Reliability of new 2011 6.7 as a daily driver ....

[craiggo]

Well this is the mod that I attempted to make but, like I said, it didn't work out so well because the wiring and switch set-up is all different behind the fascia. It's like all the switches snap in as one piece and the wiring didn't match up.

Auto On Exhaust Brake Mod - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

 

[AHarris]

Just one observation, the EB really comes to life with Tow/Haul engaged and a load behind it. Wow! Overall, I give this truck a solid A+ on its first long camping trip this last weekend. 200 miles round trip--towing was absolutely first rate with this truck. Fuel mileage is the only minus--11-12 when towing and 13-14 around town no matter how easy I am with the right foot. But what should I expect from a 7200 pound 4 wheel drive truck? It's not a Honda Accord. Wouldn't be any better with a half ton gasser so I'm not complaining too loudly.

1500 miles so far, mostly daily driving and not a single hiccup--just like the last truck.

Makes the Furds and Chevies I had before look sad in comparison.

Go Cummins and go Dodge (or Ram) and thanks for a an excellent product that delivers value for my dollar!

 

[HBarlow]

Well this is the mod that I attempted to make but, like I said, it didn't work out so well because the wiring and switch set-up is all different behind the fascia. It's like all the switches snap in as one piece and the wiring didn't match up.

Auto On Exhaust Brake Mod - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

Have you done a search for the TDR member's description of his personal modification?

 

[craiggo]

Have you done a search for the TDR member's description of his personal modification?

Yes and no. Yes I have but it was quite some time ago (like early June). No, not since then. Are you aware of a newer mod?



I'll search now.....

 

[AClayton]

AHarris;2181082]Just one observation, the EB really comes to life with Tow/Haul engaged and a load behind it. Wow! Overall, I give this truck a solid A+ on its first long camping trip this last weekend. 200 miles round trip--towing was absolutely first rate with this truck. Fuel mileage is the only minus--11-12 when towing and 13-14 around town no matter how easy I am with the right foot. But what should I expect from a 7200 pound 4 wheel drive truck? It's not a Honda Accord. Wouldn't be any better with a half ton gasser so I'm not complaining too loudly



1500 miles so far, mostly daily driving and not a single hiccup--just like the last truck.



Makes the Furds and Chevies I had before look sad in comparison.



Go Cummins and go Dodge (or Ram) and thanks for a an excellent product that delivers value for my dollar!



Wouldn't be any better with a half ton gasser so I'm not complaining too loudly



Yeah, but you paid $10k more for a 3/4 ton diesel that a 1/2 ton gasser could do... ... . just sayin!

 

[HBarlow]

Yes and no. Yes I have but it was quite some time ago (like early June). No, not since then. Are you aware of a newer mod?

I'll search now.....

No, I only know about one. I'm thinking I read our fellow TDR members post early this year regarding his homemade modification.

I'm going to post a new thread as a question to see if the writer of the original thread will see it and speak up.

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Yeah, but you paid $10k more for a 3/4 ton diesel that a 1/2 ton gasser could do... ... . just sayin!

Yes, maybe. But when the total cost of ownership is calculated out and the eventual resale value or trade-in value of the truck he bought is subtracted from original purchase price, the total cost of ownership of the Cummins-powered truck shrinks when compared to the gasser.

Stated another way, the resale value of the new Cummins-powered truck will be much better in several years, even after 150k or 200k miles, than the gas engine truck which will have nearly zero resale value with high mileage.

The pleasure of ownership of the Cummins truck has a value also.

 

[FATCAT]

80 mile round trip to work; diesel $. 30+ more a gal. than reg. gas ... this should be a no brainer ... go get yourself a 4 or 5 yr. old used Honda Civic or Toyota Carolla or some little gas sipper and save your self a TON of money. Even an older Saturn would be fine.



Consider the savings: 400 miles a week, 20,000 miles a year at 30 - 35 miles/gal at $2. 75/gal ($1,834 min) vs 15 miles/gal at $3. 10/gal ($4,134) not to mention the additional maintenance cost of the diesel. That $2,300+ (probably more like $3,500 intotal) is nice to have for other things.

 

[tdinut]

80 mile round trip to work; diesel $. 30+ more a gal. than reg. gas ... this should be a no brainer ... go get yourself a 4 or 5 yr. old used Honda Civic or Toyota Carolla or some little gas sipper and save your self a TON of money. Even an older Saturn would be fine.

Consider the savings: 400 miles a week, 20,000 miles a year at 30 - 35 miles/gal at $2. 75/gal ($1,834 min) vs 15 miles/gal at $3. 10/gal ($4,134) not to mention the additional maintenance cost of the diesel. That $2,300+ (probably more like $3,500 intotal) is nice to have for other things.

Hi FATCAT,

I've been doing the numbers, my Toyota Yaris gets 40mpg, 38 if I beat on it. Maintenance is virtually zero, but I tend to do more than necessary. I miss a bigger, more comfortable vehicle. I miss the diesel torque. But I know exactly what you mean about the money. I don't think this administration is doing anything to control/reduce fuel prices and I'm already paying over $3. 00/gallon for regular.

Now to top it all off, my new TDR arrived yesterday. Just when I wasn't thinking about it for a little while#@$%!

I'll see what happens after winter, too bad they canceled their diesel 1500.

Joe

 

[FATCAT]

Hi FATCAT,



I've been doing the numbers, my Toyota Yaris gets 40mpg, 38 if I beat on it. Maintenance is virtually zero, but I tend to do more than necessary. I miss a bigger, more comfortable vehicle. I miss the diesel torque. But I know exactly what you mean about the money. I don't think this administration is doing anything to control/reduce fuel prices and I'm already paying over $3. 00/gallon for regular.



Now to top it all off, my new TDR arrived yesterday. Just when I wasn't thinking about it for a little while#@$%!



I'll see what happens after winter, too bad they canceled their diesel 1500.



Joe

The Yaris is a good car. You'll have many trouble free and cheap miles ahead of you.



I am glad I got a 2003 VW TDI which gets a constant 50 - 51 mpg. I have over 237,000 miles on it now and dread ever having to buy a new one (look at the prices of a new VW TDI ... yikes!).



I'll probably go the Yaris way myself whenit comes time to get another small car (I do 130 miles round trip a day to work).



Gotta think of the money these days and not the fun of driving a big diesel ... unfortunately.

 

[NStates]

I have a 2008 6. 7 and have a few recalls but nothing major. Enjoy the torque and use it for towing. Just ordered a 2011 loaded. Can't wait till it comes. May try to sell my o8 with all the trailer items on it. Haven't decided yet. Did not hesitate in ordering a new 6. 7 believe they have all the bugs worked out.



Norm



2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2



6. 7 Liter Cummins (R) Turbo Diesel Engine, 6 -Speed Automatic 68RFE Transmission, 3. 73 Anti-Spin Differential, Brilliant White, ISSPRO Gauges, Transfer Flow Fuel Tank, PullRite #20,500 Super 5th Hitch, Line-X, XTRA Bed liner , Hayes Genesis brake controller, PML Deep Transmission Pan, Custom Graphics, Pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Have you taken a good look at the Power Wagon? Personally with the price of fuel and your miles I would buy a new VW diesel for everyday and a used cumins as a project or week end truck. an New Dodge CTD is $45,000 a new VW $23,000, that leaves $20,000 for a used toy, you weekly gas bill will be 1/4 of the trucks.

 

[AHarris]

Yeah, but you paid $10k more for a 3/4 ton diesel that a 1/2 ton gasser could do... ... . just sayin!

Not exactly. I paid $41K for this truck, which was about the same as the Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax 4x4 and a few grand less than the Platinum Edition. And about $4K less than a 2011 F150 Platinum Edition.

 

[AHarris]

80 mile round trip to work; diesel $. 30+ more a gal. than reg. gas ... this should be a no brainer ... go get yourself a 4 or 5 yr. old used Honda Civic or Toyota Carolla or some little gas sipper and save your self a TON of money. Even an older Saturn would be fine.



Consider the savings: 400 miles a week, 20,000 miles a year at 30 - 35 miles/gal at $2. 75/gal ($1,834 min) vs 15 miles/gal at $3. 10/gal ($4,134) not to mention the additional maintenance cost of the diesel. That $2,300+ (probably more like $3,500 intotal) is nice to have for other things.

I've got my eye out for an older Jetta TDI

 

[SOLER]

tdinut, have you purchased yet?



Here's My . 02...



I'm not going to tell you what I think you should do, but I'll tell you what I did.



I've owned four Dodge/Cummins, the first two were a 2000 and 2001, both 2500 4x4's, the '04 and the current 2010 was/is 3500 Dually 4x4's. I, too love the diesel, the sound, torque, etc. I personally HATE the mileage, and therefore have really hated the daily drive to work. I was tired of driving the '04 and trying to park it at work. Small spaces and the 6-speed made it just a little more of a nuisance. So, I got a 1500. First one was a RAM 1500 HEMI, loved it. Hated the 20" wheels, 'cause I could buy 5 new 17 inch rims and tires for less than 4 new 20" tires. Anyways. Due to an accident in another vehicle and my wife needing to get a new one, I traded that truck in on a car for her. Wish I still had that truck, tho. Anyways, then I was in the same boat as before... driving my dually to work... so, looked at a Dodge and GMC, GMC 1500 5. 3L 4x4, nice truck, dealer gave me a better deal at the time, so that's what I got. Recently sold it and the '04 and got the '10. It's an auto, and my wife can take turns driving it on long trips, and can drive the boat trailer out of the water now. The GMC just wasn't too good at pulling the boat, due to where the power was and the engine screaming in 2nd gear.



Over the last 4 weeks, I've driven a 2010 Ford F-150 Lariat, a new GMC SLT with 5. 3L, and the six speed auto which supposedly helps it get better mileage and better for towing. And I drove a new 1500 Ram Hemi Laramie. All nice trucks, supposedly get 18-19 mpg on the road (the GMC says 21 mpg in a 4x4 with 5. 3L six speed. ) The only real thing I hated about the Ford Lariat and the Dodge Laramie are the console shifters. Hate it. I want the shifter on the column on a truck, where it belongs. Console shifters are for cars. That's just me. These are all nice trucks, and I would have gotten whichever gave me the best deal. Finances, however, dictated that I can't afford two trucks right now, so I looked at something cheaper. I also drove a new Camaro, Challenger, Mustang, and the new VW TDI, boththe Golf and the Jetta Sportwagen. Since I still need the big truck to tow the boat and large enclosed trailer, I wasn't going to part with it. I could've sold it and got the 1500, but it just wouldn't be fun towing very far. Wish I had a new 1500 and my old '04 back. Anyone have a black, 04-05, dually, six speed 4x4 Cummins? Both the '11 Ford and Dodge can be had with a 32 gallon tank, so that's a plus. And I'll point out that a 2500 short bed is going to get a little better mileage than my 4x4 dually crew cab due to weight and less rubber on the road.



I ended up with a 2011 VW golf TDI 6-speed auto. 42 mpg, lots of zip. And it's easy to park! Only regret is I wish I would have got a black Jetta Sportwagen instead.



SOLER

 

[Powder Extreme]

Hey Soler, how you liking your VW TDI? How fast and what conditions are you getting 42mpg?
I had a '10 Audi A3 TDI (same motor) for awhile on a long road trip I could get in the low 40's but over a mtn pass back and forth to work everyday it would only get in the mid thirties.

I decided I wanted a little bigger / fancier car and traded it for the A4 in my sig. Upper thirties on long trips and lower thirties driving over the mountain. Almost the same cost per mile with the price of diesel.

Audi said the TDI will get around 50mpg but I think you'd need to drive 55 on flat ground to do it.

 

[SOLER]

Haven't had it a week yet. I like it, tho. 42 mpg is sticker mileage. Haven't burned a tank yet to check it. Computer says 37 right now, but I don't go by that, I hand-calculate it. The mpg ratings according to the dealer are based on the Jetta. They are the same, 30 city 42 highway. But the Golf is lighter and might get a tad better. I'm hoping. I thought about an Audi, but I had a price range I had to stay within, and this Golf was right at my limit. However, I wish I would have spent a few bucks more and got the sportwagen. I like wagons ( I have a Magnum and a 1970 Olds Vista Cruiser), and the Jetta looks good, and the whole roof (if equipped) is glass, half of it opens up. It's AWESOME!



I'll keep ya posted, but won't hijack this thread



SOLER