Another DEF failure (Maybe)

[Turbo Terry]

No exhaust brake in a gas truck. Huge thing for me. Stopping is as important as going

 

[Mike Wenrich]

They are a wonderful thing. Had one on my 2014. But with a 6,000 lb trailer and 8 spd trans I think I would be okay without it. My 2004.5 diesel does not have one and I have been fine with tow/haul but the exhaust brake is definitely better.

 

[Turbo Terry]

A 6 speed manual transmission behind a big hemi but they don’t make them anymore

 

[Ozymandias]

A 6 speed manual transmission behind a big hemi but they don’t make them anymore

Still no engine breaking as the ECM never allows total de-fueling.
It needs to keep the catalyst up to operating temperature. Lifting the throttle gives about 2-5 seconds of engine breaking, afterwards it just runs away.
That's how my 2012 Hemi works.

 

[petersonj]

It's okay to sacrifice safety (a vehicle towing down a grade) for reduced emissions. That's important.

Soon they will figure out how to reduce brake pad force so there won't be any brake dust. That's important, too.

The two can work together.

- John

 

[DClark]

They won't, DEF is the way to go.

But as a buyer nowadays you really need to do the math.

There isn't only the DEF, the whole engine and the emissions system is incredibly complex on any modern Diesel engine whereas the Gasoline engine, especially the RAM platform, is the same as 40 years ago - proven good and working, always.

My opinion - fix your old one if the rest of the vehicle is worth the fix*.
Go with the 6.4 if not* - 10 Grand cheaper and 100x less trouble down the road.

The Gasser you can park for a year and fire it up no matter what.

The Diesel can have algae now because of the biofuel, the filters get clogged more easily, the DEF can deteriorate through time and so on...
If it is worked every day, fine. If it is parked most of the time and otherwise used as a grocery getter - don't buy a modern Diesel, just don't.

I priced an overhaul and the ball park was in the $17-18K. I also ck'd for salvage motors and found 4 which ranged from $4-6K and you don't know what you are getting. The jury is still out on what I will do. The 6.4 will have to do for now.
DClark

 

[DClark]

They won't, DEF is the way to go.

But as a buyer nowadays you really need to do the math.

There isn't only the DEF, the whole engine and the emissions system is incredibly complex on any modern Diesel engine whereas the Gasoline engine, especially the RAM platform, is the same as 40 years ago - proven good and working, always.

My opinion - fix your old one if the rest of the vehicle is worth the fix*.
Go with the 6.4 if not* - 10 Grand cheaper and 100x less trouble down the road.

The Gasser you can park for a year and fire it up no matter what.

The Diesel can have algae now because of the biofuel, the filters get clogged more easily, the DEF can deteriorate through time and so on...
If it is worked every day, fine. If it is parked most of the time and otherwise used as a grocery getter - don't buy a modern Diesel, just don't.

Don't want this to drag on too far, so to put this to rest, I am the 3rd owner of the '05. It had 146K on the clock in '11 when I bought it. It now has 225K. It has a remaned G56 6 spd and a new clutch. It is not a cream puff, was well used by previous owners, but still looks good, has been a good truck to this point. I am not sure that it is worth putting a large amount of $$$ into it at this point. I am looking for an interested party who has the ability to work on it them selves and make them a reasonable offer. I appreciate your opinions. They seem to agree with my thoughts about the new diesels. We'll see what the future brings.
DClark

 

[Mike Wenrich]

Good idea. Unless you stumble onto a good used pre def diesel with low milage you are likely in the same boat as the rest of us that don't use a diesel truck often enough to keep the sensors happy. The reviews on gas RAMs are iffy too with cam failures and such. Some last a long time and some grenade early. I'm going to look at what Toyota has to offer but I'm not optimistic. Wish you luck on sorting this out. We need reliable trucks that don't sit at dealers sometimes for months getting repairs.

 

[Ozymandias]

Toyota is a joke nowadays, overpriced and not a Dime better then any other vehicle out there.
Still wearing the fame they earned in the 80th through mid 90th.
The internet is full with people complaining about them.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

I just started my research and you are likely correct. I recall last year when we bought a new Highlander AWD for the wife the owner was pissed because they were having problems with the new twin turbo setup. Those are an option but to get the power to tow you would need them. BTW, the Highlander has so far been excellent. Not the hybrid so mpg is less but performs very well in the mountains where we live.

 

[wyosteve]

I think it's a crap shoot with any of them. My former boss got rid of his Chevy diesel for a 2020 6.2 gas Chevy. Motor locked up at 20k and it sat in the dealer lot for 7 months until they got a replacement engine. Now he's ordered a Ford gas. We'll see how that goes.

 

[AEdelheit]

I have a 2022 F250 7.3 Godzilla / 10spd for work and gotta say it tows very well and has really good engine braking, not as good as an exhaust brake or as seamless to use but I have no issues towing 12k plus through mountains with it.