Which 1 Ton?

JNB · Apr 9, 2016

I'm getting fed up with my 2004.5 HO Cummins. Hard start when warm problems and eating fuel filters like candy. Tons of codes, and going into limp mode from time to time. All of these problems came and went at random. It started stalling out under throttle last Monday on the way to the jobsite. After unloading and disconnecting the trailer, it shut off no less than 15 times on the way to the shop 37 miles away. It turned out to be the fuel control actuator. First morning hooked up to the trailer again it ran like a champ...for about about a half hour then shut off when idling. Limped it to the job, unloaded and headed for culverts. It shut off at idle two more times...one hour to start each time. Parking back at the job I happened to be looking at the oil pressure gauge when I saw it drop from 30ish pounds to the bottom. I shut it off and found that the crankcase was full of diesel and it was blowing it out somewhere at the back of the engine inside the bell housing. It' headed to the shop on Monday. I finished out the week with my trusty old '99 7.3 SRW, but she's had a hard life and at 320k I'd rather not be towing 15k pounds around too awful much.

I'm trying to decide whether to keep the Dodge (don't know if it's worth keeping), or get a newer flatbed. I won't buy new, so which 2012-2014 big 3 diesels are having the least amount of problems?

lantraxco · Apr 9, 2016

Early '98 12 valve mechanical with a bit of tuning?

RZucker · Apr 9, 2016

This is precisely the reason I keep my ratty old '94 Dodge 12 valve Cummins around, the body is rough, the interior is rough, but it does it's job when I need it. Actually looked at an '82 Chev 1ton 4x4 with low miles the other day, I keep thinking simple.

mxsledder · Apr 9, 2016

All three diesels between 2012-2014 are very nice. I think the ram has a great interior and overall package on those years. The 2015 Chevy duramax is super nice but the years you mentioned I would go with the Cummins.

CM1995 · Apr 9, 2016

My 2013 F350 SRW with 6.7 has been a great truck. 60K on the clock and the only thing I've had to take it to the dealership for was the drivers side seat belt wouldn't retract.

I'll buy another one.

JNB · Apr 9, 2016

I had a '98 cummins extended cab that I was trying to buy, but the guy wouldn't sell it. 5 spd, 4wd, dually, skirted flatbed, 100 gal. fuel tank, 65k miles. I left town for a week and he traded it in...

CM, that's exactly the info I'm looking for. I don't give a rat's tail about fancy interiors and pretty, I want reliable. I can rent any piece of equipment I need and still make money. I'd rather make a payment on a good reliable truck. Did I say reliable?

Mark13 · Apr 9, 2016

JNB said:
I'm getting fed up with my 2004.5 HO Cummins. Hard start when warm problems and eating fuel filters like candy. Tons of codes, and going into limp mode from time to time. All of these problems came and went at random. It started stalling out under throttle last Monday on the way to the jobsite. After unloading and disconnecting the trailer, it shut off no less than 15 times on the way to the shop 37 miles away. It turned out to be the fuel control actuator. First morning hooked up to the trailer again it ran like a champ...for about about a half hour then shut off when idling. Limped it to the job, unloaded and headed for culverts. It shut off at idle two more times...one hour to start each time. Parking back at the job I happened to be looking at the oil pressure gauge when I saw it drop from 30ish pounds to the bottom. I shut it off and found that the crankcase was full of diesel and it was blowing it out somewhere at the back of the engine inside the bell housing. It' headed to the shop on Monday. I finished out the week with my trusty old '99 7.3 SRW, but she's had a hard life and at 320k I'd rather not be towing 15k pounds around too awful much.

I'm trying to decide whether to keep the Dodge (don't know if it's worth keeping), or get a newer flatbed. I won't buy new, so which 2012-2014 big 3 diesels are having the least amount of problems?

Sounds like your Case skid rubbed off on your pickup some.

I've been pretty darn happy with my 2012 6.7 Ford. Some things may have fallen off it and now it runs much better, increased mpg, less potential headaches and the motor should live longer. Quiet, starts right up in the cold (coldest I've had it sit for a day or two and not be plugged in was around -18*F and it popped right off like it would have on a 65* day. Smooth driving truck, interior holds together pretty well so far, mirrors give you a great field of vision, etc. The 6R140 automatic is a beast as well, it doesn't care if I'm driving around empty or my gross weight is 50k, it just does it's thing and doesn't get hot either. Usually we end up taking my truck everywhere even on vacation over my gf's BMW car just because both of us like it and it has good road manners. As far as problems, it's been back to the dealer twice. Once for a dome light that wouldn't shut off and the other being the aluminum wheels were delaminating and were replaced.

lumberjack · Apr 9, 2016

Another vote for the 6.7L Powerstroke, although I would skip the 350 and get the 550.

CM1995 · Apr 9, 2016

That's funny Mark13, we take my 350 on long trips over my wife's BMW as well. It's an XL but it's comfortable and the dirt and grease wipe right off.

JNB · Apr 10, 2016

Mark13 said:
Sounds like your Case skid rubbed off on your pickup some.

Like the truck got jealous over all of the attention or something... :beatsme

Thanks for the review of your truck.

pafarmer · Apr 10, 2016

I have been running the Duramax diesel/ Allison equipped Chevrolet and GMC models since 2002 and have been really happy with these trucks. The Allison tranny is bullet proof and the Duramax motor is strong. I presently am running a 2015 Chevy that a few emission items fell off and the truck is insanely powerful, can tow just about anything up to 20k and I an getting over 20 miles a gallon with it. Hard to beat these newer Dmax equipped rigs IMHO....that being said I also have a shop truck with a 7.3 Ford that has been running failure free since new. Over a million miles on just one complete rebuild...The older Cummins are good motors as well....my fleet trucks are all Chevy Duramax trucks and I am pretty happy
Their perforamce to date...

Mark13 · Apr 10, 2016

CM1995 said:
That's funny Mark13, we take my 350 on long trips over my wife's BMW as well. It's an XL but it's comfortable and the dirt and grease wipe right off.

Mine would ride a lot better if it was a 350! The biggest complaint I have with my truck is the unloaded ride quality and it's not even that bad for a 550 I don't think. I get spoiled with my truck having the Lariat package, I never wanted leather in a truck and didn't like it. If this truck was an XLT I would have been just fine with that when I bought it. Now after having it for a year and a half, I love the Lariat interior with the heated/cooled seats and the huge center console. Her BMW is a very nice car but I'm not a car person and I like driving a truck and like the feel of my truck so we take it pretty much everywhere.

JNB said:
Like the truck got jealous over all of the attention or something... :beatsme

Thanks for the review of your truck.

Not a problem, if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

pafarmer said:
I have been running the Duramax diesel/ Allison equipped Chevrolet and GMC models since 2002 and have been really happy with these trucks. The Allison tranny is bullet proof and the Duramax motor is strong. I presently am running a 2015 Chevy that a few emission items fell off and the truck is insanely powerful, can tow just about anything up to 20k and I an getting over 20 miles a gallon with it. Hard to beat these newer Dmax equipped rigs IMHO....that being said I also have a shop truck with a 7.3 Ford that has been running failure free since new. Over a million miles on just one complete rebuild...The older Cummins are good motors as well....my fleet trucks are all Chevy Duramax trucks and I am pretty happy
Their perforamce to date...

Before my 6.7 Powerstroke I drove a 2006 Chevy 2500HD with the LBZ Duramax and 6 speed Allison 1000 for 5.5 years. Fantastic truck, gave me very little trouble even after 5 years of being run very hard. If GM made a 550/5500 sized truck that was closer to the pickups in stead of the large Kodiak chassis I'd be driving one of those instead of my 550.

bigcile · Apr 10, 2016

I like the Allison transmissions. But I also love the older 5.9 Cummins. Put them together and I think it would make an absolute bulletproof combo. but, unfortunately, you can't order them like that from the dealer.

RZucker · Apr 10, 2016

bigcile said:
I like the Allison transmissions. But I also love the older 5.9 Cummins. Put them together and I think it would make an absolute bulletproof combo. but, unfortunately, you can't order them like that from the dealer.

Yep, my dream truck would be a Cummins/Allison combo in a Ford F-450. Weird... I know.

CM1995 · Apr 10, 2016

RZucker said:
Yep, my dream truck would be a Cummins/Allison combo in a Ford F-450. Weird... I know.

I think that's everyone's dream truck in a 250, 350,450 or 550.

lantraxco · Apr 10, 2016

Cummins/Roadranger with a 2 speed rear would be my dream truck, lol.

DB2 · Apr 10, 2016

Cummins Allison in alot of mid size trucks

repowerguy · Apr 10, 2016

lantraxco said:
Cummins/Roadranger with a 2 speed rear would be my dream truck, lol.

13 speed with a front box OD no doubt

bighorn06 · Apr 10, 2016

I just bought an International 4700. The used one tons I have looked at are either over priced or high mileage and worn out. The 4700 is a 2001 with 31k and a crew cab. More truck than I need but better quality for less money.

JNB · Apr 11, 2016

Bighorn - That's a thoughtl. I'd like to have a single axle dump truck for short loads, cleanup and onsite work. I'll have to take more time to think about this.

Which 1 Ton?

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Active Member

Senior Member