GMC Silverado vs Dodge ?

[Granite]

I ve got to get a new truck for work where I ll be towing now and again a toy hauler trailer. I use a Chevy Suburban 8.1L now. I am shopping the 2007 GMC Silverado Diesel truck and the Dodge Mega cab Diesel. They are both pretty close in price. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

S

[rouxroux]

In the GMC Sierra/Chevrolet Silverado vs. Dodge matchup, I'd go with the GMC/Chevy. My next-door neighbor is a contractor, and bought both, but burned up the engine in the Dodge due to poor cooling. He bought a rebuilt engine and kept it as a "yard dog" and buys nothing but GM products now. My new Chevy crew cab (although just a little 5.3 for light towing) is the best-riding/performing truck I've ever owned.

GM even has a "small diesel" in the works for the 1500 series. I can't wait until it comes out.

[ckissick]

My Dodge Dakota truck's engine lasted only 130K miles, also due to poor cooling. At that relatively low mileage, it went to the junkyard. It was also on its third tranny.

[rattlsnak]

Everybody can tell you stories on how either model is better than the other. That being said, the newer Cummings diesel engine (04+) is simply unbeatable.

[Dantilla]

My last Chevy (gas) went well over 200,000 miles before I sold it to a friend.
It's now over 250,000, and going strong.

I hope my current 2001 Chevy lasts as long.

But more important- Which one do you like better? Driving dynamics? Styling? They're both going to get the job done. Which one makes the job more enjoyable? To me, that's more important.

I've had plenty of Chevys and Fords, but I've never had a Dodge.

[Shawn 357]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Everybody can tell you stories on how either model is better than the other. That being said, the newer Cummings diesel engine (04+) is simply unbeatable.

The cummings 24 valve is a good engine but the duramax is right there with it. I went with a chevy but that is because I was getting the automatic and prefered the allison trans.

[lm6y]

We have all Dodges with the Cummins in our litlte fleet at work (2 trucks). We haul up to 10,000 lbs in the bed, and have had zero problems with them.

We used to run the Fords with the Power Strokes, untill they came out with the 6.no engine. Transmissions were a problem too.

We looked at the Chevies with the Duramax, but at the time, they had problems with them dropping exhaust valves. A Friend at a Chevey dealer told us about this. They would eat the head, piston, and turbo. Gets Expensive real quick.

We run our trucks untill at least 300,000 miles before they get replaced, so we have to look for long term reliability. Diesels can get expensive quickly, when the warranty runs out.

[unclebilly]

I have a 2000 GMC 2500 with a 6.0L in it. It gets terrible fuel economy but it does have 440,000 kms on it and it still runs very strong.

Last week, I drove 3600 kms to pick up a 36' Alfa Gold 5th wheel in Austin TX with my brother's 03 Dodge with the cummins. His truck has the edge chip on the second setting, 4" exhaust from the turbo back, and a cold air intake. It got 21.3 MPG avaerage on the way down (empty) and 12.1 MPG average on the 3100 kms return. On the way down we were doing 75 - 80 MPH and on the way home we did 70 - 75 MPH. The weather was 102 at the hottest and the truck never heated up.

I am now shopping for a Dodge.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Both good trucks, drive both and see what you prefer. The new interior in the Silverado is best in class, I've never been impressed with the styling and materials in the Dodge.

[David]

Living in Texas, it seems like only about 1 out of 4 friends and co-workers don't drive trucks. I don't know of too many that own a Dodge more than once. I drive a Chevy .

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

Living in Texas, it seems like only about 1 out of 4 friends and co-workers don't drive trucks. I don't know of too many that own a Dodge more than once. I drive a Chevy .

Isn't truck ownership required by law?

Whatever diesel you get, don't leave it stock. The best thing about modifying a diesel is that not only can you get huge power, you get better MPG too. I can't wait until they start coming out in 1/2 ton trucks.

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Whatever diesel you get, don't leave it stock. The best thing about modifying a diesel is that not only can you get huge power, you get better MPG too.

If you "chip" it you soon become your own warranty station...just don't do it...they all leave a footprint no matter what anyone tells you.

[Granite]

After driving all the Diesels from Ford, GMC, Chevy and Dodge, I choose to go with the Chevy. The 2500 HD Crew Cab loaded with leather and all the bells and whistles. I ve been driving it around for about 4 days, the torque is unreal should make towing a dream. I ve got it in the shop today for a small lift and some new tires and rims. GIDDY UP!

It came down to what the ride felt like, the deal I was getting and the reviews I found online and word of mouth. The Chevy won out!

S

[MRM]

Car and Driver recently did a comparison of the Ford, Dodge, Chevy and Toyota pickups. The Silverado was picked as the best in the testby a big margin ahead of the Toyota. If I remember right the Dodge was behind the Toyota and the Ford brought up the rear. The general comment was that all were capable but the Silverado was just that much better.

[rouxroux]

Post a pic or two with the new wheels & lift. Congratulations!

[David]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Whatever diesel you get, don't leave it stock. The best thing about modifying a diesel is that not only can you get huge power, you get better MPG too. I can't wait until they start coming out in 1/2 ton trucks.

I'll second that! Unfortunately we'll have to wait until 2009 or 2010.

Chevy has a new hybrid truck powertrain coming out that has two electric motors with 4 gear ratios. Autoweek says it'll run at 80mph in 4 cylinder mode and have a 40% improvement in city mileage. They said it'll be in showrooms this year, probably in a Suburban/Tahoe first.

[Soterik]

Originally Posted by Granite

After driving all the Diesels from Ford, GMC, Chevy and Dodge, I choose to go with the Chevy. The 2500 HD Crew Cab loaded with leather and all the bells and whistles. I ve been driving it around for about 4 days, the torque is unreal should make towing a dream. I ve got it in the shop today for a small lift and some new tires and rims. GIDDY UP!

It came down to what the ride felt like, the deal I was getting and the reviews I found online and word of mouth. The Chevy won out!

S

Interesting thread as I'm doing the exact same thing right now, same truck (2500HD Duramax crew). I'm currently shopping price and dealerships.... what options did you end up with, and do you mind telling me what you paid? I'm in the Seattle area, and there appears to be quite a few of these trucks in our state between Eastern and Western WA.

thanks,
Eric
elinden@earthlink.net

[tobster1911]

A question about trucks?

Why here is the answer to ALL questions about trucks.
HD Shootout

A very long, but very through review of the big three. It is worth the read. You can thank me later.

Yes, I am partial to Chevy/GMC.

Note: The Ford gasser is the V10.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

I'll second that! Unfortunately we'll have to wait until 2009 or 2010.

Chevy has a new hybrid truck powertrain coming out that has two electric motors with 4 gear ratios. Autoweek says it'll run at 80mph in 4 cylinder mode and have a 40% improvement in city mileage. They said it'll be in showrooms this year, probably in a Suburban/Tahoe first.

I read 20% improvement in MPG for the hybrid. Oh well, we'll see when they hit the market. The hybrid better be good, because you get get an easy 20% improvement over gas with a diesel. Hard to justify a hybrid when diesel simplicity is just as good.