I'm at a cross roads here and thiers no clear winner.

I have had issues with the drive line on my lesser hemi powerd 2500 Ram, I'm now off warranty and not needing the ultility of a reg cab long box truck.

Right from day one my 2500 was maintained, Consdiering the new 4rth gen ctd share identical drive line componets as per my 06, I'm questioning the long term strenght of a dodge 2500 drive line when flued by a ctd.

My hemi has killed the drive line on my truck, now rebuilt under warranty

A hemi quad cab is not in the cards, nope, dodge said so long to the 6speed man transmisson, CTD is the only way to with a 6speed man. transmisson

THiers is not a debate betwean automatic and man. transmissons, I don't ever want to own a automtic.

The duramax can not be built with a man transmisson, and if I'm forced to give in, I do prefer GM automatics over dodge automatics.

so, any one know if the GM trucks also have non servicable drive line componets, u joints, ect ????

as For a 1500 truck, don't want one, no matter who builds it, and you can't get a 6speed man anyways...

 

the drive trains are different between gas and diesel, dodge gas 2500's typically have lighter duty parts all around, all newer trucks have non greasable u-joints, but they can be upgraded to greasable with spicer joints found at most parts houses, the new 6 speed auto from dodge is supposed to be the ticket, but like you, i doubt i will ever have an auto, especially behind a diesel, when i had a d-max, nothing but problems with the alison auto, 8 different transmissions to be exact...

 

The GM trucks use AAM axles just like Dodge does. The front suspension on the GM is independent vs the solid axle Dodge (4x4). My '06 2500 has 143K miles on it. I have replaced front brake pads and left front axle u-joint. I also replaced the u-joints on the rear drive shaft, but they didn't need to be replaced. I was chasing a vibration that turned out to be bad tires. Oh yeah, I replaced the clutch at 100K miles, but that was due to added power and not the clutch's fault. ;D

 

I know the diffs on the CTD are larger, as for the u joints, I just assumed thier the same, I drive a GM 2500 at work that has the 6speed automtic that you can up shift and down shift, its more of a toy for me.


On my last vibration go arround, the deler wanted 1100.00 to replace the two stearing shafts that connect to the stearing box, not a warenty item, truck stears fine and I have not had the stearing issues prone to the 2500 Ram.

if the driveline componets are stronger on the CTD, I still fear frying them, on the + side clutch and man tranny are doing fine, or maybe I just cursed that!!! hope not !!!

 

the cummins has the same setup behind it now, 08 and newer i believe

 

I would suggest you go drive the new 2010 ctd with the automatic. I just bought a 3500 dually 4x4 with the auto and love it. Its shifts so smooth. I actually traded in my 07 3500 6 speed manual for it.

 

go to a truck pull somewhere. That's proof enough, 90% have cummins. I'm not talking about the big boys, atch local guys pull. Dodge always wins around here.

 

if your having probs with both brands go to ford, find you a 97 ford f250 with a 7.3idi turbo diesel, i used to have one, and it ran for 510k, then got rid of it an got me a 96 dodge 1500 Laramie SLT 4x2 5.9L Magnum, and i have a 1998 Dodge 2500 4x4 24v cummins with only 46k on it, only drive it around the pastures on our dairy farm here in illinois.

 

gm's can't take any abuse..iv replaced more transfercases then i can count at work because of the dreaded pump rub..there stupid push button 4x4 with the even stupider encoder motor's with there junky sensor's and 4x4 switches..and i am constantly replacing there injector's and front diff's for pinion play or cracked ear's..imho its the worse thing you could buy besides an 03-05 6.0l ford

 

well, Im telling the truth when I say that a 2500 drive line behind a hemi can't take day to day driving, lefr front right front axle shafts and u joints, rear u joint and carrier bearing, all at 100,000 km...now no truck is perfect, but if I keep my truck, all repairs are now on my dime...no more warranty.

Yes, Ford in the 95 to 97 years made great trucks, the 7.3 is the better of fords navstar attempts, any ford of that year is now going of issues due to age or negelct and I go forward.

I need to spend more time with a fourth gen CTD, my first test drive did not win me over due to my loyality to my 06, seeing that CTD is the only brand with a 6 sp man...