2003 Diesel Engine Choices

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Just bought a 2001 3/4 ton regular-cab 4x4 with my brother in Bonham, TX (great dealership, Bonham Chrysler... paid less than invoice for a truck we didn't even order... . had it sitting on the lot for a week before we saw it) and the salesman, who seemed to know the ins-and-outs of the DC trucks pretty well, said that in 2003 the Mercedes would be the standard diesel in the trucks with the Cummins as an option... ... said there's no way DC was going to keep the Mercedes out of their line since they own them... . just doesn't make good business sense. I was happy to hear that the Cummins will still be an option, but will probably cost significantly more in order to drive more Mercedes-equipped sales.

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'99 SLT REGULAR CAB, 5-SPD. , 3. 54 L/S, CARPET DELETE.

 

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I think you're hearing another rumor. I haven't heard an official word about any MB diesel being in the dodge trucks in the future. Only rumors. What I have seen is press releases stating that the Cummins will be in the trucks for a long time to come. I may be wrong but I think I'll stick with the press releases for now. WHO KNOWS?!?!!

Jack

 

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Take it for what it's worth, but this recent business news release says Cummins will be THE diesel engine in the next generation Ram pickup, not AN engine option.
http://biz. yahoo.com/rf/001012/n12440585_4.html

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Commercial/fleet dealer meeting two +weeks ago. Put your money on the Mercedes deisel and the freightliner badge on the 4500 and 5500 series Ram.

 

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I just don't see that. Especially after seeing so many press releases to the contrary. I would say you're going to keep seeing the Cummins for quite a while.

Jack

 

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There's an article in Truck Trends along with a good comparison of the Duramax, Powerstroke, and Dodge/Cummins that states the Cummins will be in 2500/3500 trucks and Mercedes will be in the 4500/5500s. Truck Trends favored the Cummins in the Comparison. #ad


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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

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I read the Yahoo! article also, but it only states that "The Cummins will be the Diesel option in the Next Generation Trucks. " I work for a large corporation and I'm used to the "Double-talk" of Wall Street. With Cummins' stock (and possibly Market) shares going down, this is just the thing to "Boost" them back up..... but what does it mean ?? "The Diesel Option" could really mean that another one will be STANDARD, while the Cummins will remain a choice "as an option". It never said that Cummins will be the only supplier of diesel engines in the new trucks.

All the talk of the Mercedes being introduced isn't by chance. DC has been floating these rumors themselves for several months... ... partly to guage the reaction, and also to get the "Diehard Cummins" fans ready for the surprise/shock..... and try to build some support base for the introduction.

Don't get me wrong, even if the Mercedes is a better setup, I will stay with the Cummins, since it's proven in this application. The Mercedes is an excellent HD large-truck motor, but I don't want something that hasn't been tried-and-tested yet..... I'm sticking with the 5. 9 ISB.

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'99 SLT REGULAR CAB, 5-SPD. , 3. 54 L/S, CARPET DELETE.