I was looking at this link: http://www.dodge-diesel.com/static/eth.html today and noticed that the new Dodge 3500 with the 24V Cummins will pull 14,300 pounds.

The F-350 pulls "only" 13,000.

That's a pretty big difference... almost 3/4 of a ton... and may be enough to swing me toward the Dodge. The biggest trailer I would tow is closer to 14,000 pounds than 13,000.

Am I right, or has Ford increased its towing capacity on the F-350 for 2001?

-Mike

 

My friends' 2000 f-350 will tow up to "17,500" with th PS diesel properly equipped. Even if the Dodge could tow more, the Cummins is the best thing about those trucks. Another friend of mine has a '99 with the 360 and it is not put together as well as a Ford.

 

Consumer Reports rates the F150 right up there with the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra in terms of quality . .

Now I'm not sure how that carries over with the SuperDuty/Powerstroke line, because I don't think Consumer Reports covers those since they tend to be so industrial. However, the light duty Dodges rank near the bottom of the quality scale, right down there with the GM offerings.

Chances are the F-series super duty line will be in the same ballpark, quality wise, as the F150, and that's good company (Consumer Reports noted that the F150 was THE most reliable vehicle that Ford produced in 2000).

The Cummins engine will run long after the rest of the Dodge has fallen apart. The Powerstroke, while not as "cachet" as a Cummins, should be good enough.

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'99 XL 2x4 4.2L SC 5-Spd SC Black over Silver
Penda Liner, Chrome Tubular Step Bars, Prime Designs Bug Deflector

 

The powerstroke is made by international and they have been making dielels for many, many years. The biggest difference is where peak torque comes in since that is what pulls. The dodge comes in lower which would mean more lugging power but you still have a crappy truck around the awesome engine. Go with a ford you will be satisfied.

 

01x, I don't want to sound like a *****, b/c I'm not trying to be, but the Cummins has been around as long as International. As for a better truck, I definately say, go with a FORD!!! I mean, Teneco (or however it is spelled) bought out Case, International, and Cummins. As far as motor, the International is a good motor, but the Cummins is superior. My only problem with Cummins is only having a 6 cyl, I want a v-8 Cummins. Now, if you could get the Cummins in a Ford truck, that would be PERFECTION!

 

I would agree with that statement. Couple the quality, drivetrain, fit-finish of Ford with the Cummins...ahhh...

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'99 Ford F-150 Lariat, 4WD, SCab, ORP, LS/3.73, Tow Pkg, 5.4L
* Superchip
* K&N FIPK GEN II
'99 Chrysler 300M, PHP, Sunroof, Premium Infinity Sound, 3.5L
* Borla Cat-Bak
* K&N Filtercharger
www.atlantagamerz.com
www.f150online.com
www.300mclub.org

 

Soon this argument won't matter, because there will be a Mercedes diesel in the Dodge. I heard that is the plan in the near future. There goes the only reason to buy a Dodge.

 

I say go with the FORD because its a FORD and not only that a FORD won the race yesterday another good reason to go with the FORD.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

F RD

 

Gee, what's so wrong with a Mercedes Diesel? Next time you see a 15+ year old Mercedes Benz on the road, odds are its a diesel. Those things last forever.

Not sure it's better or worse than cummins, but Mercedes Benz engineers are no slouch. Somehow I don't think we'll be seing those Cummins/Dodges around 15 or 20 years from now, and you see those old Mercedes Benzes all the time.




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'99 XL 2x4 4.2L SC 5-Spd SC Black over Silver
Penda Liner, Chrome Tubular Step Bars, Prime Designs Bug Deflector

 

Doug, the only reason those Dodges won't be around in 15-20 years, is b/c the truck won't hold. I bet the Cummins in those things will be good for another 10 or 15 years. I'm not saying the Mercedes Diesel isn't good, but I'm almost willing to bet the Cummins is a better more reliable engine.

Personally, I think Mercedes would be making tractors if there diesel motor was better than the Cummins. Besides all the top tractor manufacturers are usings Cummins engines in there large tractors, I think that says alot about the engine.

 

actually o1 if you're ever in eurpoe you will notice many mercedes tractors.

 

I'm not specifically referring to tractors (as in semi's). I'm referring more to Farm tractors, like Case IH and John Deere. Both of these company's use the Cummins engine in their big applications (8 wheel tractors). Case IH also uses a modified version in their smaller tractors. As far as 18 wheelers go, I'm sure Mercedes has some good ones, but I'm still confident that the Cummins is a better motor.

 

Based on what?


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'99 XL 2x4 4.2L SC 5-Spd SC Black over Silver
Penda Liner, Chrome Tubular Step Bars, Prime Designs Bug Deflector

 

01 go to Germany and see how many Mercedes big rigs and buses you see I lived there for a year and a half back in the 80's when I worked for Uncal Sam and seen alot of them. The reason you don't see them over here is because of all the Anerican made big rigs rule the roads over here such as Kenworth Peterbuilt International Just to name a few.