Posted by Charlie on Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 0:52AM :
In Reply to: Buying a new Diesel Truck posted by Rob in CA on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 11:02PM :
I'd think long and hard before getting an automatic; the powerful diesels eat automatics. The Allison will undoubtedly be the best of the lot.
All 3 motors are wonderful when they work right. The electronics of the Powerstroke are somewhat scary, especially if they aren't working right ("cackle"). The Cummins is undoubtedly the simplest engine of the 3. Any of them can be made to produce any reasonable amount of hp and torque. I'd take the Cummins over the other two if I were re-powering a vehicle.
Both the ZF (Ford and Chevy) and NV5600 are strong reliable manual transmissions.
I like leaf springs and solid axles, and true crew cabs. Ford will go back to the Dana 60 next year in the front axle.
My perfect truck? A Ford 4X4 crewcab with Cummins rated at 605-660 ft-lb, ZF 6 spd, NP203 doubler, either NP205 or Rockwell T-223 transfer case, Dana 60 front axle. With 4.56 gears, rear Detroit, front ARB, Michelin 325/85R16 XMLs (38.7") and hydraulic winches. Just like my '88 F350, except it has a 7.3, 5spd and 4.88s.
Charlie
Charlie
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