Are you sure about that? Reason I ask is because the local Cummins dealership said the reason Cummins are torque limited in the Dodge 3500 is they would break bell housings if they weren't. Pretty sure the dirtymax would do the same?

Yes I'm sure. We just made a stronger bell housing.

There are traction limits and brake torque limits but if there is traction, there is no limit. So basically you cannot power brake them. This was done to be sure when the brake is applied, the engine is incapable of overrunning the brakes.

Jim

When we test drove trucks in the past, the Fords had the most comfortable seats. I am a Ram guy, but below were my observations.

Ford: Outdated interiors. Even their new refresh looks outdated. Seemed the most car-like. Great acceleration, braking & turning while unloaded. Very proud with their pricing. My cousins had nothing but issues with their newer generation 6.7s in a commercial business application. They swore off Ford diesels as a result. Other people I know have had good results. However, they are using as glorified 1/2 tons and not using them heavy. Take that for what it's worth.

GM: Interiors are getting better. Don't see a whole lot towing heavy. Drives nice like the Fords. I felt the quality control did not match their pricing. ie; panel gaps, plastics, etc.

Ram: Best interior in the class imo. Worst performing truck unladen. Very laggy and clunky trans. Towing is a different story. The Aisin trans is the way to go vs the 68rfe. The 68 drives better unladen, but it's clunky as all getout under load. Under load, the Aisin trans is barely noticeable. You don't need 10 gears if you have a good 6 speed imo. I am on my 2nd Cummins now. They are bullet proof. Need more proof, pay attention to what most hotshotters are driving. I would not recommend the air ride if you plan to drive on rough roads without weight. I regret ordering the factory air ride. The ride is terrible on bad roads.

At the end of the day, I think any of the big 3 diesels are probably fine trucks. Just make sure you get an extended warranty with any of them 8-)

Ram won truck of the year years ago on their interior design which was really nice. I'm waiting for the 2023 GM truck with their new interior and LZ0 engine. I want super cruise so bad (its fabulous!) but I am not paying 80K for a half ton to get it. The 2024 HD will have some rendition of this interior most likely.

https://www.motor1.com/news/542343/2...0-supercruise/

https://www.gm-trucks.com/new-interi...gmc-sierra-hd/

Jim

All of the truck makers currently have the same problem - unsold 2022 models due to lack of chips. Usually by this time everyone is boasting of the 2023 improvements as the 2023 order banks normally open for the big three in Nov each year for the next years models with the new 2023 showing up at dealers in April -May of 2023. Looks like that wont be the case this year. Now if they cant get the chips for the 2022, how can they build the 2023 in any numbers to fill the dealer lots?

A few years back (early pandemic and chip shortage) I believe I saw and article where Ford and GM were jointly investing in upgrading a chip plant in the US here - I have not heard if or when that might happen lately, or if it was even true.

In this market unfortunately unless you order and are willing to wait 6 to 9 months you only choice is buy used or take pot luck on what shows up on a dealer lot. I also suspect any year end sales wont happen. BTW check with you dealers to see if they have a way to look at what dealer stock is being ordered, or shipped to the other dealers. Sometimes you can buy it on the truck onced shipped, or even what they have ordered if the order is confirmed and scheduled.

Everyone makes a good truck - it just depends on what you want, or can afford.

FWIW - I got the King Ranch as the 10 way seat fit me and they had the interior color I like - medium brown. Fords tan interior shows dirt like crazy and the others don't even offer a light interior except Ram. Its either gray or black. And if you want cloth your stuck at the minimum trim levels and even full cloth is disappearing for vinyl/cloth mix.

Just food for though...BTW I agree on getting the extended warrentys, especially on electrical stuff. You can dicker on the pricing too of it.

Keith

That is a nice looking interior. And I agree supercruise is nice. I really wish Ram would had gotten on board with some type of lane centering and Stop/Go without disengaging the adaptive cruise. It's the same damn system from 10+ years ago. They don't even have HUD on the HD trucks even though they have it on the 1500s.

My BMW has a form of supercruise under 40 mph. Over 40 you need hands on the wheel though. However the lane centering is nice and it has stop and go without having to touch anything. My Maverick has lane centering too. After coming to a stop it will not resume acceleration after approx 5 seconds. You have to hit resume on the steering wheel to start moving again. I much prefer that then having the whole system turn off after 3 seconds being stopped. Lane centering is the bees knees compared to lane assist.

The 2023 models with SuperCruise is approved for trailering and will make passing maneuvers with the trailer in tow. I had SC in a CT6 drive me to Cleveland and back and through a Michigan traffic jam. Never had so much fun in a traffic jam. Completely hands and foot free through all the madness.
Imagine towing a trailer cross country and all you need to do is look at the road and drive it only through the exchanges. There is a sensor that watches your eyes so no naps or reading news papers. The system will not allow it. But I personally cannot justify the price to get it.

BMW....nice cars. Spent time in an M4 when I was working and fell in love. The sound....oh man.

Jim

That is awesome. I really want to order a CT5 Blackwing in Manual, but you can't get SC in manual. I want a manual AND I want SC. Not sure which is more important to me so I haven't ordered one yet.

I have to ask....What year is his platinum? Color doesn't matter a ton to me - but what color? What state? How many miles? Will he sell them separate?​

Roy,

Test drive a super cruise truck or CT5 BW and you will forgo the manual. We did stop start in manual puddle hoppers for Europe but that will not help you and there is much more to SC than SS. Been in the Blackwing and its nice where if your set on rowing gears, the CTS-V will guarantee a permanent smile. Don't want to go off in the weeds.... .if you want to talk performance cars, send me a PM.

Jim

COReflection bellis

Please read Rule 10. You can use PM to further your conversation.

Brian, Moderator

Bellis, your more adventurous than I to want to buy a lemon with serious electrical issues on a very expensive center stack. No sales here as well. Too bad where this could be useful as long as its not used GD rigs, but focused on accessories and camping gear.

Jim

Apologies - got carried away.​

No one wants a lemon...but...may have a card up my sleeve.

When Ford says they are out of options (remarkable to make that statement) let us know what card you play. I've seen dealers throw up their hands, but the manufacturer? There can be times when the problem is so perplexing, an auto maker will buy a vehicle back to perform an engineering study on it. Other times engineering will set up the customers vehicle with a data recorder. I would at a minimum ask a lot of questions and would want to see all the repair records and Carfax.

Jim

Bellis---I will talk to my neighbor and PM you with the information. I'm trying to help him find a new motorhome now. This truck looks nice from a distance and it's quite loaded, but it's just had so many issues like I mentioned in addition to the "Death Wobble" that many Fords and Dodges have with their straight front axle design. I'm glad GM went away from this design back in the late 80s. I know he has had it in the shop allot. I'm not sure what's been fixed and what hasn't. As someone who's worked for several GM dealers and for GM itself.....once a vehicle gets to the point of people throwing up their hands....it's reached critical mass for sure.