Cummins or Hemi?

[john79gmc]

Hi there,

Ok, I am new to this board, I never owned a diesel, and I never owned a Dodge.

I have always been a GM guy, (please no compliments).

I like the new 2003 Dodge Ram truck, what I am looking at is a 3500HD, single rear wheel, quad cab.

For me the quad cab is perfect, I'm single, no kids, so the room in back is not an issue.

As for the engine, I would really like to try the Cummins HO, with the new auto.

The thing is, I don't tow anything, and my mileage during the week, is only about 25 miles.

On the weekends, I may put on anywhere from 100 to 250 miles.

Will this non-work type of driving hurt this diesel, or would I be better off getting the new Hemi instead?

I also want the truck to be fast, acceleration wise, be able to pass at will.

I love the feeling of power!



John

 

[kchristopher]

How long do you plan on keeping the truck? Upfront costs for the HO are pretty steep, but you should get most back either thru time of ownership (do you plan on keeping it for 300k miles?) or resale.



As much as I like the diesels, it seems to me that your use would be better served by the hemi. You get the power, coolness factor and don't have to pay the diesel entry fee. Short trips aren't what the diesel is made for, either.

 

[boonsur]

Single, no kids - you must have plenty of extra cash - that makes it a no-brainer Do it while you can.





The two biggest advantages of the Cummins are towing grunt (second to none) and great fuel mileage (usually 16-20 mpg) that doesn't drop much when hauling a load. You're not going to be taking advanteage of either of these, but you might like the truck enough to keep it a while. Eventually you may decide to get a big boat/camper/etc. Then you'll have no regrets.





If you're considering the auto, they aren't coming out until early next year (with the HO). This should give you some time to demo one of each. This should convince you of the power issue. There's even more power to be had in the Cummins, but the stock transmission's can't take it (can be beefed up), and you may want to keep your warranty intact. BTW, with the help of this board, the Cummins is quite easy to work on/maintain. You'll get to know your truck/engine probably better than any other vehicle you've had.





I also have to ask why you'd look at a 3500 rather than say a 2500, etc. ? You may want to drive a few to see how you like the ride.





If you want a truck, then you should buy a TRUCK (Cummins all the way)!!!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The owner of the local dealership has a Hemi 1/2T, he did his up with dual 3" exhaust and Oh Baby, does it sound sweet!



Boonsur, I drive my Dodge Cummins like you would, only 4 miles to work and a lot of short trips during the week. I drive quite a few miles on the weekend though. I bought mine for the power and mileage, and wanted something that wasn't starting to get tired by 100K. There are some guys with over 200K that are cranking some serious HP and the Cummins just keeps on tickin'



Vaughn

 

[john79gmc]

Thanks for the responses.



I usually keep a truck for about 6 to 8 years, and I average about 10,000 to 12,000miles a year.

I don’t know what the future may bring as far as towing, but as for now, I have nothing to tow.

I do plan on put a winch on the front end, and some bigger tires.

As for why I want a 3500?

I always had either a heavy ¾ ton or 1 ton trucks, so I am used to the ride.

Plus I like the height, the taller the better, in my opinion, that’s why I am a little disappointed with the GM trucks,

frame being so low to the ground.

I do plan on going off road with this truck.

 

[WadePatton]

Mine's a daily short-trip/long-trip whatever-I-want driver.



Diesel HP is different. Drive some stockers. Drive some BOMBed trucks (or try to get a ride in--some are just plain SCARY FAST).



If you are going to keep it for a while (over 5 years) then get the diesel. If you are going to trade it when the next neat and shiney thing comes along get the gasser.



If you want to save a lot of money and not have to worry about voiding a warranty _so you can BOMB right away_ get a 100k used truck.



Heck go buy the truck at Diesel Dynamics--be the envy of every pickup owner in your state!



Oh, sorry this a 3G question--what AM I doing over here?

 

[Fireman]

The Smoky Side

If you go over to the smoky side you 'ii never want to go back !



Fireman

 

[Pit Bull]

Get the Hemi 2500 QC 4x4. Save the money. If we were talking 2002's then I would say get the Cummins. The 2003 Cummins sounds like a gasser and since your not "into" the diesel technology and the of the beast that we call Cummins than you are better off with the Hemi. The 2003 Hemi and Cummins will sound about the same and you can't justify the cost of the Cummins based on the projected mileage. JMHO

 

[Casey Balvert]

I recouped just about 70% of what the diesel option cost me when I traded my 97 in on the 03. Counting what I saved on fuel and the sheer joy ;-) of driving a Cummins, I think that diesel was a steal. Cheers,



Casey

 

[Augie]

Cummins=Keeper

I've owned a few trucks:

'94 F-150 XLT Ext Cab 4. 9 I-6

'89 D250 Cummins 5-spd Reg Cab

'98 F-150 3-dr Ext Cab

'99 Ram 3500 V-10 DRW auto. QC

'99 Ram 3500 24V Cummins 5-spd QC w/Jacobs e-brake

'91 F-150 XLT Ext Cab 5. 0 auto

'02 Silverado Z-71 Ext Cab 5. 3 auto

'03 Ram 3500HD DRW QC Cummins HO 6spd (present)



None were for serious towing. I have a Baxley SB001 Trailer that hauls my 2001 Honda Goldwing GL1800 (900 lbs). I towed it with my Silverado from Florida through Texas, Arizona, Nevada, California and back. With wife, 2 boys, bike/trailer, and bed full of luggage; it did fine on level ground. When it came time to climb the Sierras and other steep grades; it downshifted plenty (Tow/Haul mode) giving it all it had. My Cummins HO would have only been teased by such a load. I switch between bike and truck as daily drivers commuting 72 daily miles M-F. Yes my big 3500 is mostly "Bobtailing" but with 305 hp/555 tq 6spd 3. 73, it is by no means just a big slug. It easily keeps pace with the "Rat Racers. " I frequently find myself easily going 85 with legs to spare. I've grown to appreciate the simplicity and strength of the Deep-skirt/I-6/Gear-driven Camshaft/Solid-Lifter Turbo diesel design. Yes, one day there may be that travel trailer or 5th wheeler in my future; at least I'll be ready to pull it. For 4 years, I've been driving Detroit-powered International Tanker 18-wheelers at my other job so I should have no problems once I give my rig a "real job. " At 36, I'll bet I'm one of, if not the youngest owner of a 3G D/C T-D in the country. These new Ram Heavy Duty's have appeal to the younger crowd too; I get a lot of comments from younger shipmates! As you can see, I've had mostly Ford and Dodge trucks. I enjoyed the Chevy, even looked at a few Duramax (ipads) but was not too impressed. I was planning to keep my Silverado, but when the new Cummins High Output hit the streets it was an instant "Gottahavit!" Anyway, good luck with your decision and welcome to the "Dodge Boys!"

 

[jwilliams3]

Cummins Cummins Cummins.

John,

Bye the time you buy the HO auto.

There should be some easy power additions available for the new Cummins Engine.

Starting with 305/555 with a simple electronic box, I would say you'll be about 400/700 at the flywheel.

Can you say SMOKE THAT HEMI!!!



Anyhow, once you own a Cummins you wont want anything else!!



--Justin