Hartwell:

No the inlines do not stay in one RPM. The statement in the post is a bit misleading.

What he means is that the inlines typically have a great low end torque but not the pickup that the V8 diesels have. I noticed that when deciding what to buy when my 6.2 Blazer died.

The Cummins diesels are likewise very strong in pulling power. Because >they are direct injection industrial engines, they maka a LOT of noise, to the point a lot of people object to the rattle in the cab.

What I noticed in test driving the RAM is this: The truck has lots of low end torque and accelerates at a leisure rate to wherever you want to go. On highway acceleration is also at a leisure pace without any real "punch" like the GM. The truck gathers itself up and does what you ask, but not in any great hurry.

All three engines are superbly designed and do what the were intended to do. With proper maintenance they will last forever !

The choice simply gets down to whether you want Ford or Dodge pickup trucks, or the Utility vehicle chassis of the GM. The sexiest GM of all will be when we can get the Caterpiller monster in something like a suburban. We all await the official release of the Isuzu with some trepidation, because it seems to be a clone of the Cummins. Our diesel group generally is taking a wait and see attitude on this, because most would prefer the Cummins, all things considered.

Hope this helps with the question.

Doug