2006...2007.5??? Too early to talk?

[JRihani]

Good morning. It might be too early in the game to ask these questions but I guess I'll find out



1. Will the 2006 MY quad-cabs look like the mega-cab? Will they share interiors and the few new exterior changes or will they be unique for at least one model year? I'm not opposed to the mega-cab look, I've just had my heart set on the current iteration. I also don't see any reasons for there to be significant changes to the CTD. Anyone think that they will make changes?



2. I know everyone on this site follows the emissions technologies very closely. Can I assume, judging from the 2002 and 2004 emissions hurdles, that Cummins/Dodge won't start producing 2007 emissions compliant trucks until 2007. 5 MY (January, 2007)? It appears that EGRs and particulate filters are in the cards for that switch and, although I am sure they will still be GREAT trucks, I'm just not very interested in those technologies.



Again, sorry if this is all crystal ball stuff, but I know that the members of this site can be counted on for hard facts (or at least VERY educated guesses).



Thanks,

John

 

[KCJackson]

1. All 06 Rams will have the new front clip and dashboard shown in the Mega Cab intro.



2. There are a couple of ways Dodge can go to meet the Jan 1 2007 regs. Cummins can go to post-injection to avoid EGR (in addition to the pilot injection, there would be a shot of fuel after the main charge). They use this in the European engines. They may go to an advanced trap system to reduce the performance affects of pre-treatment. Or they could go with EGR (which at this point, I doubt).



The market landscape will determine the outcome... if Toyota has their 3/4-ton Titan with a diesel, and the Duramax and Powerstroke have surpassed the 610, then Dodge could ask for that stroked 6. 7L ISBe... or maybe DC is working on either a Detroit or Benz diesel to go in-house and cut costs. I believe Zetsche is to smart to dump Cummins though; he knows the Ram loses their HD pickup sales without it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Al Wojie of Cummins will talk about 2006 and beyond at May Madness.

 

[CumminsBu]

Rumor is DC will drop the 7/70 Warrenty also. I still believe the Cummins will have a 10/100 warrenty.

 

[rbattelle]

I believe particulate traps are mandatory on all OTR trucks by 2007 according to Diesel Progress. Not sure if that applies to our weight class.



The warranty from Cummins is 5/100, not 10/100.



I'm not sure Zetsche is "smart" enough to not drop the Cummins. Although they may lose most of the Cummins fans, they would acquire MB fans (if they went with a MB engine). I get the impression that Zetsche is pretty cut-throat.



DC must realize that although they're currently enjoying growth where Ford and GM are withering on the vine (DC's up 4. 6% this year), their big sellers in NA have giant gas-guzzling V8s. Their current marketing strategy is centered around an engine that averages much less than 15 MPG. There's no question that increased fuel prices will eventually come into play and people will simply stop buying that kind of vehicle.



HD trucks are the biggest profit makers in Ford, GM, and Dodge lineups, so making big changes can be dangerous. But if (and that's a BIG if) Toyota comes around as a player in the diesel market, they're going to take market share from everyone - and Dodge can least afford it.



I could easily see DC dropping Cummins for a name like MB. How many average Joe's out there even know what Cummins is? Lots more people recognize the MB name, and that *might* generate some significant new sales. I'd bet a MB powertrain would be significantly more "refined" than the Cummins engine (with much less character and charm, of course), and that might draw lots of stuffy SUV buyers who want people to think they're the "big truck" type.



On the other hand, if fuel costs continue to rise the large truck market could cool off significantly no matter what's under the hood. If that happens, I think Ford and GM will suffer more than Dodge (I tend to think Dodge diesel owners buy out of necessity rather than "image" as compared to the Ford and GM crowd), but everyone's going to take a hard hit in their profits (of course GM has 0 profits anyway).



I think I'm just rambling now. I'll stop.



-Ryan

 

[EB]

What about a 4500 & 5500 cab and chassis?

 

[CumminsBu]

The warranty from Cummins is 5/100, not 10/100.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[KCJackson]

The warranty from Cummins is 5/100, not 10/100.

Actually, it's 7/100 right now. It went to 7 years when DC added the 7/70 Powertrain warranty, but may revert back to 5/100 for 06 since 7/70 is being dropped.

 

[zstroken]

Their current marketing strategy is centered around an engine that averages much less than 15 MPG.

QUOTE]



This really depends on which platform the engine is in. The Hemi in the LX platform is seeing mid 20's. The only time my wifes Hemi Durango gets below 15 is putting around down and it is right around the 14-14. 2. On a recent 1000 mile round trip we had right at 19 mpg running 75-80. I am very impressed with the HEMI economy in the Durango, I have heard that the HEMI trucks have the appetite that you are referring to though.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

So, here is a "what if" scenario. . .

what if ol' buddy Dieter gives the Ram the benz, even without deep sea diving? [pun intended]

what if Toy-ota really makes a HD truck and looks around for a diesel engine (hint: see TDR #48, p. 85).

what if there was a Cummota in the future?

Would you buy it instead of a bent Ram?

 

[2Gen3Gen]

So, here is a "what if" scenario. . .

what if ol' buddy Dieter gives the Ram the benz, even without deep sea diving? [pun intended]

what if Toy-ota really makes a HD truck and looks around for a diesel engine (hint: see TDR #48, p. 85).

what if there was a Cummota in the future?

Would you buy it instead of a bent Ram?

I think I see a Toyota in my future! I will choose to follow the Cummins. . Amen

 

[EBottema]

The 08 Emission rules will end everything. Canisters, EGR, post and pre injection, yuk. What a bunch of junk. Can you say worthless? Get a new Ram before it is too late



erik

 

[JBlock]

So it a new ram in 2006 or 07, are never, fuel cost for diesl on the west coast are 50 cent a gallon above reqular with no relief in site. On our recent trip to SF, it cost $15. 00 to 20. 00 more to drive the suburban with a 454, averave 13 miles to the gallon over the cummings at 17. Cumming is still would be a winner at up to $. 74 gallon more at the pump. But at 55 cent a gallon more it does pay for the $5,000 for the diesel engine.



And the 1997 Sub verse the 2001 Cummings both 4x4.



Some big wheel on the sub and it get interesting.

 

[zstroken]

If I recall the 68RFE transmission is a 2007. 5 model year release.

 

[KennethS]

I got rid of my Hemi a gas hog first class

Their current marketing strategy is centered around an engine that averages much less than 15 MPG.

QUOTE]



This really depends on which platform the engine is in. The Hemi in the LX platform is seeing mid 20's. The only time my wifes Hemi Durango gets below 15 is putting around down and it is right around the 14-14. 2. On a recent 1000 mile round trip we had right at 19 mpg running 75-80. I am very impressed with the HEMI economy in the Durango, I have heard that the HEMI trucks have the appetite that you are referring to though.

I got 6 miles per gallon pulling my car trailer and 10 empty. I took It back to the dealer and they said that normal. I went back to diesel and love It.

 

[rbattelle]

This really depends on which platform the engine is in.

This is certainly true, and perhaps I was painting with a broad brush by stating the Hemi gets <15 MPG on average. Nevertheless, my point is that they've pinned their current hopes to an engine that, though it may be really cool, gets less than ideal fuel economy.



In fact, the popularity of the Hemi shows us that the spirit of powerful motoring is alive and well in this country despite all the complaining about high fuel costs. I hope it stays that way. Where was it that I read a man's "manliness" is determined by his cylinder count? Was that in the TDR?



-Ryan

 

[EBottema]

In fact, the popularity of the Hemi shows us that the spirit of powerful motoring is alive and well in this country despite all the complaining about high fuel costs.

-Ryan

It also shows us that people today are fooled by corperate advertising and clueless to what they are buying. The new hemi is not anything like the old hemi. Old hemi's had a domed piston, new piston is flat top. Toyota makes the same design as the new Dodge SemiHemi.



Erik

 

[RJOL]

. . The warranty from Cummins is 5/100, not 10/100.

Unless I read it wrong... the warranty on my 2005 says 7/70...

 

[KCJackson]

Unless I read it wrong... the warranty on my 2005 says 7/70...

For 2005:

- 3/36 Bumper to Bumper

- 7/70 Transmission and remainder of powertrain components

- 7/100 Cummins diesel



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[rbattelle]

I stand corrected.



-Ryan