Im about to be in the market for a new heavy duty pickup. I own a dodge, and HAVE owned a ford. So, thats where my choices are. Im looking for what the most common problems are with the NEW Superduty trucks are (ones with the 6.0L) I like the room of the Ford but i like the engine in the Dodge....and i have heard catastrophic problems with both trucks. Im not looking for a "Ford sucks/Dodge sucks" answer, im looking for the most common problems with the new diesel (transmission, engine, etc).
Im gonna go to the dodge board and post the same.

I know both are going to have problems, im looking for which one will suck less.

Power is important...50lb/ft torque differences are insignificant
FUEL MILEAGE is VERY important....which was another Dodge + for me.


Thanks for yalls input!!

 

seeing as your here...get the ford....they all have had tranny problems in the past yada..yada..as far as today goes ford has the tranny problem figured out...and i hear the front ends are superior in the ford as opposed to anything else...i have a super duty '99 diesel dump dually 4X4 with a 7.3 diesel..no chip no nothing...i love it leaf spring front end...not struts but whatever you choose is up to you...and i get 14-16 mpg in what it is...i think thats just fine with me...zap!

 

I think i am most concerned with the 6.0 V8 diesel in the new ford. Im worried about reliability, and it hasnt been out long enough to know what its gonna be like. Im along the lines of thinking V8...more parts...more crap to break vs. I6...fewer parts..more torque...and its what they use in cats....PLUS the mileage is up near 18-20.

BUT that makes no difference if the tranny falls out of it. I do feel like the Ford is more stout feeling, it just feels beefier. I also believe (and i could be wrong) that you get more bang for your buck. I priced out the crap I wanted on the truck at Ford and Dodge, and the difference in price was 500 bucks, the dodge being cheaper. I got more 'stuff' on the ford for a similar price. I guess ill keep reading up and read the problems in the boards and go to the dealers and test drive both. Then ill buy the one from whoever screws me less.


This doesnt mean you folks can quit posting input though...get on the ball!!

Thanks guys.

 

Not engine related, but Ford is still using manual hubs on all 4x4 Superduties. Even the ones with electronic-shift-on-the-fly still have manual overrides on their hubs. A very nice feature to me, since in my experience 80% of all 4wd failures are auto-hub related. Ford gives you a backup in that regard.

Also, I liked Superduties because the stock ground clearance is higher than GM or Dodge HDs. Not talking about axle/diff clearance, but rather how high the frame, chassis and drivetrain parts sit. GM isn't even close and Dodge is a little bit lower than Ford. Not a big deal to alot of guys but if you use the truck offroad in work/chore related way the extra 1" to 2" of frame clearance is a good thing.

All post-2001 4x4 Superduties have Dana 60 solid front axles. A huge positive to me. Of course GM HD's are IFS. I'm not saying Dodge front axles are weak by any means-I just don't know much about them but Dana is recognized by about everybody as making some of the best stuff on the market.

If you get an auto, the newer Superduties (gas or diesel) have that new Torqueshift 5-speed auto with the tow program. It automatically downshifts if you tap the brakes on a downhill grade plus a few other features. Basically similar to the Allisons in GM's HDs. Nice to have if you plan to tow much with it. No matter how you put it or if it's even still true, but Dodge has a crappy reputation for auto transmissions. Of course if you want a 6-speed manual then it probably don't matter alot.

And lastly, a matter of my own personal opinion. Dodge's pickup interiors are stupid-looking. The seats are fine and comfortable, but the dash, cluster and controls look like they were stripped from a minivan. Like I said, that's just my opinion but everytime I ride in one I hate the look. GM and Ford got Dodge beat bad in that regard. Even some of my buddies who love their Rams in every other way hate the interiors.

 

Don't look for a D60 axle in a 2001 you won't find it except in an F350 dually. 2002 is when the switch occured, and even then the first production runs of MY02 had some D50s in them.

The 6.0L has had some growing pains, but seems to be starting to outgrow them a little bit. Now that being said I'm wondering whats going to happen in the future. For MY07 Ford is scheduled to use a new 6.4L diesel. Thats a very short run for a diesel engine like that. I've also heard that the new 6.4L will be a fair departure from the current 6.0L so that makes me wonder how much they will have in common. Basically my concern would be the 6.0L becoming the red headed stepchild of the group. Where Ford would concentrate its efforts towards its new engine and put the 6.0L on the back burner.


The transmissions on the Ford are the torqueshift and the 6spd manual. The ZF6 has been around and proven itself. The torqueshift is new and had some problems. There is just now a few aftermarket things come out for it so take that into account. I can't comment on the Dodge trannies, just what I've seen on the older ones.

The aftermarket policies for both Ford and Dodge has gotten real touchy so I don't see any advantage there really. I think its all going to come down to what kind of interior you really like/want. Ford IMO has the advantage over Dodge and Chevy/GMC winning it overall. As for engines the Cummins so far is very hard to beat. The common rail system though I think has been having its own growing pains about as bad as the 6.0L so might not gain much there. But I do agree with the rest of your assessment of the IL6 vs. V8 argument.

My opinion screw all the new stuff, find a truck you like and get an old 12V Cummins and have fun. No electronics or lift pumps crapping out all the time.

 

I think i can get used to the interior. I agree though, the interior of the dodge is very boxy and i don't care for it at all. But the Ford has more room. By the numbers ford has a COUPLE of more inches, but in reality, its enormously large inside.

As for engines, i saw a post here that said the Ford outdid the dodge loaded with a 5k trailer. THe dodge guys said they read an article where the dodge outdid the ford in pulling a 10k load..

NEITHER of these arguments help as i cannot substantiate either.

One thing that does sway me is that i am a hopelessly right winged conservative.....and teh Ford's final assembly is in michigan, and dodges is in Mexico.

Don't know where else they are built.

 

Never owned a diesle but have plenty of friends and guys i know that have them. I could preach all day how much better i like the ford over the chevy or dodge but its your decision. I was NOT impressed with the dodge at all. Took a trip to wyoming to snowmobile and i drove the dodge and ford both 2004's (pulling same enclosed trailers) and man it felt like i had to mash the petal of the dodge to get it to move. It took forever to pass as well. The ford seemed to have ***** all the way up to 90. I got sick to my stomach riding in the dodge. The back seat is TINY and it rides rough. Sucked being back there for 12 hours.

A landscaper in town was a big chevy guy along with his dad.
well he had a duramax diesle...didnt like it...got a chevy gas 6.0....didnt like it. His dad traded his chevy for a ford and fell in love with it. Well his son wanted to as well but coudlnt afford the ford so he bought a dodge. He wishes he had the ford now.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=195493

 

After driving a 6.0 liter 'stroke with the Torqueshift, I can't see why someone would want anything else...teething pains aside, I think it's a really nice combo. '05 is supposed to be the year of the 6.0, and from what I've read and heard (I don't tinker much with diesels), the '05 model engines have been pretty stout. I've heard rumors or some kind of twin turbo setup for the '07 model year, but that ain't set in stone.