If you had to do all over

[Wolfy]

Interesting fact, not just opinion.



... the cylinder walls or the motor are joined together for added strength.



... ... ... ... ... ... ... .



... I have heard that with just a little added timing it really helps the economy issue, and that would be without making more smoke.

Please explain the cylinder wall sentence,... is "or" the intended word?



How do you suppose that Cummins failed to notice that such a simple thing as a bit of timing change could be significant re. fuel economy, ... if there are no drawbacks? Timing is a pretty basic element, and those engineers are not dummies.



Thanks,

 

[DieselLady]

Please explain the cylinder wall sentence,... is "or" the intended word?



How do you suppose that Cummins failed to notice that such a simple thing as a bit of timing change could be significant re. fuel economy, ... if there are no drawbacks? Timing is a pretty basic element, and those engineers are not dummies.



Thanks,

Oops!!! What you can't read my mind???? :-laf The walls ARE joined together next to each other. At the point where they are closest together they are Conjoined so to speak. As far as the timing. They have always slightly retarded the timing to decrease nox. We have known for a long time that starting the injection sooner gives you power but it increases nox. EPA pretty much mandates this and I doubt cummins would do it if they didn't have to. Ford and GM too for that matter.

After speaking with a few higher ups it is clear that they are doing as much as possible to continue the reliability while working within the parameters required by the FEDS. Not an easy thing to do but they are doing a great job IMO. Even though I am first in line to Kill the Cat if you know what I mean.

 

[RWPor]

what after market transmission did you get

 

[DieselLady]

what after market transmission did you get

I haven't done anything to the truck yet, but ATS is already working on the transmission upgrades. As soon as they have a Torque Converter for it I will be first in line. I am still getting used to the way this truck shifts and I'm not sure if I like it or not. Maybe just have to get used to the different shift points. I've only had it for a week so still too new to know.

Hey Catoiler, Just noticed you have a 6. 7 too. Come by some time I would like to see it. Oo.

 

[PaulBarker]

I am by no means the world's authority on Dodge or Cummins but I am a rather experienced business person and I base my question on that experience.



Why would two companies with so much riding on their reputation decide to replace a known high quality product with a piece of junk?



The '03 Dodge CTD was a major success with few problems. There were many who said it was the end of hop-ups due to the changes, but business people quickly proved that wrong in their pursuit of profit.



My opinion? The 6. 7 is well thought out and a great truck, it will take a year or so for the aftermarket to figure them out and once again you'll be able to hot rod the heck out them.



If he wants a reliable stock truck, go for the 6. 7, if he wants something he can hot-rod right now, go with the 5. 9.



Dodge and Cummins have little interest in building a piece of junk.

the reason cummins use the 6. 7 is because they needed a bigger engine that makes more power. they needed the more power to keep the 350hp 650ftlb because of the detuning from the dpf and emmisions. if they could have made the same power from the 5. 9 with the dpf and meet there parameters they would have kept it.



by no means is cummins making junk. it is what is bolted on to the engine that is junk.

 

[rumblefish]

The Dodge part of this duo has always been pretty much junk. Lets face it, no one here is driving these trucks because they're Dodges... if you know what I mean. Look at the first Gens, the same old crude truck forever, they couldn't give them away, enter the CTD & they couldn't meet the demand.

I disagree. I drive this truck for the truck first and the motor second. And yes, they did use the same basic design from 1972-1993. But look around, the first gen market is on fire. Alot of this is coming from the guys with newer trucks buying the old ones. Try one, you just might like it.

 

[catoiler]

Hi Betty! I already have my fingers on a few boxes and am going to try and see what they can do for the milage. I love this thing other than the milage,great power stock,great trans so far,ebrake is great also. I 'll come by some time and check out the mega cab you got!

 

[RVTRKN]

Yes I would and no problems yet, best work truck I have ever driven or owned.

 

[DieselLady]

Hi Betty! I already have my fingers on a few boxes and am going to try and see what they can do for the milage. I love this thing other than the milage,great power stock,great trans so far,ebrake is great also. I 'll come by some time and check out the mega cab you got!

I agree, great truck. Lot's of power for a stock truck. Can't wait to see yours. Oo. Oo.

 

[MOates]

As far as Dodge/Chrysler working out any bugs with the DPF/EGR/software/etc in the years to come, that's provided they're still in business after Nardelli & Co. get done with their handiwork.



I could echo the sentiments of "the engine is great, the truck is junk" when it comes to the '05 Jeep CRD I have. Great little engine, 185 HP with a Euro spec tune out of a 2. 8 L four banger, but DC bean counters really cut corners on the support systems - crappy torque converter, vacuum fuel system, crappy EGR setup (some people have replaced EIGHT EGR valves inside of two years), a fuel heater that stays on constantly and has a habit of melting it's casing and has actually caught a couple vehicles on fire, a closed CCV setup that seems designed to spray the maximum amount of oil into your intake, an air intake that sucked up every piece of dirt on the road and turn the air filter sopping wet after driving in a hard rain, etc, etc - it's like they wrapped a diamond in used toilet paper.



And the only real fix we got from DC was a series of computer flashes to detune the engine to try and make then hold together until out of warranty. As soon as DC made the decision to quit marketing them, tech support became nonexistent.



3 grand in aftermarket fixes later - different air intake, CCV filter, Suncoast TC, Stanadyne fuel filter, lift pump and fuel cooler, high flow muffler, aftermarket tune, etc - this little beast will flat out kick rear. Had DC not been so determined to cut corners on production costs, they could have had a world class diesel vehicle that would be selling faster than they could build them.



I think there's one real reason why DC's fixation on cost-cutting in the past few years didn't turn the Dodge CTD into a piece of junk like the Liberty CRD - CUMMINS!!!! Being an independent company and determined to protect their reputation, DC knew full well that Cummins could pull the plug if they felt that DC was surrounding their engines with cheap crap that would cause them to fail or make them look bad by association. OTOH, VM Motori was mainly owned by DC, and had to salute and carry on smartly no matter what DC did with their engines.



And having worked for a DC affiliate company for the past 10 years, I can tell you that the cost-cutting push came mainly from the "D" part of "DC".

 

[DieselLady]

As far as Dodge/Chrysler working out any bugs with the DPF/EGR/software/etc in the years to come, that's provided they're still in business after Nardelli & Co. get done with their handiwork.



I could echo the sentiments of "the engine is great, the truck is junk" when it comes to the '05 Jeep CRD I have. Great little engine, 185 HP with a Euro spec tune out of a 2. 8 L four banger, but DC bean counters really cut corners on the support systems - crappy torque converter, vacuum fuel system, crappy EGR setup (some people have replaced EIGHT EGR valves inside of two years), a fuel heater that stays on constantly and has a habit of melting it's casing and has actually caught a couple vehicles on fire, a closed CCV setup that seems designed to spray the maximum amount of oil into your intake, an air intake that sucked up every piece of dirt on the road and turn the air filter sopping wet after driving in a hard rain, etc, etc - it's like they wrapped a diamond in used toilet paper.



And the only real fix we got from DC was a series of computer flashes to detune the engine to try and make then hold together until out of warranty. As soon as DC made the decision to quit marketing them, tech support became nonexistent.



3 grand in aftermarket fixes later - different air intake, CCV filter, Suncoast TC, Stanadyne fuel filter, lift pump and fuel cooler, high flow muffler, aftermarket tune, etc - this little beast will flat out kick rear. Had DC not been so determined to cut corners on production costs, they could have had a world class diesel vehicle that would be selling faster than they could build them.



I think there's one real reason why DC's fixation on cost-cutting in the past few years didn't turn the Dodge CTD into a piece of junk like the Liberty CRD - CUMMINS!!!! Being an independent company and determined to protect their reputation, DC knew full well that Cummins could pull the plug if they felt that DC was surrounding their engines with cheap crap that would cause them to fail or make them look bad by association. OTOH, VM Motori was mainly owned by DC, and had to salute and carry on smartly no matter what DC did with their engines.



And having worked for a DC affiliate company for the past 10 years, I can tell you that the cost-cutting push came mainly from the "D" part of "DC".

I think I would have to agree with you, and I thank God that I did my transmission first before I knew about the TC problem and I won't let the dealer touch my jeep. Blocked the EGR re did the PCV and just got done adding a boost Egt gauge. She puts out 20 psi of boost on a moderate acceleration and I can't wait to kill the kitty and tune her up. No problem with the intake yet or fuel heater, but then I live in So Cal where it never rains and doesn't get cold, Thank God. I really do love the darn thing and hope it lasts forever. Never been reflashed and the more I hear the happier I am about it.

 

[Motorhead]

Reading about the poorer mileage that the 6. 7's are getting I am glad I went with the 5. 9.
I went to Los Angles and back in the same day, took I-5 so I had to do both sides of the Grapevine, drove about 65 to 70 and got 19. 6mpg with only 2800 miles on my truck. This was HAND CALCULATED!
I agree about the 47-48RE issues. I had my '01. 5 built by DTT and I still wasn't real happy with it.
If the 68RE had been available with the 5. 9, I would have bought that.
I never thought I would buy a 6 speed stick.
NEVER SAY NEVER!!

 

[catoiler]

Reading about the poorer mileage that the 6. 7's are getting I am glad I went with the 5. 9.

I went to Los Angles and back in the same day, took I-5 so I had to do both sides of the Grapevine, drove about 65 to 70 and got 19. 6mpg with only 2800 miles on my truck. This was HAND CALCULATED!

I agree about the 47-48RE issues. I had my '01. 5 built by DTT and I still wasn't real happy with it.

If the 68RE had been available with the 5. 9, I would have bought that.

I never thought I would buy a 6 speed stick.

NEVER SAY NEVER!!

Yet they tell me "Oh it will get better with more miles on it" bull!! all mine have gotten at least 15mpg off the lot in town and the 6. 7 only 10mpg in town!! #@$%!

 

[DieselLady]

Hey Mike, your doing better than I am. The best I have seen is 13. 5 and that was from her to Vegas. :{ But on the same note, I just got back from SEMA and I think you will see some ways to improve that real soon. Alot of folks are working with the DPF etc to be able to make better fuel economy with out the added soot that will harm it. This is my big hope too because after driving 276 miles I filled up and it cost me more than $87. And that was at $3. 55 a gallon. It would have been more than $100 if I had gone to Chevron like I usually do.

More as things progress.

 

[Garlic]

From my point of view (Like it really matters) I have been driving big block gassers for the last 30 years, The most recent is the 96 with the V-10, Love the truck, love the power and throttle response. Now that I have grown up (only a little) I own a tow rig for a specific purpose, towing my

5'er. Mileage? I'll tell you, it sure is a heck of a lot better than 8. 0 liters of gas funnel and it is quieter too. I do not complain about the emission crap because it has made me alot of money in my life and could have told you where 'big brother' was going with it in the late 70's. Well it's here and that is life as we know it. Could I use a little more power? Sure but who couldn't? Better fuel mileage? Absolutely! But I drive a 7,600 pound 4 wheel drive as my daily commute vehicle, If I wanted better fuel mileage I would have bought a Honda (more parts of them are 'made in America' than on a Harley). But I did not, so I will have to live with MY choice. I love my truck and even really enjoy the fuel mileage that I get with it as well. I have 5,500 miles on it and get consistently 15 -16 mpg. (sure beats the hell out of 5 - 8) and have no service work done to it or any real strange issues occur. But I drive conservitively and put the truck away clean and dry. Just my bit.

 

[DieselLady]

From my point of view (Like it really matters) I have been driving big block gassers for the last 30 years, The most recent is the 96 with the V-10, Love the truck, love the power and throttle response. Now that I have grown up (only a little) I own a tow rig for a specific purpose, towing my

5'er. Mileage? I'll tell you, it sure is a heck of a lot better than 8. 0 liters of gas funnel and it is quieter too. I do not complain about the emission crap because it has made me alot of money in my life and could have told you where 'big brother' was going with it in the late 70's. Well it's here and that is life as we know it. Could I use a little more power? Sure but who couldn't? Better fuel mileage? Absolutely! But I drive a 7,600 pound 4 wheel drive as my daily commute vehicle, If I wanted better fuel mileage I would have bought a Honda (more parts of them are 'made in America' than on a Harley). But I did not, so I will have to live with MY choice. I love my truck and even really enjoy the fuel mileage that I get with it as well. I have 5,500 miles on it and get consistently 15 -16 mpg. (sure beats the hell out of 5 - 8) and have no service work done to it or any real strange issues occur. But I drive conservitively and put the truck away clean and dry. Just my bit.

Good points, and Yes, your opinion does matter.

Sooooo does this mean I have to grow up now????:{

 

[Garlic]

I still play with very large fireworks for a hobby, Commercial fireworks display company here in New Mexico, I own and operate a mobile BBQ catering company and a BBQ team, I also work for a company that makes LARGE truck bodies and trailers. Sort of like Tonka trucks except with capacities of 200+ tons or 40,000 gallons of water. Besides if I do grow up I would have to suffer through the responsibilities of being 'an Adult', (I am the final assembly supervisor for this company). Life is fun and adventurous if you make it, besides when you have 3 Grand daughters you still have to act kind of like a kid anyway.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Before it is over with the 6. 7 will be known as the boss of bosses, the hog of hogs, the engine of engines, the best of the best.



If we did not have the 6. 7 we would not know the joy of Wolfy...



CUMMINZ:-laf

 

[Wolfy]

Before it is over with the 6. 7 will be known as the boss of bosses, the hog of hogs, the engine of engines, the best of the best.



If we did not have the 6. 7 we would not know the joy of Wolfy...



CUMMINZ:-laf

Zzzzzzzzzzz. HUH? Whazzat?



Did I just feel a tug on my chain?



Can't a guy get a little sleep around here?

 

[DieselLady]

Before it is over with the 6. 7 will be known as the boss of bosses, the hog of hogs, the engine of engines, the best of the best.



If we did not have the 6. 7 we would not know the joy of Wolfy...



CUMMINZ:-laf

:-laf:-laf:-laf