Community Forums

enigma2me · 08-08-2022, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosy

A Dodge? Nooooooo, not a chance...

Just curious why you say that. Have you ever owned one?

I have had a Ram 2500 diesel with the Cummins, and we currently have a 2019 Ram 3500 DRW with the 6.7 Cummins High Output. Both have been great and hassle free.

Splat32 · 08-08-2022, 08:53 AM

Got the WDH set up for the Ram 3500-Nash 23D. Without the WDH there was less than an inch of squat in the back. With the No-Sway hitch, the truck was level. With the 1500, I would normally only tow with about 10 gal. of water in the TT, plus 350# of stuff in the truck bed and another 300# of stuff in the TT. For our short, 60 mile test drive, I had about 150# in the truck bed and 40 gal. of FW in the TT.

Oh man! What a difference! It's like the Nash wasn't even back there. My wife commented on it as well. Can't wait for our first camping trip in two weeks.

JIMNLIN · 08-08-2022, 09:04 AM

Quote:

27 oil/filter changes over 114k; 16 fuel filter changes; 5 air filters;

Good looking truck/cap. The wife has a '16 1500 chevy 4wd 5.3 6 speed.
Two completely different towing platforms and not comparable.

The '03 and '04 305/555 HO Cummins engine has a 7500/15000 miles oil change schedule.
In '04.5 Dodge moved up to the 325/600 engine.

I have a '03 2wd quad cab 2500 Dodge/Cummins 305/555 HO engine with a NV5600 manual tranny 3.73 gears exhaust brake with just over 368000+/- miles. I wouldn't trade if for any new LDT. One tough truck and still get 21-22 mpg average out on the highway when not towing.
It handles my 11200 lb 5th wheel rv trailer or my 16K GN triaxle trailer with ease.
The last few year I've been using the 15000 mile oil/filter schedule. Were both over 80 and don't camp as much anymore.

You can get Fleetguard fuel/air/oil filters from https://www.genosgarage.com/ for your year model Cummins.
When needing a filter now (forgot to reorder) I have bought them from a local Cummins dealer.
...... both much cheaper than a Ram dealer charges.

dannonebr · 08-08-2022, 08:31 PM

Nice clean truck Splat! I had a 2003 Dodge 3500 Cummins 4x4 SLT four door SB for 17 wonderful years and over 150,000 miles. I ordered it before the EGR valves were installed and after the 46RE trannys came out, also well equipped for $34k and traded it in for $16k 17 years later. The dealer sold it for $24k. It was super dependable. One of the best riding trucks I ever had. I beat the hell out of it on trails, blizzards, floods, ice, wind storms and towing it but kept it looking good and in top condition. It only broke down once, the water pump went out at 113k. I changed it in a rest area in the Colorado mountains and after an hour or so back on the road. The think the original Mopar batteries lasted 12 years. The seats were never covered and looked like new yet, no cracks in the dash, everything worked great except the AC leaked freon out every year. One set of front brakes in 17 years but u-joints about every 50k. Tranny shifted great, never had a problem with it but I kept it serviced. I could load 3 tons of dirt in it. It went off roading in places people could not believe. I pulled fully loaded dual trailers, a fifth wheel and an ATV behind it all over the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico a couple of times every year. There was nothing wrong with it when I traded for a 2018 2500 Laramie cummins, which I traded for another 2020 2500 cummins that had employee pricing on it, plus a trade for the 2018 for $5k more than I paid for it. The deal was too good to be true during the pandemic. My 2003 rode really good with the right tires (Cooper AT3s or Falken wildpeak AT3). I do miss it because of the good memories but the 2020 is a nicer and definitely a more powerful unit and ready for new adventures. The 2003 is now doing hot shot duty part time. I had a hot shot driver make a delivery with one that was just like my 2003 but with over 600k miles, and the seats looked great. The 2004 is about the same and is probably one of the best trucks ever made. Enjoy!

Danj2001 · 08-11-2022, 05:05 AM

Maybe you should try one, Dodge, that is. They are way better than the others. I had them all. No comparison.

CecilD · 08-11-2022, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mote

Congrats on the new truck.
We enjoy our 2005 Dodge dually. The wife's Accord gets more than double the fuel mileage as the truck but I just love driving the truck.
Blessings,

I know it is crazy, but I feel the same way.

CharlesinGA · 08-12-2022, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CecilD

Get yourself a PacBrake if your truck doesn't already have one. It will double your towing pleasure as the 5.9 has little or no compression braking.

This is a good recommendation. A couple of months ago I was coming off the Blue Ridge Parkway from Mt. Pisgah on US 276 to Waynesville. Its a steep and winding road. Being careful, taking it easy, keeping my speed down, geared down, and still managed to overspeed the engine (100 rpm for about 10 sec), I need to install a PAC brake.

Just gotta find the $1500 for the kit (after having replaced my house central air system and several other big expenses, its going to wait till late winter though)

Charles