Tell me something positive....please

[BVANR]

Having a new truck on order is a bit unnerving watching all this trouble talk. Surely there's some 6. 7s out there that are performing correctly. Obviously there are some problems going on, but has anyone gone without problems???? I have an 04 dodge because I ate it on a 6. 0 liter ford and had to dump a new truck and lose my arse#@$%!... . can't do that again. Can or will anyone say that the 6. 7 is trouble free for them???

 

[sevans16]

6.7l

I only have about 1000 miles on mine so far. I just traded up from an 05 with a 325hp. Mileage seems about the same. Much better response and a lot quieter. I am certain that the cummins motor is going to be a good one. Truck is about the same. The new 6spd may be a crap shoot. It sure drives nice though. If you are not going to bomb it I would guess it will hold up just fine. Only time will reveal it's weakness to super powers(bombing). Seems the only problems I am really seeing is the DPF. I am sure there will be fixes for these problems whether it be reflashing, aftermarket replacements DPF, routine maintenance or removal with some aftermarket computer help. If you do a lot of idling or constant short trips where the motor never warms up you may need to look into other options till these short comings are addressed. I had the chose between identical trucks except for the motor. One with 5. 9L 4spd a/t and the one I bought with the 6. 7L 6spd a/t. It was not a hard discission for me. I am sure in the long run all the new technology will cost more to repair and maintain but I think the benefits will make up for it. If you want the good Ol' low maintenanc, run forever with only oil changes, tractor sounds, ability to run fuel from the farm or construction site you better run to the dealer and find a 5. 9L. Emissions are not going anywhere. I figure, I might as well get used to it and enjoy the benefits Dodge has given us to make up for it. IE: 6spd A/T, more power, quieter running, exh brake etc...

 

[Prairiedog]

I'am with you man. Sold my 03, ordered a 6. 7 and now nothing but nightmare info from the TDR boys. Mine went on the line today with a ship date of 6/23. I still believe in the engine and trans but everything else seems screwed up to the max. My 03 was the greatest truck I've ever driven and it was an intro year for the common rail--guess ya can't luck out twice in a row... bummer

There must be a fix for this 45 min. 1800-2000 rpm regen trash that dodge threw us. Nobody! I mean Nobody should have let this unreal design reach real world drivers. Somebody find a name so I can call him or her. Just got to know what they were thinking.

 

[BBeck]

The 45 minute regen is when the DPF is full, which should be an extreme case. I think there are other variables at stake. Certainly the ECM needs some tweaking and on some, the sensors were bad which told the computer one thing and it wasn't true. Fuel is suspect on others and of course there have been trucks that had problems off the railcar.



I'm confident the issues will be sorted out. I pick my new truck up tomorrow and I'm excited about it. There are others that have posted positive experiences, but they don't scream compared to the others - I'm certainly not minimizing the other's pain.



I had a 2003 VW TDI and every time I started and backed out, the garage would get filled with the exhaust fumes and particulates. Great car, but it choked my kids so I welcome the cleaner air.



I realize I'm not in the same situation as others who use their trucks for work day in and out and can't afford any down time. I feel their pain.



I have seen several posts that mention reflashes for the ECM and one dealer that had the rough start happen in their shop and believe Dodge is working on the issue and will sort it out completely.



I hope those that have had the positive experience will share it with the rest of use.



Best wishes,

Brad

 

[jmorse]

something positive

I have an '07 C&C that went into service in january. I love the truck. It now has 7456 mi. on it (mostly towing) and I've had no engine problems. The clutch failed @ 2300 mi. without any warning, but my dealer had it back in service in 24 hrs. . If this truck serves me as well as the '99 it replaced, I'll be happy. The mileage is slightly better than the '99. I'm averaging between 10. 6 to 14 mpg. With my tools and service body, it weighs 9400 lbs. empty. The trailer I tow is rated for 12000 lbs. and weighs 2950 lbs. empty. I know the mileage may scare you, but this is a work one ton work truck, not a cadillac. My '99 would only get 10-12 mpg with the same body on it and I only had a 7000 lbs trailer. At this point of ownership, I'm satisfied with the new truck.



Jim

'05 QC, SLT ,Auto 4x4

'07 C&C , SLT,Manual, 4x4

 

[Sasquatch]

I am very happy with my truck, also, and have about 7,000 miles on it, closer to 8,500 by the time I get back to the Roaring Fork Valley in Colorado on Thursday night.

I've put about 3,000 miles on the truck in mixed (mostly rural) driving, and the rest towing an enclosed trailer filled with boxes of books and household furnishings.

The truck has performed flawlessly so far, but I'm prepared to face whatever "tweaking" needs to be done at the dealership, too, in order to resolve what I'm certain are fairly minor "issues" during the truck's "shakeout cruise".

I'm convinced that many of these problems are explained by bad fuel, since some stations are not being too careful about their ULSF obligation, and the new fuel has only been in their tanks for six months. Some of these trucks have been running for a while, and I'm guessing that they got a load of tainted fuel and fouled their DPFs, or some other component of the emissions system.

In any case, I love this truck. It rides ten times better than my '97 did; it brakes like a dream, the automatic exhaust brake is wonderful, the quiet is much appreciated on long hauls, and the six-speed automatic is a pleasure to use (along with it's pod-mounted "selectronic" shifter).

As others have noted, the aftermarket guys ("Bully Dog," "TST," etc. ) are working work-arounds for the emissions crap and for up-rating the power and fuel economy. I'm a patient guy, but I'm very excited about the possibilities for improvements down the road.

Don't second guess your purchase decision: I'm confident you'll love your new truck, too.

 

[Jeepstang]

I am happy with mine I have had it since March

I have not had any issues with the truck other than 4 no start conditions which is fixed by removing the key and putting it back in. I would think this would happen on any of the trucks regardless of engine.

I firmly believe that the issues people are having with the DPF is caused by poor or non ULSD fuel

I am very care full where I get my fuel from. I have only used Exxon and Shell I am avoiding the no name stations besides all the ones around here do not even offer ULSD as an option. I will pay 20 cents more a gallon from Exxon if a generic station has it on the same block. The symptoms people are describing all seem to be the same as if one were to put in standard Diesel fuel. Maybe I am wrong and will end up eating my words but common sense leads to believe incorrect or poor fuel to be the source.

One of my techs does a lot of transmission work on Dodge trucks he is also trained on the new six speed.

He said it is an old transmission that Chrysler has been using for years that has been upgraded to six speeds. He said it is a much stronger unit than the four speed predecessor. He also advised me to wait for the 6. 7 and 6 speed auto since one of the trucks at his dealership was having it's 4th 4 speed installed in it with the 5. 9 engine under warranty. I am glad that I waited I love the six speed and the exhaust brake. I tow some military trailers that weigh about 3k empty and it helps a lot since they run air brakes which I am not setup to use. I also enjoy the quiet engine after driving my GM 6. 5 rattle trap for years.

It's also nice to stand behind the truck and not smell the fumes. As I get older in life loud engines and smoky pipes are no longer enjoyable for me.

And remember there is no substitute for cubic inches it is only a matter of time before the after market makes a nice programmer. I was told rumors of an Italian company that is working on a programmer with torque numbers over 1000 ft lbs. My only wish is that the truck would do better on mpg

It's best so far is 15. 1 unloaded I have the DRW 4x4 MC. Good luck I hope that this helps you make your decision.

 

[Wolfy]

In the interest of accuracy

The 45 minute regen is when the DPF is full, which should be an extreme case.

Brad

After discussing the situation where the DPF indicates 80%,... the statement is that "as little as" 45 min. at "highway speeds"(no specific RPM given on this, p. 417, of the manual), ... can "restore" the normal condition.



"as LITTLE as"? ... leaving open "or as MUCH as ???" , especially when the filter is more than 80% "full"?



Only after the above words tying the 45 minutes to the 80% state, does the manual go on to discuss other % indications(90, 99).



There is no mention on pages 416 or 417 of any pre-regen "additional" warm up period of another 45 mins(or whatever), as reportedly suggested to one poster by his service dealer.



No discussion on these pages (the only ones I have copies of) of how one knows when the process is complete, and normality "restored".

I. e. , how do you know when you have driven far/fast enough?



Also not discussed on those pages is anything about brake-application aborting the process, requiring beginning all over again. [from TConnolly, post 55 in "Am I the only one... " thread:



[The diesel mechanic] "... brought to my attention that the regeneration process although it takes 45 minutes needs a minimum of 45 minutes to begin its cycle, the vehicle needs to be under a load running at about 2000 RPMs to complete the regeneration if you step on the brake the process aborts and you must begin again. "]



This "requirement" seems a real loser --"I'm at 44mins. /50 miles of unwanted "maintenance" driving, with more to go after I head back, and this jerk just pulled right in front of me. [Screech!] Uh, oh,... gotta start all over!" [Have to do the regen one-way,... can't figure out how/where to get off the expressway and head back from halfway without using my brakes ;-) ]



C'mon D/C!



Can someone with a manual please look-for/address these issues?



Thanks,

 

[RVTRKN]

Been offline for awhile and I am shocked at what I'm reading here on TDR. I have had no issues with my truck as of yet with 6453miles on the ODM. My new truck is the C&C with the new 07. 5 6. 7 CTD and you can read the info on the big trip to Kansas from California and back and this last weekend I towed my boat back home from where it is stored in Parker Arizona. I have nothing but good things to say about my truck, even the AC is better than my 04. 5 which I finaly had a chance to test with the 100*plus weather in Parker. I also wanted to see what temperatures it would run at towing in the heat which seems to run even cooler than my 04. 5. I'm no expert but its probably fuel related to the regen issues, I'm very carefull of where I get my fuel, even the trip to Kansas took carefull planing to insure the ULSD was available. The problems I have read about seems to be a certain area in the south near Texas/Lousiana gulf regen and it would not be surprizing after what they went through with the Huricane. EB, if your reading this, have you noticed any difference in the fuel quality in your area or can you confirm possible contamination due to the Huricane? California changed over to ULSD back in Aug of 06 per the new law, and all diesel had to be tested at that time before the new law took effect, they started delivering ULSD 3 mo. before that to insure when tested it would meet the new law guidelines. Is there anyone who can confirm regen problems in California?

 

[EB]

I can't confirm any fuel contamination in that area but the ULSD is still not readily available in my area. South of Houston toward the valley on hwy 59, 77 and 281 it is hard to find. All other areas have it.



Right now, I'm down. My truck wouldn't start last Thursday, got it into the shop and nothing showed up on the scan tool. It finally started and I thought it was just a glitch. Made a run yesterday and today it died on me. Got it to the shop and nothing. Again, it will start and run, but for how long? I'm afraid to go anywhere out of fear that it will quit me in the middle of nowhere. The people in the dealership say if the scan tool tells them nothing there is nothing they can do. It was perfect for 50k, but now,--- don't know how long I can go on not having a dependable truck. That is why I have stuck with Dodge. Might have to start looking at Freightliner or International.

 

[RVTRKN]

I can't confirm any fuel contamination in that area but the ULSD is still not readily available in my area. South of Houston toward the valley on hwy 59, 77 and 281 it is hard to find. All other areas have it.



Right now, I'm down. My truck wouldn't start last Thursday, got it into the shop and nothing showed up on the scan tool. It finally started and I thought it was just a glitch. Made a run yesterday and today it died on me. Got it to the shop and nothing. Again, it will start and run, but for how long? I'm afraid to go anywhere out of fear that it will quit me in the middle of nowhere. The people in the dealership say if the scan tool tells them nothing there is nothing they can do. It was perfect for 50k, but now,--- don't know how long I can go on not having a dependable truck. That is why I have stuck with Dodge. Might have to start looking at Freightliner or International.

Had that happen on my 04. 5 and it cost me $100. 00 because the after market alarm co. that installed my alarm was at fault. Have they bypassed the alarm, start lockout switch, if you have it, bet that is where the problem is if it just won't turnover but have full function of ignition.



Computers have dumbed down the mechanics relying on a computer to diagnose for them, your problem wont show up on the the codes and that should be your first suspect "alarm". Hope you bought the extended warranty, and these computers are the reason I allways buy the extended warranty now.

 

[WRStrong]

Having a new truck on order is a bit unnerving watching all this trouble talk. Surely there's some 6. 7s out there that are performing correctly. Obviously there are some problems going on, but has anyone gone without problems????

Relax. There's always going to be a bunch of naysayers to go along with the unfortunate few that really have experienced problems. I bought my 6. 7 without doing a lot of research here first. Can't tell if that's a good thing or not yet. So far with just a few miles on her, I am really happy. The stock power is head and shoulders over my modified 2003. Love the 6 spd auto. I choose to be an optimist (until and unless the 07. 5 really lets me down).



Don't fret it too much. You'll drive yourself nuts.

 

[sag2]

I can't confirm any fuel contamination in that area but the ULSD is still not readily available in my area. South of Houston toward the valley on hwy 59, 77 and 281 it is hard to find. All other areas have it.

Right now, I'm down. My truck wouldn't start last Thursday, got it into the shop and nothing showed up on the scan tool. It finally started and I thought it was just a glitch. Made a run yesterday and today it died on me. Got it to the shop and nothing. Again, it will start and run, but for how long? I'm afraid to go anywhere out of fear that it will quit me in the middle of nowhere. The people in the dealership say if the scan tool tells them nothing there is nothing they can do. It was perfect for 50k, but now,--- don't know how long I can go on not having a dependable truck. That is why I have stuck with Dodge. Might have to start looking at Freightliner or International.

Ask your dealer to put the StarMobile (it's the flight recorder tool) on your truck and get a data recording of the truck quitting. They should look at data from several modules and focus on sensors and power supplies. I would use ECM, TIPM and WCM as they are the most in control. If it is dying and you can capture a recording they can get to the bottom of why. There are many things that can cause it, including aftermarket devices such as remote starts, alarms, anything tapped into power, and includes cell phone and chargers. The tool is expensive, around $1800, so they might imprint your credit card to make sure you bring it back in a timely fashion. Nothing gets a customer to return faster than an $1800 charge to their credit card. Beats having to chase it down.

 

[Wolfy]

Tell me something positive... . please. Having a new truck on order is a bit unnerving watching all this trouble talk.

OK, Something encouraging:



As some of my previous posts make clear, I had become increasingly concerned that Cummins' engineers had given us an engine with a ridiculous set of hoops to jump through as SOP.



I am leaving in a few minutes to pick up my rig, so can not get into details now, . . but I have spent serious time/effort over the last few days digging up Cummins trainig info, with the help of Adam, Josh, and some service techs, and hearing the views of some highly-recommended sevice people I trust, and have been satisfied that the SOP is in-fact NOT unreasonable, . . although somewhat misunderstood/misrepresented in many forum posts, including my own.



I am satisfied that most of the difficulties are use-style,fuel, or COMPUTER MALFUNCTION issues. Hopefully the latter, which is the most out-of-our-control, will be remedied by software "fixes" such as that announced by a poster late yesterday (6/12/07) in this forum (can't recall thread).



Note to Dawna: you have not described the type of use you have in mind on your island,... but this truck will not likely be satisfactory for "errand" type use, as opposed to "trip" or long haul towing, etc. it is simply not designed to be Granny's run-to-the-store type of vehicle.



Will post with more detail when I get home, maybe this weekend.



Off to Spokane!

 

[DEickhoff]

Wolfy--Most of my driving will be daily runs back and forth from work. On good weekends hauling my 4 wheeler out the road to play. Once I retire in 2 years I plan in towing a 5 wheel occassionaly. Given that, a truck should be designed to do what the customer wants whether that be errand type driving, daily to work driving or long, continuous tow/haul driving. How many of us can afford two rigs one to run errands/daily driving and one just set aside for tow/haul.

 

[gsbrockman]

I, too, felt some reluctance with the new 6. 7L.



My first-year HPCR 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 CTD 305/555 was a greattttt truck, although I sold it w/51k miles on it.



Until my 350/650 does something to let me down, I'll certainly give it the benefit of the doubt until it proves me otherwise. At 504 miles, I have no complaints except 14. 6 mpg versus the high 17's I received with my modded 305/555. I know mileage will improve with more miles on the clock.



The 68RFE is a welcomed change from my NV5600.



Greg

 

[BVANR]

Well, mine hit the rails today and I'm sticking with it. I think I'll hold on to the 04 for a couple months..... just in case! although after I spoke with Adam I'm very comfortable with the decision. I guess time will tell.

 

[RVTRKN]

Well, mine hit the rails today and I'm sticking with it. I think I'll hold on to the 04 for a couple months..... just in case! although after I spoke with Adam I'm very comfortable with the decision. I guess time will tell.

See my sig, thats what I did and plan to keep it that way.