JURY STILL OUT W/6spd-HO

[RAMalama]

FINALLY got the hitch in and went for a local and familiar 120 mile tow. I knew those roads from my 95 CTD like the back of my hand. Before my impressions of my new truck, know that my old one was a 175hp California 5spd 2WD with the 4:10.
Now, having said all that, the HO-6spd didn't seem to be the rocket sled I'd hoped for. I ABSOLUTELY love the transmission however! It's just I thought I'd see the 70 extra horses more easily. I have a big heavy 5er that slows our stock trucks down pretty good. Lots of hilly terrain. 117 miles, 11. 7 gallons of fuel. 10mpg at 65MPH when I could hold it. I am 20,500 CGVW. My engine doesn't have 1200 miles on it so I'm hoping I'll pick up some efficiency in the next 10k miles.
The transmission really shows it's colors in town stop light to stop light. I'm slow, but the truck doesn't have to work nearly as hard getting all that weight rolling like my old 5spd did. When I was stopped on a hill at a light forget it! That 2nd to 3rd shift was murder! Now, it's an absolute pleasure to try to get to 3rd, then 4th... I had to be so hard on my old truck. My new truck proved it to me today.
Interesting how these 24vlv motors don't show there power until 2600rpm. From 2600 to redline it's a whole lot stronger than my '95 I'm just so reluctant to drive there. If all the new power is hidden up there that's probably why I didn't see much of it! MUST get the pillar mount guage set up! I want to watch that engine work and maybe in 10k miles, come alive...
R/ Ian.

------------------
2001 2WD Quad Cab HO 6speed 4w disc brakes. Less than 1500 miles. Bought 18MAY01!!! 35ft 14K-lbs triple slide 5er. Truck is completely stock so far...

 

[Pete Peterson]

I think the more miles you put on it the better it will get, I know that is how mine is doing. I have been trying to pull as often as possible in the 20k range and the motor just seems to be getting better and better. I'm not going to even worry about my fuel milage for a while. This is my third Cummins and by far the strongest. I had a little done to my 99 but stock to stock the ETH wins hands down. Some are trying to compare a well broke in 12v that has been B. O. M. B. ed to the new stock ETH so the results favor the old 12v but I'm for the new motor. And your right the new 6 speed is a delight to drive when your pulling heavy... ..... Pete

 

[Brandon]

we are up in the central valley and we made a few adjustments to my wife's eth and it tows awesome now and egt's are in check with 8-12k trailer

 

[Brandon]

ddIII, pe ez, psa, jardine 4 inch..... and a red valve cover to top it off, the pink valve cover is coming soon thanks paulK, anyway this is good for 330-350 to the rear wheel, stock the eth gets about 205-220, oh the biggest mod was a clutch
born and raised central valley, still love it

 

[Pete Peterson]

Ian, I'm about 2 hours south of where you will be, and I have been paying $1. 46/9 for the last two weeks. It was $1. 43/9 for the longest time. Enjoy your trip out this way and if you come down this way give a holler..... Pete

 

[RAMalama]

THANKS TO ALL! Here's some pics I've taken. This one I took today in an In-n-Out Burger parking lot. Camera was pointed into the sun so the shot is lacking...

#ad


This one Brandon may recognize. It's the MX track in the Altamont hills near Greenville Rd. It's called 'Clubmoto'. It's a view out the bay-windows of my 5er with the track in the backgroung and my bikes still on the rack in the foreground.

#ad


Peace. Ian.
------------------
2001 2WD Quad Cab HO 6speed 4w disc brakes. Less than 1500 miles. Bought 18MAY01!!! 35ft 14K-lbs triple slide 5er. Truck is completely stock so far...


[This message has been edited by RAMalama (edited 05-28-2001). ]

 

[RAMalama]

You're right Pete. It was real interesting how notchy the transmission is unlaiden and then when loaded down it was real smooth and forgiving, almost like the truck would rather be towing heavy than "getting grocery's!". I'm driving to Elizabeth City starting the 4th of July. I have to be there by the 16th. Not much time to enjoy the drive. What are you paying for diesel? I'll be living there for 4 years.

Brandon- ok I'll bite, what did you do?
Also hello from Molesto er, Modesto! How is 'ol Cow Town USA anyway! Not sure if you're borne and raised in that valley but I miss it. Haven't lived there since '81 though. Probably changed a bit eh?

Ian.

------------------
2001 2WD Quad Cab HO 6speed 4w disc brakes. Less than 1500 miles. Bought 18MAY01!!! 35ft 14K-lbs triple slide 5er. Truck is completely stock so far...

 

[dabubba]

don't give up- It does get better- mine is starting to break in at 8700mi- 11. 5 mpg ave at 65-85 for 5000 mi towing --see brandon- add an edge ez and an elbow- you'll notice a differance- I know I did-- Hey brandon save me some time-- soon ddII's

------------------
*Won Ton* 01 3500 eth 6spd- ez, pacbrake,practical solutions idler,spa egt/boost guage,MBII cb mount, bombed texas ranger CB,wilson 5000 cb antenna,weathertech visors,ultra boards, pace edwards roll cover, rbw little rocker, rhino liner, NWC-TDR hitchplug,Mud flap,& More to come
*Pull Toys* y2k Cardinal 29rlb-lx, 175w solar panels,trace c40 controler, 1. 5kw trace inverter, dish net sat, colman fire pit
Member SJ Ram Runners

 

[cjohnson]

Hey Ian, that isn't by chance an ATK on your rack closest to the RV is it? I've got a sharp eye for those, got a 99 605 and love it.

Craig

 

[brobeson]

Jury is in.

After pulling our 14,000 pound 35ft. 5er for 1500 miles with our new 3500 HO on the same trip, same load, same trailer as with our 98. 5 24v 2500, I can say in all acounts, the new truck is better.

Now, both my trucks are 100% stock, 24v, 4. 10, 4X4, QC, LWB, so apple to apples.

Even with the extra power and only 400 miles on the clock, the HO got the same MPG as the 2500, but did not slow down on hills and is smoother and quiter and the brakes are so much more powerful.

All 5 people agreeded they liked the new truck better.

Jury is in, HO all the way.

------------------
2001 3500, SLT+, Green, Tan leather, Duel Power Seats, HO, 6 speed, 4X6, 4. 10, Towing Package, Trailer Tow Mirrors, Camper Package, Sliding rear Window, Jacob’s E-brakes (Dodge), Electric Steps (Dodge), Clarion overhead TC/VCR, In motion satalite, Mud Flaps on all 4s (Dodge) Line-X over the rail bed liner, 20K Reese 5th wheel Hitch with Gooseneck, 30” toolbox and tailgate box. Factory ordered, Picked up on 5-15-01. WOW!

Also have a 1998. 5, 2500, SLT, Red over Driftwood, 24V, 4X4, Auto, 4. 10, Light Group, Camper Special group, Convenience Group, Travel Group, Trailer Group, Keyless entry, 5 band EQ and 6 disk changer, 15K lil' rocker 5er hitch, tool box, rail guards, fog/driving lights, wood grain dash. (truck is 4-Sale)

 

[Gonzo 1066]

ETH=GOOD

I have had my ETH for about 10 months now and have towed 20,000# CGVW for almost 100% of the 15,000 miles on the rig. My initial impression was that the fuel econimy was less than my 95 2500. But as the miles add up the milage and HP have improved and it now does as good of slihtly better than the lighter 2500. My 95 is a 2500 standard cab 5 speed. The 2001 is a 3500 quad cab. That in itself should meanless milage but not so in my case. The 6 speed has been the answer to my towing prayers. I LOVE it. It just keeps shifting better and better. Hope your experiance is at least as good as mine has been so far

 

[jstyer]

ETH/DEE

I switched from a '99 auto to the 01. 5 DEE/ETH and the difference is unbelievable. I don't know how much the Git Kit helped but I just got back from Ozark, Missouri to West Virginia and I want to tell you that there wasn't a speed limit I couldn't break pulling the 35' 5th wheel going up mountains. Didn't need to downshift at all.



#ad


These trucks are AWESOME!!!!!

 

[5thram]

You said that right!!! I traded away a perfectly good '99 dually for a GMC yukon thinking it would be enough to pull a 7500 lb tagalong (I downsized from a Holiday Imperial 36' 5er). WHAT A MISTAKE!!!! Huge difference in pulling power in diesels vs gas. Sure, the 350 would pull, but I got 7 mpg and had to avoid overdrive, even on level interstates. The thing was screaming all the time. Thankfully, I convinced the better half that the Cummins was the only way to go... . my . 02

 

[Ed Sigman]

6 speed is the best

I have had a 98 2500 24V turbo auto, a 99 2500 24V turbo auto, a 2000 2500 24V turbo auto and now the 3500 24V turbo H. O. 6 speed. The bottom line: the 3500 24V H. O. 6 speed stock has more guts and gumption than any one of the previous vehicles and without the modifications that have been installed can outhaul those vehicles without any question at all.



I would buy another in a New York minute.







Have a great day!



Ed

 

[RAMalama]

Man you guys give a fella hope! My truck is still very new (less than 2k miles) I log every gallon of fuel on all my vehicles and will give it a chance to settle in and keep a sharp eye. I'll just try not to think about it for another 8k miles!...



Many thanks to all



Craig-

That is none other than ATK's best bike, the 605DS complete with a CA license plate and insurance! I race it in local AMA events. Pro Action suspension mods. I use my horn and blinkers when I pass lapped traffic!!!!!!!!!!!!



R/ Ian.