My Diesel ownership status is hard to justify

[Ncostello]

Don't get me wrong. I really like my 1999 Dodge 2500. I wanted a Cummins pickup for 10 years prior to getting it. And its the best diesel pickup hands down in my opinion.



But lets see... the truck alone cost substantially more than an average pickup. Diesel is 12 cents higher a gallon than premium here. Lift pump #3 has 1000 miles on it and it appears to be dying already with 7psi idle pressure. I'm pretty sure I need a new VP44 soon due to some issues I wont get into. The maintenance is more expensive overall at the intervals I use.



I do like my 20mpg and the heavy duty truck itself. The Cummins is a great engine. But I'm to the point where the VP and lift pump issues are really getting me down. And I don't think I want to invest big dollars in a FASS, RASP or Preporator. Its not right I "have" to just to keep me from losing a $2000 injection pump... or keeping it on the road period for that matter.



Today the way things are... there is no way I could justify spending $45,000 on a new one... whether Ford, GM or Dodge. I don't have to have a diesel pickup. I have used mine to its potential before... but could get by without it. I can borrow a semi from work if I have to.



I like my truck as its the best vehicle I have ever owned. Its just becoming a pain to own anymore. Whats wrong with me??

 

[TAllen]

I have an airplane, and I can't justify the gas, yearly condition inspection, and all the new gadgits I must have. You only live once, if you like a Dodge diesel truck, keep it.



Tim

 

[Ncostello]

I understand your point. I've owned some extra things in life I couldn't justify like a Harley, Boat etc. Several friends at work have planes. I sit here only 50' away from 4 Cessnas. But the truck isn't a hobby or extra thing for me. I have to have this to drive to work and for work. I'm just tired of wrenching on the darn fuel system to keep it alive. I bought the Cummins diesel for longevity and durability but I've wrenched on this truck 5 times as much as any truck I've owned and not used it half as hard. Just a little depressed about it I suppose. I just wanna drive it and forget about it.

 

[DanWilson]

Contrary to what some will say, sometimes we just have to be big boys. It's called responsibility. I have only had my truck for four mo. , but in that time fuel has gone from $1. 54 to $2. 04 down here. It is my daily driver and I commute 56m rt m-f. I have two kids in college. $$ is always tight, but I have a 2nd job and need the truck to pull my JD on my trailer for the weekend thing. In a perfect world I would commute in something else and only use the truck on weekends but can't afford a 6th, that's right, 6th car note. The one saving grace is that I got such a deal on the truck that I can smile about that. I was doing my periodic pulln' with a 1/2 ton Chevy gasser w/auto. 2 weeks after the trade the dealer called to tell me the trans went out on it. Had an extended wrty and he actually wanted me to fix it. Yeah, right. You gotta do what you gotta do. Dan

 

[ppfd]

Man, I struggle with this everyday. Do I need a Diesel? no I do not. I want a diesel but, have no need for one. I think a large majority of diesel owners cannot truely justify having one. My good friend owns 2 ford diesels a 1997 and a 2001. He is how do I put it, a pretty man. He owns these trucks because they look cool to the girls is what he tells me. I give him hell all the time about his trucks. He had an out building put up and paid Lowes the money to haul the lumber for him! My trusty F-150 has done everything I need it to do. So unless fuel comes back down in the next 6 months, looks like I will be cooking with gas again

 

[BV]

Hey Neil - Nothings wrong with you - I sold a prefectly good 99 Ram CTD for some of those same reasons and now after 2+ years, I have a CTD again except in a different wrapper and total cost so far is less then 1/2 the Ram and it gets better mileage.



BTW - Only put 2500 miles on the FrankenDezul so far - Commuter miles are put on the Geo Metro that gets 40+ mpg and we have decided to keep the wifes van instead of her driving the peacup. THe insurance cost less then the added fuel costs of diesel being higher then petro

 

[DBoyd]

I too have a 1999 3500 that has had the lift pump and injector pump and the crank position sensor all replaced with 100K miles. I also have an old 77 chevy 1/2 ton with 175K on it. The 350 in it has had a wrench on it once to replace the front and rear main seals. If cummins could build them as bullet proof as a small block we might have something!!!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

diesel was cheaper than gas for a long time... you could feed your lift pump with another pump that would cost you less than $100... that would have prevented the damage to the injection pump probably.

 

[y-knot]

The reality is no-one NEEDS a diesel pick-up truck, plain and simple. And just because you use it to commute back and forth to work does not justify the extra expense either. There a tons of other vehicles out there that will take you too work faster and cost much less doing it. These things are huge and heavy, get lossy fuel mileage, and most likely cost the average guy 450-850 a month for payments and fuel and up-keep. That figure is pretty wide to accommodate both the renters and owners. As the fuel prices continue to rise (I sure don't see any end in the near future) that added cost to fuel your truck comes right out of your fun money, and it isn't any fun to not have your fun money funds. I don't drive much, hell I only filled up 8-10 times this year, nor do I have any payments to make, all of our vehicles have long been payed for, but I do feel for these that do. I don't see much relief in site, and around here jobs are being cut everyday, the country is in a hell of a position. Know one knows there financial position better then those affected, so you have to do what you feel is right. I suppose if you have posted here, you have been thinking about this for some time? I would much rather make a change now then wait and not have the options you have now available to you.

Do as you see fit, if that means selling your truck then sell it and move on. Yes they are nice trucks to have, but they most likely taste awe full.

 

[Ncostello]

Well while my truck still has less than 100K on the clock I will probably just sell it. I kinda did some work on it tonight and really believe that the VP44 is somehow affecting the LP pressure at idle. Something inside is failing at idle. Has to be. The LP itself will hold a steady 16 psi deadheading against the VP w/o the engine running. The VP return line has a new banjo/relief valve bolt so its not that. I ran the LP on direct 12V hookup for 10 minutes solid without a loss of 16psi. When the engine is running... something is amiss in the fact that the normal resistance to flow is going away intermittently and the LP is pumping higher than normal idle volumes at a lower pressure. Actually its probably good for the LP... but at the cost of something wrong in the VP44. I'm going to bite the bullet and replace the VP. Its had an idle miss for two years now anyway and Cummins believed it was the culprit anyway. (Getting too technical for being outside the 24V forum).



Its not that I can not afford what I have. I wouldn't put myself in that position. But I'm spending tremendous amounts of time and wasting cash to chase a problem I don't want to deal with anymore. Just when I think I whipped it... it comes back. I'd rather work on it for fun or upgrades... not trying to keep it alive constantly. And its not the engine itself its the durn associated items around it.



I guess all I can say is this truck is not an everyday driver for me and what I do. I will be in pursuit of a 12V (1st or 2nd gen) truck to "have" for fun/play and get a different daily driver. I'm hooked on the Dodge Diesel and would rather have one to play with than a motorcycle or whatever. Maybe then I can start bombing w/o worrying about longevity and dependability. Perhaps sled pulling or drag racing. I'd never attempt that with this truck. At the same time I cant see not having a diesel Ram.



Right now my old F150 play toy (grandpas originally) needs retired to the barn for a future restore. Its worn badly now and needs several thousand in repairs to be worthy again. I'll just get a plain pickup for daily... and a Ram diesel for my once in a while street machine. Thats probably best for me. I can't see myself w/o one permanently. Thanks for your points of view.

 

[mhenon]

I need my Cummins!

When my wife and I sold our house and went RV'ing full time... there was only one truck on my mind... . the Ram with that Big Bad Cummins. It's got to hold up for another 7 years (at least!) and it's going to see lots of miles.

I keep waiting for someone to discover the cause of the LP failures. It's the only "Real" issue we have with the 2nd Gen trucks. Fix this , once and for all, and the rig is bullet proof.

Hang in there Neil. I think you're close!

Mike

 

[Joe G.]

I will be in pursuit of a 12V (1st or 2nd gen) truck to "have" for fun/play and get a different daily driver.

Neil,



I think you will be much happier with a truck with a P7100 pump. My '95 has 233K miles on it. The only fuel related problems have been cheap and easy to fix.

 

[BKenny]

I almost bought a 98qc 4x4 12v 5speed before this one. It was easyer to get a loan for a newer rig they would only loan me low blue book on anything 5 years or older. The more i learn about these things the more i wish i could have been able to get the 98 . This is the most expensive rig i have bought my other vehicle a 94 bronco has done me good for over 5 years. I got tired of fighting to get my boat up some of these hills and mountains here. So i can realy only justify it over the summer . The way i look at it there are poeple around here that comute to work in Corvettes,porshes,excursion and escalades with tvs in them . So i just decided to go for it hopefully it will last me for along time What ever you do you can always buy one again .

 

[Greenleaf]

Neil,



Time to upgrade to a first gen rig. I also drive a Ford Ranger cause it's a cheap mode of transport.



If your looking for a diesel AND a project truck for fun, you'll save the cost of two trucks when you get your 1st gen.



Scott

 

[Dkuhlman]

I sold my '94 12v with 155K trouble free on it and bought this '02 with 60K because for me, I wanted the newer truck's features (4WDB, interior, options, etc. . ). And for me, the '02 24v works better for my use, which includes commuting, trips and towing. Then again, I also have my bikes and an 'ol Suburban so I don't have to rely on the '02 as my only transportation.



I didn't like the earlier trucks KDP, weak brakes and transmission problems (although the '02 STILL has a weak transmission!) but more permanent fixes can be found than the @#$@#$ 24v lift pump problem.



I definitely know where you're coming from Neil. Each of us has to make their own personal decision. For me, for now at least, I'm willing to live with/fix the few things inherrently wrong with my '02 (LP, track bar, door seals, etc. ) as I feel the rest of the truck is superior for my needs.



If I was looking for a toy to bomb, it would probably be a gen 2 12v like you say.



Best luck with whatever you decide.



Don

 

[Radshooter]

I have to throw in with mhenon on this one. We too are full time RV people. We make our living moving from town to town working medical contracts. We needed something that would handle our big fiver, and also double as a daily driver when we got where we were going. The Cummins works great for this. However, if we were stationary with permanent jobs, I don't think I would be driving a diesel. I guess it all depends on what your needs are and how much you are willing to compromise. If we ever settle down, I will probably keep the Ram because it will be paid off by then. (Assuming it doesn't start nickel and diming us to death. ) If I were starting from scratch and not in the fiver, I would look for a gasser.



Steve

 

[Ncostello]

All good points guys. I can understanding needing one to get the job done. It makes all the sense in the world. And the cool factor is definately there on these trucks. Thats why I still "need" one in the end.



I think I'm just gonna sell mine and start leasing a light duty pickup. Who would want to pay off and own a gas work truck anyway. In the end its worth nothing and I can avoid big sales tax right up front by leasing and stay in a new one every 3 years. Better that than pay a loan for 5 years and trade in and start over.



Meantime I've got my eye on a local 1993 D250 2WD Regular Cab that has "modify me" written all over it. Also already found a 97 2500 2WD Auto Regular Cab with low miles. Fix the KDP and I'm off. Which by the way I ended up checking my 99 for the KDP as it was built during the case design change over... where some 24V trucks actually got the old case design. I didn't have it but I did get a new crank seal and gasket... not that I needed it.

 

[TrqMonster]

Justify

I am probably one of the worst when it comes to "needing" my truck. I use it to get around for my lawn care business. Do I really need a 3500 DRW to pull a setup (Exmark zero turns) that I used to pull with a 92 Dakota V-6. Of course not. The DRW wasnt actually part of the plan but at the price and quality couldnt pass up. Bought new M/TR's and paid the extra for the additional two tires than a SRW and didnt think twice. I love this truck and thats why I spend most of money on it.

I dont understand why people spend upwards of 10-$20000 on a Harley, or a street bikeand what can you do with a Harley? Ride it, thats it. Cant tow, haul stuff in a truck bed etc. etc. Its your personal preference, if you like the truck/bike/boat than thats your justification.

My friend just bought a 2001 for his first diesel. He rode in mine and went to some pulls and he was addicted. He knew about the lift pump issue when he bought it and the guy who sold it to him already had a spare in the truck. However my friend just went ahead and a FASS when his fuel pressure dropped and now he is steady at 15PSI even at WOT. Just the price you pay, pay for several lift pumps or just pay more and get one. When you factor time/money of installing buying multiple lift pumps, just but the FASS or AirDog or something like it.

I think there is lot more to it when driving a diesel than just justifying it for its intended purpose. Its a hobby and to many a lifestyle (expensive yes) but thats what some do.

 

[Greenleaf]

Neil,



There is something about the first gen trucks that draws people to them. Your knocking on the door my friend.



-S

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Neil,



There is something about the first gen trucks that draws people to them. Your knocking on the door my friend.



-S

is it the power limited injection pump or the insane lack of leg room on the single cab trucks? don't get me wrong, I loved my 1st gen, but I LOVE my 2nd gen 12v!