Questiondean,
My last 5 trucks have been GMC and the last 3 were diesels. The big changes made for 2001 one ton, DRW, 4x4, diesel have me wondering if I should go for the Ford Power-stroke. I don`t need a lot of down time while we are getting the bugs out of a new setup. I have heard the cost is more than the Ford and the order time is several months. Have you any thoughts on the Dura-Max and ordering time?
Thanks for your time, Wayne
AnswerHi Wayne!
I hear ya! Down time, no hot starts, quitting inadvertently, all of these characteristics of the old 6.5 Turbo. Let me try and get through your thoughts one at a time...
First of all the downtime thing. I really do not think that this is going to be a factor in this engine. It is one of THE most tested engines that GM has ever produced. And it wasn't a GM-designed engine in the first place. The Duramax, in case you didn't know, was designed and engineered by Isuzu, who is the world's largest producer of diesel engines. They make 'em for everything, from little power plants to the BIG industrial. Anyone that I have talked to about their experience with Isuzu has had nothing but good to say about them. Plus, they are using a Bosch pump setup, and really that is where we had most of the problems with the 6.5, was in the pump. First it was the rollers, then it was the fuel driver, then something else, but mostly to do with the pump (Stanadyne). Also, the fact that we changed to the low sulphur fuel really buggered up the pump alot too - less lubricating qualities in the fuel, more friction, more breakdowns.
I have also had opportunity to speak to a couple of Detroit Diesel guys, who look after the big stuff, and after looking at the Duramax, they were impressed. These guys are sticklers and were looking for problem areas, and were still impressed.
The thing that would turn me, all things being equal with the engines, would be the transmission. The new 1000 series Allison is dynamite. The ability to downshift with a load, self-regulating, and self-diagnosing (to a degree), and that this is really a medium duty tranny in a light duty truck, all make me want one.
The noise, vibration and harshness factors all point towards Duramax. The engineers put a switch on the truck so that you will be unable to crank an already running truck, which alot of people driving the quiet-running Duramax have done.
A better ride, and superior handling, plus that I would not need a step ladder to get in, all point towards Duramax. Am I biased, you bet. Would I tell you if I thought something better was out there? Hey, I have nothing to gain, one way or another, by telling you what I think. I think Duramax.
I believe that resale will be better for the Duramax vs, the Power Stroke, and the fact that Ford is getting rid of this particular version of the Power Stroke, either next year or '03, would still make me think GM.
You may have a tougher time getting one, but a little time spent on the net, and calling around, will net you one. I think that the wait will be more than worth it.
Ordering time is something that depends, and let me explain. Each dealer has a sales ratio %age for a model. This gives them a certain allotment, or # of each particular model, which determines what each dealer will receive from the GM Zone Office. This number is determined by what each Zone is given by Head Office. So you see that the numbers that you see varies greatly by Zone.
Your best bet is to find a dealer that sells lots of trucks, in the middle of nowhere, where there is a recession starting (I can hope can't I...), this is what I am speaking about, so you can see where I am heading. Find a dealer who has done well in the past, and for whatever reason, cannot sell what he gets now. That is the guy who will have Duramaxes sitting on the lot, not driving down the road. These guys are out there, it depends upon what kind of time you have to find them.
I hope that this helps, but if I can help any further, please feel free to drop me a line.
Automotively yours,
Dean
