Torque management plays a big part in real-world 0-60 times, even if you powerbrake the start.
The reasons for using a particular engine brand in medium-duty trucks has more to do with corporate politics and business deals than the superiority, or perceived superiority of the engine.
If you want your truck faster, you can make it faster. If you follow the Diesel Truck Power Challenge and other competitions, you'll find the Cummins generally being the top dog.
I agree, if Dodge didn't have the Cummins, I doubt Ram trucks would even exist today. Remember when they didn't have it? They virtually didn't exist. No one bought them except some fleets because they were cheap.
I have a friend who owns a tow company. He's been running a fleet of F-350s for 30 or 40 years. He used to buy diesels until he had a new chassis on order that was taking too long, he needed one NOW, and took a gas chassis the dealer had in stock. It proved to be the most economical overall, even with the lower gas mileage. That was in 1989 and he still buys new gas Fords because they are extremely reliable and have a lower overall own/operate cost.
Personally, I'd like a Ford with a Cummins and an Allison trans!
You can build such a thing, there are even kits to put Cummins into Fords, and you can put an Allison on the Cummins. But it's not the sort of thing you just pick out on the dealer's lot and sign on the dotted line for.
2017 Northern Lite 10-2 EX CD SE
99 Ram 4x4 Dually Cummins
A whole lot more fuel, a whole lot more boost.
4.10 gears, Gear Vendors overdrive, exhaust brake
Built auto, triple disc, billet shafts.
Kelderman Air Ride, Helwig sway bar.
