bought a 6.7...wish I had'nt

[jgillott]

and, a #4 fuel line.

I had 1 injector line failure on my '07 a couple of years ago. Our 04.5 didn't have any issues with it. Replaced rotted oil pans on both.

I agree with Wayne. Engine wise, these common rail trucks have been stone reliable. Now things like chassis electrical and universal joint, ball joints, etc. have been problematic.

 

[jgillott]

How bout a 69-72 Chevy half ton with a 350 & Quadrajet, 308 gears and a turbo 400. Used to own one and don't remember any big problems.

Just the thought of that gas tank behind the seat makes me nervous. My dad had a '67 and I can just remember that fuel sloshing behind us going down the road.

 

[NIsaacs]

Yes, it looks like I made a big mistake.

If I wasn't in California, it would be easy to delete the problem, but we need to pass smog here. It is not my mission to work on my truck constantly...I have a whole other life. I need a truck I can turn the key and go any distance and speed that anyone else goes without problems. I never heard of re-gen before ......That defeats the whole idea of getting a diesel for better fuel economy; the main reason I bought it.

I don't know if the EGR needs cleaning or even where it is; the truck had 174,000 miles when I bought it and I have only put on a couple thousand since, in the past year. The fuel filter is probably due; I can see it back in there, but don't look forward to changing it. I never heard of a "crankcase filter" before?. Since I bought the truck,I have only changed the engine and trans oil/fluids & filters once and a noisy Differential carrier bearing that cost me a grand.

I am currently working on some front end damage from the previous owner...the main issue there is a smashed-in intercooler that should have been replaced when they did the AC cooling core, hood and grill.

When I get this thing running again, I'm gonna sell it and go back to a pre-smog gas truck, with a carburetor and be happy when crawling up hills at 30 MPH in 2nd gear.

I don't think the issue is a 2008 Cummins powered truck.....The issue is a gasser experience driver trying to overcome no Cummins experience....and that's okay, we all have to start somewhere, but,.....Then buying an 11 year old truck with 174k miles on it that was in a serious wreck with unknown maintenance history. The truck don't stand a chance. Did you ever find your exhaust brake?

Fuel mileage needs to be hand calculated.

 

[RVTRKN]

My Brother bought my 04.5 an 75K , front drive shaft u-joint, water pump and clutch only, last known milage @ 150K miles. My 07 C&C 75K, DMF, regen glitch ( long story) REC radio replaced and recently I just replaced my front unit bearings for Yukon free spinning hubs. It hasn't been as reliable, but no engine issues as of yet, knock on wood.

 

[Wiredawg]

I bought my wife a 2019 Ram 1500 4x4 gasser. Dealer salesman who had sold us three Ram Cummins trucks was surprised when we told him we wanted a 1500 with the 5.7L. Didn't want to deal with diesel duty cycles. I drive my Ram 5500 around 60 miles a week to keep truck up. Don't have to worry about the 1500 duty cycle. Plus its scary fast.

I have my Ram Cummins 5500 diesel for heavy towing and Ram 1500 gasser for running around and short trips.

Cheers, Ron

 

[jgillott]

I bought my wife a 2019 Ram 1500 4x4 gasser. Dealer salesman who had sold us three Ram Cummins trucks was surprised when we told him we wanted a 1500 with the 5.7L. Didn't want to deal with diesel duty cycles. I drive my Ram 5500 around 60 miles a week to keep truck up. Don't have to worry about the 1500 duty cycle. Plus its scary fast.

I have my Ram Cummins 5500 diesel for heavy towing and Ram 1500 gasser for running around and short trips.

Cheers, Ron

Exactly why I have my F150. Ecoboost 3.5L is insane. Tows well within its reasonable payload also.

Everything has an application. And if the duty cycle doesn't match what you are using it for, it just doesn't make sense.

 

[RVTRKN]

Yes, my 3500 C&C for HD towing and my 5ver, and the 2016 TRD 4X4 Tacoma for daily driving. I try to put miles on the C&C when I can.

 

[Wiredawg]

Yes, my 3500 C&C for HD towing and my 5ver, and the 2016 TRD 4X4 Tacoma for daily driving. I try to put miles on the C&C when I can.

Just happens New Braunfels TX has one of the best catfish restaurants a convenient 18 miles of interstate w/ 75mph speed limit and about 8 miles of 60 mph. Makes for a nice weekly maintenance trip for the 5500 and good eats.

And Camping World is about another 10 miles.

Ron

 

[RVTRKN]

Forgot to add, both trucks are with impeccable reputations.

 

[steeve]

You guys with no probs probably started with a new truck....my 2008 was a repaired total, with 175k on it. got it for 8,500$, it ran good then but the front end repairs were never completed, no bumper, smashed intercooler, AC disconnected and no tailgate; bed floor has holes, rust and is bent up. Should have stepped up to a nice 5.9, but didn't find one at the time. My house had just burned to the ground, along with my vehicle, (no insurance on either) and I needed something to drive quick.
Thanks for all your advice, Steve

 

[Wiredawg]

You guys with no probs probably started with a new truck....my 2008 was a repaired total, with 175k on it. got it for 8,500$, it ran good then but the front end repairs were never completed, no bumper, smashed intercooler, AC disconnected and no tailgate; bed floor has holes, rust and is bent up. Should have stepped up to a nice 5.9, but didn't find one at the time. My house had just burned to the ground, along with my vehicle, (no insurance on either) and I needed something to drive quick.
Thanks for all your advice, Steve

Steve,
You recieved some good advice about what to do bring your truck up to good running condition and how you need to drive it in order to keep it there. You might be a little behind the power curve with a wrecked truck with unknown maintenance on it, but it's possible to figure out how to make it work. If you're mechanically inclined, you should have the truck running pretty good. I haven't had any mechanical training, but I do pretty good if I can get a good service manual and the TDR has some pretty smart folks. YouzTube (LOL) has nearly about anything you want to do on your truck.

On this forum, we often get into related sidebar discussions, such as driving duty cycle. That's a fairly important part of owning a 2007.5 and newer Ram diesel truck.

I thought I would throw in something no one has mentioned: cleaning your DPF on the truck with one of the DPF cleaners. Easy to do, remove your front DPF pressure sensor with the truck cold. spray a can of the cleaner in it. let it set overnight. Drive it an hour at 70 mph, bring it back, shut off the truck, very carefully shoot another can into it with it hot, very carefully. Then drive it again. You can also find this on YouTube. More work, you can remove your DPF, block off the outlet, and fill the DPF with a couple gallons Simple Green. Let it set a few days. ONLY DRAIN FROM THE OUTLET. Its gonna be nasty, so don't do it on concrete and if possible, dispose like used oil or coolant. Same works with EGR.

You might not find a good 5.9L cheap either. Decent ones are going for mid teens into 20s and up. I gave my 03 2500 4x4 QC to my neice for $13K. Down here in TX the same truck in good condition can go fo twice that.

So now, you're practically 6.7L Cummins tech. Feel free to ask questions along the way and someone will give you some good advice.

Cheers, Ron