14th Aug 2007, 19:20
I'm sorry to say that Dodge trucks did seem to go downhill after the 1990's. I was a super die-hard Dodge fan, and was going to buy a Durango or Ram for a new truck, but am glad I didn't. I guess I lean toward Ford now, but I still say that Dodge ruled in cars and trucks in the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's.
My 1985 Dodge Ram has over 260,000 miles on the original 318, transfer case, and 727 auto trans, none of which have ever been opened up (except to replace the timing chain and change the trans filter at routine intervals).
The front and rear differentials did have to be rebuilt at 205,000 miles, but I would say that is pretty good service.
17th Sep 2007, 13:38
I have a 1986 f250 XLT Lariat with a 6.9 IH diesel and a advanced turbo system on, and I can out pull my dads 2001 5 speed Cummings any time I try. So definitely go with the IH diesel; they'll run for ever.
30th Sep 2007, 01:31
After reading all the comments on the Pro's and Con's between Dodge's and Ford's, I am starting to become more eased at the choice I made... in buying a 1986 Ford F250 4x4 Diesel! Never have owned a Diesel before, very skeptical, unsure. But, I did it. It sound good, runs and drives good... Seem to be impressed so far. Have a question though... After Glow plug light goes out, and I start the truck, what does it mean when the Glow plug light flickers two times? A glow plug going out?
22nd Nov 2007, 08:26
The glow plugs go through a cycle, they do that to make sure everything is warmed up. My 86 F250 IH w/Banks Turbo does the SAME thing.
24th Nov 2007, 01:22
Dodges have way too many problems with transmissions and rear ends... It's a shame Dodge can't build a truck to the same impressive specs as the Cummins... but the new 24V Cummins is a cheap'nd down engine and is NOT to be compared with anything else Cummins makes. The Cummins shipping in new dodges are very cheap and built with inferior materials to reduce the bottom line price of a dodge truck. People who brag to hell and high water about the Cummins are really misinformed. The marketing people at dodge are freakin' geniuses. The 24V Cummins is a cheap engine with a premium name on it and people line up around the corner to pay premium prices for them.
Too bad... The days of the 12V Cummins are over. Get a Ford F450 with the TRUE industrial grade Cummins engine in it... They cost about the same as a loaded Dodge Cummins truck.
1st Dec 2007, 07:20
I bought my 1985 F250 diesel 1 year ago for 2200 Canadian, and have taken it through out the Canadian Rockies while working in the bush. It is without a doubt the best truck I have ever owned for on and off road applications.
29th Feb 2008, 19:27
Ah yes, the IH vs Cummins. Ya gotta love it, we all know the old 6.9s,7.3s are a good motor and so is the Cummins.
I own a 1984 1 ton Ford with a 6.9. I bought the truck for 1500.00 and she runs great.
As for the Cummins, well if I could have found someone who would have sold me a early 90s Dodge, you can bet it would be in my drive way, LOL. But it was the 90s before you could get a Cummins in the Dodge, and the cheapest ones in my area are still bringing well over 6 grand for a clean truck, LOL.
Just settled the war. PRICE TAG, its like the guy who has a Roadstar in the garage and says he wouldn't have a harley if they give him one, LOL. What he is really saying is that he can't afford to put a harley where the Roadstar sits. They're both good bikes, but face it boys, it's all about the buck, LOL.
Oh and by the way, I own a Roadstar, 10,000 cheaper, but looks just like a Harley, LOL.
Terry Phelps.
8th Mar 2008, 13:26
Hi all.
A friend of mine is looking at buying a 1986 F-250 with a 6.9L, and he wanted to know if there were any big issues with this motor, or anything else he should look out for.
Thanks.
30th Sep 2008, 08:54
Yeah, I own a 1989 Ford F350 with a 7.3L and a Banks turbo kit and injectors. 5 speed ex cab.
Trust me, I would have to say the 6.9L and 7.3L are the best diesel motors ever built. It wasn't big on power or speed til I put the turbo and injectors on it, and now it will out pull my dad's 2001 Ford with a chip, and outrun it without a problem.
Louis Utopia tx.
29th Nov 2008, 00:14
Hello, I'm 13 and my dad wants to get a diesel. There are many out there, but I believe that Fords are the way to go. We have a Durango and we have replaced the tranny 3 times. We have a motorhome with the "trusty" c6 and it only overheated once. There are cheap Fords out there, and I was wondering, should I get the 6.9 banks turbo or the Powerstroke? The Powerstroke is ~8500 but the 6.9 banks is 5000. Should he get it?
5th Jan 2009, 20:07
The Ford International diesel truck is the best out there. Ford is the best truck period, and International could be better, but they get the job done. Ford sells more diesel trucks than Chevy, GMC, and Dodge combined. The F series has been the best selling truck for the last 32 years. The Isuzu Duramax and Cummins do have more power, but their towing capacity isn't anywhere near that of Fords. The parts are also way more expensive.
The in-line 6 Cummins does have lots of low end torque, but once you get up high they lose all their power.
International thought of this; that's why Ford uses a V8 to make towing at higher speeds easy; try doing that with a Cummins. And the Allison tranny isn't all that great; the Torque-Shift is as good if not better.
30th Jan 2009, 12:24
I found in my local bargain hunter a 1986 F250 with the 6.9 4 speed. I am mainly going to use just as a work truck. Mostly hauling firewood for myself. It has a gooseneck hitch and trailerbrake controller. They want 600 for it and I'm gonna buy it, but I want to know if it has a turbo or not?
8th Mar 2009, 19:46
I own a 1985 Ford F-250 4WD with a 6.9L diesel engine and 4-speed manual transmission. I couldn't love it more. Great power, reliability, and mileage is good. The front axle and differential had to be overhauled but that was the previous owner's fault, not the truck's. Now it's a running son of a buck.
Regarding Dodge transmissions: I also own a 1995 Dodge pickup with a 4-speed automatic. It has 128k miles on it. The fluid has never been changed, and the transmission has never been apart, yet it still performs like new. I think that bad experiences with Dodge transmissions result because people expect them to go bad and mistreat them.
I have little to no experience with GM Diesels, so I won't comment.
13th Aug 2007, 17:44
As for Dodge being better than Ford? Hah! Ha! Every person I know who had a Dodge, even 2000 and newer, has gone through tansmission after transmission and rear end after rear end, and has had motor problems after 100000 miles. Whereas, I have just as many friends with Fords new and old, that have 2~4 hundred thousand miles with original motors, transmissions and rear ends, so ha! Sorry, Dodge.