Duramax vs. Powerstroke

[MIKE R]

I am considering buying a 3/4 ton diesel truck in the fall of this year hopefully. Looking at the year range of roughly 2004-2009.

What are everyone's experiences with the Duramax Diesel and the 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel. (problems, mpg empty/loaded, ride)

I want to hear from people with their trucks STOCK, not ones running 80pounds boost pulling 300+hp more then the stock hp and complaining about blowing the gaskets.

Please be respectful of each others vehicle thoughts and choices. If this thread gets to be brand bashing argument I will have it closed.

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[Deere Dude]

I have an 02 Duramax Dually. 93,000 miles. No problems except 1 electric switch after warranty. $250.
Empty 17-20 longer trips. Just chasing around to town and three or four mile trips about 14-15 MPG.
Most on a couple tanks was a one time 21 MPG. Driving 65 MPH.
Pulling a 37 fifth wheel, 17,000# around 10-11 on a trip. Best running through Illinois was 12.25 driving 55 or so.
I did put chip in shortly after I bought it new, but baby it and only use the power judiciously.

PS. I really like my truck and surprisingly my wife has been hinting very much to buy a new one. My problem is that, the one I have now pulls our camper around quite easily and it has been pretty faithful. Now that I said that I am sure something will break down.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have has them both. A 04 F250 4x4, a 06 F350 SRW 4x4, and a 05 3500 SRW GMC Dmax 4x4.

Only problem with either Ford was a bad dash cluster. I still have the 06. It gets 17 mpg tank to tank. 23.6 mpg is the best tank on a highway trip. 15 mpg towing my 15,600# boat. Its aerodynamic so don't expect that towing say a 5th wheel. I have both chipped with 120HP Quadzilla chips, 4" exhaust, and aftermarket intakes and air filters.

If looking at a Ford get a 05 or later. Better front suspension and most all the 6.0 earlt issues were addressed.

I had a 05 3500 SRW GMC 4x4. I sold it after 9 month for my F350. Injectors, glow plugs, paint, electrical issues, leaks, power seat issues, ect. The straw that broke its back was overheating. It was bone stock. It got 15 mpg tank to tank and 21 on the highways. It would have matched the Fords if chipped, ect. Towing it seemed to drop more than the Fords to about 11 mpg but then again the mods might have fixed this.

If getting a Dmax get a 06 or later LBZ motor. The injectors and overheating issues were addressed finally.

I bought all three trucks brand new so no prior abuse.

Chris

 

[George2615]

Can't speak about Ford but I had an 05 3/4T Dmax and later an 07 3/4T Dmax. The ride was excellent on both. Not harsh or too stiff.
The 05 was the best for MPG. I was getting about 20 empty and 14.5 while hauling a 7K load. In 06 GM started adding more emission control devices to the exhaust (UREA System?) and the MPG on my 07 dropped to only 15.5 empty and about 11 towing the same load. Both towed great (barely knew anything was behind me) but MPG was lower.

Since I don't haul much over 7K I went back to a 1/2T. I bought an 08 that got 18.5 empty and 12.5 towing. Just last month I traded the 08 in on a 2013 1/2T that is supposedly rated for 21 MPG highway. I haven't been on any long rides and haven't towed yet so local driving is about 15.5 MPG. TV ads are claiming the new Dodge 1/2T to get 25 MPG.

You definitely need a 3/4 for your camper but I don't have a clue what new ones are getting for MPG. If you go with a used GM get one before 07 that doesn't have the UREA system for better MPG.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can't speak about Ford but I had an 05 3/4T Dmax and later an 07 3/4T Dmax. The ride was excellent on both. Not harsh or too stiff.
The 05 was the best for MPG. I was getting about 20 empty and 14.5 while hauling a 7K load. In 06 GM started adding more emission control devices to the exhaust (UREA System?) and the MPG on my 07 dropped to only 15.5 empty and about 11 towing the same load. Both towed great (barely knew anything was behind me) but MPG was lower.

Since I don't haul much over 7K I went back to a 1/2T. I bought an 08 that got 18.5 empty and 12.5 towing. Just last month I traded the 08 in on a 2013 1/2T that is supposedly rated for 21 MPG highway. I haven't been on any long rides and haven't towed yet so local driving is about 15.5 MPG. TV ads are claiming the new Dodge 1/2T to get 25 MPG.

You definitely need a 3/4 for your camper but I don't have a clue what new ones are getting for MPG. If you go with a used GM get one before 07 that doesn't have the UREA system for better MPG.

They did not have Urea in 07. They put a DPF filter in starting in 07.5 models. New body style. In about 2010 they went to Urea. The best years for a Dmax is 2012 or later due to the frame upgrade. Other then that a 06 LBZ and a early 07 LBZ, prior to the 07.5 body change that added mpg robbing DPF.

Chris

 

[MIKE R]

So you want to hear people's "problems" but don't want to hear from anyone with "nothing good to say". :laughing:
I guess I can only talk about good problems then. :laughing:

So far you have no problem with DiamondPilot listing his "problems" with the Duramax so he must have done it in a good way or you only want to hear people tell you to buy a Ford becuase your minds made up.

Ok then, go buy the 6.0 Powerstroke because it's obviously built up a solid history of proven reliability. Then when you have a $8000 repair bill requiring a 3 week cab off repair, don't come here and say anything bad about it. Wouldn't want you to have to close your own thread. :laughing:

Please be respectful of each others vehicle thoughts and choices. If this thread gets to be brand bashing argument I will have it closed. If you have nothing good to say don't say it.

Alright. Let clarify what I was trying to say.

I don't want to hear people calling each other names and insulting each others choice of vehicle. I want to hear people experiences with the trucks and thoughts on each. I know I opened a can of worms and expect to be able to have a mature conversation on the trucks.

Nothing good to say about each other as in name calling, ect...

 

[Turbys_1700]

Got a buddy that has an 05 Max...
He pulls a 36' fifth wheel camper with it...
No problems at all...
He bought it new and really likes it...
I have another friend that bought an 04 Stroke and he has had good service out of it...
I don't know which release he had but evidently the first issues with the engine were resolved by the time he purchased his...
I am a Ford truck guy but appreciate the Max and Dodge alternatives...
There are good ones and bad ones in all makes and models...

 

[MIKE R]

I would add my expert opinion as I've driven these diesel trucks (cab-chassis) day in and day out for years but have nothing "good to say" about either. Both left me stranded multiple times. I would add my good experiences but he didn't ask about the Cummins which has been the best to date for us.

If you really want an opinion on the 04-09 Duramax vs. Powerstroke, I say Duramax/Allison all the way but 05 and newer. Neither of those two diesels were good in 2004. Can't say much for ride as they are both rough with dually's and utility bodies.

Thank you. What problems did you experience with them?

"Nothing good to say" is in terms of calling people names and bashing the brands. Discussing problems is not bashing. I want to hear about the problems and thoughts on the trucks.

 

[bm3]

I just sold my 2004 F250 Superduty , 6.0 is trouble , glad to see it go , would never own another ,stay away , Ford has a billion law suites over it , nothing but junk , buy the older 7.3 or buy a 2013 , trust me

 

[Dmace]

Thank you. What problems did you experience with them?

"Nothing good to say" is in terms of calling people names and bashing the brands. Discussing problems is not bashing. I want to hear about the problems and thoughts on the trucks.

I understand, just found it funny.
The Powerstrokes were head gaskets or EGR coolers and a couple with bad turbos. Not a single one made it past 75k without some kind of problem. The worst being the headgaskets but that was only two of them and at 100k and 120k. Most common is failed EGR cooler. Keep in mind these trucks are run hard and idle a lot but are fleet maintained. The 6.4's are better but suck down the diesel. Only two 6.7's now, too new to us for a good review.

The Duramax's were better in terms of reliability and the Allison tranny is much stronger. They weren't as good on fuel mileage but felt stronger pulling. Also, fuel mileage is moot when grossing 25k lbs +.

My experience with cab-chassis setups may not help with pickup truck questions as much but engines don't change much. They're just used more lightly in pickups hauling groceries and boats.

 

[bdeboer]

Currently own a '08 Duramax and have owned since new. It went to the dealer twice under warranty for exhaust smell in the cab during regeneration (squirts raw diesel into the exhaust) to clean the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The second dealership replaced the turbo downpipe, and this improved the smell. The other issues fixed under warranty were the pockets on the seat backs came loose, had an issue with the tailgate not latching. Currently one of the cigarette outlets doesn't work but it has overall been good truck. Mileage wise it gets 15/19 in normal weather and drops to 12 towing and in single digit temperatures.

The 2007.5 - 2009 will be pretty much the same, they were pretty much new sheetmetal/interior on the 2006-7LBZ Duramax trucks except for the addition of the previously mentioned DPF. I think the sheetmetal is thinner than on my 2005 1/2 ton work truck at least it seems to dent easier.

 

[Mud Mechanik]

I've never owned either one, I have a 2002 7.3, but I have put in numerous EGR delete kits and head gaskets on ford 6.0's. Don't get me wrong here, I am a Ford fan but I would recommend staying away from the 6.0. I would either find a good used duramax or search for an older 7.3.

 

[MIKE R]

Thanks every one for the info and keep it comin'. What about the 6.4 Powerstroke?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks every one for the info and keep it comin'. What about the 6.4 Powerstroke?

Thirsty in stock form. Delete the EGR and DPF and its a good package. The Torque Shift tranny is up to the task of lots of extra power. Its standard since 2003.5

I have never owned one but a few of my boating buddies have them. 12 mpg around town and maybe 17 on the highway in stock trim. Do the mods and they will do what the 6.0 will do.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

here's my 2 cents.

I have an 04 f250 6.0psd.. she's getting ready to hit 130k.

no chipping.. though I did have a programmer on her the first year and actually ran her at the eco-trailer safe mode on a superchips tune. had a ecu replace under warranty and that put me back to stock.. lost the reciept for the tuner so couldn't get it vinunlocked.

engine problems? it leaked a lil oil at the oem filter... fix was to go to napa oil filters.

it's had normal parts issues. brakes.. suspension.. etc. I did just put an alt on it.. died out of the blue.

other than that.. it has some good get up and go.

we have 2 06 ? duramax at work. I'm not aware of any problems with them.. same deal.. normal stuff.. tires.. oil changes.. etc...

i also have a couple 7.3psds. love em. mine are drw.

if I was looking again. and 2004+ was my range.. I'd bump that to 2003 and get a 7.3psd

not as much get up and go as the 6.0.. but way better history... decent feeling engine..

 

[puckgrinder85]

You'll be paying premium for a diesel in that range. I had an 05 2500 Silverado, didnt like the mileage but could tow anything I needed to safely. Sold it for a mere 3k less that what i had paid for it 5 years later, I was shocked to say the least. Apparently they are in demand with all the emissions jacking up the price tags.

 

[Beltzington]

I have a 2006 CC Silverado Duramax LBZ - I average 16mpg pulling a load or empty, the six speed tranny is awesome. This was my first Diesel and it does everything I need with a better ride than my SUVs. Personally the Ford PS sounds like it is falling apart even while idling.

 

[IgroRockwell]

I don't know if you are talking 2- or 4-wheel drive, but I made up my mind that I would never again buy a 2-wheel drive diesel in snow country. I ran a 7.3l Ford 2-wheel drive for a few years and that big diesel in the front made the rear end completely useless in the snow even with good snow tires. I had to haul a lot of weight around all winter long just to be able to back out of my almost level driveway. I ran the truck until a cracked head put it out of commission. I now own an 06 Duramax LBZ 4-wheel drive which I bought used a while ago. It has the usual leaking tranny lines in cold weather, but I've never owned anything that didn't leak a little, so I'm not concerned. I also changed a bad glo-plug (pretty easy). I haul a lot of stuff around on a bumper-pull trailer and I like the weight of a diesel truck. It eliminates that "tail wagging the dog" feel that you get with a lighter truck and trailer. I haven't owned a newer Dodge or Ford, but that's only because the opportunity never arose.

 

[Soundguy]

was yours srw or drw?

 

[Case485Guy]

We had 2 F-250's and 1 F-450 all 6.0's for work trucks, they were 04' or 05' yrs if I remember correctly, driven by multiple people. 1 of the f-250's had alot of problems: injectors, computor, head gaskets all before 100k. The other F-250 ran rough at start up, once warmed up it ran good, that one went 160 k before it was totaled. The f-450 was an oilfield specific truck,never pulled a trailer in its life. It does do alot of idling, and is on its 3rd 6.0. Replacements are new Ford engines and about 12-15k for complete install. I had the trucks serviced at 4 -5k miles and was pretty religious on that. Not a fan of the 6.0, but the F-250's did get good fuel mileage and pulled good on 7-1ok loads. No experience with the Duramax. I had very good luck with 5.9 Dodges for hotshot trucks, but I know you did not ask about the Dodge.