Diesel

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by calhoonie, Jun 10, 2008.

  1. calhoonie

    calhoonie Bobtail Member

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    May 21, 2008
    Western Massachusetts
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    Hey y'all. Would like to know which of the diesels (Detroit/Mercedes, Cat, or Cummins) is best in your opinion. What is your fuel economy? What would be a good starting truck for someone looking to be an o/o? I know that there have to be threads about this, so if you could get me the link it would be great, or reply to the thread when ya get a chance. I'd appreciate the help! -Calhoonie
     
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  3. SPIKE 64

    SPIKE 64 Light Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2008
    San Antonio tx.
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    For economy you can't beat a detriot ,for reliability you can't beat a CAT .First time o/o I'd go with a low cost century or columbia they are cheap and there are plenty to choose from.
     
  4. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Oct 23, 2005
    Vegas/Jersey
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    I've got to disagree about Cat. We had nothing but problems with our 3406 Cat's and Cat will only allow the Cat dealer to work on them. I've had much better luck with Cummins. I loved their 444 and you could do an authorized mod to bring it up to 450. The turbo was bigger and it pulled really stronge.
     
  5. 550hpW900L

    550hpW900L Road Train Member

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    Jan 29, 2008
    norcal
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    Toamto-Tomatoe....... Cat is way more reliable than any cummins, 444 make it a 450? :biggrin_25514:

    If your talking about the 3406B then no, the turbo was not way bigger, the B model had a bigger turbo then the 444, hence the 425 at the wheel rating on the CAT and the measly 350hp the cummins put down to the tires.
     
  6. elharrison

    elharrison "Iam on my way"

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    Feb 8, 2007
    WV
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    i believe each of them have good and bads

    right now im sportin a 525 detriot, no problems ever, no misses, power is always there

    used to drive a n14 cummins and that pleased me to no end, made a ton of power and sounded so shhhweeettt:biggrin_25526:

    i have yet to drive a CAT powered engine other than a box truck i used to drive long time ago, and it was only a c7
     
  7. M603

    M603 Light Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2008
    Brooklyn, NY
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    C-15 CAT 475 6.5 mpg on a 379 Pete... LOVE IT!!
     
  8. 550hpW900L

    550hpW900L Road Train Member

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    Jan 29, 2008
    norcal
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    This is like asking whos hotter, Jessica Alba or Jessica Simpson. Everybody likes different engines for their own reason. Ive had my fair share of experience with them all and always prefer the yellow.
     
  9. 18wheeldumptrucker

    18wheeldumptrucker "Buckeye Bucket"

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    Apr 1, 2008
    Sullivan, Ohio
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    I'm running an old school Cummins Big Cam III in the old White/Volvo. It's an incredibly reliable engine, has plenty of power, and 5.8 mpg.
     
  10. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    WY
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    A T600 pre 04 emissions nonsense with a 3406E, a 13spd with 3.55 rears, is going to be pretty hard to beat for MPGs if driven right and all around reliability.
     
  11. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Oct 23, 2005
    Vegas/Jersey
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    No I was comparing the old turbo off the cummins when you did the mod. You only gained 6 hp but you got tons or torque pulling the grades. If Cat might let up on their policy on who can work on them then they might be better. But Cat makes it's money fron construction equipment and trucks are only secondary. We never get out trucks out when they said we could, but then again the never got their fuel when they needed it also.
     
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