2004.5 Ram Cummins 600

[Benson]

TV

You guys are missing the best part. I can't wait to see the new TV commercials boasting of the most powerful diesel pickemup trucks in the industry.



FWIW I bet it's just a reprogrammed ECM with a cat converter stuck on it. Sounds good though. We'll know soon.

 

[Russknh]

I don't think you will see the problems with the new engine that you see with the Fords. I believe what has happened is that Cummins has rolled their existing motorhome platform into the truck line. I also know a lot of people have expressed concern what the new emission systems will cause for engine life and durability but again Cummins has their European market and much of the changes we will be seeing in the future has been in the commonplace overseas.

 

[y-knot]

CHANGE IS GOOD! DON'T WORRY SO MUCH, CUMMINS WILL ALWAYS BE A CUMMINS.

 

[KD7GYJ]

AWESOME!!!!!!!



I am glad I waited to purchase my pick'em up truck. I can't order my truck for a couple months so this is great news.



Blair

 

[XcumminsX]

WHAT TRANSMISSION!!!!!

WHAT TRANS ARE THEY GONNA USE WHO CARES ABOUT THE MOTOR

 

[DPelletier]

Aren't our turbos already oil cooled?

Dave

 

[DPelletier]

We also already have "gallery cooled pistons" in the HO's. My guess is that very little actual changes have been made to the HO and Dodge has just finally addressed some nagging issues like the 48RE exhaust brake compatibility and the polution control systems necessary to meet the '04 requirements and certify the HO (or 600 as it is called now) for all 50 states.

This is all good news, but I wouldn't be concerned about "new release" teething problems. The 24valve release as well as the HPCR release were probably much more "major" and resulted in very few problems (especially compared to the competition ). I also wouldn't expect anything different on the transmission front. The 48RE is only one model year old and I doubt it will be replaced soon.



On the other hand, I have been wrong before.



Dave

 

[KCJackson]

The NV5600 and 48RE were already rated to 600 lb-ft. There are no transmission changes.

 

[XcumminsX]

awesome... . there gonna use the 48re which has a tc that slips from the factory... . GREAT IDEA

 

[RankRam]

Originally posted by XcumminsX

awesome... . there gonna use the 48re which has a tc that slips from the factory... . GREAT IDEA

Maybe they have changed the TC, now that would be interesting.

 

[XcumminsX]

i hope mine blows up then

 

[klenger]

You guys are looking in the wrong place for news about the auto transmission. Check out the Jacobs website:



http://www.jakebrake.com/content.php4?doc uid=73



2003 Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel Exhaust Brake.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Extensive testing has been conducted of the Dodge Ram 48RE automatic transmission with an exhaust brake-equipped Cummins Turbo Diesel. Dodge and Cummins have identified vehicle control system and hardware changes that are necessary before factory approval is given to this application. For this reason, use of any exhaust brake on a 2003 Dodge Ram with an automatic transmission will not be approved.





Dodge and Cummins are working to approve the use of an exhaust brake with the 48RE automatic transmission during the 2004 model year. A calibration change, planned to be introduced in January 2004, will allow the use of the Jacobs Exhaust Brake on model year 2004 Dodge Rams equipped with 48RE automatics. These changes will ensure consistent and enhanced braking performance. This calibration will not be applicable to model year 2003 vehicles due to hardware changes that will take place for model year 2004.



The strong level of customer interest for an automatic transmission and exhaust brake combination is appreciated. Dodge and Cummins will jointly continue to pursue a product offering that meets the reliability and performance expectations that customers have come to expect.

 

[Moterhead]

so what about pre-January, '04 models? The major change for '04 is the use of a Cummins PCM rather than a Dodge one. My truck is sitting at Port of Tampa. To be delivered (hopefully) 12/8. Will the referenced change require a re-flash to pre-Jan '04 models such as mine? If so, is that re-flash availbe pre-January? Guess we will find all this out eventually.

 

[DPelletier]

Thanks Ken,

As I said, I don't expect anything different on the transmission issue.

Moterhead, reading the article it doesn't say " ... will allow the use of the Jacobs exhaust brake on post January 2004 Dodge Rams equipped with the 48re automatic. " So hopefully this means that pre-January '04's will be able to be modified for factory exhaust brake compatibility (without screwing up the warranty). The only thing that bugs me is the mention of "hardware changes". I wonder what that means and if more than a reflash is going to be necessary. If I were to guess, hardware changes probably means the PCM.



I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.



Dave

 

[DocDetonancour]

EGR engine..??

It makes me think that if the "new engine" is 50 states legal it must have something very restricting on the exhaust? John Holmes in the TDR magazine advises buying prior to Jan due to a bunch of extra emmissions hardare. John works at a Dodge dealership and wrenches on them,

 

[Barry]

I'm confused. Like most of us don't already have over 600# of torque, duhhhhhhhhh... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

 

[KCJackson]

Barry, it's more an issue of how steady that torque is than how much you have.



Here are the three common-rail engines of 2003 and 2004:

235-250/460 SO:

- peak torque - 460 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm

- hp-peak - 457 lb-ft @ 2700 rpm (235)

- hp-peak - 453 lb-ft @ 2900 rpm (250)



305/555 HO:

- peak torque - 555 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm

- hp-peak - 552 lb-ft @ 2900 rpm



325/600

- peak torque - 600 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm

- hp-peak - 588 lb-ft @ 2900 rpm



Now, compare that to the Cummins uprate kit on a 12-valve:

230/605

- peak torque - 605 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm

- hp-peak - 447 lb-ft @ 2700 rpm



The common-rail engines keep their torque through the entire powerband (losing no more than a miniscule 2%), while the uprate kit loses a whopping 25% over the rev range.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Man! This place is a veritable hen house



What I would like to see is substantive information, i. e. what mods are there to the CTD.



Its like the seven blind men from Hindustan touching the elephant. Dave's probably right that the HO already has the changes touted as "new", e. g. gallery oiling. Someone else commented the bump in hp/t is a bone tossed to quell the EGR grumblers (me included and I don't regret jumping on a pre-1/04). Any emission "improvements" I don't have on my baby the happier I am.



The one thing I noted is if the 600 is "factory" ready for exhaust brake, does that mean they have added a vacum pump? I will have to bolt one on my 04.



Candidly, power and simplicity wise, I'd be happy with my 98 12v in a GEN 2 body, with the GEN 3 frame, steering, four door quad, BIG disc brakes, and NV5600. But then I'd have to work extra hard to find something to grumble about

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Ol'TrailDog

Man! The one thing I noted is if the 600 is "factory" ready for exhaust brake, does that mean they have added a vacum pump? I will have to bolt one on my 04.

I'll bet they didn't for the $135 price increase. Being able to order the e-brake from the factory would be a step in the right direction.

Just my thoughts on the matter, no real info .



Dean

 

[KD7GYJ]

Maybe the exhaust brake will be an option available directly from the factory, installed at the factory with a factory warranty.