Diesel Trucks

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Matts440 said:
I have a 14 ram cummins 3500 dually, I bought the truck for the sole purpose of never wondering if I'll have enough, can pull what ever I throw at it. Open road I get 26mpg and mines not even broken in yet just at 57000 miles. Def does suck, but its biting those who wanted it in the butt since it's not the money maker they thought it was going to be, been biting them since 06 1/2 rams when the first 6.7 came out. Each do have their advantages, I even drive .one every day it's my daily. Maintenance isn't that bad really, but you cant really beat the torque of a diesel. Just my .02
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Matt, are you sure about that 26mpg? Even the pre-emission engines didn't get that with tuning. All the newer ones I've owned and know of can maybe eek out 18mpg empty and behaving. Most guys I know are getting 16ish.
 
I am sure, I was surprised the first time we drove from southern cali up to Idaho to visit my parents and get that that mileage, my brothers 06 mega cab with a programmer gets 24-26mpg on the same trip. Trust me I was surprised. But have taken that trip many times, its 814 miles and I fill up twice, doing 75mph most of the way some places you have to slow down through towns.
 
Matts440 said:
I am sure didnt believe myself, I drive from southern cali up to Idaho to visit my parents and get that that mileage, my brothers 06 mega cab with a programmer gets 24-26mpg on the same trip. Trust me I was surprised. But have taken that trip many times, its 814 miles and I fill up twice, doing 75mph most of the way some places you have to slow down through towns.
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You must have a freak with a weird tune or something. Like I said most guys are getting 16-18 with the modern engines. Hold on to that one.
 
Only thing I have done to my truck so far is just a filter and a tube between the stock air box and turbo, and just run Lucas fuel addative in it at fill ups.
 
Pascamp said:
You must have a freak with a weird tune or something. Like I said most guys are getting 16-18 with the modern engines. Hold on to that one.
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No doubt, and I believe you, maybe mine was built on a Wednesday lol not a monday or Friday lol. Programmers help alot. Cant wait to order mine, but to be able to delete def I need a more expensive one, like $1300 for one :( oh I am keeping this one, I love this truck, so glad my last company I worked for had such great deals through Chrysler to get one, else I couldn't have bought one.
 
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Not that you REALLY want others opinions, but I'll give you mine anyway. I've owned nothing but Dodge cummins diesels since 1994. 5 of them including the last one I just bought 2 weeks ago a 2018 Laramie Longhorn 4x4 2500. In all I've put 735K miles on them. Never a transmission,never had the engine open on any of them. Just normal maintenance ,brakes, ball joints, A/C compressors. I wouldn't be without one. I always say you can't have to much truck, but you can have to little.
 
A408Cuda said:
I mean no offense to you 1995dak but V10's are obsolete that's why you cant buy one anymore, diesels on the other hand are far from being obsolete, why do you think all the manufactures are bringing out 1/2 ton diesels? You can buy a ram 1500 diesel, Chevy Colorado diesel, and ford f 150 diesel. Toyota Helix's have been the main truck over seas for years, guess what there all diesel's. They have there problems adapting to emissions ill admit, but so did gas engines in the 80's and 90's it'll get better. This is the first time in history that regular sized pick-up's have been sold that will safely pull 35 and 40,000 lbs and they're diesel not gas.
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:mad: Blasphemy! :D none taken buddy. Just not for me. But it seems like most don't mind the cost so they are definitely not obsolete. So original question answered.
 
In full confession I did take a sawzall to the underside of mine and got rid of about 300 pounds of exhaust crap plus converters. Did the delete up on top plus new AFI intake manifold, intercooler and CAI plus smoothed out the tubes. Went with Smarty Jr tune for fuel economy and she runs cool as a cucumber and super clean. It is a 6.7 so mileage is just not as good as the 5.9 platform. Have not ever put it on a dyno but I can spin up to the threshold for the spool and I don't want to change spools. Love that whistle going up hill! I have several other Ram trucks but when I want to pull it is the Cummins.
 
I bought my Ram 3500 Cummins new, auto 4:10 gears, yes I pull in OD! 220,000 miles trans is still good, gets 18 highway, 13 pulling anything.
A good buddy that uses one in his boneyard, runs it on used ATF from the local garage, filtered.! ha
 
Thanks all for speaking up about your diesel's, again I believe people that are totally against diesel are folks that don't ever need to pull or have never pulled a load with one. The power of these new diesel's whatever brand you choose is unbelievable! I also agree that most service trucks are probably more cost effect if there gas, but most service trucks are sold off at or around 100k. Diesel trucks will almost always wear the truck out before the motor if properly taken care of. Just the fact of consistently lower RPM operation and the shear beef that they are built with due to the high compression ratio. And yes all the manufactures have been through there share of problems, particularly ford with there international 6.0 and 6.4's, perhaps giving diesels a bad reputation that they don't deserve. luckily it's not an issue anymore and I have nothing but good to say about fords or dodges 6.7's.
 
A408Cuda said:
Thanks all for speaking up about your diesel's, again I believe people that are totally against diesel are folks that don't ever need to pull or have never pulled a load with one. The power of these new diesel's whatever brand you choose is unbelievable! I also agree that most service trucks are probably more cost effect if there gas, but most service trucks are sold off at or around 100k. Diesel trucks will almost always wear the truck out before the motor if properly taken care of. Just the fact of consistently lower RPM operation and the shear beef that they are built with due to the high compression ratio. And yes all the manufactures have been through there share of problems, particularly ford with there international 6.0 and 6.4's, perhaps giving diesels a bad reputation that they don't deserve. luckily it's not an issue anymore and I have nothing but good to say about fords or dodges 6.7's.
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I'll start by saying that I respect everyone's opinion. You stated that you feel that the people who are not diesel fans don't pull. My opinion is that diesel fans are guys that own one truck and base thier opinions off luck. I have to keep 6-10 trucks on the road. Every truck will do 40k-60k miles a year. All my trucks have boxes, tools, crews, and hitches that get used every day. I buy my trucks brand new, and the next owner will be the junkyard. Are diesels more enjoyable to tow with on hills...yes. That is the only thing I will give diesels. A gas truck will have to downshift. At $50 a downshift, I don't care. The much loved pre emission diesels were only putting out 400lb and could pull the Titanic according to diesel fans. Gas engines have the same torque and twice the hp as the old diesels. Why do you think a gas truck can't pull something, yet your diesel engines could pull it 20yrs ago? The argument of diesels do it at lower rpm gets old. Gearing is totally different between gas and diesel transmissions. My gas trucks may need to turn 3500rpm up a steep hill, but it's naturally aesperated and 10:1 compression (and it'll do it trouble free for 300k+ miles). The diesel is what? 18:1 compression, 30psi boost, and 30,000psi fuel pressure? Yeah, that sounds reliable.

Do whatever makes you happy. I just get tired of the diesel cost of ownership, ect. argument. I really am glad that you guys have never really had to fix one. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. My record is $18k on one truck in one year! My friend had $22k done under warranty in one year. Let's be honest here. Let's tell people who don't know what this **** costs. Head gasket...$4-10k. Turbo nonsense...$3-6k. DPF $2-4k. Injectors $3-6k. Lift and/or main $2-6k. Should I keep going? I can dig out receipts for all this **** and more. An average Joe who buys the diesel cost of ownership bullshit story could quickly be taking out a home equity loan.
 
Pascamp said:
I'll start by saying that I respect everyone's opinion. You stated that you feel that the people who are not diesel fans don't pull. My opinion is that diesel fans are guys that own one truck and base thier opinions off luck. I have to keep 6-10 trucks on the road. Every truck will do 40k-60k miles a year. All my trucks have boxes, tools, crews, and hitches that get used every day. I buy my trucks brand new, and the next owner will be the junkyard. Are diesels more enjoyable to tow with on hills...yes. That is the only thing I will give diesels. A gas truck will have to downshift. At $50 a downshift, I don't care. The much loved pre emission diesels were only putting out 400lb and could pull the Titanic according to diesel fans. Gas engines have the same torque and twice the hp as the old diesels. Why do you think a gas truck can't pull something, yet your diesel engines could pull it 20yrs ago? The argument of diesels do it at lower rpm gets old. Gearing is totally different between gas and diesel transmissions. My gas trucks may need to turn 3500rpm up a steep hill, but it's naturally aesperated and 10:1 compression (and it'll do it trouble free for 300k+ miles). The diesel is what? 18:1 compression, 30psi boost, and 30,000psi fuel pressure? Yeah, that sounds reliable.

Do whatever makes you happy. I just get tired of the diesel cost of ownership, ect. argument. I really am glad that you guys have never really had to fix one. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. My record is $18k on one truck in one year! My friend had $22k done under warranty in one year. Let's be honest here. Let's tell people who don't know what this **** costs. Head gasket...$4-10k. Turbo nonsense...$3-6k. DPF $2-4k. Injectors $3-6k. Lift and/or main $2-6k. Should I keep going? I can dig out receipts for all this **** and more. An average Joe who buys the diesel cost of ownership bullshit story could quickly be taking out a home equity loan.
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Wow sorry for your luck, 18k on a truck in one year with no warranty coverage? Very interesting...you are aware that most new diesel trucks come with 100,000 mile drive train warranty...mine did in 2011 you must have been driving 6.0's they did have a lot of problems.
 
sounds like manufactures are trying to phase out the diesel. ford even has a new engine to take the diesels place..

i see the argument all the time on travel trailer sites i'm on. they say initial cost, added fuel cost, def, more expensive maintenance as reasons to go gas...
 
abodyjoe said:
sounds like manufactures are trying to phase out the diesel. ford even has a new engine to take the diesels place..

i see the argument all the time on travel trailer sites i'm on. they say initial cost, added fuel cost, def, more expensive maintenance as reasons to go gas...
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I could believe this one, but not with gas. I think all manufactures will be coming out with electric trucks eventually, once the figure out the battery distance problem there will be no competition, electric is going to out pull/outrun any internal combustion engine. Its simple math instant torque.
 
Pascamp said:
I'll start by saying that I respect everyone's opinion. You stated that you feel that the people who are not diesel fans don't pull. My opinion is that diesel fans are guys that own one truck and base thier opinions off luck. I have to keep 6-10 trucks on the road. Every truck will do 40k-60k miles a year. All my trucks have boxes, tools, crews, and hitches that get used every day. I buy my trucks brand new, and the next owner will be the junkyard. Are diesels more enjoyable to tow with on hills...yes. That is the only thing I will give diesels. A gas truck will have to downshift. At $50 a downshift, I don't care. The much loved pre emission diesels were only putting out 400lb and could pull the Titanic according to diesel fans. Gas engines have the same torque and twice the hp as the old diesels. Why do you think a gas truck can't pull something, yet your diesel engines could pull it 20yrs ago? The argument of diesels do it at lower rpm gets old. Gearing is totally different between gas and diesel transmissions. My gas trucks may need to turn 3500rpm up a steep hill, but it's naturally aesperated and 10:1 compression (and it'll do it trouble free for 300k+ miles). The diesel is what? 18:1 compression, 30psi boost, and 30,000psi fuel pressure? Yeah, that sounds reliable.

Do whatever makes you happy. I just get tired of the diesel cost of ownership, ect. argument. I really am glad that you guys have never really had to fix one. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. My record is $18k on one truck in one year! My friend had $22k done under warranty in one year. Let's be honest here. Let's tell people who don't know what this **** costs. Head gasket...$4-10k. Turbo nonsense...$3-6k. DPF $2-4k. Injectors $3-6k. Lift and/or main $2-6k. Should I keep going? I can dig out receipts for all this **** and more. An average Joe who buys the diesel cost of ownership bullshit story could quickly be taking out a home equity loan.
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I believe you, when diesel go out they are costly and cant imagine a fleet of them for repairs. Just put turboed gas engines in your trucks best of both worlds lol :thumbsup:
 
Putting a lot of hard miles pulling with a Diesel? Look at the pro rodeo guys for example. These guys hit 75 rodeos all over the US every year. How many miles??? They trade while under warranty, most drive Dodge Cummins, followed by, Ford, then Chevy. Most of them buy/trade with a few dealers that do all truck business. All truck. One guy in Co., couple in Tx.
Why do they run diesels? Many now pull 6 horse trailers with large living quarters, and pull with single Pete's or equivalent. Yes the guy pulling the 16 ft stock trailer local might drive a gas truck!
Pascamp is right how repair costs on diesels can suck you dry. If my 95 Cummins breaks and I can't afford to fix it, it will get sold for scrape and I will get that old gas truck as I don't need the 1 t. diesel really anymore.
 
A408Cuda said:
I could believe this one, but not with gas. I think all manufactures will be coming out with electric trucks eventually, once the figure out the battery distance problem there will be no competition, electric is going to out pull/outrun any internal combustion engine. Its simple math instant torque.
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ford is trying already.. 2020 Ford Super Duty - New F-250 and F-350 Debut With 7.3-Liter Gasoline V8


ram is starting with electric assist in their light duty trucks. who knows may end up on heavier duty trucks.. 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque Pairs Pickup with Hybrid
 
I'm more inclined to think that their plan is to get rid of the 6.2 option in there 1/2 tons and offer the diesel or 7.3 in the 3/4 tons and up. Theirs really not much argument for a V8 in the 1/2 tons anymore with the power of the ecoboost matching the V8, even the raptor is a ecoboost now.
 
I think the only reason the Gen1 Raptors came exclusively with a V8 was to help clear them out! I drive a '14 ecoboost, traded in my '06 F250 KR for it, no complaints, but I don't pull anything heavier than a single car hauler or 16ft enclosed trailer.

As for electric vehicles, and just about ALL emerging technology, battery tech is what is holding it all back.
Once they crack the code on batteries, we will see a revolution to rival the creation of the internal combustion engine itself
 
It all depends on what someone is pulling. The wife's run around is a small Toyoto what you call it. I has a v6 and runs like a striped *** ape. Yes it will pull a 18 ft car trailer with a 4-5000 pound car but how stable is it??? It has no brake control for trailer brakes, I would hate to stop it where my 1 ton does it NO problem.
I say v6's today are ate up with power, but that engine is it designed to pull loads?, the transmission is it designed to pull an not get hot an burn up? Just wondering.
 
I just got say that there are diesel haters out there, particularity when your talking young men rolling coal, you always have haters when it comes to anything. Point is those punk kids hot rodding there diesels are no different than we are hot rodding our Mopars. I for one love to see it, I would much rather see kids doing that and learning and tinkering then sitting in there moms basement playing X-box, or getting into things much worse. Diesel's aren't for everyone I admit, but they are for me and I'm not a rich guy, if I was I'd have a Hellcat too. Or are those only toys for affluent civilians...
 
barbee6043 said:
Yes it will pull a 18 ft car trailer with a 4-5000 pound car but how stable is it??? It has no brake control for trailer brakes,
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Takes about 15 minutes to put a brake controller in. My Tacoma easily tows my travel trailer that has to weigh almost 5000 pounds loaded. Very stable towing too. Of course I have the proper hitch.
 
abodyjoe said:
Takes about 15 minutes to put a brake controller in. My Tacoma easily tows my travel trailer that has to weigh almost 5000 pounds loaded. Very stable towing too. Of course I have the proper hitch.
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I admit I am just old and old fashioned. Electric brakes working has always been very on and off, for me over the last 50 odd years, always some problem with wiring, but I was always on the road with the trailers too. So now, I never pull anything bigger than a 20 ft stock or 18 ft car trailer, so I have good brakes on that 1 t. truck and it stops good enough.
Sorta lke back in the 90's I had a good Lil Red Express truck I used to haul parts and car trailer with a done E or B body. It had the power to haul it all, yes the bed was full of heavy parts too. It was a good load for that short bed tuck, and nor what I was used to as I have a 1 t. 454 chevy I pulled with generally. I would call it very unstable at speed.
These are just my experiences and opinions. Others might find different results!!! ha
 
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