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Diesel Trucks today aren’t what they used to be. They used to be slow, rugged, and basic machines meant for strenuous work, but today they offer comparable features to modern luxury cars. They ride like cadillacs and with modern technology are extremely powerful and quick.  However, with all of this new technology and new options they are not always as reliable and bullet proof as their predecessors.

Today’s diesel pickups are comprised of thousands of sophisticated parts that amount to the vast amount of features and power these new beasts are laying down. However, with all these parts come new issues. Every make and model has its own set of problems while also having its advantages. While many seem obsolete, some can be a big deal to a Diesel Lover like myself. Here are some common pros and cons with today’s Diesel Trucks.

Ford

Pros:

• Lightweight aluminum construction allows for better fuel economy and faster acceleration.
• Many exclusive and high-end features, especially the trailer assist system.
• Tons of Cab Space
• Lots of Power & quick acceleration

Cons:

• Numb Steering Feel
• Slightly Fragile because of aluminum
• Aluminum body repair is also more expensive
• More moving parts and less mechanic friendly under the hood. I’ve never been a huge fan of Powerstrokes because of the complexity and difficulty of some repairs. This leads to a lot more labor and increased labor costs at the mechanic.
• Stiffer Suspension compared to GM Model trucks associated with straight axle.

GM

Pros:

• The Legendary Allison Transmission
• Independent Front Suspension Allows for a great ride
• Great Motors

Cons:

• Independent Front Suspension can be more costly and complex to add lift kits. Bigger Tires and Wheels can also lead to issues with front end, requires more heavy duty parts
• New L5P Duramax has lack of performance parts and tuners because of “Uncrackable” ECM.
• Slightly tighter space compared to other makes.
• Some Trims lack in luxury features.
• Expensive
• Fuel Economy is average, not very impressive
• Turning Radius

Ram

Pros:

• Often times cheaper than the other makes/models
• Variety of Trim packages with the high end models being very luxurious.
• Largest Interior /w Megacab package. The truck’s rear seats recline!
• Arguably the best Diesel Motor, Inline 6
• Best Fuel Economy
• Still Carry Manual Transmission Trucks
• Turning Radius is Amazing

Cons:

• Transmissions are Sub-par
• Different trims have different HP/TQ
• Slightly slower acceleration speed when it’s stock compared to its V8 Rivals