2015 Ford

[baker5150]

I think warranty and price play a roll as well.  Every brand has it's issues.

I'm a Dodge guy myself, but they made a big mistake going away from the 5.9.
I love mine and will own it for a long, long time.

[JackOfAllTrades]

First, educate yourself on each of the engine series.

http://www.internationalpowerstroke.com

http://www.dieselhub.com/powerstroke.html

http://cumminshub.com

http://duramaxhub.com

The International VT365 (6.0PSD) is a GREAT engine. The EPA and Ford made it a less than great engine. Not offered anymore so that's a mute point.  The 5.9 24vHO is by far the best consumer Cummins diesel engine. Unfortunately it's shelf life is expiring because the wrapper, (the truck around it), just isn't on par with the Ford of GM.  Now we have a new series of engines that are still proving themselves. Days of 22mpg from the early 5.9 Cummins and 7.3 Ford/Internanational/Navistar are likely gone because we all want instant 750 ft pounds of torque and no turbo lag to tow our cattle trailers and fifth wheel campers, (note that those earlier engines only had 60% of the power that's available in todays consumer diesels).

Adding the emissions systems really stops these engines from breathing right. Keeping the temperatures down is a large factor in keeping them all reliable. Still, there are 'ideas' at the manufactures to get the base engines to comply with emissions laws, like adding EGR and DEF systems, that when they fail, can be detrimental to the engine in big ways. This is through the whole series of diesels in the last 10 years. The Duramax/Izusu is not beyond being recipient of poorly designed add-ons. The Duramax has the greatest following of Allison transmission lovers, which may have reason to keep waving their flags in the air, because GM has been 'more' successful with an electronically shifted automatic transmission than Ford or Dodge.. By far.  But GM hasn't offered a standard transmission behind a diesel in many years. Now none of the big three do.  -That really sux!  (Love my ZF6spd behind my 6.0)  So, factor your engine choice of the three.. with which has good success with the rest of the drivetrain.

Now that I've owned a 6.0 for 215,000 miles/10 1/2 years, with some repairs and 'modifications', If I needed to replace my trick right now, (My son has a Duramax, other son a Cummins -So I get to touchy feely all of them from time to time), I'd have serious thought to look for a nicely maintained 2011 6.7 Cummins/NV5600 standard transmission. Or.. A newer 6.7Ford if I could bring myself to drive an automatic gear selector... But I'm sure I'd have the tranny built to last at the first sign of a problem. The last ten years have been challenging for the big three, designing/finding automatic transmissions that will last behind the torque that these engines put out. As the power and tow ratings go up, so does the weight of our toys. Some components of the powertrain have not kept up. (they're getting better though) 

Dodge steering has always sucked. Dodge differentials (fronts) have most always sucked. GM IFS has its wear points.  I'd have to look at current models, but GM truck brakes have always been lacking in my book. Dodge too.  But man.. Even as Ford and Dodge interior options have come a long way, it's tough to compare to the GM's cab ergonomics.

So.. I'm suggesting not to base your next truck decision on just the engine. They all have their flaws.

-Steve

PS-   There is absolutely no comparison of any of the late model consumer diesels to the Ford V10's/Dodge/GM gassers. None... They may cost a little less, but have just as many issues, get terrible fuel economy and have less power.

So, to answer your question.. Can you get an F550 in 4x4 with a 6.7 and 6spd?  (because I don't like automatics)  Can you get a Ram 5500 in 4x4 with a 6.7 and a 6spd?  Almost a toss-up between the two. Because... The 550/5500 series are different trucks than the F350's and 3500 one tons that most consumers drive daily. Heavy diffs. Big brakes. Less emissions!

[DRobnsn]

I think warranty and price play a roll as well.  Every brand has it's issues.

I'm a Dodge guy myself, but they made a big mistake going away from the 5.9.
I love mine and will own it for a long, long time.

I understand the love for the 5.9 but I still don't understand why the 6.7 engine itself gets a bad rap. The engine itself isn't the problem, its all the emissions crap that gives the truck the running issues. The 6.7 is still an inline 6, still has a cast iron head, still has a high pressure common rail Piezo injection system, the design is basically the same as a 5.9 just some cubic inch added.

[jackelope]

I think warranty and price play a roll as well.  Every brand has it's issues.

I'm a Dodge guy myself, but they made a big mistake going away from the 5.9.
I love mine and will own it for a long, long time.

I understand the love for the 5.9 but I still don't understand why the 6.7 engine itself gets a bad rap. The engine itself isn't the problem, its all the emissions crap that gives the truck the running issues. The 6.7 is still an inline 6, still has a cast iron head, still has a high pressure common rail Piezo injection system, the design is basically the same as a 5.9 just some cubic inch added.

Because 90% of the people don't look at it that way.

[Smokepole]

I had one problem with my '05 6.0, and Ford fixed it under warranty.  Since then not a hiccup.  I did finally change out my water pump at 185,000 miles.  Easy fix I did myself.  I wish I could afford a new 6.7.  I'd go for that in a heartbeat!

[Special T]

JOAT that is a really good and fair comparison of where we are at on the big 3 rigs.

I have decided i will run my 2 5.9 dodges  6 speed sticks into the ground then rebuild for as long as i can get away with it over buyingmost of the new stuff out there right now I bought them new for around $30K and have a hard time forking out 45-50 K for the problems i see people having right now when most use the trucks for play, not work. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I used to say that SmokePole...   One EGR valve at 76,000 miles.  Then I've cleaned it every 25k since.  Fuel pump. (Higher volume installed myself). Starter (changed myself) FICM, (some dipstick decided to mount those things on the valve cover without enough anti-vibration and insulation thoughts).  I've put a reprogrammed/higher voltage unit in.  One Cam position sensor. (-Tow bill from hunt camp last fall for a $45 part that left me stranded)  Blue Spring mod to fuel pressure regulator installed myself). HPOP (ICP) sensor fail. Also away from home. Lesser tow on the holiday, but a tow none the less.   So, while it was in the shop for that diagnostic, I had the one big no brainer most plagued design ticking time-bomb removed! And bought an SCT tuner.  The 6.7 has totally differently designed emissions, so I have to believe that Ford engineers have learned quite a bit from the *censored*ization of the VT365.

-Steve

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I just had to..........

[JackOfAllTrades]

Thanx SpecialT,  I hope I didn't get too far off topic from what Romulus asked, but trucks at my household are a tough subject since the boys chose different powerplants.  We've done all the tricks to my son's Cummins (5.9 24v HO NV6spd). Pulls like an elephant. Sounds like one too.  The DuraIzusu isn't as tricked out. My 6.0 pulls pretty darn good now, but since there's no way to install upgraded head studs without pulling the cab off, I think I'm done with modifications. My 6.0 has the power of the new 6.7. Either of the Ford or Dodge 6.7's have more power to be unleashed.  Jackelope can likely tell stories of what he sees coming to the service department.

I really want to hear more from Romulus as to why he asked about F550  (but veered off to Gas-V-Diesel), yet didn't say Ram '5500'?   So, why the 'work truck'?

-Steve 

[Special T]

Im mostly curious what he's using it for? There is a big gap between an F550 and a one ton dodge... I think either are sufficient for most people.

[Smokepole]

I used to say that SmokePole...   One EGR valve at 76,000 miles.  Then I've cleaned it every 25k since.  Fuel pump. (Higher volume installed myself). Starter (changed myself) FICM, (some dipstick decided to mount those things on the valve cover without enough anti-vibration and insulation thoughts).  I've put a reprogrammed/higher voltage unit in.  One Cam position sensor. (-Tow bill from hunt camp last fall for a $45 part that left me stranded)  Blue Spring mod to fuel pressure regulator installed myself). HPOP (ICP) sensor fail. Also away from home. Lesser tow on the holiday, but a tow none the less.   So, while it was in the shop for that diagnostic, I had the one big no brainer most plagued design ticking time-bomb removed! And bought an SCT tuner.  The 6.7 has totally differently designed emissions, so I have to believe that Ford engineers have learned quite a bit from the *censored*ization of the VT365.

-Steve

Well I forgot to tell you, I've been through two FICM's, but now I have a CTS monitor and change my batteries more often.  I've been cleaning the egr & still have the original.  I do miss my 7.3.  The only problem I had with that was cam sensors.  But I just kept one in the glove box.

[Romulus1297]

A regional sales manager sent some info on a couple of 550s then I looked at what else they have. 1 was a 15 4x4 with a V 10 and for a few thousand more they have a 2 wheel drive 550 with a 6.7. For a few more thousand they have a 2 wheel drive Ram 5500.  We have 4 cummins and 4 fords. 1 cummins lost its emmision junk somewhere and is doing fine now but I think that was $6000. 1 ford had its cab off not to long ago and that was another nice check to write. Fuel milage or spark plugs is not a big deal. If they start and run without losing power and bellowing out smoke when you dont want them to then that makes for a good day. I know which is the best choice and its the Ram

[huntnphool]

I would pick the 6.7 powerstroke hands down over anything on the market right now.

A couple buddies each have one, wow are they strong!

[Romulus1297]

Yes they are and with the local wrecker on speedial the 6.7 powerstroke hasn't been on his truck being hauled to east wenatchee for help.

[Romulus1297]

A lady driver is delivering the F550 diesel to spokane from Minnesota tomorrow.