remain a Ford fan after we get some mileage/hard use out of this truck.
BTW - If you buy the Ford one ton has 2 1/2 hitch. If you get a 2 1/2 to 2 inch adaptor consider the Ford factory one as it slides in without hammering/grinding of an aftermarket one whick might require. Even the Ford dealer I bought it from did not know this although you can find out just by reading owner forums. Otherwise just go to 2 1/2 inch if have not already.
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kmo
Well-known member
My last pickup prior to my Duramax was a Ford. I spent way more on replacement parts due to lack of durability than I have my Chevy. And the Chevy drives and tows so much better. Man alive, one thing I especially hated about my Ford was that it went through brakes and calipers like crazy, and never did stop that well. I'm at nearly 90,000 miles on my Chevy and the pads still look great, and there is no pulsating whatsoever, something the Ford never could get away from for long.
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barry1me
Well-known member
I would agree that you don't hear much on turbo failures on dmaxs but it doesn't matter what mine and your personal experience is as GM is going to a new turbo design in 2012 due to high warranty issues. Regarding the jb weld on the transfer case.......I did that on my 05 and it worked ok for 15k miles. The reason I like ford trucks better is due to my job. Im an engineer in automotive and work with the big 3 on a daily basis. I have been in exhaust design for the last 6 years and before that it was brakes and chassis. Ford sets the standard for the most stringent and hardest tests to pass when it comes to validating an exhaust system and there calipers/master cylinder are the strongest in the industry. Ever since 05 ford has had the strongest brakes in the market. Since 07 gm went to a similar caliper design as ford for front. Also any company that goes backwards in technology on brake design get s a big slap in it's face in my book ..........ie 2007 silver ado 1500. Went from rear disk brakes to drums. PRETTY SAD!
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badass1000
Well-known member
Hopefully the new turbo is as good or better then the old one. I actually finally said scew it and ordered the kit from merchant automotive to fix the pump rub issue last night. $100. I travel to sacramento, las vegas, woodburn, bremerton, etc.. to drag race motorcycles. that would really ruin the trip if it hapened while I was driving too or from a race. I also go to the coast jet skiing a few times a year. snowmobiling, etc.. I spent a whole day in the dessert (100 or so out) out of wells nevada when the oil pump houseing broke on my buddys 99 power stroke. It was going to be a few days to fix so we had to wait for a buddy to drive down from kuna id to pickup us up and his trailer with our bikes in it. had a tow truck pick the truck up to take it to town. I sat in the trailer as their was $$$$$ bikes in it and we didn't want to leave the trailer alone. we were driving all night and noticed the oil all over the trailer when the sun came up.
I checked the front brakes in my duramax at 75,000 miles when I did the front wheel bearings. I actually bought new pads and figured I would replace them while it was apart. to my surprise they looked almost like new still. left the pads in and returned the ones I had bought. Checked the rear brakes when I did the rear axle seal at 95,000 miles and they looked like new too. Brakes work great on my duramax and I have no complaints.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279691&highlight=brakes
I don't know why gm went back to drum rear brakes on the half ton. that is stupid. I agree that they all need a few little improvements. It would be great if their never was a front wheel bearing issue or pump rub issue, or injectors on the lb7's, but the fords and dodge need alot more improvements then the duramax does. That is a nice thing I like about the duramax. they have had the same basic engine/tranny/truck since 01. They just keep making improvements to it. Ford just seems to be scrambling to get something to work. Major redesigns and changes all the time. Every time it is like a new shot in the dark instead of improveing what they already have.
I checked the front brakes in my duramax at 75,000 miles when I did the front wheel bearings. I actually bought new pads and figured I would replace them while it was apart. to my surprise they looked almost like new still. left the pads in and returned the ones I had bought. Checked the rear brakes when I did the rear axle seal at 95,000 miles and they looked like new too. Brakes work great on my duramax and I have no complaints.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279691&highlight=brakes
I don't know why gm went back to drum rear brakes on the half ton. that is stupid. I agree that they all need a few little improvements. It would be great if their never was a front wheel bearing issue or pump rub issue, or injectors on the lb7's, but the fords and dodge need alot more improvements then the duramax does. That is a nice thing I like about the duramax. they have had the same basic engine/tranny/truck since 01. They just keep making improvements to it. Ford just seems to be scrambling to get something to work. Major redesigns and changes all the time. Every time it is like a new shot in the dark instead of improveing what they already have.
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yep my 2004 duramax has 100,000 miles on it now and the brakes are fine. my friends 2003 has 150,000miles on it and his brakes are fine,hes the one that tows (sometimes, not all the time) the skytrack.
also on his 2003 the injectors went out at around 100,000 miles and he found out that with that year they had problems with them and so they added an extended warranty on them , so his were covered. not sure if any other years had the problem.
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barry1me
Well-known member
The good news is whether its the duramax, the powertroke or the cummins (ford, GM, Dodge) they are all engineered and designed, tested, and mostly manufactured in the US. Support the US. Duramax is a rocking truck. I would love to own a 2011 Denalli HD....I have saw plenty of them when we go snowmobiling.
i agree , and some of my friends have the cummings and the ford
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badass1000
Well-known member
lb7 (01-04) is the only year that had injector problems. I believe they have a 250,000 mile warranty on the injectors on the lb7's because of the injector issues. It sucks that they had a issue, but it is great that chevy steped up and warranties them like that.
I would love to have a 2011 denalli hd also but man..... $$$$$$
I can't believe how much the new diesels are. Chevy and Ford are out their. Looks like a comparably equiped dodge is about $7000 cheaper then a chevy. dodge doesn't have to have urea injection like ford and chevy.
I got a crew cab short box duramax 4x4 ls with a few extra options back in 05. book was $44,500. I got it for $33,800. I called a month or two ago on a new lml with about the same options as my 05. book was around 50 or $52,000. price was $44,000. So the exact same truck I bought in 05 is now $10,000 more.
I would love to have a 2011 denalli hd also but man..... $$$$$$
I can't believe how much the new diesels are. Chevy and Ford are out their. Looks like a comparably equiped dodge is about $7000 cheaper then a chevy. dodge doesn't have to have urea injection like ford and chevy.
I got a crew cab short box duramax 4x4 ls with a few extra options back in 05. book was $44,500. I got it for $33,800. I called a month or two ago on a new lml with about the same options as my 05. book was around 50 or $52,000. price was $44,000. So the exact same truck I bought in 05 is now $10,000 more.
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barry1me
Well-known member
$7000 of the $10,000 premium went into emissions devices to help meet the EPAs BS.....I know as I design DPFs, DOCs, SCR, and gasoline catalysts.
on that 250,000 mile warranty on the injectors , you dont know if there is a time limit on that also do u ?
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badass1000
Well-known member
That is what I have heard several times.
The epa can shove it up their ***. As far as I am concerned the epa is ruining the US economy and not doing much good. Sucks to spend a extra $7,000 on something you didn't want on the truck in the first place. Then have to spend a bunch of money to remove it off your truck so you can get better gas mileage.
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badass1000
Well-known member
Looks like it is 7 years or 200,000 miles (320,000 km), whichever occurs first.
Read about it here:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304674
Check on it yourself to make sure. I don't want to tell you it is one thing and it turns out it is something else on something like this.
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