Just DROVE a 2004.5 HO

[M'staedt]

I've been watching all the crying on this forum about not wanting a quiet Cummins. Well after driving one (2004. 5 HO, 6spd, 2wd), all I can say is WOW:--) . You can actually hear the turbo whine and the exhaust LOUD and clear now that all that clattering is gone! I also had no trouble hearing the tires squalling every time I grabbed a gear (up to 4th, anyway. I ran out of room before I could see if it would chirp the tires in 5th and 6th).



As far as the EGR goes, Why not have your cake and eat it too? Do you guys really have that much of a problem with trying to clean up exhaust emissions AND getting more power? I, too, can remember the mid 70's when more emission control meant lower performance, but 305hp and 555 lbs. ft. (also available with the automatic by 2004) is hardly a step down. This truck ran flawlessly and I'm confidant that by the time EGR makes it onto a Dodge, all of the durability bugs will be worked out (it's going onto ISBs in everything else the end of this year).



If I had $45k at my disposal right now, I'd have my order in RIGHT NOW for a 2003 quad cab. I love the sound of pure POWER thundering out of the tailpipe!

 

[lschultz]

Why did you get to drive one? What kind of connections do you have?

 

[jwilliams3]

Was the color of this truck black by any chance, with black rims?

 

[M'staedt]

Hey jwilliams3,



Did you sell those engines? Any chance of an '03 model coming up in one of those employee sales?? I've been looking for a 12v for a conversion project, but I'd happily go through the trouble of wiring up a 24v for that kind of "refined" performance.

 

[jwilliams3]

I sold both engines in 2 days.

But I have one more at my disposal, it is an 01 auto 24v, and is new on skid for $4500.



Advance apologies if I violated any board rules by posting the price of the engine!!

 

[M'staedt]

I'll keep on dreaming for an '03 HO. I've got plenty of restoration work to do before I HAVE to put an engine in it.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

M'staedt





How did the steering feel? There was talk of rack-and-pinion steering in the 2wd HD's.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Three words:



LOW END TORQUE!



I have LITTLE doubt the claimed PEAK power will be there, as well as the peak torque - but what about the LOW END TORQUE, you know, the kind we PRESENTLY get just off idle with our "old fashioned" "damn the environment" engines...



I'll hold judgement on the newer engines UNTIL someone is actually towing a load with one up near max GVWR, and can honestly say it has the same gut-pulling power down around 1400 RPM we admire REAL diesels for...

 

[Snow man]

Wow,driving reportd already. I wish someone woul report on the 4x4's. Id like to see of DC fixed the steering wander or its still there. Id love to be abl to switch the clatter on and off at will.

 

[mopars1]

The report I got from the Cummins Engineer that has been working on the new engine for 2003 stated the torque comes in 200 rpm before the 24 valve engines we have now.



edit: if you could find a way to turn off the pilot injection and go back to the direct injection you would have the clatter back. this also is from the Cummins Engineer I spoke with at Thunder in Muncie last weekend.

 

[kmiller]

Low End Torque

This is what is reported in the info given after the Chicago show over at car-truck.com:



Maximum torque for the common rail injected Cummins Turbo Diesel occurs 400 rpm lower than the GM Duramax, and 100 rpm lower than the Ford Power Stroke. The Cummins Turbo Diesel engine also produce 20 percent more torque at 1000 rpm, and 10 percent higher clutch engagement torque than its predecessor. That relates to noticeably better vehicle launch when towing and accelerating, better drivability and fewer and smoother shifts.

 

[jwilliams3]

Cummins doesnt just make up these numbers, Gary!

If we did we wouldnt have Engine Dynamometers at CMEP!

See ya:-{}

 

[Wirenut]

Sounds pretty nice. May just have to get one, then stick something in the fan like we used to put a baseball card in the spokes of our bicycles to get some noise!

 

[JIM S.]

They also said the new(now old) 24 vavle engines would be quieter and get better fuel milage than the 12 valvers... what happened the that promise???





Im with Gary...

Jim

 

[otis]

I have absolutely no doub't the new 03 engines are going to be awesome.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I hope all the optimists are correct, and it IS a good design - but I prefer to maintain a respectable level of skepticism - sure don't wanna be like the Duramax crowd (YUCK!) - all full of blind and senseless brand loyalty and cheerleading - I'll just wait until the '03's prove themselves out in the REAL world - on a day-by-day basis in the hands of ordinary folks like I'd sorta like to think *I* am... .

 

[Animal]

I'm glad we're not all ordinary!

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

I'll just wait until the '03's prove themselves out in the REAL world - on a day-by-day basis in the hands of ordinary folks like I'd sorta like to think *I* am... .

Well if everyone was ordinary like you we'd all be waiting to see before making a decision, know one would be purchase to give the day-to-day baseline so you could make your decision!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Well if everyone was ordinary like you we'd all be waiting to see before making a decision, know one would be purchase to give the day-to-day baseline so you could make your decision!"



You may well be right - but if LEARNING from other folks mistakes is some sort of crime, guess I'll just have to plead guilty...



AND, if foolishly rushing in where others dare not tread is some sort of "virtue", well.....

 

[M'staedt]

HEMIDart,



The truck does have rack & pinion steering and it felt great to me. Of course, anything feels better than my ol' 78 D150.



Gary - KJ6Q,



I didn't get a chance to drive it with a load. However, a couple of full throttle romps from idle (in 4th or 5th gear) felt smooth. I haven't seen an actual engine data sheet from Cummins on these engines, but they manage to make incredibly flat torque curves with their bigger engines. I'm sure this one is no exception.

 

[JGarcia]

How did you get ahold of the 2004. 5? Has that changed from the 2003???