Need opinions on new 6.7

[DonFitzwater]

Been away from Dodge for a little bit, Ford hasn't worked out. Local dealer is great but Ford not so much.



I'm looking for information, good or bad, about the newest Dodge Cummins trucks. (Ram's for you purists). What is good about them(obviously the Cummins!) and what is bad? Any options you wouldn't do over again? Any options you would get that you missed last time out?



How are the exhaust systems holding up to extreme cold and idle time?



How are the 68RFEs holding up?



Are the front seats any better?



Are the Dodges still plagued by occasional "death wobble"?



Are the newest versions of the turbos much improved over the originals?

 

[Slow Six]

I really like my 2012 so far. I like the 68RFE transmission, very smooth for empty driving and good firm shifting in tow/haul when towing. I think the seats are very good, definitely better than my 03. I have the Longhorn so the seats may be different. As for death wobble I don't have enough distance on it to have worn out parts. I definitely enjoy the quiet and all the creature comforts. The ride is also better. There really doesn't seem to be a lot of problems on this site but these trucks probably don't have big miles on them yet. The fuel mileage isn't the greatest but I can accept that if everything else is good. The power is nice. I'm grossing around 27,000 lbs and this truck pulls better than my previous trucks did with power enhancements. I have had a few Ford owners talking to me about the truck. It seems most of them wished they had the Dodge.

 

[rscurtis]

Open the hood on a new Ford and you'll wish you had almost anything else.

 

[RustyJC]

No complaints at all with our 2011. It's never been back to the dealer for anything beyond routine service and implementation of a few recalls. It's a totally different truck than my previous 2002 3500 HO/6 speed - much more comfortable and civilized. It's up to each individual to decide whether that's good or bad.



Rusty

 

[DonFitzwater]

Open the hood on a new Ford and you'll wish you had almost anything else.

Read my signature... ... ... ... ... . I wish I had something else.



My truck is sitting at the dealer with a giant hole where the engine used to be. Engines are in stock at Ford but they can't ship due to quality issues and the engines are being torn down and modified somehow. I think they might be a little afraid they have another sickoh on their hands.

 

[mainer29]

There is an excellent Turbo Diesel Buyers Guide here at turbodieselregister.

Turbo Diesel Buyers Guide

 

[Rljones1961]

My 2011 3500 DRW just turned 70K and is running fine. No issues with power and make sure you drive truck for it's intended use. If you baby or idle for long periods, it will start giving you some issues. I just performed the 67. 5K EGR cleaning and had no issues. Ride and transmission is way better than my last 04 3500 SRW. It took me 270K until I sold it. The 6. 7 likes to work, so let it...

 

[mopar paul]

Just got rid of my 5. 9 and got a 2012 HO 6. 7-what a beast! It will chirp the tires in 2nd gear and pulls like a bull. The mileage in mine is pretty good for a brand new truck-16-17 right out of the box. I love the new transmission-shifts just like it should all the time.

The ride, fit & finish is excellent. The 4th gens are just sooo nice, like a luxury car. Wouldn't hesitate of you can afford it cause they aint cheap.

I really enjoyed starting my new cummins the other day at the fuel station when a new Ford wouldn't even start after much cranking. Had the hood up as I drove off!

 

[Don]

Best trade and price I found was in Illinois. To bad you are so far away. I drove 3 hours and beat any dealer in my area by $2000. 00.
Don

 

[mpaulson]

170,000kms on mine and haven't touched the engine or transmission other than doing deletes. Get a new one now before we are stuck with the DEF issue like the Fords and GM's have.

The transmission and E-brake are an absolute awsome combination. I made it to 160,000kms before I did the brakes and I do alot of city driving and very heavy traveling.

You won't regret it. They handle the cold just fine.

 

[rscurtis]

The use of DEF will be a plus- if it were my decision, I'd wait to see if it's used for 2013.

 

[RonD]

My 2012 H. O. only has 5000 miles, a world class improvement over my old 2005, zero issues at all, a great truck.

 

[Bater]

What is good about them(obviously the Cummins!) and what is bad?

Love my '08, super comfortable and quiet ride. Maintenance intensive though, in part because of the EGR/DPF system that Dodge/Cummins uses.

Any options you wouldn't do over again?

I wouldn't have wasted money on the motorized foot pedals. My wife won't drive the truck anyway.

Also the expensive NAV system works well, but is a bit dated controls wise. I am sure more recent vintages are better, and most likely include the much needed aux input. On the other hand, probably could do without NAV altogether now, given how good mapping has become on phones. (BTW, I love the Uconnect Bluetooth feature. )

How are the exhaust systems holding up to extreme cold and idle time?

I just spent nearly $800 on muffler and tailpipe, see my separate thread on that. Not impressed with the initial quality of those parts.

How are the 68RFEs holding up?

Transmission works great, only once in a blue moon does it seem to stumble a gear shift. The combo with integrated exhaust brake is wonderful.

Are the front seats any better?

Seats on my '08 are spectacular. Most comfortable vehicle we own. (Seat on my '91, like a concrete park bench. )

Are the Dodges still plagued by occasional "death wobble"?

Just had second front end related recall done, and a warranty replacement of a front U-joint. Mechanic's notes for the latter indicate that was quite a process: "Had to heat rotor to remove, had to heat spindle assemble to beat off hub. " Net-net, yea, I am concerned about front end issues.

Are the newest versions of the turbos much improved over the originals?

I have learned that the turbochargers have evolved over what those of us who were early 6. 7 purchasers received. My suspicion is that you will be OK there.


Andy

 

[Bater]

The use of DEF will be a plus- if it were my decision, I'd wait to see if it's used for 2013.

4 years ago I was frightened of the whole DEF thing and thought the Dodge/Cummins system the only way to go. Now, I see DEF for sale at Walmart, all auto parts stores, even little mini-marts. As such, and after a gazillion oil changes, I am starting to come around to the above opinion.



Andy

 

[DonFitzwater]

Well, DEF is the ONLY thing I haven't had any issues with on my Ford.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I went to Anchorage last weekend and looked at new Dodges. I'm not impressed with the seats in the Laramie and the center console. Too flimsy and cheap. I liked the quality of the Longhorns but the pinstriping made me think of a really old person from Arizona wearing WAY too much turqouis jewelry and really pointy cock roach killer boots. I'm going to keep any eye on things and if the interiors don't get closer to my likings I may just stuff a 12 valve that I have into this new Ford. I just know that I won't be able to afford this Stroke after the warranty runs out!

 

[Patty]

Longhorns are available without the fancy stitching on the seats, that's how mine are. You still get the premium leather seats, just no designs on them. I think I read somewhere they did this for a more conservative interior. The rest of the interior is the same.

 

[KB0OU]

DF,

I have been to the Great State of Alaska many times in my ole 96 Dodge Cummins.

Would have no fear in taking off to your state in it right now.

If I were looking for a new pickup, there is no doubt the brand that I would buy, and it aint Chevy or Ford. I would get the best deal I could find on a crew cab Dodge Cummins in a heartbeat and break it in going to Anchorage and back.

That is what I would do if I was to buy new.

By the way, I went up to your state summer and winter so my 96 has spent many hours idleing because if I had shut it down for long I would have had to have a tow. And, that is not a fault of the Dodge or the Cummins.