dieselnewbie

Steve,

Thanks for the good info.

Edmunds.com reviewed the new Ram 3500 they said it handled almost as well as it's "halfton siblings", just like you said.

You said the mileage on the Ram was lousy, was the Dodge new? How many miles on it?

Thanks,

DT.

dwhite

Jlasich, I had the reflash done a few weeks ago and could not tell any difference. I did have the hesitation a few days after I picked it up...(during a rare snowfall here in Texas). It probably wont get cold here till next November. I do love my truck and every thing about it except the issues I mentioned.

stevenknapp

But OTOH the 48RE wanted to let the motor really rev. Push the pedal hard and the motor was at 3000RPM in a blink of an eye. The gearchanges kept it up there too.

I double checked, the truck had the 4.10 gears, where the other one I drove had 3.73 gears.

smiller

What is the purpose of the post-injection event (other than to make noise ? ) Emissions I guess..?

Weatherbyman

You guys are really making me start to second guess my decision.......but if my 2004.5 get's 15 MPG, I will be beating my 2002 by 1 MPG and will be happy.

jlasich

smiller, yes, the post-injection event was added to help clean up emissions. It was either that or add EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and I'd take a ping/clatter anyday over EGR.

Weatherbyman, I wouldn't second guess your decision. I know none of this talk has me second guessing. Read the TDR. There's plenty of people there who say they're getting in the mid to upper teens on fuel mileage. Obviously, I can't confirm that though as I am still waiting for mine. The way I see it, there are so many variables involved in fuel mileage that just because some people aren't getting good mileage, doesn't mean everyone else will get the same.

BDude555

one thing to say for the EGR is that ITS REALY EASY TO MAKE A BLOCK OFF PLATE!

dwhite

Weatherbyman,
I wouldn't be quick to second guess your decision but I have the same setup as you and with 3000 miles on it the best I can get is 14 and that is 100% highway. Around town and stop and go acceleration I get 12. The people that are getting 18 mpg with a 600 must be SRW and 2WD.

BensBud

Steven,

This is loosely related to your post - you didn't specify which RAM you drove. Since you commented on the ride, and there has been discussion on the relative "smoothness" between a 2500 and a 3500 (both SRW and DRW), could you share?

If anyone else out there has real-world experience on the MPG of the 3500/600 SRW with a 6-speed, I'd be interested to hear that too.

Thanks all, I think my mind is made up. 3500 SRW 4X4 QC 6SPD with a couple of minor options.

BDude555

Only regret I've got to my dually is MAN, do I miss drive through car wash's!!!
other than that I would give the thing up for any other truck of any kind in the world! The ride is WAY, WAY better than that of the 2002 standard cab 2500 4X4 I traded in for this one! This truck is very firm rideing, but none of the kidney busting bounce the 2500 had, that thing wore you out after a couple hours drive!

BDude555

TYPO!!! WOULD'NT give it up for any other truck of any kind in the world!!!!!!!!!
would NOT!!!

stevenknapp

The Dodges that I have driven, both the 555 and the 600, where 2500 4x4 QC SB 48RE trucks. They both had the plow prep packages too but I don't think that impacts the ride. The 3500 SRW is supposed to ride a bit better, or at least as well as the 2500, but I've not found nor driven a 3500SRW on a dealer lot.

The Fords were and F250 4x4 "sport" crew-cab short bed w/ the 6.0L and torqueshift. The other was a 4x4 F150 extended cab short bed FX4 with the "big" 5.4L and auto. Neither had the off road group.

For a HD diesel, I'd think the Dodge you've chosen is a good pick. Best truck out of the three IMHO, for my needs. I don't need a real crew-cab but like the room of the quad-cab vs and extended cab. I want a 6.5' bed, not a 5' bed. Turning radius on the dodge seems much tighter too.

My only concerns are the relative quality of the dealerships in my area. The Ford shop I bought the Explorer from is really top notch. Many dealers, of all makes, are not so good. I know it took a while to find a good Jeep dealer, and I found that many of the "5-star" dealers were horrid. Same company. Just makes me a bit nervous. But I'm sure there are plenty of people who live near great Dodge shops and have had bad Ford experiences too.

Lightman

Yes but not as easy to fool the computer into thinking the EGR is active, to fix the check engine light you'd get

Dwhite, hang in there, your mpg's will improve some as the truck breaks in. Tow something heavy

jlasich

A few other disadvantages of EGR, even if you do block it or unplug it, is the need for a variable geometry turbo. All this adds up to is higher costs, more moving parts, more computer code and therefore, more things to go wrong.

jlasich

dwhite, if you haven't already, read this post from jwtuc:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=41216

He has an early build '04.5 that had terrible fuel mileage, very loud clatter, and hesitation problems. They replaced all six injectors and everything seems much, much better. He reports his mileage is now 16.5 and the clatter has been reduced approx. 80% (his estimate). I know that you've had the reflash already to correct the hesitation, but this might be something to look into. Was yours made at around the same time as jwtuc's?