Check this out found it on aol http://aolsvc.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=115662/pageNumber=1
There is a thread about this test 6 threads down the page. Like I said in that thread, who cares. Take three "proffessional" tests like these done by completely different organizations and one will say the Ford is best, the next will say the Chevy is best, and the third test will say the Dodge was the best. Who cares what they say, go drive 'em and make your own choice.
I'm a little prejudice on this subject. I drive a Cummins. If a Cummins were in a Ford or Chevy I would have one. But it currently resides in a Dodge. Going to stray off topic just a little. I have never seen a Power Stroke or a Duramax in a Class A Motor Home. Six cylinder diesels do the job. Dave
The International T444 is in all kinds of medium duty vehicles. Seems there are a LOT of them in school buses. It is definantly a medium duty engine like the ISB. I think the Dmax is also in some of their larger Topkick trucks too, although it may be a different engine all together.
I do know I'm hearing alot more happy customers with a Duramax or Cummins that a 6.0 Power Stroke or customers who are looking to move back to a 7.3 Power Stroke and the Cummins is a great power house for its size.
If Ford installed the T444 in their F350 and boosted the HP a little, they would steal the market. The T444 is a proven engine. Large oil capacity and a long stroke. Lots of Torque. Its a little heavier than the 5.9. I think Ford is more interested in turning RPM's than Torque. The 6.0 would run better with a GM Style blower than the varible pitch Turbo. They can't run a standard Turbo, since the 6.0 has no Torque at low RPM without the max boost made by the Varible Pitch at max at low rpm. Ford needs to make a major move and its not the twin turbo on the 6.0. I really like the Ford Tow Boss Package, and is best in class for a one ton. Its in the rear ratio. The 6.0 is running with very little load basically, once up in the RPM's. The Duramax has seen a transistion as we all know this year. Chevy had to increase the size of the bottom end to handle the extra HP and Torque. That in itself may be the key to the Duramax's ability to stay viable when compared to the Cummins. I was very much against Aluminum Heads on a Diesel when the Duramax came out. I guess I was wrong. Seems they are doing OK. Water treatment is the key to keeping the heads around. As with the Ford and the Tow Boss Package, GM is doing the same thing in the 4500 seris truck. Its only a matter of time before we see this in the 3500. With a bump in in frame and brakes the 3500 will compete. With the 6.7 Cummins ready to come out with a Particulate Filter, alot of us Cummins drivers are going to be looking at 100,000 plus miles when the filter needs to be replaced. I've heard this filter could be more expensive than rebuilding the engine or tranny. I think it will be hard to find a 2005 Dodge with the Cummins down the road and might be considered the best ever built. I wonder want a cummins would pull with a 4:30 gear and either a 6 speed or 6 speed auto. I left 2006 out because of the loss of fuel mileage in that model. Dave
There are a few suttle changes in the engine, mainly in the ECM from what I understand. Most all the 2006's get less than 19 mpg on the hwy. They start off around 13-15 mpg and work there way up with breakin. In order to get 18-19 most people I know have to stay way under 70mph. The older trucks do better. Dave
Which old trucks, those before the 04.5 MY maybe? ...those numbers you posted are right on for my 05.
I was refering to trucks 2005 and older getting better mileage than the 2006 model. This from friends I have with 2006 Dodges with the cummins and auto tranny. Other fourms also agree to that as well. Dave
Don't believe everything you read. There are quite a few of us disappointed 05 owners who will never see the high mpg claimed by others, claims I unfortunately used to justify the original purchase of my truck. We just have no reason to post about lame mpg and don't bother to respond every time someone posts bogus instantaneous readings from the overhead, or short fills a tank to get 20+ mpg, etc. etc. The numbers you posted for the 06 trucks are solid numbers for stock 05 trucks too. Plenty of other reliable sources (like TDR mag) back this up. Probably the 04.5 gets the same mpg as well. Seems the years prior to 04.5 get better mpg, or at least they claim to.
I'm with brods on this, I haven't seen any threads or ran across any posts where people stated they thoight '06's were getting worse mileage. Just remind everyone driving brand new '06's around that they need to break them in. I honestly get around 22mpg on the highway in perfect conditions, meaning light traffic where I don't have to disturb the cruise at 70mph. My theory of why it seems on average 12v and 2nd gen 24v trucks get better mileage is because we have 3.54's vs. AAM 3.73's. It can be enough to make the difference.
I think most people are a little prejudice to what they drive. I use to a Cummins owner, in fact we still have two more at home. Most CTD owners will hate to hear this, but I am glad I made the tarnsistion to the DMAX. I like the power better than the Cummins. Its a completly different type of power, but Im happier with the DMAX.
dave OUCh my 6.0 is a bit peaved at your, no tq statement,:stir: we gots tons of low end tqwaytogo not as much oomph as my 7.3 but prety darn close. now gearing is the key. folks with 373 or 355 gears are going to suffer from low end grunt, but run the 430 out back and it leaps, yes there is the mandated lag due to the NO SOOT rule, so it does have a split second, I am ready now, but overall it runs better and gets better towing mileage than my 7.3 ever did and i stay in OD 90% of the time towing. 75 ish we still get 11 solid the 07 emissions is going to cripple all three for a few years its going to be like the mid 70's gasoline issues , no power, the 6.7 cummins is so strangled its only listed as 305 HP which is down 20 from teh 5.9 and the 6.4 twin is just barley able to beat the 6.0 yep its going to be very intersting.opcorn:
My statement as to the lack of torque is based the fact you have a varible geometry turbo. At low RPM your turbo vanes are set by your computer to have full pitch or max air flow. This is necessary to ensure you have low end torque. With a standard turbo, you would not have the low end air flow required and less power. See the thread at http://irv2.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1496073452/m/8401086961 This person had a new ford 6.0 with turbo problems. Once the turbo had problems they were unable to tow anything. That thread goes back to 2005. The starter of the thread was the person having the problems. Read what they have to say with regards to the turbo problem. Their turbo was working, but the pitch was greatly reduced. You were the last poster to that thread. There is another thread there that talks directly to that problem and what ford had to say about it. They were claiming by not using there air filter, it would void the warranty. Read this http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/FREE/51216021&SearchID=73232959197957 The 2007 6.7 Cummins will also have the varible geometry turbo. I have not been given a answer as to why its needed. I have heard it will be used as an exhaust brake by changing the pitch of the blades. Sounds like airplane jet stuff. The 5.9 is at max torque almost from 1000 rpms up to 1600 rpm's. It holds that torque to 2700 rpms with a little loss. Dave
So to make a 6NO run you have to have super low gears???? I love my Cummins.....3.55's for great mileage and so much low end when towing that I can't even use it all half the time....:stir:
