View Full Version : Buying a diesel so questions on what to do
I'm looking at getting a diesel. I dont pull alot but every now and again I'll have a pretty decent load in the bed like 250 8ft 2x4s etc. Stuff lile that. It's not often but happens.
I'm looking a few rams. I'm in a ford now but I really love rams and liked my 06 1500.
I found a 2012 ram cummins st crew cab with a little less than 90k. Really clean some dents on the passenger side but nice pickup and Sexy as he'll.
I also found a new 2016 1500 ecodiesel quad cab brand new less than 30 miles. It's a tradesman so no bells and whistles but thats okay.
They are both pretty much the same price maybe $1000 difference
Now my thing is I really like the 2012 however, the 2016 has the 5yr 100k mile warranty. I know they are both kinda different animals but is ot worth it to get the warranty or got with a cummins.
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2016 has more emissions than the 2012 the 12 depending on what part of the year it was made should only have a DPF while the 16 will have SCR and the DPF an extra system to go wrong.
I would take a Cummins over the ford motor any day. 6.4 liters will work a lot less harder than thee 3 liter for the same load. If you ever need the extra towing capacity you wil have it
Aftermarket parts and service are much more available
( I play a diesel mechanic on tv)
2016 has more emissions than the 2012 the 12 depending on what part of the year it was made should only have a DPF while the 16 will have SCR and the DPF an extra system to go wrong.
I would take a Cummins over the ford motor any day. 6.4 liters will work a lot less harder than thee 3 liter for the same load. If you ever need the extra towing capacity you wil have it
Aftermarket parts and service are much more available
( I play a diesel mechanic on tv)
I was hoping you would chime in. I'm not even considering ford.
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Grant H.
09-14-2016, 22:50
For the use case you're describing, go with a gasser 2500. Diesels still carry a premium on them around here. I was looking at a '15 Chevy 2500 4x4 Long bed crew cab with the 6.0 gas, and it was going to be mid 20's with 25-35K miles on it. The same truck with the Dmax? Around $40k. We've bought a few of them for the company.
I know you said you're looking at getting a diesel, but unless you tow good size trailers frequently, you don't need it.
I'm sort of the poster child for having a diesel I don't really need, but mine is also a 525/1019 HP/TQ toy to me. When I am dragging trailers anymore, it is usually for work, so my 3500 DRW Duramax gets that task.
The cost of diesel maintenance is higher, the cost of fuel (nowadays) is higher, and especially with the new emissions systems, you need to work the trucks or you're going to be going back to the dealer to get the EGR and other emissions systems cleaned out.
The couple of guys that I know that have the ecodiesel in the 1500's have had issues. I will ask them what issues they have had and post it back here for you, but they have had their trucks to the dealers a couple times.
Now, all that said, if you want a diesel in a Dodge, go with the Cummins. It's worth it. You can then look at deleting it (if you can figure a way around emissions), and then you will have much better economy. My Cummins (toy from above) when I am just cruising on the highway (usually headed to OK to visit my wifes family) gets 23-26MPG (hand calculated) depending on how fast I decide the trip is being made. If I just stick the truck in 6th and leave it at the speed limit, it routinely pulls 26MPG and I make it 2/3 of the way or better there on a single tank.
I should also say I have to pull a trailer loaded with tile and stone. Once again this isnt an everyday case
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I have an 07' 2500 Cummins and I love it. I don't pull loads all the time but when I do, it's a loaded up horse trailer headed over the passes to the other side of the hills. It's hard to beat running Eisenhower and Vail at 70 mph with a fully loaded trailer. I have been told that if you delete the EGR and DPF that they are absolute beasts and get amazing fuel mileage, I wouldn't know personally [Wink][Wink].
Keep in mind though that with a diesel comes more expensive maintenance. If it goes to the shop for anything, it starts at a grand as a general rule of thumb.
mtnrider
09-14-2016, 23:28
If you don't pull a lot I would do the 2016 ecodiesel. The 2012 2500 with 90K is starting to get in to the maintenance period of it's life. Some go longer but your right on the edge of several things the Rams could have issues with. Injectors, ball joints, transmission issues depending how it was driven and maintained.
Also how do you intend to use it? Daily driver? Weekend truck? If daily I would stay away from a 2500 gasser (rams anyway) I had one and hated it. Under powered, gas guzzler, limited range. Mine was a 2013 Ram 2500 gas and I could barely get 300 miles out of a tank of gas and that was driving to squeeze every mile I could out of it (unloaded, no towing) Drove me crazy stopping for gas every couple days.
While everyone claims great mpg with diesels, the truth is (with the new ones) you are only going to see that with long highway miles. If you are commuting around town expect to be in the 13-15 mpg range if you baby it.
.
I thought I wanted a diesel when I bought my last truck. Realized "wanting" a diesel and "needing" a diesel were two different things.
Went with a used ram 1500 and couldn't be happier.
I hauled a 3000 lb trailer with four ATVs and a bunch of camping stuff from here to Grand Junction and didn't have any problems running the speed limit the whole way. Gas mileage was crappy on that trip (like 10 mpg maybe) but I make one or two hauls like that a year so I can deal with it. Otherwise the truck gets about 17 mpg around town and gets about 19.5 on a long highway trip.
Now, if I were going to get a diesel I'd probably opt for the dreaded Ford with the 6.0. Why? Because they are everywhere and are cheap because nobody wants them and with a few upgrades can actually make pretty good trucks. Buying the truck cheap and being able to do the work yourself would give you the best bang for your buck.
working on it yourself is the key.
I was hoping you would chime in. I'm not even considering ford.
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ahhh the morning brings more clarity. Both are dodge got it.
I would be even More hesitant to get the eco diesel it's new product and they all have growing pains.
A guy at the shop bought a 15 1500 with the hemi and it pulls his camper over the pass just fine. Fuel mileage is junk though.
Mtn rider is correct with the chassis getting some wear on it at that mileage.
milwaukeeshaker
09-15-2016, 08:05
Problem with the great Cummins diesel is the Dodge built around it.
ahhh the morning brings more clarity. Both are dodge got it.
I would be even More hesitant to get the eco diesel it's new product and they all have growing pains.
A guy at the shop bought a 15 1500 with the hemi and it pulls his camper over the pass just fine. Fuel mileage is junk though.
Mtn rider is correct with the chassis getting some wear on it at that mileage.
I'm not worried about problem with the ecodiesel because of the warranty and knowing me I'll have something else by then.
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EvilRhino
09-15-2016, 08:28
Fwiw, I bought my 2015 3500 Srw duramax in April. Financed thru the Credit union of Colorado...or Colorado credit union. Anyway, they offer up to a 24 month/24k mile warranty that is very reasonable, around $1200 IIRC. Mine had 100,050 so banks wouldn't touch it. I got a deal on it and the CU only cared about loan to value being good. I'm not sure where the folder is with the info at this moment, but it's basically a bumper to bumper warranty with a $250 deductible each time. I think the only things covered in the next package above mine were minor like power window and door lock motors.
I wanted the ability to tow equipment on occasion and I sometimes get roped into hauling 80 bales of hay on a car hauler for the MIL. It was leased by a well company in Wyoming and was turned in at the end of their 100k lease. WT, so cloth seats, but power windows, locks. The interior looked like it had never been used. I got it for $30k at a John Elway dealer with the Duramax/allison.
If you actually load the trucks suspension get the 2500. If you want a comfy ride get the 1500
If you want better resale get the 2500. It's already lost all of the depreciation.
If you want something new and worry free pay for the warantee.
If you want a good diesel that everyone talks about get something before emissions crap.
I use the 5.9 CTDs and prefer the 6BT, but I currently have an '01 ISB CTD Dually. I regularly load 4-6K on my dually flatbed and occasionally a goose-neck cattle trailer so I drive a truck that fits my requirements. I haven't followed the 6.7 CTD that closely so I don't know them as well. Your two choices are night and day though so I am not sure where you are at with your requirements. The 6.7 truck has a medium duty I6 diesel with a full float axle in the back; I know some people use them as daily driver/commuters, but they are work trucks; my neighbor has one of that vintage and it gets the job done and it is really nice inside. The 1500 has a relatively new v6 light duty passenger car diesel with limited hauling capacity; which might be a more comfortable and economical daily driver. I think the 1500 Ram has coils in the back; I wouldn't like that at all. Anyhow, pick the one that best fits your requirements.
Personally, I wouldn't spend my money on that v6 light duty diesel Ram 1500 and especially that Eco-turd diesel. If I was looking at short term <100,000 miles with a warranty in that class of pickup; I would look at the v6 turbo F150 FX4. I doubt there will be much of a difference in longevity between the two engines so what is the purpose of paying a premium for that diesel engine? The Ford has a better chassis too; just a better pickup vs the 1500 Ram.
Love my diesel. Oil changes are a little more along with the fuel filter but not bad. I only drive mine enough to do one change per year so no biggie. I tow a travel trailer and rzr with my truck and it's right at home with a load attached. It drives worse without a load. Could I get away with a gasser? Sure. But the times Im hauling and going 70 up i-70, I dont regret going diesel.
Yes, diesels cost more up front but there's a reason. They'll go 300k miles and still hold a decent resale value. Also, the 1500 ecodiesel sounds cool but its still a 1500 chassis. I upgraded from my Tacoma and wanted a "do all" truck. I never wanted to outgrow my truck so I went 2500 diesel. No regrets.
Zundfolge
09-15-2016, 10:14
Problem with the great Cummins diesel is the Dodge built around it.
That and the Cummins company keeps showing up on these "anti-gun companies" lists.
If you get a diesel, whatever you do, don't become one of these "rollin' coal" jackasses. Tune it properly.
Grant H.
09-15-2016, 10:31
If you get a diesel, whatever you do, don't become one of these "rollin' coal" jackasses. Tune it properly.
This. If you delete it and tune it, do it right.
He is working on seeing what he can do about price on the 2500 and get me a warranty so we will see. No I won't roll coal haha that's just wasted fuel and im cheap. I'm not sure id even tune it but that what i say now.
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Anyone want my 2010 f150 fx4 crewcab before i trade it in. I'll get you a smoking deal
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EvilRhino
09-15-2016, 17:29
If you actually load the trucks suspension get the 2500. If you want a comfy ride get the 1500
If you want better resale get the 2500. It's already lost all of the depreciation.
If you want something new and worry free pay for the warantee.
If you want a good diesel that everyone talks about get something before emissions crap.
I was hunting for the right 06.5-07.5 Duramax forever. I didn't like the 3/4 door size on Dodge crew cabs and couldn't trust a Ford diesel after the 6.0, 6.4 debacles. Most of the ones I was seeing were in the high $20's and had 200k miles. I thought it was a misprint when I found mine.
I researched the hell out of the Duramax and knew that the 0.7-10 were horrible mpg due to the new emission stuff, but the latest gen seems to be the best for HP/tq and still gets decent mpg for being able to tow 20k when needed. I was in Clear creek when I got a "service emission system" " speed will be limited to 65 mph in 803 miles. By the time I was back in Douglas county it said 60 miles until 65 mph limit. I added DEF fluid and cleared the code with an ancient code reader and it's been fine ever since.
After it's 2nd warranty is up, I'll look into tuners and deletes.
gnihcraes
09-15-2016, 18:15
You can test drive my EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee. Zoom. Heavy vehicle and it runs great. Pulls the camper good too the few times I've tested it.
Everyone on the Ecodiesel forums love their Ram 1500's. 420ft lbs in a small package. We're getting 22mpg city driving, goes up quickly during highway runs. ~ 30mpg.
Fiat/Chrysler finally came up with a new oil standard for the ecodiesel, so the oil changes are considerably cheaper. Can source the oil at walmart now. Rotella T6 instead of the Euro Pennzoil.
mtnrider
09-15-2016, 19:43
I researched the hell out of the Duramax and knew that the 0.7-10 were horrible mpg due to the new emission stuff, but the latest gen seems to be the best for HP/tq and still gets decent mpg for being able to tow 20k when needed. \
After it's 2nd warranty is up, I'll look into tuners and deletes.
Cummins were kind of the same way. The early 6.7 emissions vehicles (probably 2010-2013 ish) got worse mpg compared to the previous 5.9's with no emissions crap on them. I just picked up a 2016 2500 Mega cab and so far I am seeing the same mpg as I did on my non-emission 2006 5.9 and it feels more powerful. I would love to delete it (after warranty) but willl wait until I leave this state so I don't get stuck doing emission testing/
.
.
I bought a 14 Ram 1500 Laramie in May, it's loaded to the extreme including the air ride suspension. I LOVE the truck, my kid got into motor cross and we ended up buying a toy hauler. The 1500 pulls it fine but I've been on the fence about upping to a 2500 with a diesel so we can get a bigger toy hauler and hopefully a better ride while hauling the camper.
Last week I got into a fight with a pole and my 1500 is now in the shop, my rental is a 2500 gasser. The thing rides like a covered wagon compared to my 1500. It doesn't turn as well, parking it is a bitch, did I mention it rides like a covered wagon? All this not to mention the gasser motor gets 10mpg and I've been driving the thing like a grandpa.
All this has brought me to the conclusion that if you want a nice ride get a 1500 (The 14+ models have an almost 11K tow rating) if you're going to tow heavy stuff regularly get a 2500, if you drive it daily get a diesel, if you drive it purely to tow a gasser is probably just fine.
The ECO diesel option on the 1500... I'm not sure about that one yet. It's quite a bit more money and the maintenance is a lot more money. My 1500 gets 18mpg which isn't great but it's a lot better than my last truck and any shop in town can work on a Hemi, you're kinda stuck with the dealership doing any work to your Eco diesel so the additional fuel mileage doesn't outweigh the maintenance costs IMO.
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Well the cummins came home with me. Got it for a good price with a 3 yr 36k mile warranty. Also go them to cut me a check since it has some hail damage in the passenger side. Just rolled 85k.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160917/378091675a82fcc1ca13fd20d2e8a1cb.jpg
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gnihcraes
09-17-2016, 20:00
Nice. ^
mtnrider
09-17-2016, 20:37
Congrats. Welcome to the cool kids club now lets go roll some coal! (kidding I hate that).
/
It's only fun to roal coal on liberals hybrids and cyclists who think theyre cars haha
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Good move. Welcome to the club.
My 2004.5 still hasn't rolled 60K. [Coffee]
My 6.5 turbo has been the best truck I've owned. Lots of power when I needed it and lots of support when something wasn't right. I don't like having to do emissions every year and 45+ a test I really wish something would change. Just remember they don't like diesels and charge more for them.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161019/24c3596c47451877bfeed97fa486a47e.jpg
So far it's done much better with payload than my f150. I had that thing loaded with 2x4s
Ive had my bed loaded with; 1/2" river rock, a pallet of concrete bags and a fifth wheel trailer with a skid steer on it. Not at the same time either. It hauled it all. Very happy with it. After that I could cruise to the DQ for ice cream. Its nice to have a truck that can do all that.
Yup, nothing better than knowing your truck can and will do anything you need it to.
Anyone want my 2010 f150 fx4 crewcab before i trade it in. I'll get you a smoking deal
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I might be interested, come December, if you haven't already sold/traded it...
I might be interested, come December, if you haven't already sold/traded it...
It's gone
It's gone
I sort of figured. Thanks.
After some looking, I found a scale ticket from last summer. This is a modest load on the back of my CTD.
67567
After some looking, I found a scale ticket from last summer. This is a modest load on the back of my CTD.
67567
And you were over weight all the newer Ram 2500's have a GVW of 10k the only Ram that scale ticket would be "legal" with is a 3500 dually.
BladesNBarrels
10-23-2016, 16:52
After some looking, I found a scale ticket from last summer. This is a modest load on the back of my CTD.
67567
I am glad you bought American.
Imagine the cost of shipping if you had bought from China!
[Beer]
Grant H.
10-23-2016, 18:57
And you were over weight all the newer Ram 2500's have a GVW of 10k the only Ram that scale ticket would be "legal" with is a 3500 dually.
Basically all 2500 (3/4 ton) pickups are at a 10K GVW, so you don't have to play CMV games with them.
Having trucks to pull big loads is nice. Becoming more and more of a necessity for me though... I don't have a scale ticket, because I wasn't about to stop for a scale with these...
https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8221/29086466433_6a52dff436_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LjgK7z)0323151201 (https://flic.kr/p/LjgK7z) by ARNEWB (https://www.flickr.com/photos/61071044@N08/), on Flickr
All I have to say is lift with your back...
All I have to say is...take care of your back.
Grant H.
10-24-2016, 09:41
All I have to say is lift with your back...
My back hurts just thinking about using it for those...
All I have to say is...take care of your back.
Hence the use of cranes! Lol...
I blame my participation in this thread on my newly acquired back issues...
j/k, but I've only ever had this much pain once before after I "bruised" a disc lifting weights in the Army. Home/self PT recovery with a profile for 4 weeks then at 25 years old. I surely hope this goes away, but I'm going on 5 days of the same pain level at this point. Doesn't feel too bad in the AM after getting up, but after sitting for more than 15-20 minutes, I can barely walk. Have to take a break prone in the recliner for 15-30 mins 30 every hour.
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