2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How can we git a million miles out of our cummins

[VHolloway]

I love my dodge truck I had a 92 f250 7. 3 diesel I liked that truck but I have a dodge now and I'm in love with it GREAT TRUCK

THANKS

 

[NVR FNSH]

If you and Gary think Fords are better, go get a Ford and quite knocking Dodge. I've had Ford and I've haded with Ford. Engine aside, my Dodges have been great. In the 10 years I had my 95 Dodge, it was never once in the shop. Can a 10 year old Ford owner say that? So far my 05 has been as good.

Crack open a beer and unbunch your panties... . I never said Ford or GM was better than Dodge. Frankly, my opinion about the matter is just that my opinion. It's a truck, it has it's good and bad points. Just like any other vehicle out there.



Brian

 

[GeraldGordon]

JUST keep youer right feet on the floor and drive it will go. My mom has a 95 and she drive it like it is stolen it has 750,000 on it and she is still run it. The ENGINE never bin out she changes oil ever 4000 or 5000 and it bin a good truck for her. So good luck with youer truck

 

[hammersley]

Look at all the old rigs in the non rust belt.....

Hey the Air Force has a lot of old gear - you know what I mean - for me my 01 is going to be like a B-52 - keep her running... ... . I now have 230,000+ - a long way from a million - but when I'm one driving - I hope the last mile is in this truck... ... . that's if I can afford the FREAKING FUEL $$$$$$$$$$ - and don't get me started on the "small" profit margin that some of the Kool-AID CROWD AROUND HERE IS SWILLING!!!!!!!

 

[pwerwagn]

With the fairly frequent comments/complaints as to the nasty DODGE stuff surrounding the Cummins, I really wonder if any similar year Ford or GM *really* does better in the long haul as compared to the DC stuff?

You said it right there, Gary. I believe, umm, NO!!



Every dealer has its problems, every company has its problems. I am by no means defending DC here (I would *personally* NEVER take my truck to the dealer to get worked on... ), but i dont think they deserve the bashing they get. People buy these trucks, and abuse the hell outta them!! Then we hear the complaining, when the truck isnt even being used for its intended purpose.



If you want a chevy, get one.

If you want a dodge, get one.

Heck, even if you want a ford, go for it!!



FWIW, my 98 has 170K on it, oil changes between 5 and 6K.

It is still on its original track bar, original rotors, original front hubs, no rusting, rotting, broken stuff, etc. I replace the brake pads occasionally, and change oil, thats about it... .



--Jeff

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You said it right there, Gary. I believe, umm, NO!!

I truly believe that if you take the same year and equipped trucks - Ford-Dodge-GM -, then used them all in the same service, overall problem/failure issues and downtime would show to be generally the same - even eliminating the engine from the equation.



I suspect many guys get caught up into a apples/oranges comparison, where significantly different year trucks, equipped and used in substantially different service are used to base comparison opinions upon.



Sure, 2 decades or so back, ALL trucks had more durable paint applied over thicker sheetmetal - and there was FAR less plastic being used in truck construction. Less HP allowed drivetrain components to last longer too - but various EPA and economical issues have forced ALL makers into deepening cost and weight-cutting programs.



Personally, and as a consumer who has at least a good exposure to a late model Ford 4x4 (my brother in law's) as compared to my Dodge, I can truly say I feel my Dodge is EVERY BIT as well built, has comparable fit and finish, and a FAR more comfortable seating and ride for long distance travel. I have a bad back, and poor seats show up in a hurry for me!

If you want a chevy, get one.

If you want a dodge, get one.

Heck, even if you want a ford, go for it!!

ABSOLUTELY!



they all have their good and bad points - and relatively minor design characteristics that offer appeal to different buyers - but are Dodges equal/superior ONLY in the Cummins?



NOT in my book!

 

[RVTRKN]

Go to GM and Ford sites and you will have your answer. There are so many problems compared to just an occasanal CP3 failures which are under warranty (100,000 stock). your Dodge will outlast the competitors anyway.

 

[pwerwagn]

and a FAR more comfortable seating and ride for long distance travel. I have a bad back, and poor seats show up in a hurry for me!

You got that right!!! My bro-in-law has a 04 king ranch and the seats in it are FAR from comfortable. The seats kinda squish your hips together. I was very surprised by that.



--Jeff

 

[Smokin_Monster]

I sled pull all summer and still have 300,000 miles on my 98 12v. I put on about 100,000 miles a year. Leaks oil like it has no drain plug but still works great. So we will see in a few years.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I believe any Diesel would last for one million and still be running good if a bypass filter was installed. I mean a 2 micron filter. With 100% synthetic oil and frequent filter replacment, both the stock filter and the bypass filter you could get your million miles without ever changing the oil. Just replace what you loose from the filter change. Always fill the filter canister with oil as you install it. You do not want to starve the turbo bearings when you first start up. Some of the big trucking companies use the bypass filter system and they get a million before overhaul. Synthetic oil never breaks down, just needs to be filtered. With a bypass filter the enging does not wear, it just polishes. The oil will run black but that is not an indication of dirt. It becomes colored from use in a disel, the filters take out any harmful stuff. My bypass filter has a heating element on it that cooks of the moisture and contaminants. Years ago the first time I heard all of this I said no way Jose. Had to find out for myself. Sending in an oil sample to be anelized in an independent labortory will tell you how your engine as well as your oil is doing. Some do it for transmission and rear end. It is a good idea if you want to catch a problem early.

 

[rivercat]

do you realize that one million miles is gona cost you $127,777. 77 in fuel at 2. 30 a gal that we will never see again(not under BUSH) and 18mpg that we never get(Most of us are either hot rodding or towing heavy).

 

[cruiser_2]

I have a 98 CTD with 473,000 miles on it... can't wait to get to the 500K mark. I use nothing special Rotella 15W 40 and Wix... . perform maintenance at intervals provided by manufacturer and use it daily. Have had few problems with the engine or chasis... lots with the NV 4500. Will drive it till the wheels fall off, cause it only has value to me... dealer offered me less than 1000 bucks on trade-in.

Needless to say I didn't trade.

 

[VHolloway]

SMART NAN the only way to get your money out of a car is to drive it out.

keep it in good shape

one thing goes fix it

stay rite on top of it

I can't drive my eyes well you know my wife drives she drives like a little old lady she takes off soft and easy so the truck not dog out but when I get the money we are going to put a new DTT transmission in her they make a nice transmission

I like it to look stock but not be stock

you get it

 

[Bart]

I have 162K on my truck. When the auto went at 96K I installed a ATS trans, converter, and computer (only one in the truck ) I keep the controller locked down to where it locks up a 18 mph and change the oil at every 15K. The temp gauge never goes above 150 no matter what I'm hauling/towing. I run with a 10. 6" camper, steel car trailer and off road vehicle. I drive at 55 and don't have any problems. This next weekend I'm trading differentials with a guy who wants my 3. 54 to go faster. I want his 4. 10 to make my speed easier when in the hillsand mountains. I'm looking for 1M miles. But since It stays in the garage week in and week out I may not see it hit that mark either.

 

[pwerwagn]

Are you trading diffs with a guy from Albuquerque?? If so, I talked to him tuesday. He is stoked about getting the 3. 55's!!

--Jeff

 

[Bart]

Evening Powerwagon, yea, that's Josh. I'm as stoked as he is. I normally drive loaded with 10'6" cabover and usually pulling a steel car trailer with a Bronco off roader on it. I don't ever go over 60 and normally more like 57 that's 1500 rpms with the 3. 55s I know the r's will be higher with the 4. 10s but I won't have as much problem climbing mountain grades with the 4. 10s. With the 3. 55 and loaded I would normally end up taking it out of o. d. and settling in at 50 mph and about 2200 rpms. This diff change will change everything. If memory serves me right at 60 after the change I'll be doing around 1700 and that's just the start of the power band.

Josh wants to fly around 75+ and for that he needs 3. 55s. Staying at 55-60 and loaded the 4. 10s will be just my cup of tea. I sure hope no one disagrees with me. I think it's too late in the diff change to back out now. I cleaned up some of my 2400 square foot garage. I'll be able to get both of them in and still have room to move the differentials around. I'll start on mine in the morning and hopefully have it all apart before Josh gets here tomorrow night. Then Saturday we'll take his apart and install my stuff in his rig. I sure hope there's enough time to put mine back together before he has to leave to home. We'll see. It's funny that there were at least two or three other gentlemen that wanted to do the swap. There must be a ton of those 4. 10s out there. My rig came out of Canada and doesn't have an egr. That's great. I took the cat off and put it in the garage for another day.

 

[pwerwagn]

My grandpa has the same problem as you. he has a auto, with 3. 55's and he hates them. He usually tows around 55-60 and it is really lugging it. He also hauls a camper, a 11' lance and tows a Jeep to all the rockcrawling events. He would be happy to have 4. 10's also, especially since it is not a daily driver and it never sees over 65mph.

Im sure you will be happy with the 4. 10's for your intended use. I sometimes wish mine had 4. 10's, but I do to much empty highway driving for that. But when towing heavy, (18K lbs) I usually cant use 5th with the 3. 55's.



Enjoy your new gears!!!



Jeff

 

[Grizzly]

do you realize that one million miles is gona cost you $127,777. 77 in fuel at 2. 30 a gal that we will never see again(not under BUSH) and 18mpg that we never get(Most of us are either hot rodding or towing heavy).

Diesel in my area is more like $2. 79 per gal. This summer may top over $3. 00 per gal. 1M divided by 15 mpg = 66,666 gals at $2. 79 per gal = $186,000. 00. This is assuming 15 mpg.

 

[Bart]

Well, tell your grandpa that there were several others interested in the swap with me. Doing it is another matter. I just spent 8 hours dropping the front diff in preperation of Josh getting here. The rear should be a lot quicker, I hope. Tomorrow we attack his rig. I should be one tire puppy after this weekend. Have a good weekend.

Grizzly, put those numbers out of your head. That would drive us all nuts :--)