Test drive 600

[SBashaw]

Dealer had a 600 on the lot when I went down to order some tow hooks for my 03 SO ( i live in Calif). Took is for a test drive... ... nice truck, not as big of difference from my SO with EZ on level 4 as I thought it would be. I think I could give it a real good run for its money even though it would probably take me. I don't see where it would be worth the $$$ loss of trading up. The only thing I would be gaining is the warranty issue and a few upgrades. JMO

Steve

Did I open the door with this one or what?

 

[klenger]

For us that had 2nd gens, the incentive to upgrade was much greater than from a 3rd gen. I couldn't resist, but everyone keeps aksing me "what was wrong with the old truck?" They just don't understand.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

I test drove two today

Well I finally got bit by the bug and went to check out the new 325/600 Cummins. Stopped by Goodson Dodge North (I-45) in Spring, TX. Right now they have about a dozen ISB325s in their back lot hot off the truck! Couple of 3500 SRW, quite a few 2500 short bed QC, good assortment overall of styles and trannies.

Didn't have my digital camera. . I will try to get back over there and get a few pics of the new fan shroud setup, the valve cover label, the HUGE cat, etc.



One things for certain, if you peek up under the truck and see the cat, which is HUGE, tapered at both ends, right before the muffler, it's the 325/600. There's no way that thing can be a restriction to exhaust flow, at least with stock power.



Overall I am impressed with the truck. I drove a 2500 4x4 short bed quad cab with the NV5600. I love this setup. Very solid truck. The ride is firm but not jarring or bouncy. Dodge definitely did a great job isolating noise from the cab. It's much quieter at highway speeds than my 01. 5, as expected. I'm talking about road and wind noise. It's obvious the engine is much quieter!

Also drove a 325/600 48RE 3500 SRW SB QC 4x4. I love the way the trans shifts. Keeps the engine in it's sweet spot of the powerband without lugging or overreving it. Personally I prefer to row my own gears but for an automatic this one is nice.



Klenger, you're right about what everyone else says. I called a friend who's also a dieselholic (might buy my current ride so I can move up). He asked me what was wrong with my truck. . I told him the tires were worn out so I needed to find a new truck!

 

[klenger]

I told him the tires were worn out so I needed to find a new truck!

My ashtray was full, and I don't even smoke.

 

[racebeeper68]

My power mirrors needed adjusted on the 96'

bye-bye

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by klenger

My ashtray was full, and I don't even smoke.

... The fuel tank needs to be filled... It needs an oil change... It's just got too dirty... Mirrors are all out of adjustment...



Now let me see... Will any of these work with the BOSS? (WHOOPS... Just a minute honey... I'll be right there... )

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I had a fly speck on the rearview mirror of mo 02.

 

[Hunter1]

Chris



I think you said it all right there, enough info for me



"if you peek up under the truck and see the CAT, which is HUGE, tapered at both ends, right before the muffler"



That is really what makes me suspicious, what is inside that CAT?



I had a 1987 Dodge with a little CAT, it was full of all kinds of restrictions, that went bye bye of course!



California, since 1974 has never let an engine that would run into the state.



You take your choice, the 49 state 2003 HO or the 50 state HO 2004. 5



You people are probably gonna think I am anti California, but, heck no, just anti California regulations!



Hunter1

 

[Chris N5CWM]

This could be an interesting subject. Cummins ought to be able to give us some information regarding the technology behind it, and how much, if any, backpressure there is. The reason it is so large is to increase the surface area and reduce backpressure. The new "monolithic" cats like this one are much better than the early bead type converters of the 70s and 80s in gassers.



I may just shoot an email over to Cummins and see what I get back.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

OK, this is what I emailed Cummins:

The new 2004 1/2 Dodge Rams with the ISB 325/600 have a rather large catalytic converter. I am curious how this converter works. Specifically, is it a particulate trap/burner or just a catalyst? Is it necessary, legality wise, to leave this converter installed on the truck? Will removing it and replacing it with an aftermarket exhaust void the warranty? How much backpressure does the cat create, if any?

Finally, what are the properties of the substrates and their application? IE, is there a catalytic reduction process of NOX as well as CO and HC conversion? Again is there any kind of particulate treatment?

Thanks overall for engineering the ISB325 to pass 50-state US emissions without the need for EGR!



Sincerely,

Chris McKendry

2001 Dodge Ram 2500

Cummins ETC 235/460, NV4500

 

[hammersley]

Sorry guys a shot across the bow"... . might buy my current ride so I can move up... "



Don't want to start a WAR - BUT IMO - Moving to a 3rd generation with smart injectors - IS NOT A MOVE UP! Sorry - I don't want them and never will have em. My current truck I can rebuild till my trucking days are over. And if I wanted something that sounded like a Honda - I'd Buy a UGH - gasser!

 

[DPKetchum]

Mine DONT sound like NO HONDA thats for sure. Take that big CAT and cut it open,gut it and weld it back up. From a distance getting it threw the gears MINE sounds like a big rig coming at ya. Other folks think its COOL

 

[HoleshotHolset]

There's no reason to take the cat out or cut it open to make it hollow.



Just go look at your wireless bill or your tax return information (this is to make your blood pressure raise and get you good and pis_ed off... . )... . and head out to the garage armed with a sawzall, 3-pound hammer and a big pry bar.



Make your cut on the outlet side of the cat - giving yourself enough room to re-weld or put in a splice, etc.



You can kiss that 'kitty' goo-bye in no time. It takes a while to get it all out, but the end result is sweet.



I cut the cat out and left it out on the Dodge... but the VW's 'kitty' has been empty for a long time.



Matt

 

[DPelletier]

Hammersley

The HPCR engine's injectors are solenoid actuated, but I don't think I would consider them "smart injectors". Take a look at a Ford HEUI injector, now that's a "smart injector". Replaced three of them on my '96 F250 PSD. Cost me $1,200. 00 each, Canadian.

FWIW, The truck I traded for my '03 was identical to yours and I couldn't be happier. Would have done it just for the 6spd alone.

Anyway, not trying to be nasty, just another point of view.



Dave

 

[hammersley]

I was under the impression that the new Cummins injectors were true "smart" ones - if not then IMO that's a very good thing... ...

 

[HoleshotHolset]

The injectors aren't 'smart', however Joe Donnelly said that if you overtighten the connection... you gotta buy a new injector.



Matt

 

[Ken F]

Please don't get me started on the HEUI injectors.



I had a '99 and an '02 Powerstroke and they were the most inconsistent performing motors I have ever owned.



I hear Ford recently gave up on trying to make the pilot injection work with the HEUI system. I doubt if they will be around much longer. (HEUI that is. )



Ken.

 

[Mike Ellis]

I got to take a short trip today with a fellow driving a brand new 600, it was a quad-cab dually 4wd with auto transmission. He had just bought it last week at a Dodge dealer in Eastland, didn't realize it had the new 325 hp engine until one of his buddies told him. He said the dealer made him a pretty good deal so he decided to move up from Duramax.



The engine is quiet, but you still know there's a diesel under there even at speed. transmission seemed to be pretty smooth, engine ran well but he was taking it pretty slow. The ride of his 4wd truck was far superior to my 2wd 2nd gen, and I noticed he wasn't having to fight the wheel much so even on the 4wd the steering appears to be improved. Dodge has definitely given the truck a step up on strength, power, and handling.



Interior of the 3rd gens still doesn't impress me much. With the raked windshield and flat dashboard, the controls seem to be far off and things look pretty spartan and plain. Do like the white gauges though. I noticed that the seats don't seem to have as much "shoulder room" to the door windows, felt more crowded in than in the 2nd gens and ended up having a sort of leaning-in position. Sure was quiet inside compared to the older trucks.



After looking the truck over carefully and listening to the engine purr, I suspect that interior would grow on me pretty fast if I had one

 

[DPelletier]

Well Mike,

Don't let me talk you out of it, but I'm sure having fun today trying to get my Bigfoot 25C 9. 5 to fit on my 3rd gen!!

Loaded the camper on only to find;

- can't open the truck doors, all four hit the camper

- rear of camper touches the tail lights

- can't open the fuel door.

- dually fenders interfere with the rear tie-downs.



I love the truck and I actually like the interior, especially all the nifty little improvements like the load flat floor and under seat storage in the center front seat. Once I get everything sorted out with the camper it'll be great, but there's more work to be done to make it work than I anticipated. I'm glad I have a metal fab shop.



Dave

 

[geusterman]

Dave--does the rear door hit the swing-out HappiJacs? I am going to pick up my new SRW tomorrow and don't want to hear a thing about my 9. 5 BigFoot not fitting my new 04. No sheetmetal shop here! What's with the fuel door? geusterman