CHOICE of diesel engine power levels?

[surfbeetle]

Cattlerkr,

while I agree with you on that, this rating came by the fact that the 3500's were heavier due to the added weight of the additional components. That weight was subtracted from the total. Doesn't make sense does it? One would think that you get the 3500 over the 2500 and all of the ratings would be higher. I think that the situation has changed now with the third gens.



As for the VW, it was just a joke to point out the irony in the fact that VW actually labeled their old busses a one ton vehicle.

 

[MCummings]

Case wheel loaders have that feature. You can pick from 3 different settings. It is just like the track hoes though. Everyone picks max power and goes.

My buddy's Hayabusa has a feature like this. Economy stock and power. It's like a 75 or 100HP difference...



Merrick

 

[EricBu12]

my 01 has a swichable power setting. I use a blue chip 4 wire box and turn it on when I need extra power and off for ecconomy. does well for my 15k trailer.

 

[MCummings]

my 01 has a swichable power setting. I use a blue chip 4 wire box and turn it on when I need extra power and off for ecconomy. does well for my 15k trailer.

Well, 99% of all tuners do too, but I would like it to be a factory option...



Merrick

 

[KWilkinson]

Case wheel loaders have that feature. You can pick from 3 different settings. It is just like the track hoes though. Everyone picks max power and goes.

We just got a new Cat 938G and a 966G at work, and they also have this same feature. I work for the county road dept. , and we have a huge budget shortfall this year, so they told us all if we could cut fuel costs we could still get our raises. Let me tell you, that switch sure does make a difference. We road our equipment alot, so it usually stays in the lowest power setting, and the switch rarely ever gets put in the max power position. When they stick me down in the pit, I can go almost a work week (4 10hr days) without re-fueling. Not even sure of the fuel capacity, but that 966 sure is a thirsty girl, and that feature sure does help!

 

[Tspanos]

Remember if they would have gotten right the first time you would not need an update.

This line says everything that needs to be said about flashes and updates!



I really like the idea of a factory installed switch for detuning the motor, vs say different power ratings from the factory. Its a proven system in heavy equipment.

 

[surfbeetle]

This line says everything that needs to be said about flashes and updates!

Thank you!



What I think needs to happen in order for the vendor (whether auto, computer, widget or whatever) is to allow more input from the target consumer. For many of us, we are sold on the Cummins. Maybe not so much on the Dodge, but it was wrapped around the Cummins so you got it. If you buy a Freightliner or Peterbuilt, you can sit down and have a varying choice of engines and drivetrains. Heck you can do it to a point on the gas engines for our trucks, but you only get one choice of diesel. They are slowly learning, now you can get an exhaust brake from the factory. That's what so great about this forum is that we can voice our opinions and Chrysler will hear eventually.

 

[captainmike]

The switch you all want is in your right foot. Just drive like the proverbial ole man and the mileage will go up. I get a consistant 20+ mpg with an '06 megacab. Easy acceleration and not over 65. About 11-12 pulling a 12K 5er.

 

[Ahopper]

captainmike: is that hand calculated or just by the computer. i have been driving like a grandpa with my dads 06. the computer says 17mpg but the calculater says 12mpg. i dont get it. that was after the new fuel filter too!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I agreeeeee!!!!!!!!!! My 99 with 215 hp did everything i ever wanted, including great mileage. My 06 with 325 hp eats the juice, and i don't need those extra hungry horses.

thank the EPA... maintaining a given speed at a given weight and aerodynamic drag requires a given amount of power... heck the 3rd gens are more aerodynamic. but if injection timing and events are modified to reduce tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption can certainly rise

 

[SierraRam]

Go buy a Toyota if you don't want the power. As far as the 2500/3500 having a different drive train that is just upsurd. A mfg is not going to build two different drive trains for the same truck with the exception of spring rates. Its not what I need its what I want, I am glad i live in the USA so I can choose to spend my hard earned cash any way I want.

 

[SNiebaum]

heck the 3rd gens are more aerodynamic.

actually, though they only look more aerodynamic...



according to the most recent allpar.com 2009 Ram story

The cooperative application of aerodynamic science and innovative styling led to aerodynamic improvements on the new Ram that resulted in an estimated coefficient of drag (Cd) of . 422 for a crew cab 4x4 model – compared with a Cd of . 463 for a 2008 Ram Quad Cab® 4x4 (and . 42 for the original 1994 Dodge Ram!). Extensive wind-tunnel testing was conducted to hone the 2009 Dodge Ram’s exterior shape.