If you guys were looking at a 2001-1997 diesel 250/2500 series and up truck in which you would like to add some boltons like exhaust, down pipe, and boost and injector controls, what would you get and why (Ford/Chevy/Dodge). Price range of about $20,000-$14000. Comments on the motor, tranny, transfer case, and differentials are what I'm looking for. Also, durability. Just for reference they say when you get 2000-3000 hours out of a gas boat motor you are doing good and when you get 25000 hours out of a diesel you are just breaking it in. What kind of mileage can you expect out of a truck diesel. Thanks guys, any input is appreciated.

BTW, anybody looking for a good work truck in the form of a 94 Bronco 4x4 wheel drive

 

Diesel Truck Trannies
I've been talking with a guy from the Edge Tuners for the diesel trucks. Here are the gains he reports with nothing but their tuner in the trucks (no exhaust or intake) on A) Duramax B)7.3L Power stroke and C) the Cummins.

A - 150 HP & 350 TRQ. - MAX

B - 75 HP & 200 TRQ. - MAX

C - 180 HP & 440 TRQ. - MAX


Now, what do you guys know about the manual transmissions in these trucks. I have a feel for the autos but not the manuals. Do the manuals tend to be stronger then the autos?

BTW, if you do the math in the duramax that comes with 530 ft-lbs that equates to 880 ft-lbs, that's insane.

I didn't ask about the 6.0L powerstroke as it is out of my price range.

Tell me what you guys think.

 

anybody???

 

First, you probably will not be able to find a Duramax in the 14 to $20,000 range. I have looked and the only ones I found were first year 2001's with high mileage(all well over 100,000). You might get lucky and find one, but good luck. As for the Fords, I would look into the 99 and up with the new body style. They make more power and have better automatic transmissions factory. Some of the 1999's are thought to have a weak torque converter. There are quite a few of these out there just look on (autotrader.com). The Dodge is a good option if you don't mind the horribly loud engine. There auto trannies are weak in stock form, but the aftermarket builders can help that. There ride is the worst of all, but I have seen several with 200,000 miles and running strong. All of these can be made very powerful with bolt-ons, just depends on what kind of deals you find.

 

Cool, thanks man. I don't mind loud really, I just don't like things that break. Do you know anything about the six speed they use?

As far as the duramax they are definately my most expensive option. I've seen a few in my range (actually about $21,000) but they are 100,000 mile trucks. I guess that wouldn't matter too much though for a diesel. I just wander what these power programmers do to the life of the motor and tranny. I mean if used intelligently (i.e. don't tow anything with the max power setting).

 

The Dodge 6-spd can take some abuse and can handle the extra power. the Allison can too, but it has come many electronic controls that it limits the power actually getting to the ground. This, of course, can be good and bad at the same time. As stated above, the aftermarket has plenty of solutions for the Dodge auto tranny.

Longevity of the engine/drivetrain should not be affected with just a programmer as long as its used properly like you mentioned.

Fuel mileage is dependent of cab configurations, 2wd or 4wd, and driving habits. 24v Dodge Cummins (98.2-02) can get 20+ MPG no problem, even the 3500 duallys can get that, if driven normally. As for 99+ 7/3L P/S, you could expect 13-15 mpg (4wd, 1-ton) or upwards of 18-19 mpg (2wd, 3/4 ton, excab).

After working in a diesel performance shop for 2 years, the most common buyer of a programmer is a guy in a 99-03 Ford 7.3L looking for fuel mileage. Honestly, I get more of those than people looking for more power.

From seeing the trucks in the shop here, the Cummins is by far the longest lasting and strongest engine (stock or near stock). We always joke around in the shop saying that if it wasn't for Powerstrokes then we would be out of business.

 

Thanks man, that's the exact kind of information I was looking for. Maybe I'll have to look more into the dodges now. I believe with the addition of 440 ft-lbs that puts this truck right at 1000ft-lbs. That must be one strong six speed. I'm sure the clutch will give out quick though if you beat on it. Not like I'm going to race this thing or anything (well maybe once for ***** and giggles), just that it would be cool to have a daily drive that makes all this power and get into a street run every now and then.

 

YellowChevy4.8, sent you a pm.

 

I agree with most of what has been said so far, the Cummins and 6-speed are strong and can last a long time. With that being said, the problem that arises is the fact that the Dodge truck wrapped around them falls apart way before the diesel is broken in .
The Allison in the GM's is a good transmission, much better than the Dodge and Ford automatics, and with some of the new tuners that have come out recently, they can still take a good amount of power before breaking.
The Fords are nice, and probably going to be the cheapest, but the 7.3L doesn't have the power of the 6.0L, though I've heard the 6.0L's have been having some serious reliability issues - several people I know who have the 6.0L's experienced a sudden destruction of the motor for some unknown reason, but all were repaired under warranty by Ford.

Tom

 

Yep we have heard many complaints on the 6.0. Some guys have had their new trucks back at the dealership longer than they have actually had them at home. Ford seems to have a new tune for the computers on a weekly basis. I was having to send programmers back to Superchips b/c their software in the tuners couldnt keep up with the newest tunes from Ford.