Duramax vs 7.3 PSD...give me some pros and cons

Uneek · April 10, 2003

Alright I'm not trying to start a flame war but I've narrowed my choices down to 2 trucks and am dealing on both. A new 7.3 (not the 6.0) and the Duramax. The Duramax is a little bit cheaper but I like the looks of the Ford more. The GMC drives better though. So someone please give me some pros and cons of each engine because this will be my first diesel.

Stepside Z · April 11, 2003

First off both are very good trucks but in very different ways. The GM is much more car like in terms of luxery (sp) and comfort. The Dmax is quieter and the Allison has 5 speeds and grade breaking. Fuel milage is only a bit better from what I have read. The Ford is a nice ride but much more truck like then the GM. Ground clearance is better on the Ford. If you are looking at a 4X4 the solid front axle with hubs was a better choice for me. The handling will sacrafice as a result. The 7.3 is a nice motor and there are alot of them out there in Superduties, school buses, and med duty trucks. My fuel milage on the highway is 19-20 mpg and around town 15-17 depending on the amount of stop and go. The milage is improving as the miles start to rack up. I have only 6K on her now. They quiet down quit a bit as they warm up as all diesels do. On the freeway at 70 mph I can just bearly hear the turbo. The 4 speed shift well but does little for grade breaking like the Allison. The Dmax has more HP but both trucks haul a$$ as the engines get broken in. They are much faster then what you would think. Both engines have there problems because nothing is perfect but both are good engines. I went with the Ford because like you I like the looks of the Ford better. I got a really good price because the dealer had a bunch of 6.0 on the way. If you decide on the Ford that can be a dealing point. I know this dosen't say much but the bottom line is I feel both trucks have there pros and cons and they equiled out in my book. I bought the Ford because of looks and a far better deal. If I had gotten a better deal with GM I would bought it.

I hope this helps and if you have any more question I will be glad to help.

99Silver6.0 · April 11, 2003

Navistar makes a dam good engine. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise. The T444E (P'Stroke) is a well designed engine. I dont know about that new 6.0.... Felt kinda weak when I test drove one. International uses the 7.3 in a lot of different applications as StepsideZ stated, not just in Ford trucks. Both trucks have the potential to produce some high HP and TQ with a few tweaks and mods. Its too bad that the DT466E is too big and heavy to put into an F-350! My buddy jsut got a 2003 2500HD with the DMax. Not a bad truck. Front end is something that could use a bit of improvement IMO. But otherwise its a nice truck. I think that the dually version of the F-350 is better looking than the 3500HD. Period! Front end is large but not as HUGE as the new Ram. I still think that GM should have stayed with the old front fascia design on the HD. I really like that tall HD hood!! You still cant beat the low-end torque of the 5.9! :thumb:

BlackSilver · April 11, 2003

Whichever you buy, you'll have a good truck. I shopped all the brands and finally settled on the DuraMax because of the Allison transmission perched on the back of it. The combination is a towing dream come true.

clk7711 · April 11, 2003

The 7.3l is a good relaible engine. We have about 10 of the powerstrokes in the fleet at work and the only issues we've had with them is the CPS (cam position sensor) that will fail without warning and leave you on the side of the road. It's about a $90 part and real simple to change. The 4r100 trans is not even in the same leauge as the Allison. Within 40k the torque conventor is rattling and needs replacement. Other than that there ok.

On the other hand the Duramax Allison combo is AWESOME. The trans is a dream to tow heavy loads with just like others have said. 11 in the fleet with no major problems at about 75k miles on a couple.

Both are good trucks but IMO the D/A is better. If you can get a better price on the Duramax, I wouldn't even consider the Powerstroke.

CMNTMXR81 · April 11, 2003

I look at it this way. When you're driving your truck, enjoying it's better handling, better accomodations, more luxury (as some have said), about the only looks of the vehicle you'll see are the hood and some of the sides in your sideview mirrors! So what difference does looks make.

When you're inside, you can't see the outside!