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OT - Cummins Turbo-Diesel

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I know this is off topic and I apploogize in advance, but I am looking for an answer.

I have oppertunity to buy a 2006 Ram 3500 4x4 24V Cummins automatic tranny 58,000 well maintained, has everything, etc. Other than high fuel costs what are some pros and cons? I've never owned a diesel and would like to know what I'm getting in to.

What fuel mileage should I expect to get?
 
Cold weather problems are one downside to diesel trucks.

Hard to start and fuel jelling. If you are in a warm climate then this is a non issue.

Gary
 
I have a 01 Ram 2500 Cummins with a 6 speed. Of course it has been "souped up" a little but I wouldn't trade for any other. If you do any pulling at all you can't beat a diesel. The Cummins is easier to mess with than the others and I think more durable. The main issue that most have with the Dodge Cummmins is the fuel lift pump. Dodge came out with an in tank pump to replace the electric one at the motor that is suppossed to work better. I replaced mine with a Holley blue and placed it down next to tank on frame rail. If you get it and it does not already have gauges put you a fuel pressure gauge and pyro gauge at least. Keeping an eye on those can save an injector pump and or a motor. As far as cold weather driving I add some fuel conditioner pretty much year round and have had no trouble. It is nice to be able to plug them up at night. As far as the auto tranny, keep it serviced and more often if you do any heavy hauling. Hope this helps.
 
I've got a Cummins in my '03 ahead of a a 6sp handshaker, so I'm not sure what to tell ya about mileage. I get 20 runnin' around bareback. Worst I get is about 11-12 with 14k of gooseneck and trctors tied on the back. Whatever you get, it will be better than what you'd get with gas.

You might run over to turbodieselregiser.com.

It's a board like this, all Cummins, all Dodge, all the time. You have to join to post, but you ought to be able to find a lot just browsin' posts.
 
I'd just add a tranny temp gauge to the auto if I ws gonna do any haulin'.

I've lived in Cleveland and Maine with mine and haven't had any fuel gelling problems. And she's always started just fine, though, as was said, it is nice to plug it in on those cold mornings and have her warm up quicker. (Hint: All the 5.9 Cummins come with a block heater. To get the cord for it you had to pay for the Winter package. If yours doesn't have the cord and you think you want one, go to NAPA. Their price is about a third of what Mopar gets for it.)
 
Thanks for the response guys - Would I get better mileage it being a single wheel and not a dually?

This truck is slick - leather, all power everything, navigation, fiberglass tonneau and all. They're asking a little under 27k, think I can get it for 25.
 
I worked at a Dodge dealership up until a year ago and those years of pickups are kind of known for having ball joint problems. Other than that they are good pickups. I have a 99 cummins that has 220K on it and runs like new yet.
 
Mileage single vs. dually depends somewhat on tires.

Learned that lesson on bicycles. Knobby dirt bike tires are harder to pedal because the have more traction than say a standard or a racing bike tire. Big mud grippers on a single-rear will eat up more horsepower than a standard all-weather pickup tire, and more than duallies that have to be narrower to even fit on the truck.

If what it has are fairly standard 17" tires, the single rear will get maybe a little better mileage than the dually by virtue of having less rubber on the road (two narrower dually tires are still wider than a single), a couple hundred pounds less weight and not having the wind drag of the dually fenders. Duallys are more likely to have the lower-geared rear-end, too, than a single, and if they do, that would make more difference than all the other three factors put together.
 
If you will be on the road constantly, hauling heavy loads or towing fully loaded trailers, then a diesel might pay off. If you will be using it mostly to just run around in, you will get tired of the stiff ride real fast.
 
I have put way over half million on diesels PU and would not have anything else. Bought my a wife a car a month before I got the last one. Her car has 29.K and my PU has 146.K. Just made a 5.K vacation trip in Sept and hope I never have to travel anyother way.
Just keep it service to include fuel filters and you will do well.
Harley
 
My '06 2500 4x4 is almost three years old. It has about 67,000 miles on it so it isn't even broke in yet. I don't like the price of fuel but otherwise I love it. I get better mileage than a half ton with the hemi. The ride is stiff but most of the time I don't notice it anymore. If I keep it under 65 mph mine gets around 20+. I really appreciate it when I hook onto my 30' gooseneck with my two C's, two Case 300's, or a combination of them. It does give me peace of mind since my brother is a Cummins mechanic. I live in Omaha and haven't had any problems with gelling. But then they usually run #1 diesel around here this time of year. It knocks the mileage down but no problems with gelling. I would like the fuel mileage of the 2wd but I like having the ability to slip it into 4wd to get out of trouble. My next one will most likely be a Cummins. The diesel is like a 4wd. Once you pay for the first one you get most of it back on the trade in.
 
I have never owned diesel pick up but have been running diesel tractors and class 8 trucks for 40+ years. One thing I do not like and have never heard anyone else mention is that diesel fuel is smelly and greasy, most fuel nozzles will have fuel on them (gloves are maddantory IMO)and often threre has been fuel spill around pump. Track fuel into cab and you have smelly mess. Also in warmer climates fuel is not winterized and sudden near zero cold snap can leave you setting on side of road with jelled fuel, have been there several times.
 
Unless you are pulling nearly ALL the time, the diesel will not save you anything. The added cost of maintenance, and the added cost of purchase may never be recouped in fuel savings, especially now that diesel is much higher than gasoline.

Pulling with a diesel making 16 mpg vs. a gas at 10 mpg won't save you enough to cover the added cost of buying the diesel.

I also HATE that diesel smell all over everything no matter how careful I am when filling up the diesel pickup.

I agree that for pulling, nothing beats a diesel. And I LOVE that diesel rattle and a little smoke out the pipes now and then, but it just doesn't pencil out if you aren't pulling nearly all the time.
 
I have one of the last 12 valves. A november 98. 137,000 on the clock now, manual tranny. Bought it for 10k five years ago. It's pretty much like new.

IF..you could find one of the older 12 valves, a pristine low milage,5 spd manual, about 10k, You would be much better served. Don't know how much you intend to use it, but I only tow with mine, and that's about 7-8k a year. The 12's are infinitely more reliable, and easier to maintain.

I know if you want to spend 25K you can buy a new 2009, equipped for work, not all the bells and whistles of the stop and rob crowd.
 
I have a 1993 4x4 dually 220,000 miles. Never have had to add oil between changes only thing I've ever done besides tires and brakes is bigger injectors and turned up the pump runs better than when new.18mpg city 20+ freeway. Wouldn't have anything else.
 
not a bad truck, the automatic trans WILL give you problems. There are a few performance shops that can build them bullet proof, one is HTS in Michigan. Other than that if you like horsepower a diesel can make it. Very upgradable, injectors and a turbo you are nocking on the door of 500 horse.
 
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