Good bye to diesel

[Pit Bull]

Re: ....I'm in a quandry as well......

Originally posted by Rogue Ram

This post really caught my attention, as I've been considering dumping mine as well. The good and the bad of it?



Let's start with the bad: This thing isn't worth what I paid for it given the limited amount I use it. It sits in the driveway 5 days a week (I have a take home ride) and depreciates. My fault... . I wanted a nice toy, shoulda thought about it more.



POWER: When I first got this thing it got 13mpg hwy and was totally gutless. Then, 18-11-99 came out, and it got way better, but still way more gutless than my 95 Powerstroke. Both dealerships referred to later say there ain't s--- wrong with it. Stuck a VA box on it... VOILA... 20-22 mpg hwy, and now it pulls like it I expected it should from the factory. So why did I have to pay big money to make it work right?



The dips--- dealership I bought it from has no one capable of working on it. When they did try, they thought they'd do me a favor and wash, BUFF, and wax it... ... it was only a month old... and they ruined the clear coat..... now it looks like a 3d baseball card. The other dealership I've used (and one who hosts the TDR every year) banned me from the dealership because I filled out a negative customer comment card, this after complaining because they refused to replace a $2. 00 gooseneck coolant gasket that had sprayed the engine compartment with coolant---I'm still blacklisted in their computer over filling out a negative comment card.



Now my rig has the infamous stumble/shudder no one knows anything about.



All I wanted was an extra set of wheels for my mud tires... ... . and (as of last year, when I went thru this) no one makes factory spec size wheels with factory "backspacing" or "offset"... . everything stuck out from the side like Ted Kopels ears.



The quad cab hinges have creaked/moaned/groaned since day 1. You guessed it, dealers can't figure it out.



And, like Cobra, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop... . the brake pull, the worthless lift pumps, the worthless VP44, etc.



I don't have the tools nor the money for tools, nor the space to work on this if it breaks.



THE GOOD: It turns on a dime!



I can't get it stuck to save my life.



It gets MPG on the highway that most of you have a hard time believing (don't ask me why, I'm clueless, and make calcs adjusted for tire size).



With the VA box, it does pull like I expected a FACTORY rig to---truck/trailer weigh 11,000 and I can do 60 up a 4% grade... . still expected this to be better, but maybe I'm nuts.



Other than the freakin' stumble, no mechanical issues at all... ... my PS leaked like a sieve, this thing has not one single oil leak anywhere.



Why dump it?

Besides hating the 3d look of my paint, I'm debating getting either a much less expensive gasser, or, if I could find one, a nice older 12v... ..... something that has already depreciated significantly. I don't know..... just in a quandry.



Sorry for the novel.



Rogue

Bottom Line - Your payment is to high on something you are not driving so you are trying to justify getting rid of it without admitting you never needed it in the first place. It's not the truck, you bought something you did not need and can't (don't want to) afford. Hey we all make mistakes. Do what makes you happy. I won't even admit to some of the stuff I've spent big bucks on and later realized, what in the hell did I do that for??? Good luck.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

i see the problem .....

cobra , i see your problem , your cummins is stock ... . it needs a little boost in power ...

 

[Turbo Thom]

Cobra:

Wanta hear a little story? I left tuesday at 5:00 PM, from 60 miles south of Atlanta on my way to Fort Worth,Texas to have my transmission replaced. This is the third one. Long story short I made it to Monroe, La. at 1 in the morning when the transmission burn up. I spent 2 days in La at a transmission shop to replace the transmission and the US Gear aux. unit. I have had enough trouble with the drive train for about 6 Rammers. As I said this is the third transmission in 17,000 miles and twice I was stranded. Praise God for Camping World's road side service. They are for real.



Would I get rid of my truck? Not unless somebody steals it. Then I'll have to kill um. I have driven this truck 226,687 miles and have not owned anything even close to it. The owner of the transmission shop had a new D-Max and took me for a 1 hour ride, but now he's an Allison pro. Things were good but I'll take the Cummins. There ain't nothing out there even close to the towing power/torque as what the Cummins has. He said it's as quite as a gasser. I just smiled.



3 transmissions a few leaks, fixed, and the truck will be with me till it expires. Then I'll try again to keep it going.



. . Preston. .

 

[Cobra]

flamer

OL RON

You sir are one of those radicals to which I referred originally.

If you think that Dodge is the best truck in the world then you are probably accustomed to driving junk. No wonder, you live in the back woods.





[EDITED by the Moderator]

 

[Cummins Corvette]

CALM DOWN COBRA!! DAMN!!! WTF did Ron do? He, like myself, just thought it a bit odd that you were so quick to change your mind about your truck. Oh well, no big deal. Lets just keep it down to a soft roar shall we? Now both of you put down the lead pipes!

 

[HDH]

HUH?

See My Sig at the Bottom;

At 80,000 Hard Miles, I hammer mine all the time, By far this has been the Most Reliable Vehical I have Owned.





Failed Parts replaced so far:

1 Lift pump=$126. 00. New one still good after 30k miles@10psi WOT.

1 Wheel Speed sensor=$26. 00

1 Thermostat=$19. 00

1 Fanclutch=warranty

1 licence plate lamp pigtail=$12. 00

Grand total=$183. 00 WOW! Thats It!



My New 1977 2x4 and 1980 hilux4x4 Toyotas I hammered where much worse, Around $2000 in Repair parts back then!(Early1980's).

No More tojo For me.

My Chevy's where not much better than the Tojo's.

No Complaints from Me about the Dodge Ram or the Cummins or Even the 47re transmission.

But talk to me sometime about the Dealer (HADDAD DODGE),They are the Worst Ever!. They are as about as worthless as chicken $H*^ on a Pump handle.

No More Heavy Chevys For me. Unless they are classics.

Doug.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I think we all need to air our troubles at times, but please don't mud wrestle in this forum. If you insist I will arrange for a mud pit at Thunder in Muncie





It appears that Cobra started this thread at a passionate moment. I've been at the edge a couple of time myself.



Doc

 

[HEYBOSS]

No Body is perfect

These machines are made by Human and no Human is perfect.

Heck Boeing has problems with their Plaines falling out of the skies with catastrophic results. NASA many times cancels and delays take offs due to mechanical malfunctions and you want a 35-40k truck to be perfect? My ex boss bought a brand new MB worth 140k and it has been back to the dealer for wind noises and vibrations and it still isn't fixed, guess what it did? sold it. By the way his previous MB had steering problems all the time which he also sold. Walk into any Dealer's service department, I mean any, BMW, Volvo, Mercedes, Ford, etc etc and see what the techs are working on, do you really think all those cars/trucks in service at any given time are for maintenance work? Most of it is warranty.



Just my 2 cents.



Don't worry, be happy. .



Fred

 

[QRTRHRS]

A friend's 92' Ford 7. 3 has 170k or so. While under warranty for the first 36k, he amassed a stack of service records maybe an inch thick. It's just amazing the things you can find wrong when you don't have to pay to fix them. He did have that one in a million dealer.



For the record, that 7. 3 has had the pump rebuilt three times, numerous glow plugs and nothing else.

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by Cobra

This Cummins RAM is the first and only diesel I have ever had and right now I'm sorry that I bought it. Buttt I had to have it. I pretty much have to keep it for two more years, after that it will be out of warranty and paid off. Then someone else will own it.

Wow... One lift pump and your gone... . Oh well, some guys are just not "wired" for a diesel. Your right... You'll be happier in a gasser... Good Luck!

 

[Hammer]

Man you guys are hard on Cobra,,I have laid off this one because I knew the real truth(as does most of the MD TDR and the few NE members that were in attendence that day in MD),,Cobra,whlie he may vent as we all do at times,was a like a nervous expecting father while another member was performing fuel filter replacement surgery at the Powerstore show,,He was pacing back and forth so much I think he left wear marks in the pavement in front of his truck,,So I myself knew then,even though he said otherwise here,his love for his truck was a passion we all know and embrace,,You may fool some of these guys Cobra,but not me,he he he he,,His passion about some of the things gone bad and their replacement is a deal we've all gone thru(show me one owner who has the dreaded steering wobble who does not feel like him and I'll show you a guy who is not being honest)and I can see with all the naysayers here at times where he'd get worried about other stuff,,See those of us who know him realize that he has more important things in his life for him to worry than his truck and would not care what he drove,friendship is stronger than what brand of truck he drives,,Cobra,some time you'd like to get together and chat about anything all you need to do is call don't let that sweet ride worry you,you need to tend to other more important things,just let your truck be itself and she'll blend right into the mix,,Its got a good home and an owner that has the passion for her and as for the rest of the deal,thats why your here(TDR and M-D TDR) we'll always be there to help,no matter what,,Plus you got at least three of the best Cummins shops in the entire country within a couple of hours of you,Smokin Diesel,Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh and Enterprise Engine,,To have so much HP knowledge and the ability to easily repair any problem that may come up like you have near you is a dream to the rest of us,,Know this may not be much comfort but I hope it helped,,Knowledge is power and with the amount of knowldge around available you'll handle anything that comes up and as for power,we all we all know money can get you what you seek. .

P. S. -I'll get SHINEBOY(aka-HEYBOSS) to help me next time we can all hang out and we'll make her shine so much you'll never want to part with her and even throw in a set of bombed sunglasses for it while you drive,,Oh and before I forget,since I know the real story here(your love for the truck)and the color of it I'm just going to have to get **ICEMAN** make you a "I LOVE MY CUMMINS" cool looking graphic for the gate and upon the next M-D meet WE WILL ALL MAKE SURE ITS APPLIED THAT DAY!!!,,If you end up sending her along to a new home contact me,we got a club member that specializes in relocating homeless Cummins Rams... .....

 

[mike r]

Hope This Helps

If it will make you feel better I'll come over and do donuts in front of your house till you get the bombing bug and Then you'll feel better! P. S. Andy is just down the road.

 

[Rogue Ram]

...Big Toy, you are correct...

... . yep, its the money bug that is getting me... ... ... see, I could afford this when I bought it... ... ... but now, due to circumstances beyond my control (guess what happens when your stockbroker puts your portfolio up his nose ) I was thinking I'd circle the wagons and start over. Mine is paid for, and drives fine... ..... weird stumble hasn't come back yet. Doesn't wander, doesn't have the brake pull. Reliability will be everything for me here pretty soon due to family changes. On that point, I may well keep it.



I priced out all kinds of Phord, GM and Toyota gassers... . I must've either been living in a cave or not seeing the ads every weekend! Those things cost nearly as much as ours do! So, I either keep what I have, or go get an older gasser or diesel. At this point, I'm leaning towards "make do" money wise and keep the 24valve. I can always take my time and find an older 12v if thats what I decide to do. It has depreciated, but it has no miles on it, and will always hold some decent value.



See yall



Rogue



p. s. : filled up last nite... diesel was $1. 05 per gallon... and I'm getting 18. 5 combined. As the future missus said, "you won't find a gasser that will do that and do what this does. " I think she's right.

 

[carson6]

my mexican ram

Cobra,Sorry to about your problem. Mine is 5 year's old and the only problem's I'v had with mine is bad machanic's brought on by owner ignorance!

 

[dabubba]

cobra- understand your frusteration, however remember the lemon law and make sure your state has one and you follow the documentation trail that it requires- dodge will buy back your truck if it is a pos- I had a pos(problem child) and posted about it's problems- well dodge ended up buying it back- what you do from there is up to you-- as you can see by my signature I got another ctd, and I was (and repeat) was a die hard ford guy just my $. 02

 

[HEYBOSS]

Originally posted by Hammer

Man you guys are hard on Cobra,,I have laid off this one because I knew the real truth(as does most of the MD TDR and the few NE members that were in attendence that day in MD),,Cobra,whlie he may vent as we all do at times,was a like a nervous expecting father while another member was performing fuel filter replacement surgery at the Powerstore show,,He was pacing back and forth so much I think he left wear marks in the pavement in front of his truck,,So I myself knew then,even though he said otherwise here,his love for his truck was a passion we all know and embrace,,You may fool some of these guys Cobra,but not me,he he he he,,His passion about some of the things gone bad and their replacement is a deal we've all gone thru(show me one owner who has the dreaded steering wobble who does not feel like him and I'll show you a guy who is not being honest)and I can see with all the naysayers here at times where he'd get worried about other stuff,,See those of us who know him realize that he has more important things in his life for him to worry than his truck and would not care what he drove,friendship is stronger than what brand of truck he drives,,Cobra,some time you'd like to get together and chat about anything all you need to do is call don't let that sweet ride worry you,you need to tend to other more important things,just let your truck be itself and she'll blend right into the mix,,Its got a good home and an owner that has the passion for her and as for the rest of the deal,thats why your here(TDR and M-D TDR) we'll always be there to help,no matter what,,Plus you got at least three of the best Cummins shops in the entire country within a couple of hours of you,Smokin Diesel,Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh and Enterprise Engine,,To have so much HP knowledge and the ability to easily repair any problem that may come up like you have near you is a dream to the rest of us,,Know this may not be much comfort but I hope it helped,,Knowledge is power and with the amount of knowldge around available you'll handle anything that comes up and as for power,we all we all know money can get you what you seek. .

P. S. -I'll get SHINEBOY(aka-HEYBOSS) to help me next time we can all hang out and we'll make her shine so much you'll never want to part with her and even throw in a set of bombed sunglasses for it while you drive,,Oh and before I forget,since I know the real story here(your love for the truck)and the color of it I'm just going to have to get **ICEMAN** make you a "I LOVE MY CUMMINS" cool looking graphic for the gate and upon the next M-D meet WE WILL ALL MAKE SURE ITS APPLIED THAT DAY!!!,,If you end up sending her along to a new home contact me,we got a club member that specializes in relocating homeless Cummins Rams... .....

Well said, you bring tears to my eyes I think everyone is just trying to make a point here, you know the grass is always greener on the other side. I hope I didn't offend anyone and apologize if I did. No one is perfect but yes when anyone dishes out 40k+ for a truck we all expect it to be perfect. I for one was a little disappointed when I first got mine with few minor paint and finish details, (go ahead you guys can crack on me) but as I came to realize what ever brand you buy always has something. The TDR support and it's knowledge is incredible and that's what we're here for. Hammer, next time we have a MD-TDR I'll more than glad to help you out with that BOMbed buffer and shine up Cobra's truck and with an **ICEMAN** "I LOVE MY CUMMINS" graphic Cobra will never look back again. Hey you think **ICEMAN** can get two of those CUMMINS graphics?

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Hammer

Man you guys are hard on Cobra,,I have laid off this one because I knew the real truth(as does most of the MD TDR and the few NE members that were in attendence that day in MD),,Cobra,whlie he may vent as we all do at times,was a like a nervous expecting father while another member was performing fuel filter replacement surgery at the Powerstore show,,He was pacing back and forth so much I think he left wear marks in the pavement in front of his truck,,So I myself knew then,even though he said otherwise here,his love for his truck was a passion we all know and embrace,,You may fool some of these guys Cobra,but not me,he he he he,,His passion about some of the things gone bad and their replacement is a deal we've all gone thru(show me one owner who has the dreaded steering wobble who does not feel like him and I'll show you a guy who is not being honest)and I can see with all the naysayers here at times where he'd get worried about other stuff,,See those of us who know him realize that he has more important things in his life for him to worry than his truck and would not care what he drove,friendship is stronger than what brand of truck he drives,,Cobra,some time you'd like to get together and chat about anything all you need to do is call don't let that sweet ride worry you,you need to tend to other more important things,just let your truck be itself and she'll blend right into the mix,,Its got a good home and an owner that has the passion for her and as for the rest of the deal,thats why your here(TDR and M-D TDR) we'll always be there to help,no matter what,,Plus you got at least three of the best Cummins shops in the entire country within a couple of hours of you,Smokin Diesel,Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh and Enterprise Engine,,To have so much HP knowledge and the ability to easily repair any problem that may come up like you have near you is a dream to the rest of us,,Know this may not be much comfort but I hope it helped,,Knowledge is power and with the amount of knowldge around available you'll handle anything that comes up and as for power,we all we all know money can get you what you seek. .

P. S. -I'll get SHINEBOY(aka-HEYBOSS) to help me next time we can all hang out and we'll make her shine so much you'll never want to part with her and even throw in a set of bombed sunglasses for it while you drive,,Oh and before I forget,since I know the real story here(your love for the truck)and the color of it I'm just going to have to get **ICEMAN** make you a "I LOVE MY CUMMINS" cool looking graphic for the gate and upon the next M-D meet WE WILL ALL MAKE SURE ITS APPLIED THAT DAY!!!,,If you end up sending her along to a new home contact me,we got a club member that specializes in relocating homeless Cummins Rams... .....

Hammer you guys sound real close. Is this the first time you have shared your feeling with Cobra?

 

[diesel DOG]

I had a 1980 diesel 1 ton Chevy. The head bolts strecthed or something and I had to get it fixed when relatively new. After that I sold it at 110,000 miles with just and injection pump installed and brakes at 80,000. The guy who bought it had beter luck he went to 250,000 and never had anything except normal wear items. Two years from now you will truly know the answer. I have a 99 Covette I road raceand when you go on the Corvette forum you would think they are all junk. You normally just hear te bad stories. Not many come on and say my truck is running good no problems. Good luck!

 

[duaneparks]

Originally posted by diesel DOG

<SNIP>You normally just hear the bad stories. Not many come on and say my truck is running good no problems. Good luck!

My truck is running good no problems.



Sorry, I had to do it... AND, it really is!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

PRESTON - why did you repair/replace the US Gear OD when the AT went out - just a precaution due to mileage, or was there actually a problem with it as well?



I have over 100,000 miles on my US Gear OD, still functions great, but a small amount of whine/growl from either it or the AT at moderate speeds when lightly loaded. I figure that when my 727 eventually needs O'haul, I'll probably send the US Gear in for a rebuild as well - maybe that was your reasoning?