Love the Cummins but concerned about what it is attached too

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It looks like everyone likes what is attached to the Cummins. But are there any options that seem to cause more problems then they are worth? What would you stay away from if you were ordering a new 3500 4x4?

 

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Bought mine new in '99 and I love the truck. Only troubles have been 1) Had to have the brake drums turned at 20K miles and 2) Fuel tank sending unit had to be replaced... . Larv

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1999 2500 QC, white, 4x4 with tow pkg, 3. 54's, Leer camper top, ventvisors, Luverne nerf bars, Husky floorliners, Mopar bug deflector, Mopar tow hooks, '98 Terry pull trlr, 50 watt halogen back up bulbs, hi beams with fog lights

 

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The automatic transmissions in the 94-96 trucks were updated to a better shifting one in 97 and they have been fantastic since then. All the trucks have their quirks and they're really all different. I guess it makes them all have a certain character or personality. #ad


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Chris Timochko
1997 5sp 4X4, HX40, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, Custom Tuned Injection Pump, 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, 6" Chrome Exhaust System, No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s. Test mule for Auto Wurks Diesel race program

 

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leaf got stuck in the cab fan motor, took me 3 screws and 5 minutes to remove... windsheid got hit by flying debris and cracked (State Farm replaced)! 1 ding in the door (parking lot scene #ad
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thats about it so far 7800 mi and 3 months. Oh yea... Im getting over 21mpg!! and it aint even broke in yet #ad


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2001. 5, QC, 2500, 2wd, auto, 3. 54, 4 disc, long-bed, all the stuff, heated leather, patriot blue over silver, stock4now!

a real "country cadilac"

 

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Hey Dennis: Bought my 99 2500 QC in 10-99
presently have 30,000 and zero defects. Have been to the dealer three times for sched. service. Only Mods: 3in. straight thru exhaust, K&N Air Filter, use Valoline Premium Blue exclusively, thats it!!!!!!!
Pull 29' Montana Trailer 9000lbs - 25% of time. Love my: God, Country, Dodge Cummins
Don

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What to stay away from? Well, if youre planning on pulling anything bigger than ... say, a lawn tractor... buy the manual!
Every post on this BB has been about guys spending thousands to make their auto work. The stick will save you $1000, it gets better mileage, and tows anything you can latch onto!! to me... a no-brainer! MY $. 02

 

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Dennis;

You are doing the right thing. RESEARCH.

Im sure you already know this . . but EVERY vehicle mfg, even in it its top rated vehicles, have problems. Whether production related or even worsse . . service isle amplified.

This my very FIRST Non-Ford vehicle. It took every thing I had to make the decision in favor of Ram/Cummins.

When I started down the research road my ONLY requirements were Diesel, 3/4 ton single rear wheel, extended cab. I stayed as open minded as I could . . and when it was all over it was the cummins that stood out.

Something about its rating as a light/medium duty engine vs light for the navistar. The cummins was smaller in displacement with less cylinders but yet it weighed more. On average it gives greater fuel economy than the other guy. And it sounds like a truck instead of a school bus.

So then I took the engine out of both decisions and re evaluated.

Adjust the front drivers and passengers seats for comfort . . then sit in the back. The bottom of the seat in the ford was smaller and its back was more upright and shorter than the Ram. Very clearly there was more leg room in the back.

Then evaluate the quality and ergonomics of the dash. The Ford was very square, flat and very plastic looking. Vs the smooth flowing lines and curves of ram.

Next sit in the drivers seat . . close the door . . put both hands on the wheel . . then remember you need to buckle your belt. Reach waaaay back to the left and feel around for that belt on the ford . . vs the intergrated seatbelt comfortablly laying at your left shoulder for the ram. For the ford . . you almost need to grab the belt on your way in. If thats not enough reason . . have your significant other buckle up . . then recline as she would on a long trip. . which do you think is the safer configuration?

For me . . these made a difference. Now DON'T EVEN get into the mechanical . . they'll end up a tie. BOTH have braking fade / rotor problems. BOTH have auto trans problems. BOTH have steering issues. With all of the later listed you're at the mercy of fate.

BOTH mfg's suffer from bad press . . meaning that usually folks don't sit here all day and chat abour how great the headlignt switch works . . or that they are able to keep all their lug nuts on. The problems are what is discussed and get the most attention. And I wouldn't even want to guess how many trucks on the road with out problems and their owners don't have a computer.

So once again . . and sorry for the soap box . . get something that makes you happy . . then weigh the facts, look at the consumer reviews, chat with owners. BELIEVE me . . there's NOTHING I like better than yack'in about my truck.

Oh . . Owner since April, 15k miles, 3 oil changes, 2 tire rotations. ZERO problems. (knock on wood)

Michael

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00 Driftwood 2500 ST QC ISB LB 5spd 3:54 LSD Tow & Camper Groups

my photos

 

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Dennis . . just noticed you're from Bass Pro Shop state.

Since I posted the longest reply so far . . Do I win some sorta prize?? Saaaay something Gortex with the Bass Pro Shop logo on it???? #ad


Michael