DC at May Madness

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What did you think of DC's attitude at May Madness? This was my first time hearing DC speak and boy was I shocked. If I were to make those same mistakes in my business, I would be sued, fined, and "hung out to dry". That sure takes away your confidence in DC, that is if you had any to begin with.

 

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I was just going to bed and thought I would check the last posts out. Since I wasn't there could you expand on what was said? I probably will not see a post until morning so you have plenty of time to respond. Thanks!

David

 

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Here's some of the quotes:

Regarding the 24valve's fuel economy:"those of you who bought your truck with 3. 54's have shot yourself in the foot" refering to the fact they knew the 24 valves like to run at about 2200 rpms and the 4. 10 therefore are getting better fuel efficiency. *** When I bought my truck, I was told by my dealer not to get the 4. 10s because my MPG would suffer. In fact they didn't even have a 4. 10 truck on the lot.

Regarding the 24 valves being advertised as being more fuel efficient and DC advertising the Dana 70 as being rated at 7500 pounds: "yea we knew that was wrong, but DC's attitude is why change it till we get caught".

Just listining to Mark (with DC) talk about how they knew that the torque converter wasn't able to stand up to the Diesel's power and how DC did a "poor" job letting the dealers know this type of information. My dealer even told me that DC recommends the auto for towing unless you will be towing max loads all the time.

*** In DC's defense, I'm sure the other 2 truck makers do similar things, but that still does not make it right.

 

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That is interesting that DC would say the 4. 10 rear geared trucks would get better fuel mileage. I have the 4. 10 geared 5 spd and my mileage suffers as compared to some posts on this site. I get my best mileage so far (at 4500 miles) cruising between 50-55 mph. That puts the rpm around 1700-1850 rpm. I do realize the mileage will get better as miles are added and the engine breaks in more. I have figured all along that a 4. 10 versus a 3. 54 is good for a drop of 15% in mileage. I basically gat the 4. 10 ratio for resale but I am the one that might have shot myself in the foot. Thanks for the reply.

 

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DC says the engines run most efficiently at 2200 to 2300 RPM's. If I am correct, this would put a stock truck at 65 to 70 MPH at this RPM range. With my 3. 54's at 70 MPH I'm just below 2000 RPM's. DC went on to say they will be using a new axel provider so they can get rid of the 3. 54's and give us a 3. 90 (or close to it) instead. They went on to say that the only reason they have a 3. 54 offering is so we wouldn't complain about only having one gear selection (the 4. 10's).

 

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I was there with Ron and I have to agree that DCs reps did nothing for there reputation. It seems DCs policy is directed to get new customers. Since we have allready purchased a DC product we are no longer their concern. The rep flat admitted that we/I should have purchased 4. 10s especially for towing,they new their dealers mislead a lot of buyers but refused to do anything about it. I chose 3. 55 gears knowing most of my driving would be empty. Its just the fact that a lot of misrepresentation has been done.

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1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,3. 54s,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner,Isspro pyro,Westach temp,Painless wiring,RadioShack CB,Westin Black brushguard

 

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One has to wonder how the people in those jobs got chosen, and if any at all is paying attention to what they do. I seriously doubt that DC's reps are any worse than anyone else's overall, but dang, that's terrible PR!

 

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I'm afraid I would have been very disappointed in that DC rep... maybe all of them.
I just got home from a trip to Montana. I have the 4. 10s, and normally drive about 60mph, but this time I was in a bit of a hurry! I set the cruise on 65mph, which equated to 2250rpm on the tach. I went over 6 very large mountain passes on I90 eastbound, and averaged 20. 1mpg. (The trip computer showed 21. 3mpg). I played on the passes, and left a chev dually waaay back there! I now have 17000 miles on the Cummins. The mileage on this thing just keeps going up! Maybe cause I'm from the old school, but I have a hard time believing that my 4. 10s will get better mileage than a set of 3. 54s in like conditions, lower rpms. We need identical trucks, except gears, to test this out for us. I'm smiling at my results!

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Rob Hanson
1999 3500 SLT QC 4X4 6 spd,
Cummins E-Brake, Blue Box, Bosch 275HP injectors, Member of BOMB! (WW NW Chapter)

MyPics.com (pics updated 5/2/00)

I'd rather be... .
Cummin than Strokin.

[This message has been edited by Rob Hanson (edited 05-29-2000). ]

 

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Hey Rob, you got 20. 1 MPG's and went over passes to boot. The best mileage I ever got was 19. 0 going down I-5 (all flat). I was driving very cautiously trying to get a high MPG figure. No fast throtle take offs, no passing, no winds, etc. My normal mileage at 18000 miles on my truck ranges between 14. 7 and 16. 1. If I'm driving all freeway, I might get into the 17's. And that's all done with a stock set up and 3. 54's.

 

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The only reason I can think of that DC reps would have any validity to their statements about the 4. 10:1 ratio is that the power needed to move your XXXX lb. truck at a certain (reasonable) speed is less with the 4. 10s because of less fuel and/or energy that the truck has to deliver to motivate its weight at that speed. Reason being that the 4. 10s are easier for the engine to spin, not as much work load.

Where as with 3. 54 gears, the truck has more pull against it because of the "taller" ratio, which in turn it has to use more fuel to create a little more power to compensate for the difference.

But then again, I don't really know--just a guess... comments anyone? #ad


Billy

 

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rrhode... check out a map... the passes are pretty good ones! Eastbound out of seattle on I90, first Snoqualmie Pass, then Fourth of July Pass entering Idaho, then Lookout Pass entering Montana, then Homestake Pass near Butte, then Whitehall Pass, then Bozeman Pass. I love this truck!

 

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Rob, I know those passes well. In fact they are why I don't hall hay back from Wyoming each year. Every year I travel from Portland to Cody, WY. It really amazes me you were able to get such good mileage.

 

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Each of use should e-mail cummins and see how many different answers we get.
MIKE

 

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This issue has more to do with us auto impaired owners. We do not have the gear selections as do the sticks. My best empty has been 20mpgs. Towing has been 11mpg. According to the Cummins computer at MM my overall mpg is 14. 4. Not bad for a 25004x4 but possibly could be better. Towing is a hassle with the auto/3. 55/24v. The truck is never in the ideal gear especially when pulling a hill ie mountain passes. I posted a few months ago that 3. 73s would be a better selection and the DC rep mentioned that as well. This post is going off subject as far as events so I anticipate a move.