Thinking of buying a Cummins...

[myoung84]

Since I now have a company car and will not be driving the truck to and from work or fetching the weekly groceries,I am thinking about buying a 2500 4x4 Cummins... I have always wanted this truck but never bought one because of the amount of miles I drive and the stop and go driving everyday to work. The only times it will get driven is on trips when the company car is not practical or if I need to tow or haul something. It will get most it's miles in the summer dragging the boat around. I really don't need it, but it's something I have always wanted and now I'm confident I'm not going to be rough on engine with short grocery trips.

This is still 6+ months away,but I am already starting to plan and get excited. I have already started the wife approval process and she hasn't completely bashed the idea,so I'm off to a good start... I have already decided on a white 4x4 Crew cab short bed. The biggest decision I have to make is whether to buy new or used. The biggest determining factor will be warranty coverage on a used truck. I'm can't say I won't mod the truck,but the drive train will remain stock.

[ramthis9501]

Awesome man, imo get a used 05 or 06 with the 5.9. The new ones with the 6.7's just don't get as good mileage. Plus there are endless amounts of things you can do to the 5.9

[myoung84]

It will be a 6.7, got to have a 4th gen... I know I said I would have my truck for a long time, but if I get the Cummins I really want I won't be trading it any time soon.

[(S.M.R) 101]

that would be tits dude... After the let down at the dealer it left me in no hurry to deal with it again..... But I have the itch to get one..

Good luck buddy

[myoung84]

I hope to start dealing this summer maybe, but not in a huge rush. I will most likely go with a new 2012 SLT 4x4 2500 crew cab but may consider a mega cab... I would like to see what they do with the 2013s before I make a final decision...

[Matt]

Awesome man, imo get a used 05 or 06 with the 5.9. The new ones with the 6.7's just don't get as good mileage. Plus there are endless amounts of things you can do to the 5.9

you and these 5.9's what is it that you think you can't do with a 6.7? and without the dpf shit on it they get great fuel mileage


i'm in the same boat been toying around a 4th gen cummins mega cab tho

[(S.M.R) 101]

I think his point was that the 6.7 does have the dpf and by deleting in will cause a voided warranty.. which I don't think you would want in a damn near 50 grand truck.. so until you hit 100K you would have to deal with the dpf

but that would be the first thing to go if I got a 4th gen 6.7... Voided Warranty or not :D

[Matt]

I think his point was that the 6.7 does have the dpf and by deleting in will cause a voided warranty.. which I don't think you would want in a damn near 50 grand truck.. so until you hit 100K you would have to deal with the dpf

but that would be the first thing to go if I got a 4th gen 6.7... Voided Warranty or not :D

even with the dpf the mileage is a big increase over a hemi especially in the applications he will be using it in, and since morgan is going to leave the drivetrain stock it doesn't matter what things you can do to "hop" one up


i agree with you though the first thing i would do is yank the dpf on my personal truck, put a good tuner on it, straight pipe exhaust or some nice white trash stacks and be done with it lol

[ramthis9501]

Sorry... guess I'm just a 5.9 junkie lol

[MegaCabMan]

Now yall are talking my language! If you want a truck to mod on and what not better think real hard about getting a 3 gen or a high mileage 4th with no warranty. Because it is real hard to swallow voiding your warranty on such an expensive truck. And if you did go ahead and void the warranty, think about the ass eating your wife will give you if you need to have warranty work done, but cant. Injectors are about $1500 each and are usually the first casualty of a tuner.

But with that said I am real happy with the performance of my un-modded 6.7--mileage isn't great but it is better than a gasser. Right now, according to the computer I am getting 14.5 MPG mixed driving (80% Hwy). I never got better than about 12mpg in my '06 Hemi Mega. As far as pulling a boat with the diesel, if you pulled it with your 1500 gasser, you wont even know its back there with the 2500 diesel.

I found that typically September and October are the best months to buy a car or truck. If you shop around a lot you can find what you want for the most part. Every dealer I went to said "If we don't have it, we can find one for you." And that is true to some degree BUT know that they aren't looking at the inventory on lots that are close. For example, Bob Howard in Edmond said that the closest truck that matched my requirements was in Texas...I found one in El Reno that I ended up buying. My guess is that dealers aren't allowed to pull from inventory on lots that are competitors. So Tulsa dealers probably wont look in OKC for a match and certainly wont look in Tulsa. The caveat is if the dealers are owned by the same company/person.

For my .02 I am real happy with the service that I get from Frontier Dodge. On the sales end of things they didn't jerk with me at all. The price on the truck came it right on the money, but the offer on my trade was $1000 too low. I told them I needed another $1000 to make the deal and it was oked immediately...It didn't take more than 20 minutes to negotiate the deal. I probibly could have got them to come off the price another grand if I had gone home to think about it. But in the end I didn't get the truck for a steal but I didn't get wallet raped either. On the service/shop end of things, I haven't had any warranty work done (knock on wood) except for a few recall items. But I do go there every 5000 miles and get the oil changed for $9.95! (no that's not a typeo, they only charge $9.95 to change the oil on any Dodge or Chrysler including Diesels) I'll give them first shot at my business when I'm ready for my next new car or truck.

[myoung84]

September-October is probably the time frame I am looking at. I will have had my truck for 3 years at that point. I am looking at SLT's but if I am going to keep it for more than 3 years like I normally do, I want something I can live with for a long time. I want get my my dream truck and actually keep it for 10 years. That being said, I am now considering a Laramie as well. I actually like the Outdoorsman with painted bumpers but can't seem to find any in stock to get good pictures.

Frontier has a very nice selection. Here are links to what I would want on a Laramie and SLT. It's not a real big jump in price between the 2.

http://www.frontierdodge.com/vehicledetails.aspx?id=8130677

http://www.frontierdodge.com/vehicledetails.aspx?id=8082409

What gears do you have in yours? I'm thinking the 3.73s or even 3.42s will be good for me and keep MPG up a little. I am thinking a Crew Cab with 3.42s might be able to get 17 or so on the highway.

[myoung84]

I this is my goal, a mild lift and 35's.

http://www.topguncustomz.com/G2Gallery/albums/6-23-10/IMG_5036.jpg

[(S.M.R) 101]

That is a bad ass truck Morgan

[OklaHemi]

I'm ctd dreaming too but for a 3rd gen megacab Laramie. Yes please

[myoung84]

I am just too spoiled with my truck to go back to a 3rd gen. I love the front end of the 4th gen HD.

[Matt]

agreed

[myoung84]

I was browsing the Cummins forums and found exactly what I want. This one is actually for sale for $37k...

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb182/TDSTYG/2010dodge.jpg

[ramthis9501]

Cool wheels!

[myoung84]

The wheels are nice, but I probably won't be buying new ones for a while. I am thinking stock wheels PD'd with some 33's... But overall, that's the truck I want. Just a basic SLT in white or maybe mineral gray. I looked at a Laramie today at the local dealer and it stickered at $54k, not sure if I want to spend that much...

[MegaCabMan]

Wrong Frontier... It's Frontier Dodge in El Reno, OK
And they have a lot better prices too.


Here is a Mega for $48k
http://www.frontiermotor.net/new/Ram/2012-Ram-2500-d3b491c70a0d048d010e4698f18659d2.htm

[myoung84]

Damn! I'll have to bookmark that dealer! That's a lot of money off of a 2012.

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

Morgan, stay away from white...I thought my white one would look so cool before I bought it and after six months I hated it. It just feels so bland compared to everything else. Mineral Gray gets my vote.

[myoung84]

I'm about 60/40 on white/MG. None of the other colors really thrill me. Definitely don't want black on a truck that will get used as a truck. My wife wants white too and if that's what it takes to get my new truck, then white it is.:D She wanted me to get white on my last truck but I ended up with inferno red. I love the look of a white truck on some meaty tires with black rims though, but I do need to buy something that I will like for a long while, since I actually want to keep this one more than 2-3 years...

[ramthis9501]

I do agree with Dave on the mineral gray over white but that's just me. Guess whatever gets the wife's approval is what wins haha

[Matt]

i've had almost any color truck there is and black is my favorite but my next truck will probably be white with a ton of black accents but i agree stock or with chrome wheels they look plain as shit and look like a fleet truck ...

i want something like this ...

http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad291/ramhunter9/RamForum%20vendors/Ramhunteramericanflag2.jpg

my old tahoe ...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/ecu_chevy_guy/dodge/IMG_0056.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/ecu_chevy_guy/dodge/IMG_0168.jpg

[MegaCabMan]

sorry I forgot...I have 3.73's

[myoung84]

I have always liked that ram. I don't want to go that big but do something similar...

[(S.M.R) 101]

Ehh just go with silver... It's in between white and mineral grey.... You get the best of both worlds :D

[myoung84]

Lol. I still have plenty of time to decide...

[ramthis9501]

Very good point Kyle! Lol

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

I still can't believe Dave got rid of that truck...

[Matt]

who's dave? lol ramhunter?

[(S.M.R) 101]

^^ yes

[Matt]

that truck is sooo sick and i would love to have exactly it but a different camper shell

[0212353]

Yeah, that old Mega was freakin' awesome. But........a pig. I haven't ridden in his CTD yet, but I'm sure I'll pee a little when he gets on it.

[OklaHemi]

best argument for a 4th gen ive come across so far
http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab156/mikereeder80/mytruck/P1030141.jpg


3rd gen rebuttal
http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab156/mikereeder80/mytruck/IMG_0044.jpg

[ramthis9501]

I'm sorry but I'd still take the 3rd gen... I just love that body style

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

That 4th gen makes me feel naughty...

[myoung84]

That 4th gen makes me feel naughty...

I agree!:worship:

[DoubleTakeDodge]

Gotta go with Colton.. I'd rather drive a third gen. Just partial to the body styling

[DoubleTakeDodge]

particularly the rear of the truck

[OklaHemi]

i was dead set against a 4th gen hd but that black one is effin sexy. 3rd gen would be way cheaper

[Matt]

the 4th gen looks way "beefier" dressed out like that

[myoung84]

Once you drive a 4th gen, you'll never want to go back to a 3rd gen. The interior on my 2010 is so much nicer and more comfortable than my 04 was. The cabs on the 4th gens also sit on little gel packs, so they ride a whole lot smoother.

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

Once you drive a 4th gen, you'll never want to go back to a 3rd gen. The interior on my 2010 is so much nicer and more comfortable than my 04 was. The cabs on the 4th gens also sit on little gel packs, so they ride a whole lot smoother.

Amen.

[OklaHemi]

i was on my way home from test driving a 010 when i found my current truck on the side of the road. i fell in love with the 4th gen but my truck was in great shape, 1/4 of the price, and chrissy had just given birth to gaige. i still dream about the truck i test drove silky smooth

[EXSAILORwithaHEMI]

When I first got my 4th gen, I really missed my 3rd gen. That was mainly due to that fact my '03 was a straight up hot rod, but as a DD and not a toy I'd stick with a 4th gen hands down. They ride like a cadillac! On the other hand, modding up a RCSB 4th gen would be a lot of fun too...

[myoung84]

Modding up a CCSB Cummins sounds pretty fun as well.:D I have already been surfing the Cummins forums for mod info. I think a used 2010-2011 with dpf delete is in my near future...

[EXSAILORwithaHEMI]

Touche Sir! Touche!

[Matt]

anyone know of a good place to buy a mega cab? i've been to 5 local dealers and they only have 1-3 and not one i like ...

[ramthis9501]

3rd gen or 4th gen?

[myoung84]

I am starting to talk myself out of a Cummins... I really don't need a diesel and the more I think about it the more I don't want to deal with all the DPF/Emissions bullshit. I would have to buy a used truck because I don't want to spend $50k+ on a brand new CTD. Something in the $35-40k range is where I want to be. With a Cummins, I would definitely be modding it and as soon as I do a all the emissions deletes, my warranty is long gone.

I have done some rough math and figure that my company car will save me about 12-15k miles per year on the truck, mostly back and forth to work and running around town. Since I normally average about 25k per year I am at roughly 12k per year on the truck.

The truck will be used for mostly long trips, hauling and towing the boat. My main consideration for the Cummins was of course towing. I had originally thought I would save a lot of money due to fuel costs, so I did the math and broke it down. Assuming I am running empty about 6000 miles a year and towing about 6000 miles a year and gas is at $3.25 and diesel is at $4.00. I was very shocked at the actual numbers.

Towing 6000 miles per year: I get about 10 MPG while towing in the gasser and I would estimate 15 MPG in a diesel. So throughout the year I would spend $1950 in gas and $1600 in diesel. That's a savings of $350 per year.

Running empty 6000 miles per year: I'll give myself an estimate of 16 MPG in the gasser and 17 MPG in the diesel. Over a 6000 mile span I would spend $1218 in gas and $1411 in diesel. The gas is cheaper to drive by about $193 per year.

So if you break it down, a savings of $350 a year while towing and an added expense of $193 running empty, I would save about $157 per year in fuel... To me, the added troubles of owning a CTD (extra maintenance cost, DPF shit, warranty problems due to mods) is just not worth it for me. If I were dragging around a 34' 5th wheel it would be different, but I am towing a whopping 5k lbs... There are no campers or heavy trailer in my future. If that time comes, I'll reconsider the CTD option.

Now on to my new plans. I still want a new 4x4 truck and I am now considering a new 2012 2500 Hemi 4x4 with the new 6 speed and 4.10 gears. My MPG claims above should be about the same, especially with the new 6 speed. I would still plan to give it a mild lift and good tires, nothing too crazy though. I built a brand new Outdoorsman and came to about $43k sticker price. If I found the right dealer to custom order me a truck, I could probably get this one for around $36-38k. From what I have found, a used CTD with around 40-50k miles is going to run me about $40k.

What this gets me is a new truck with a much better transmission and 4WD. I could do a 1/2 ton option but the cost difference is minimal and I like the fact that the 3/4 ton has a full size short bed. I would also get the bench seat without the console.

[EXSAILORwithaHEMI]

Yeah, CTD's are nice but if a gasser will accomplish all the tasks you'll throw at it then 9 times out of 10 you're better off. Diesels have some serious operational and maintenance costs... I was wanting a diesel originally too and I have NO need for one. For me it was just the idea you could put a 1/2 million miles on a truck and it still runs like a top is pretty appealing to me...

[Matt]

only reasons i'm going with a cummins are 1 i'm wanting a mega cab and the hemi's are terrible on fuel mileage 2 i plan on lifting it and putting bigger tires on it and once you do that your mileage is SHOT on a hemi but barely a difference in a cummins

[myoung84]

I'm still about 50/50...

[ramthis9501]

With the cummins you can do intake, exhaust and programmer and it'll have ridiculous amounts of power while getting better mileage then the hemi.

[myoung84]

OK, I have decided what I am going to do. I am going to custom order a 2012 monotone Outdoorsman 2500, 4x4 with a Hemi. I will never work the CTD like it should be worked and the Hemi has plenty of power for what I need. I also really like the responsiveness of the gas engine and from everything I have read, the new 66RFE trans is pretty nice. I have built the truck online and have a sticker price of $45,330. I plan on taking this printout into my local dealer and telling them I want to order this truck and will pay this amount for it (probably about $8k off sticker). An interesting note according to the RamTrucks website is there are 89 dealers within 200 miles of my. I'm sure one of them would love to have my business...

Now the only choice I have is color. I was dead set on white until I saw the new True Blue last week. It's pretty dark and looks awesome in the sun. I am still leaning towards white though. I think the new plasti-dip gloss in white would be awesome over the chrome bumpers...

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/Blue.pnghttp://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/White.png

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

True Blue dude, that's awesome.

[(S.M.R) 101]

yeah that blue looks pretty sick dude

[ramthis9501]

Blue does look pretty cool

[myoung84]

The blue with color matched bumpers and satin black headlights and black wheels would be pretty awesome! And it would of course be debadged...

I'm getting really excited now and don't want to wait until next year!

[0212353]

I want orange.