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[RamEngineers]

What have you done with the front suspension ball joints that is a big problem.





Casey

Can you tell me what problems you have had with the ball joints?

 

[RamEngineers]

From HBarlow 12-06-2009 02:28 PM



A similar question has already been asked regarding the new MOPAR 68RFE.



Does the Aisin six speed automatic used in cab and chassis trucks pump ATF in Park position? How about in neutral?



Reason for question is to learn how to cool ATF before shutting down after hard work such as backing trailer uphill.

Hi,

I'm an automatic transmission engineer on the 68RFE and can answer your question. All automatic transmissions pump oil in Neutral and Park. After backing-up steep grades or climbing steep grades in forward gears at very low speeds, it is best to put the transmission in park or neutral and raise engine speed to 1000-1500 rpms for over a minute to cool the transmission. It is best to for the transmission to operate at a temperature below 230 deg F for optimal durability. Transmission temperature is available for viewing on all Heavy Duty Rams in the instument panel cluster (EVIC) for 10MY. So no aftermarket system is required to monitor transmission temperature if you do alot of hill climbing at low speeds. Just watch your temps and allow it to cool if your temps get above 230 deg F.

 

[Fitter48093]

Ram / Cummins Engineers,



I would like to know when the next government emissions update will be? Will the 6. 7 used in MY10 be able to meet the next mandate? Or will urea need to be used?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

From JasonMcNabb 12-08-2009 11:38 AM



Design of trucks for use as a truck?



General Statement: Is it possible to ever consider building a truck that can be used on gravel roads, dirt roads, and in the cold weather? My last four trucks (three dodge) are getting progressively poorer for my needs: Driving on gravel roads and use below freezing.



Question 1: Is it possible to change the location of the rear axle speed sensor. The current location (my knowledge only extends up to 05 models) lasts less than 1000 miles on gravel before the rocks clean off the sensor and the related piece of harness. The worst conditions are heavy wet slushy snow and gravel rocks. I am forced to fabricate metal guards on the rear axles to protect this sensor and cover the harness with hydraulic hose to make it last.



Question 2: Is it possible to change the design of the rear fenders and box to eliminate the plastic fender liners. One trip down a gravel road at -30 deg C with a new set of A/T Hankook tires and I shattered my plastic fender liners on my 04 truck. The plastic fender liners on my 99 truck lasted only untill the weather got cold. I was forced to replace the plastic ones on the 99 with metal extension to the inner fenderwell to protect the exposed fuel fill lines.



Question 3: Same as question 2 but on my 05 dually I put 1000 miles on it and I am throwing rocks through the top surface of the fender. The plastic fender liners again don't last. Why can a more appropiate fender liner or fender design be used that will stand up to gravel roads, fresh tires, and -20 deg C?



Question 4: Following the same thought as the previous have you ever examined a truck that has driven down a gravel road? Once the spare tire is removed (which is a requirement here because when you need it, the tire cannot be removed once it is frozen in) the rear licence plate holder, licence plate light housings, and all the rear bumper wiring is now exposed to the gravel and sand off the road. Why does this all have to be left exposed and can it not be better planned out in the first place?



All of the above problems are relevant to much of the North American market as I only live about 80 miles north of Havre, MT. We put about 25,000 miles / year on our trucks. I am more than happy to provide detailed digitial photos and suggestions to make the next generation of trucks more durable.



I look forward to your comments.

Thanks

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

From dixdodge 11-13-2009 09:17 AM



Hi



I like to know if they have thought anything about the European market at all this time.

Has there been any tests done according to the EU regulations. For example, setabeltanchorage, tank, noise, emissions, brakes etc.

E marked lightning ?

Or are we still not an interresting market ?



What will be the GVWR for the future 1500 Ram diesel ?

Same here, will it be left out from the EU market ?



Dick Tilander / Boulder Maskin Sweden. Independent importer

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

From FDavid 11-29-2009 08:05 PM



I currently live overseas. The local dealers are saying there is no Dodge with Cummins available (only with a Hemi), perhaps due to us not having low sulfur fuel. Is there an export version available or can a US version be modified so that I can import one?

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Can you tell me what problems you have had with the ball joints?

The ball joints need to be greaseable from the factory. Many of these trucks see in excess of 300,000 miles and the ball joints should last longer if they could be lubed as a regular maintenance item. No maintenance or low maintenance items are for cars and salesmen!



Godspeed,

Trent

 

[Pat@BD]

Hello,



With the 68rfe what are the most common failures you have seen? I guess the weak links? Thanks

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

From ACerf 11-20-2009 03:41 PM



Emissions Issues.



I want to start off by saying, thanks for taking our questions, I must say that it is nice to know the Cummins/Dodge are concerned about their customers.

Question; Most of the dealers I have spoken to have expressed concerns over PCM and Emissions issue. They have all told me to hold off for a couple of more years until Cummins/Dodge can iron out these problems. So I guess my question is; have these problems been dressed?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

From DGamelin 11-12-2009 10:42 AM



What is the urea fluid going to cost?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

From HowardW 11-20-2009 01:02 PM

I would like to know if you can see over the hood on the 2010 models than the 3rd generation trucks. I have owned a 2nd generation truck and now own an 03. The visability was much better in the 97. Iuse the 03 as a daily driver and to tow a 13000 lb. 5th wheel.

 

[RamEngineers]

Are there any plans to develop an Off-Road 2500/3500 CTD truck equipped with 37" tires, 4. 56 gears, and diff locks?

So you are looking for a Cummins Diesel version of the award-winning Powerwagon? Unfortunately we cannot comment on plans for future models. The Powertrain currently is available only with the 5. 7L Hemi gas engine. Why would a diesel-powered off-road package appeal to you? What would primarily use the vehicle for?

 

[RamEngineers]

Ram engineer dudes, thanks for hanging with us tonight!



Would be great to see an air ride system from the factory. I have an aftermarket kit on my 2004 3500 and it improves the ride dramatically. Is the possibility good that we could see this?



Godspeed,

Trent

We currently do not have air ride, but we have made ride improvements for 2010MY thru mount tuning and the use of a hydromount for the cab to frame (better damping). All of the comments we have received so far has been very positive with respect to both 2500 and 3500 rides.

We've also created a short video regarding the ride improvements made for 2010MY. You can find it on our YouTube channel from the link in our signature or by clicking here: YouTube - Are you doing anything to improve the ride in this truck?

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Actually ... Thank you for a very in depth answer. It shows you take our questions seriously and we all appreciate that.



As a side note many of us could accept a reduction in GVWR and GCWR on an optional package that would increase economy. Durability on the other hand is a different subject.

 

[HookMeUp]

Any plans for an extra overdrive gear for the manual transmission? Similiar to the automatic with 2 overdrive gears. Also what about upping the torque rating for the manual transmissions?

 

[dodgediesel2500]

Have the Cummins engineers considered how much extra pollution is generated during the regeneration process? Is the net effect with the new emissions equipment cleaner air while the engine is running, but increased pollution during the regeneration process?

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

We've also created a short video regarding the ride improvements made for 2010MY. You can find it on our YouTube channel from the link in our signature or by clicking here: YouTube - Are you doing anything to improve the ride in this truck?

"hydromount" = shock absorber???

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[RamEngineers]

The ball joints need to be greaseable from the factory. Many of these trucks see in excess of 300,000 miles and the ball joints should last longer if they could be lubed as a regular maintenance item. No maintenance or low maintenance items are for cars and salesmen!



Godspeed,

Trent

OK; so you are looking for serviceable ball joints; the Dodge Engineers will take the request seriously! Service and maintenance costs are a big factor with many customers and are tracked as part of cost of ownership by various organizations. Still, we'll take a look at how we could offer this for customers who need them. Thanks for the great suggestion!

 

[CumminsEngineers]

From willde01 11-14-2009 10:29 AM



Manual regen



Would it be possible to allow the driver to force a manual regen when the dpf soot load reaches about 80% when it is convenient so the cycle could be completed. It would also be nice to allow the regen cycle to continue after you would stop the truck and turn the key off and allow the engine to continue to run until the cycle is complete then shut down the engine automatically, but allow it to be shut down in an emergency or if desired. It would also be nice if the driver could monitor the percent of dpf soot load on the overhead monitor.

The good news is that at 80% soot level, a deSoot will begin automatically as soon as conditions allow. Additionally, if the soot level is above 80%, the soot level will be displayed on the EVIC. Even better, with the net zero / net reducing idle feature, it is possible to gradually reduce the soot level in the DPF just by letting the truck idle.



If a regeneration is needed, and the truck idles for 5 minutes while parked, the truck will enter the net reducing idle mode. During this time, the idle speed will increase to 900 RPM, and the engine operation will change such that the soot level in the DPF is gradually reduced. The engine will stay in this mode if it is allowed to continue idling or if it is driven at light loads and does not exceed 25 MPH. That is particularly useful for those of you that use your truck for hunting or scouting off-road.



The net zero/net reducing idle feature was made standard in service calibrations for all 2007-2009 6. 7's starting in early 2008, so you likely already have this capability. While this does not meet your request for an automatic shutdown after a regeneration, hopefully it meets most of the need you outlined.

 

[U2pilotRAMowner]

Hello, I have a brand new 2009 6. 7. I have seen a lot of talk about DPF and EGR. What is the best way to drive these trucks? Drive it hard or drive it like I always have with other vehicles I have owned and take it easy to last a long time?? Is there a problem with taking it easy when you are not pulling a big trailer? Thanks for your time!