Cat or cummins?

Ford or Chevy debate basically. Out of 10 guys 7 are cat guys and 3 choose cummins. Honestly I think it'll depend on what year truck you're getting. As far as swapping motors from cat to Detroit I believe is a expensive swap that in the end is pointless. Just buy the truck with the motor you want. As far as motor rebuilding the condition of the motor will tell you when to rebuild not the mileage so get oil samples and a dyno. Now for my personal opinion I'm a Cat guy. I have 3406E and I love her. Only had her 6 months but we'll go coast to coast if needed. either way make sure you get a 03 or older to run how you wanna run and you'll make out good on either side of the spectrum (long run or short run)

 

I was in the same boat, and, for me, it came down to what motor was cheapest to work on/rebuild. I can be happy with any motor, but cost to operate was a big factor. So I was on a quest for a pre-EGR Detroit or Cummins. Didn't want to do a motor swap, so I held out until I found a truck that had what I wanted.

 

Same as most on here will tell you, same as above. I like the N14 Cummins. Mostly because this motor is what I have most experience with. I like the 3 individual heads. Fix or replace what is needed. Easier for me personally to work on.
I really couldn't tell you if its cheaper to work on. No egr add-ons. Reliable, blah blah blah.

I had a driver in a cabover with cat motor he said overheated. I had it towed to a cat approved facility in Rockford, IL. told them to remove head and drop pan to see how much damage had occured. Well they dismantled entire motor. Pulled pistons. I scrapped truck and never went to another CAT approved garage.
Good luck.

 

Anything after '07 is junk.

 

I've had good luck out of both for the most part.

 

You will find lovers and haters on both brands, in fact any brand. Most pre '07 motors will do you right if the service and maintenance has been done. Even the best motor will be a dog if it has been neglected. Like others have said get an oil analysis and a dyno to find out if it's worth considering. If you are being told about 'rebuilt' this and 'rebuilt' that, get the paperwork, believe nobody.

 

Heck even now and days with technology it's better to call Cat or Cummins and give them the serial number to see if a rebuild has occurred. For a starter truck I would just assume it'll need a rebuild and have the money on hand for one so if it does you're ready and if it doesn't then keep your money in the bank waiting for that day

 

Good advise TaylorMade407, but most new guys come into this game with no money for the rainy days so are one major breakdown away from losing everything.