TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

So who built the best parts in these catagories? (copy and paste the eight catagories and fill in your answers) waytogo

Diesel engine:

Gas engine:

transmission:

drivetrain:

frame:

suspension:

Exterior:

Interior:

Diesel engine:
Cummins ISB/ISBE

Gas engine:
6.0 364ci GM Vortec small block

transmission:
Allison 1000

drivetrain:
Dodge 94-'02 D80/D60

frame:'05 Ford SD

suspension:
'03-current Dodge HD 4x4 suspension

Exterior: '05 Ford SD

Interior: Late GM of course.

Here is what i think....

Diesel engine:Cummins...I-6 still whoopin all the 8s(but both Ford & chevy are catchin up)

Gas engine:Any v-10 rotfl ...not really,Id have to give the edge to the ol ford 460. :eek:

transmission: chevy cant make a good std or auto any more,so thats out.(no,the name "allison" does not mean good or best.I have cooked 2 & nearly ruined another.) So.....how bout the Dodge 5spd??

drivetrain:
73-87+ 1 ton chevy :D (if not,why does EVERY offroad rig worth its weight run this package?)

suspension:I think the new Chevys took a few tips from Caddilac...very 'non-truck like' ride.

Exterior:Ford had this one,but the Chevys are growing on me


Interior: Dodge is all plastic,ford looks like a work truck inside...Chevy took another tip from caddy. on this one too

My answers pertain to current offerings.

Diesel engine: Dodge or GM if you have to tweak. If you leave it stock then it really doesn't matter much to me. They all pull great.

Gas engine: Who cares?

transmission: Auto - GM. Manual - Ford since Dodge is stoopid and dropped the NV5600.

drivetrain: Ford (the rest of it makes up for the 6.0l)

frame: Ford

suspension: Ford

Exterior: Ford

Interior: Ford for simplicity and execution, GM for amenities (mostly)

Ok, I'll bite...

Diesel engine: Flat out towing (like Hotshot) Cummins. Just plane good multi-use daily driver that's the most "fun", DMax.

Gas engine: As said, who cares?

transmission: Auto, there is nothing but Allison that I would want by choice. Manual NV5600 but it would need an after market clutch since none of the stocks are worth a darn.

drivetrain: For daily driver, drag racing, towing, and typical uses, GM 2500HD and up is by far the best IMO. For off-road use and maybe bombed sled pulling, Ford or Dodge offerings with D60/D80, D60/D70, or best of all, the older GM king pin serviceable front D60 with your choice of late Sterling, or D80 rear.

frame: late GM or Ford. Both are really strong and modern designs.

suspension: GM 2500HD and up. Now, did you really think I would say anything else? ;)

Exterior: If we can go older, I love the look of my '02 2500HD Silverado. For new, the SD is the only decent looking truck IMO.

Interior: GM again.

Diesel engine: Cummins

Gas engine: 05 Ford 3valve V10

transmission:NV5600 or ZF6. Gotta go with the ZF6 now since NV is gone

Drivetrain:Ford, for offering hubs on there trucks. Unit bearings still suck :mad:

Frame: Ford

Suspension: Ford/Dodge with Coil fronts/Leaf Rears in terms of comfort. 99-04 Ford for simplicity and strength.

Exterior:Ford

Interior:Chevy makes some damn comfortable interiors.

Diesel engine: Dmax. I would rank the Cummins as even, but the fact that I own the Dmazx pushes it over the edge. :D

Gas engine: 8.0L GM. No replacement for cubic inches.

transmission: Allison 1000, don't care about manuals in these trucks, honestly. I like the 6 speed in my Matrix though. waytogo

drivetrain: I'll go with the Dodge if we're excepting the engine and trans. SFA, Dana 60 front? oh yeah.

frame: Ford if only for the huge GVWR's for '05.

suspension: I like both Ford and GM for different reasons.

Exterior: The new Superduty is one nice looking truck, but I like my Chevy, maybe because it seems to be the one most people don't like. I sort of gravitate to the underdog.

Interior: Again, the new Superduty has a nice interior, and some great features like the integrated brake controller, but I'm going with my Chevy. Bose rules. :)

Keep it coming guys, I'm finding your guys thoughts very interesting. Maybe in a week or so we can count which brand got the most "choice" in each catagory and figure out what the "perfect" pieced together "factory" truck would be. waytogo

Diesel engine: 05 LLY Duramax

Gas engine: MPFI454

transmission: Ally 1000

drivetrain: GM 2500HD & up

frame: GM 2500HD & up

suspension: GM 2500HD & up

Exterior: 2002 Chevy HD is awsome, the new 05 high hood is makin the new look, look better...

Interior: GM LT package

I have only owned one towrig in my life so I have no real comparison....

Diesel- Cummins ISB, A TON OF TORQUE and potential, maybe not the fastest but how often do you drag race towing your favorite toy?
Gas Motor- the classic, Chevy 350!
Tranny- TH400, with the 205 behind it its a tough combo to beat
Drivetrain- 14 Bolt, Dana 60+ axles with the above mentioned tranny and T-case, so I guess GM gets that one
Frame- Not enough experience with the new trucks, but I know the old Chevy frames flex to much for the body to take
Suspension- I would have to say Dodge and the 05 SD take that one, coils up front rock!
Exterior- Super Duties are big bad lookin trucks! So they take that.
Interior- GM's are so very plush inside

Diesel- 6.oL ford or duramax
gas- 8.1L
transmission- Torqueshift
suspension-Ford(ever seen a cheby w/ 3tons in the bed?)
Frame- Ford-no doubt
drivetrain- Ford
appearance- FORD!
interior- Chevy/Ford
The wife's Suburb is the ultimate family road-tripper, but for all out work, my 7.5L ford has never been matched. I hope my 6.oL can keep up the reputation.

I'll throw my $.02 worth in.


DIESEL ENGINE - 12V Cummins "B" series with a P7100

GAS ENGINE - 351W Ford with injection very stout for the cubes and well built. Did most every application with out complaint.

TRANSMISSION - NVG-5600 hands down is just stout all the way around!
NVG-4500 close second
Muncie 465 old and out dated but as reliable as they come
Allison is strong as can be with some aftermarket help
TH-400 & C6 are out dated but very well built even in
OEM state.

TRANSFERCASE - NVG-271 with a bolt on rear yoke (FORD)

AXLES - GM Dana 60 77-91
Ford Dana 60 85-91 ( or when ever the king pins went away )
Dodge Dana 60 89-93 because of the use of GM style bearing hubs
Dana 80 rear axle with disc brakes and 4 pinion posi (2001~2002
Dodge )

FRAME - Ford Super Duty 99 on up.

SUSPENSION - All depends on what is ordered on each truck
Safe bet is most any SD Ford with the upgraded springs
Dodge offered some stout spring packages in the 94-02 trucks
if the right options were spec'd.

EXTERIOR - 99 on up Ford SD , just a damn good looking truck !

INTERIOR - 98~02 Dodge or any 99 and up SD Ford . Each simple and comfty
with out being to cushy.

With all that out and typed I am actually a GM fan but you would not know it by this list....Ha,ha
Tom :D

DIESEL ENGINE - 12V Cummins "B" series with a P7100

GAS ENGINE - 8.1L chevy

TRANSMISSION - NVG-5600, Allison

TRANSFERCASE - NVG-271 with a bolt on rear yoke (FORD)

AXLES - GM Dana 60 77-91

FRAME - Ford Super Duty 99 on up.

SUSPENSION - Fords new suspension

EXTERIOR - new chevy

INTERIOR - new chevy

Diesel engine: Dodge CTD600

Gas engine: Chevy Vortec 8.1 BB

transmission: Dodge NV5600 for a manual, Allison for the auto

drivetrain: Overall drivetrain, Dodge one ton with a NV5600 wins this one

frame: Ford wins this one.. I don't really care for the hydroformed dodge frame

suspension: Ford and Dodge tie this one.. both solid axle, and I thought they both rode about the same.

Exterior: New 2005 Ford wins this one... I Really like the way they look.. But I also like the way my dodge looks. If it came down to it, and I was looking for a new truck now, Id probably go Ford.

Interior: GM wins this one.. Barely. Ford is nice too, and as much as I hate to admit it, Dodge is lacking behind the other two as far as this goes.

All in all, I couldn't be happier with my Dodge. I will be keeping my truck for a LONG time, at least 10 years, but when Im looking for a new truck in about 9 more years, then I will take a serious look at Ford.
Scott

Diesel engine:CTD for strictly towing and longevity/reputation, Dmax for towing/DD

Gas engine:GM 5.3 the thing just SCREAMS!!

transmission:Allison or NV5600 if a stick

drivetrain: 2nd gen Dodge HD (we need to wait and see how the new SD holds up.)

frame: Not sure but I have always heard that dodges suck and that fords are the Best

suspension: GM for comfort, Dodge for offroading (just check out the race truck on KOREPerformance.com

Exterior:03' up Dodge HD w/ body colored grille, bumper and billet looking grille

Interior: Definatly Newer GM, very plush and tons of room

Diesel engine: Cummins

Gas engine: Big block: dodge V10; Small Block Chevy 350

transmission: Auto: Allison; Manual: NV5600 (but haven't read much on others)

drivetrain: Dana

frame: f550

suspension: dodge, for the 4 link coil front end

Exterior: dodge, just wish they had a real crew with a long bed

Interior: gm

Dang, dare i be the first to say it.


Diesel engine: 7.3 powerstroke (longevity and reliability)

Gas engine: Big block: GM 8.1

transmission: Automatic Allison

drivetrain: 01 up ford superduties

frame: Ford superduty

suspension: toss-up

Exterior: Ford Crew Cab dually

Interior: Ford (very simple, nothing to break, not to mention plenty of room)

Diesel engine: Cummins, Hands Down. Reliability, Power, And Cold Weather Starting is unmatched

Gas engine: Older: GM 502, or 426 Hemi Newer: 5.7 Hemi, or GM 6.0

transmission: Muncie SM465 Found in many GMC/ Chevy trucks in the 80s
Very low low gear and trust me, its indestructable

drivetrain: Newer 1993-2005 Dodge and Ford. Pre 1993 all 3 were fairly matched

frame: Ford Super Duty, Followed Closely by Dodge

suspension: 02-05 Ford Super Duty, or Dodge 2500-3500

Exterior: 03-05 dodge

Interior: Dodge Ram Larime

diesel... cummins 600
gas... chevy small block
transmission... allison 1000
drivetrain... old chevys (when they still had solid front axle) now dodge 3/4 ton or 1 ton
frame... i would think dodge is pretty good because it stood up to the baja 1000 w/ the kore suspension
suspension... dodge for sure www.koreperformance.com
exterior... new dodge slt silver w/ alluminum rims
interior... chevy for sure... really comfortable and more room in the backseat than the dodge

I'm surprised none of yall have said Ford for interior. I'm not sure if it is only offered in Texas or something, but damn, them King Ranch package SD's are NICE inside!!!:pimp:

DIESEL ENGINE - Cummins

GAS ENGINE - Chevy 350, once had one with over 250,000 original miles and ran good

TRANSMISSION - NVG-5600, Allison

TRANSFERCASE - NVG-271 with a bolt on rear yoke (FORD)

AXLES - Dana

FRAME - I use to think ford, but my buddys truck slipped into a small ditched and bent the frame and was totaled. Really was not a hard fall at all.
SUSPENSION - Dodge for off road, chevy for comfort

EXTERIOR - Dodge or Ford

INTERIOR - Chevy

Diesel engine: cummins 5.9

Gas engine: Dodge V10 Viper

transmission: NV5600 manual, Allison Auto

drivetrain: Dodge, Dana 60's Rock

frame: Ford, though Dodge has a new redesigned frame for 06' with
heavy use of hydroforming and new lateral rear support
beam on rear frame.

suspension: Dodge with front coils.

Exterior: Ford. Although all 3 trucks look good

Interior: Dodge. The new mega cab is a monster. More interior than
a Maybach

My two Cents...

Diesel engine: Cummins. Duh. The 7.3 powerstroke is probably 2nd.

Gas engine: Big fan of the old Fords. Short stroken big blocks baby!

transmission: Any old 4 speed. This new stuff just aint cuttin it. burnout

drivetrain: Not a chevy, IFS is weak with more moving parts.

frame: Either. I have yet to see a frame wear out.

suspension: My dodge rides like a pickup. Thats what I like. I havent ridden in enough brand new trucks to compare.

Exterior: The big fords have always looked good. My favorite is the mid 70's fords and 94-02 dodge.

Interior: From an accessories stand point. Fords have always had more room to mount the two way radio, cell phone and CB for the contractor. GM's are way to tight and does kind of resemble a cadillac. I think a dodge is somewhere in the middle.

Diesel engine: LBZ Duramax
Gas engine: GM 5.3 Its a monster small block, trust me!
transmission: New Allison 1000 6 speed
drivetrain: Older-GM Newer- GM rear axles, Dodge for front and back, those AAM axles seem to be good,
Any GM axle with the G80
frame: 1/2 ton- Chevy 3/4 and 1 ton-Chevy or Ford
suspension: Ford with Radius arms front GM or Dodge rear
Exterior: 99-06 Chevy (prefer pre 2003 HD, but all look nice) 2nd Gen Dodge with Sport Package a close runner up
Interior: GM

Diesel engine: Cummins 5.9l 12v turbo diesel

Gas engine: ford 400 v8 6.6l

transmission: ZF 5 speed

drivetrain: Dana's

frame: Ford, ranch proven.

suspension: ford, ranch proven.

Exterior: Ford

Interior: new chevys

Diesel Engine: Cummins 600

Gas Engine: hard to beat the old chevy 350

Transmission: NV5600\Allison

Drivetrain: Dodge\Ford

Frame: Ford

Suspention: Dodge

Exterior: Dodge

Interior: Chevy