Here I am

Dodge or Ram Cab Removal for repairs. Common or Uncommon?

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff
DavidC

Maintenance Scheduler recorder

  • DavidC
  • Replies: 1
S

BOV operated by drive pressure! does it work? safe boost wit plastic intercooler?

  • subodh
  • Replies: 15
GCroyle

GCroyle

Guys,

Got a thread going on a RV forum and the question or discussion is about cab removal for engine servicing. I've seen lots of pics and videos about Ford cabs coming off for engine repairs even happened to my neighbors then new 6.7L Ford it was a TSB for head repairs tight valve guides IIRC.


How frequently have Dodge or Ram cabs come off? and what is a common repair that required cab R&R.


Gary
 
AKAIK, there is NO reason to remove the cab for ANY Cummins repairs. The ISB design, even with all the newer emissions components that complicate it somewhat, is STILL so simple and accessible, that removing the cab is completely unnecessary. I mean you can still replace the water pump open the side of the road with two bolts!!

This is entirely unlike the newer Ford trucks where removing the cab for engine service was part of the design and manufacturing criteria of the truck.
 
Removing the cab on Rams has gotten much more common.It takes less time to lift the cab than it does to remove all the front end components. Same with the ecodiesel trucks,the turbo replacement is a b**** with the cab in place
 
Bob4x4 said:
Removing the cab on Rams has gotten much more common.It takes less time to lift the cab than it does to remove all the front end components. Same with the ecodiesel trucks,the turbo replacement is a b**** with the cab in place
Click to expand...



Wow...my bad!!! I had no idea that was the case!!!

Are the new Ram cabs actually designed to be easily removed like the ones on the Fords??
 
Interesting.

Two qualifiers. If cab R&R is a major time saver, that is one consideration vs. REQUIRED to do the job.

And real interest is full size pickups.
 
Gary, I thought you knew the deal.

I am a fleet mechanic who spends most of his time working on Ford F-350-550's 6.0,6.4,6.7's. I do all my own work on my 2004 CTD, and have worked on similar CTD's.
I've been in the trade for over 30 years.
I'm here to tell you that there is absolutely no comparison between Ford and Dodge/Ram regarding under hood repairs.
One case is engine oil pan replacement. Take a Ford and a Dodge, both 2008 model trucks and compare the job. If you're basing your opinion of the truck on a repair like this, then you cannot buy a Ford PowerStroke.
The Ford REQUIRES EITHER a full cab removal, or a 5" lift off as a bare minimum. The Ram only requires the engine be lifted off its mounts. Let's not even talk about drive belt replacement between the two trucks.
I'll admit that the newer Rams are more congested under hood and the new Fords are actually cleaning up their act, but I'd still rather wrench on a Ram.

-- On edit. There is a way to do the 6.4 oil pan without a cab lift.
Ford has a special mobile crane and attachments that grabs the engine at 3 points up front and lifts out the engine.
 
Last edited:
Wayne,

I'm sold on the Dodge Cummins combo, first ride was back in '89 a bit sluggish but wow.

The "other guy" is doing some chest thumping and subtle bashing about our 6 in a row choices. Seems raw numbers are more impressive than truck in service hours vs hours required servicing the truck.

Not being a full time tech and haven't touched a Ford since a 7.3L for clutch install I'm not first hand on what's current.

Since I first heard about the REQUIREMENT to pull a Ford cab for repairs that are mundane on a Dodge Cummins I've been completely turned off by that.

In 2008 we displayed our company 2007 Dodge 5.9L G56 at the Mid America truck show in Louisville as a part of Marmon. No joke we had old timers coming up and smiling at the 6 in a row and telling us after visiting the Ford booth there wasn't room enough for another coat of paint on the new 6.4L or the hood wouldn't close and another said you couldn't put a payment book in the engine compartment.

My 2005 5.9L looks lonely in the engine compartment like it needs a stable mate.

Gary
 
I'd venture to bet that 90% or more of the new diesels sold in 2018 will never be serviced by the owner for anything more than oil and filter changes. It likely doesn't matter to those not working on these trucks themselves if that cab has to come off or not.
 
Gary ask your friend why, then is GM developing an inline 6 diesel from scratch for the 1/2 ton market?
Yes, I did seek out the top GM truck guy at the NY auto show, and he had no idea what I was talking about, but it's coming. We all know that in this glorious diesel muscle were living through now, that all the V8 trucks need major engine component changes, while Cummins just dials up the tune (AFAIK).
 
Wayne M. said:
We all know that in this glorious diesel muscle were living through now, that all the V8 trucks need major engine component changes, while Cummins just dials up the tune (AFAIK).
Click to expand...

Funny how the truth is so painfully obvious to all of those except for the most diehard fanboys of the blue oval cult.
 
Back in about 2000 I went up to Banks for a performance system. They tested the fuel pump and it was about to croak. They declined to do the enhancement. The pump failed a week later.
While I was up there a guy was using a lay down install device so he could work on the turbo which even then was buried pretty well.
Another Dodge owner came in and one of the tech's said "Can I work on the Dodge?"
 
I had to pull the starter to get rebuilt (a bearing and a solenoid) after 18 years of service. The manual transmission I had 3 bolts and 2 wires to take off. Any V-6 or V-8 with exhaust headers there would have been hot and tight. LOL
 
SmokinJoe said:
I had to pull the starter to get rebuilt (a bearing and a solenoid) after 18 years of service. The manual transmission I had 3 bolts and 2 wires to take off. Any V-6 or V-8 with exhaust headers there would have been hot and tight. LOL
Click to expand...
The starter on my ‘98 Durango was a killer.
 
I've been in it since the 2nd gen as a mechanic. I learned a long time ago it's just easier to pull the cab with the hood and fenders attached and leave all the coolers in place. Granted it's a bit awkward the first time because mentally it just seems like a big deal but after you do it 1 time you'll never do an engine R&R with the cab on.

You don't have to worry about the customers paint and body. In the end it takes less time than pulling all the front end apart and you don't have to mess with body fitment that the customer always argues about the lines and hood placement isn't just perfect like the factory had it before you worked on it.

Just take your time on the first cab and watch everything like you have to do pulling the engine anyway. Once the cab is off I GUARANTEE you, you'll literally say "I'll never pull another engine with the cab on."

*****most stuff CAN be serviced with the cab on fairly easy. I rebuild Cummins engines so for me it's not part swap, it's engine pull so I just do it the right way. *****
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising



Turbo Diesel Register
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising



Back
Top