Hemi's in 1 tons

[Duck]

I remember hearing the EFI on those 460's actually hindered towing performance. It made them snappier off the line, but a little sluggish with load.

My parent's was designed to take "regular" gasoline, so it wsa made long before they injected those beasts. God, they don't even sell Regular gas anymore!



The engine and transmission roar louder than my 03 too. It's a tank.

But the Cummins is the only way to fly

 

[Steve M]

The old 460 EFI must be an oldie. Put a 1990 Ford F-350 460 against a 1990 Dodge 350 Cummins auto, empty or loaded and watch what happens. Talk about depressing...

Now put a GM 2500 8. 1L/Allison with 4. 10 against a '03 Dodge/Cummins 2500 HO auto/4. 10 loaded or empty and the only time the Dodge/Cummins is going to pass the GM is at the gas pump. A minor plug and play box on the Cummins and things may change.

I'm not in any way trying to put down diesels and especially not Cummins. I'm on my fourth and I'm very happy with it's performance. But I'm also aware that the 8. 1L and the new HEMI aren't lacking for performance when used as they're intended and within their ratings. The 5. 7 is a strong base engine for the 2500. When Dodge releases the big block HEMI, Mopar gas engine fans will have one to compete with the 496cid GM.

It keeps getting better for gas and diesel engines.

 

[DPKetchum]

I read the one mile pull test and a DURAMAX out pulled the BIG BLOCK 8. 1 chevy with a Allison. Both pulled 10k and the late model D/Max out ran the 8. 1 GAS. So a H. O. Cummings ought to SMOKE it to! I know after being able to pull 4 to 5% grades with 8k being towed with mine and I was in 6th gear with cruise on. Had no problem accelerating either.

 

[Steve M]

So the 8. 1 ran outa gas in one mile! Where'd ya read this? I'd like to paruse my bloodshot orbs on that article.

 

[DPKetchum]

It was on one of the threads on this site. Its a yearly pull off. One mile on a I think 6% grade with 10k hooked up from a dead stop. They record mph and time at the end of 1 mile. A d/max won but no 03 cummings ran. A 97 Dodge took 2nd I think. two new Fords had injector/engine failure begore the run. But gas and diesel alike competed. The D/max diesel with 3. 73 rear gear out ran the 8. 1 gas with 4. 10. Both were auto's. WWW>thedieselpage.com/pull off test. That might pull it up.

 

[JHardwick]

Hey DPKetchum!!



My horse buddies all tow with a diesel and none will touch this '03, lol.

 

[hammersley]

Is that Durango a 2wd?

I've been around a lot of Durango's and they "ain't" made one that will get 20 mpg - unless you have the Canadian Speedometer!

 

[DPKetchum]

All the Durangos I knew were 360. They were going to offer 318 and v6 but v6 1/2 trucks only got in the high teens fuel mileage wize. v6 Dakotas I dont think would get 20 mpg. My 1998 Slt 318 has never gotton 17. 5 and is hard pressed to get 17mpg. Have to stay at 55 mph or so and drive real easy.

 

[Duck]

Speaking of Rango's, that new Hemi Durango should be out soon... ?

 

[Phil Howell]

I owned a 2003 Quad Cab 2500 4x4 with the Hemi, automatic transmission and 3. 73 gears. I consistently got 7 -8 mpg around town and 9-11 mpg highway. I NEVER saw the high side of 11 mpg. I sold the truck before I had a chance to do any towing. Other than the fuel economy, I loved the new generation Dodge truck, hence my purchase of my 2004 Ram CTD.



I had owned two Ram CTD's in the past and thought that the Hemi, with all its horsepower, would be a more cost-effective replacement. Boy, was I wrong.



It feels good to be back in the arms (smoke?) of Cummins again!

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Phil Howell

I owned a 2003 Quad Cab 2500 4x4 with the Hemi, automatic transmission and 3. 73 gears. I consistently got 7 -8 mpg around town and 9-11 mpg highway. I NEVER saw the high side of 11 mpg.

Wow. at that rate you can pay for the Difference in the cost of the CTD option in a little over 1 year if you drive at least 25K miles per year. Looks like the Hemi is an expensive options.

 

[Phil Howell]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

Wow. at that rate you can pay for the Difference in the cost of the CTD option in a little over 1 year if you drive at least 25K miles per year. Looks like the Hemi is an expensive options.

That's for sure and it was what I figured, too. I have to say, though, that the Hemi was a real kick to drive and sure sounded great!

 

[Steve M]

The Durango is the same one that's in my signature. It's a 2WD 4. 7L V8 auto/3. 55. And yes it gets 20mpg on the highway at 70mph. Why would I lie? What would I possibly have to gain by lying about the Durango's gas mileage? It's not for sale and I'm paying for the gas.

Same with the HEMI. If anything I would be more inclined to lie about how lousy the mileage is to reassure my decision to buy my fourth Cummins and 6th diesel which is said to get twice the mileage of a gasser. I simply see things the way they are and tell it like it is.

 

[Steve M]

Phil, the 496cid GM gets better mileage than that. You either had something wrong with the truck or you have a right foot like Thumper the rabbit.

 

[Phil Howell]

My right foot has (in the past, of course ) been known to get a bit heavy. During my first, post-break in days with the Hemi the truck knew two speeds -- stopped and full-throttle. Once I got past the desire to hear the Hemi's great sound, though, I tried to drive responsibly. Before I decided to sell the thing, I tried every trick I knew to get better fuel mileage. I couldn't get it to deliver better economy no matter what.



I've driven two other Hemi-equipped trucks at dealerships to see if mine was faulty. Going by the overhead, one showed 9 mpg average in town, the other showed 12 mpg on the freeway. A little higher than mine, but not enough to warrant a new Hemi in my garage.



I've owned a Phord Powerjoke (even my Phord phriends agree my particular truck was a POS), a GMC with a Duramax and three Dodge Ram's with CTD's, so this truck is my fifth diesel. I like the diesel trucks, especially a Cummins-equipped diesel truck, better than any gasser I've owned.

 

[RollOver_Pete]

Hey Phil,

Buying a 04 didn't have anything to do with rideing in my 03 .

Just wondering

 

[Phil Howell]

Originally posted by RollOver_Pete

Hey Phil,

Buying a 04 didn't have anything to do with rideing in my 03 .

Just wondering

Pete,



It got me thinking . . .



How's your new truck?

 

[RollOver_Pete]

Love the truck Phil.

I'm 100% pleased with the purchase.

Lotsa power, great mpg and its even got AC

 

[DPKetchum]

The 4. 7 does get better performance and mileage then the 318 and 360. When i left the D. C. dealer I was at the 4. 7 had not been out long and saw a few with problems. replaced a few. I like old push rod v8's and like my 318 Magnum in my 97 slt.

 

[Steve M]

Here it is! Is this the 8. 1 vs Dmax pulloff?



My business partner has identical 5er as me, but has the DMax towing it, We decided to put an end to the gas vs Diesal once & for all.

On the steepest upgrade going through cherico Summit (I 10 in Socal Desert) The 8. 1 out performed the DMax on uphill towing, It wasn't even that close! His diesel does get better milage, on the road with his tools 16mpg, towing 8. 96mpg, my rig 9. 73 on average on the road with tools, 7. 8 mpg towing. Apples vs apples. Just one test with both rigs. 8. 1 has 41000 miles, Diesel has 26000 miles.



2002 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 8. 1, Allison, LT 285/75/16 Tires

Long Bed With Line-X, Air Bags, Prodigy, 20K 4 Way Hitch



2003 40' Triple Axle (Flipped) 5th Wheel Weekend Warrior Toy Hauler

With All of Da Toys including Directv.