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2009 6.7l

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smarty vs. edge juice

Cannot figure this out

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RGH43

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Sold my 03 5. 7L 3500 DRW and now looking at a 09 6. 7, 3500 SRW 4X4 Automatic. Any opinions on this truck, any major problems or should I stay with an earlier model with the 5. 7L like I had? . Any opinion, ideas or information would be helpful.
 
Owners of early ISB6. 7 powered trucks who used them primarily for low load, low speed commuting reported some sooting and CELs but software reflash corrected those problems. Each year in succession got a little better and I believe all sooting issued have been eliminated.

First and foremost I would make sure the emissions control equipment is all intact and not tampered with. Secondly look for evidence of alteration with magic black boxes by a prior owner. Require the seller to have a fresh vehicle inspection performed with emphasis on smog controls.

Ensure the truck is in warranty and have the dealer service department run the VIN in their computer to look for repair history and record of ECM reflash to the current software. Maintenance history would be desirable.

If you can determine name and age of prior owner and call him/her for opinion it would be helpful.
 
I would also look to make sure there isn't/wasn't a snow plow attachment on the truck. Plowing is harder on a truck than towing.
 
Thanks for the input. What kind of gas mileage do the 09's get Freeway, around town and pulling?

What year did they start adding pollution equipment to the Dodge Cummins? I might try to stay below that year.

Any idea what price range a truck like this would sell for normally assuming it had all the goodies?

HBarlow, is your Cummins a dually or SRW & would this truck have the same engine you have in your 08? Reason I ask if it is a SRW how does it handle the HitchHiker. I intend to get a 32 to 34 ft 5th wheel so I'm wondering what the opinion on towing with a SRW opposed to the dually?
 
My C&C is a DRW. C&C have same engine but different hp & tq ratings and less emission control crap than pickups. My truck does a good job of towing my trailer with a GVWR and actual weight of 14,000 lbs. I would not want to pull any heavier but it does a good job with the one I have.
 
My 09 3500 longbed has the 3:73 axle. . In the summer, I use my 19. 5" towing tires. . a 245/ 70 R. ... If I reset my Lie-o-meter, I can hold about 19-20 mpg on flat going 65. . reality city and freeway, about 14-15. . Reality freeway average can be 18 I guess. . This is with my 12 ply stiff tires... best senario... . Towing, I only have done a few trips, gets around 8-9 towing my 36' 15,000# 5th.

Had one reflash when truck was nearly new. . have 22K on it now and no problems (knock on wood). . I try to have the engine speed up when in town so lock to 5th gear for city. . keeps engine speed up so the emissions can work better. . Best to do a "ride" every once in a while to heat up the exhaust to clean it out. . . . so far, I like my 09. . no regrets. .
 
I would look at a '10 if you are in the market. The 4th gen trucks are much nicer than the 3rd gens, and it sounds like you plan to keep it for awhile.

The 6. 7L is a great engine, and the 6 spd auto is great as well.
 
Why the 2010 over the 09? This 2009 I'm looking at is a 09 3500 Big Horn with the Blue Tec Diesel, SRW6 Spd Auto. What is the Blue Tec compared to the other Diesels. I looked at 2 different 09's on the lot & one didn't have the Blue Tec logo & the other did, I asked what was the difference of the engines. I was told they added something from Mercedes Benz in late 09 to improve the engine and that gave it better mileage, any truth to that and is this a better engine, just as good as or worse than earlier or newer? I'm sure my 03 might be better as it didn't have any junk in the exhaust system. DHuffman what do you say about your 2011 compared to the others you have had?

What I would like to know should I stay below 2006 and try to find low mileage or rebuild if I have to. I would like to stay away for the ECG stuff and if I can't then what year would be best, 2011 or what year?
 
Owners of early ISB6. 7 powered trucks who used them primarily for low load, low speed commuting reported some sooting and CELs but software reflash corrected those problems. Each year in succession got a little better and I believe all sooting issued have been eliminated.

First and foremost I would make sure the emissions control equipment is all intact and not tampered with. Secondly look for evidence of alteration with magic black boxes by a prior owner. Require the seller to have a fresh vehicle inspection performed with emphasis on smog controls.

Ensure the truck is in warranty and have the dealer service department run the VIN in their computer to look for repair history and record of ECM reflash to the current software. Maintenance history would be desirable.

If you can determine name and age of prior owner and call him/her for opinion it would be helpful.
Thanks and I'm doing that, it all looks OK and I'm getting the prior owners name. Traded it for a Motor Home & he had a 5th wheel also so I want to find out where that is, might get a good deal with inside info like his trade price. I would like to thank you as you always have answered my questions and I'm sure ?'s of many others.
 
Why the 2010 over the 09? DHuffman what do you say about your 2011 compared to the others you have had?



The cab quality and comfort are much better on the 4th gen. The crew cab also has a more useable rear seat. The new trucks are quieter, and mine rides smoother than my two 3rd gens.



I would not go back to a 5. 9L after driving the 6. 7L trucks for the past 3. 5 years. I have had zero problems so far. The only negative is the lower fuel economy (about 1. 5 mpg lower than my 5. 9L).
 
my '08 mega, 2x4 single rear tires, street tread, with bed cover

gets 18-22 mpg freeway depending on speed/conditions.

towing 10,000 60-67 mph 9-12 mpg depending on conditions
 
I have an 09 with over 42,000 on it. I can't complain about anything but I don't have anything to compare to since its my first diesel truck. I have had all the flashes and recalls, check engine light two times(40k), dealer did a regen then the light came back and they just replaced the turbo. I also had the water pump replaced due to the seal leaking(41k), only after I shut the truck off.

My mileage has been in the 17's hand calc'd, no highway but a combination of traffic lights and open back roads(50 mph) unloaded, loaded on the highway with 6k pounds in tow I average about 13 mpg hand calc'd. I don't tow heavy like others but its so nice not hearing a gasser screaming up the hills.

Love the truck, best daily driven vehicle purchase to date.
 
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I looked at 2 different 09's on the lot & one didn't have the Blue Tec logo & the other did, I asked what was the difference of the engines. I was told they added something from Mercedes Benz in late 09 to improve the engine and that gave it better mileage, any truth to that and is this a better engine, just as good as or worse than earlier or newer?



There is absolutely no truth in this statement. All 6. 7L Dodge Cummins are "bluetec" diesel. BlueTec is the trademark name for the DPF regeneration technology. Dodge was a bit haphazard on where or even if they applied the bluetec badge.
 
i hate sales men that try to make themselves seem so knowledgeable about the products they sell. but are completely full of bul ***t. whenever i hear some b. s. from a salesman i walk away. if i'm still interested i'll go inside and ask to see the sales manager. ask him if he has any honest and bright sales personnel. when the manager ask whats up, i explain to him/her why i dumped the previous sales person. that they need to train new people better. (the salesman i just dumped told me he'd been at the store for several years).
i ended up buying my truck on line from kellogg, id.
cc
 
In some cases, not all, the guy that is promoted to sales manager is the most ruthless liar in the business with no conscience who tells the gullible anything they'll believe and talks them into allowing themselves to be cheated.

Many salesmen, again not all, are guys with no skills and too lazy to work. They hang around a dealership as long as they can making an occasional sale or two until they are canned.
 
General rule "When buying used you are generally buying someone else problems" regardless of what engine or maker. Another 3 years or 100k or more figure $2000. 00 to $3000. 00 in repairs. Buy on the worst case scenario NOT the best.
 
General rule "When buying used you are generally buying someone else problems" regardless of what engine or maker. Another 3 years or 100k or more figure $2000. 00 to $3000. 00 in repairs. Buy on the worst case scenario NOT the best.

If you're going to go buy that, the engine will explode as soon as you turn the first corner leaving the dealership. :D
 
I can't count how many times my advice was ignore on DO NOT buy ... Only to see the truck again and needs thousands in repairs. Whats interesting the buyer that makes the move on the best case scenario, Is the 1st to ***** and complain how unfair the deal was to him. . The Guy who buys on the worst case scenario just makes repairs and moves on.
 
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