1st, 2nd or 3rd Generation?

[rmrc]

OK, here's my question! I'm eventually going to buy a 2500 automatic. My main concern is to maximize the fuel economy. I was going to wait and see what the 2003 models offered regarding mpg, but I'm also considering buying a 12 valve 97 model due to all of the posts I've read stating that the 12 valves get better over all mileage than the 24 valve engines.

What are your opinions?

------------------
No truck at present. Waiting to see what the 2003 model year has to offer in the Ram 2500.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I originally bought my truck new in '96 to get away from all the electronics in modern vehicles. I like an engine that will run as long as it gets fuel. Sort of reminds me of the old steam locomotives. As far as mileage goes I think it depends more on your driving habits than anything else. I've heard that the 24 valves get lower mileage until well broken in. There have always been low mileage complaints on 12 valves too. I think it boils down to personal choice. I plan to keep mine a long time just because it's the type of diesel I like. If or when they come out with a common rail Cummins in the pickup I will be very tempted...

------------------
Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10LS, Camper/Tow package, 3500 brake cyls. , Automatic, TST 230/605, Cat Test Pipe, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans gauges, Optima Red Tops, Rancho 9000's, All black. Tow 14k HitchHiker triple glide 5th Wheel. Also use 9. 5' Lance camper. NRA Life Member. KDP 61,000 NM-WT

[This message has been edited by Dieselnerd (edited 05-25-2001). ]

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Hi rmrc,
I don't know factually first hand about the 2nd or 3rd Gen's but I've read that their mileage is a little lower than the 1st Gens I've seen posted.
I get about 19mpg around town with the mods in my signature. If I really mash it alot then I'm down around 17mpg city/stop/go.
On the highway up around 21mpg with 2000lb camper, and 900lb utility trailer equipped for hunting for 2 weeks. I think thats pretty decent for the mods. MHO.
Regards, Bush'

------------------
93. 5 W250 4X4,HD Spring Pkg, Rancho 7000's, Rear Swaybar,Dual Shock Front Stabilizer,BD 180HP Injectors,31/2" Mandrel bent exhaust,BD16cm 'Hot End',Modest Pump Tweaks(lock collar still on)Star Wheel@3oclock/Timed @ 1. 37mm,K&N Air,Isspro Pyro (Post Turbo),Tach,transmission Temp,Auto Meter Oil Filled Boost Ga. , 3:54's, 4 Speed Auto, Clubcab, Aftermarket Reclining Buckets w/ctr Drop Down seat/console, Black over Silver, 22psi,285-65R-16's,American Racing Clear Coat Mags, Amsoil 15W-40HD Marine,12,000 lb. Warn Winch,KC Spots. 103,900 Kms (64,600 mi's). NOT A VENDOR,Just an end user

 

[illflem]

It seems like mpgs in the 20s are common for 1st and 2nd gen trucks, a little rare for 3rd.

 

[ARARAR]

1st of all, why an auto? I have an auto and I kick myself in the a$$ every day for having lisened to my "wife" when I purchased it: because "she" wanted to drive it and she didn't want a stick. 53k later and "she" has, maybe, driven it 5c mi. besides the fact, that if your are going to BOMB it you will save thousands of $$$$. Once you own one, especially if you subscribe to this site, is is inevitable your are going to BOMB and Katy bar the door!@#$%^&*()_)(*&&^> Buttom line: do what's best for you because if you tow, the old lady will not want to have anything to do with it, unless she is "one in a million". Don't get me wrong, my wife is one in 900,999, but when it comes to towing,)((*^&^^%%$$#%^^&&%

 

[Skydiver]

I recently made a trip of 290 miles. Set the cruise on 63 mph on the 2-lane roads with slight hills. I got my best mileage ever 22. 4 mpg. I usually get around 18. 6 to 19 mpg running empty combined city , highway.
Just have to love them Cummins. Tim

------------------
1996 3500 87K. auto,3. 54,Ext. cab.
K&N air
Truck looks just like the truck on left side of page 6 issue 31.
1981 Mercedes 300D Non-turbo 174K miles
1987 blue phord 2810 tractor 456 hours.
1986 blue totayota 135K 1 owner
Bought new 1979 shevrolay 5. 7 litter diesel got 19000 miles,it died.
Bought new 1985 geeimsee S-15 gypsie Total lemon.

 

[rmrc]

Believe me, if I didn't have a 100 mile round trip commute every day with the constant possibility of getting caught in bumper to bumper traffic, I'd get a stick. My left knee just isn't up to pushing a clutch that often on a daily basis. I will admit that to get the best performance out of these trucks would be to go with a stick and I "DO" enjoy driving a manual shift! But not in this crazy Long Island bottle neck.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

i almost always drive my truck see sig, but i had to drive to texas this weekend and back. Along the way we encounterd almost every type of terrain, mountains etc. i drove my dads y2k 3/4 ton 4x4 auto and had several distinct impressions of the truck comparred to mine. First of all is the stupid auto trans,this has no place behind any diesel i could tell the trans really diluted the power. i didn't like the fact it seemed that going up a hill the rpms where either too low or you hit the kick down and sent them close to 3000rpm when really laying on it. this would have been elimated with the manual trans. the 24 valve engine does seem to have broader power curve ie still pulls hard past 2500rpm, I think the milage would have beat my truck with the same trailer although take the trailer off and it would have been a total different story. Basically the 24 valve engine is more driver friendly and flexible. over all the truck would outpull mine but put both trucks at 1700rpm with equal load and i feel mine would pull ahead. There you go spent 12 hours last night in the 24 valve then got into my first gen.


------------------
93 D250 5sp 3. 54 gears sans muffler, ISSPRO tach, K&N filter, needs to be bombed BAD
I would rather be cummin than stroken