Ram1500 EcoDiesel V6 revealed!

[3930dave]

Heywood has done a fantastic job of maintaining that truck. Our roads are a sea of salt here.

On the Resale Value curve, I'd say he's heading straight up the Appreciation side of the U.

Rgds, D.

 

[buickanddeere]

That is why a 500,000 mile drive train and plans to drive the same vehicle for 20yrs doesn't work around here. Already seeing the junk yards filling up with 1999-2006 GMT400 4th series rusted through.
A 1998 and older truck draws second looks . Figuring it's a southwest US import truck, it's been oiled twice a year, it's been bodied at least twice or it's never been winter driven.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

That is why a 500,000 mile drive train and plans to drive the same vehicle for 20yrs doesn't work around here. Already seeing the junk yards filling up with 1999-2006 GMT400 4th series rusted through.
A 1998 and older truck draws second looks . Figuring it's a southwest US import truck, it's been oiled twice a year, it's been bodied at least twice or it's never been winter driven.

I've only ever had three pickups. The first was a 77 ford with the infamous 351M. It was very nice to drive but rust perforation around the rear fender wells appeared at only 4 years old. I bought it used in '79. Next was a new 81 GMC 305 4 spd standard. A stripper truck, it was exceptionally reliable (not much to go wrong I guess) and kept it until it was replaced with the new 95 Dodge. The GMC had dealer applied rustproofing that hardened over time, flaked and let moisture in behind. That likely what caused the bed cross members to rot out, but the body held up pretty good. The Dodge got dripless rust inhibitor "oil" sprayed once a year. That seems to be the best preventive anti-corrosion maintenance task for salt belt vehicles in my opinion. Mine was winter driven but was pressure washed, along with the horse trailer after every use (if covered in mud or salty crap) because it would sometimes sit for weeks on end before I used it again and didn't want it sitting so long dirty.

 

[terryknight]

Is there salt used on Maryland roads ?

yes they do, lots and lots the road look white when freezing temps are coming. living near the ocean and the bay takes a toll as well

That is why a 500,000 mile drive train and plans to drive the same vehicle for 20yrs doesn't work around here. Already seeing the junk yards filling up with 1999-2006 GMT400 4th series rusted through.
A 1998 and older truck draws second looks . Figuring it's a southwest US import truck, it's been oiled twice a year, it's been bodied at least twice or it's never been winter driven.

the rust belt is hard on trucks. but washing and waxing them regularly really helps.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Why thank you! I bought it new and the longer I keep it the happier I am that I resisted the urge to replace it over the years as the new diesels got progressively more complex, powerful (beyond my requirements), thirstier and arguably less reliable due to added emissions. Even this new Ram Eco Diesel has more horsepower! Instead, I decided to give the '95 a refresh as a far cheaper alternative to replacement. Complete new oem quality fenders, front and rear (not a patch job), paint and assorted other stuff such as all new brake lines, tailpipe, grille, headlamps, taillight assys, headliner, carpet, upholstery repair to driver's seat etc. It's like a new truck again! Still original clutch, about 250K kilometres on it now. Can you consider keeping an older vehicle as eco-friendly too? Saved building one less new truck!

Oh I agree.. Keeping and fixing old is much more green and 'carbon neutral' than buying new..

 

[madmax12]

I've only ever had three pickups. The first was a 77 ford with the infamous 351M. It was very nice to drive but rust perforation around the rear fender wells appeared at only 4 years old. I bought it used in '79. Next was a new 81 GMC 305 4 spd standard. A stripper truck, it was exceptionally reliable (not much to go wrong I guess) and kept it until it was replaced with the new 95 Dodge. The GMC had dealer applied rustproofing that hardened over time, flaked and let moisture in behind. That likely what caused the bed cross members to rot out, but the body held up pretty good. The Dodge got dripless rust inhibitor "oil" sprayed once a year. That seems to be the best preventive anti-corrosion maintenance task for salt belt vehicles in my opinion. Mine was winter driven but was pressure washed, along with the horse trailer after every use (if covered in mud or salty crap) because it would sometimes sit for weeks on end before I used it again and didn't want it sitting so long dirty.

Regarding the annual oil application. You mentioned power washing your truck often. Did you powerwash underneath? If so, when and how often? Did the powerwashing remove the oil application?

I ask, because I wash mine often, but it should be everyday up here. So, its never washed enough. However, fluid film is removed by powerwashing. So I'm guessing people who fluid film their cars don't wash the underbody until winter is over. Can you set me strait with how you handle all of that?

Thanks

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Regarding the annual oil application. You mentioned power washing your truck often. Did you powerwash underneath? If so, when and how often? Did the powerwashing remove the oil application?

I ask, because I wash mine often, but it should be everyday up here. So, its never washed enough. However, fluid film is removed by powerwashing. So I'm guessing people who fluid film their cars don't wash the underbody until winter is over. Can you set me strait with how you handle all of that?

Thanks

I generally just clean off the exterior and the insides of the fender wells to get the salt and/or mud off using an electric pressure washer with an adjustable nozzle head set to a wide fan spray. A lot of the rust inhibitor that is sprayed around the inside of the fender wells and underneath, along the sills will get blasted off after 1 or 2 drives in a rainstorm anyway. It is the oil that creeps into seams, hidden nooks and crannies that is giving the most effective corrosion resistance by blocking oxygen from getting to unprotected metal.
I have a 3000 psi gas pressure washer too for big jobs, but I like the electric one for cleaning the cars and truck, mostly because the pump turns on and off automatically with the trigger on the wand. Other areas on the truck that I will clean are the inside of the rear bumper, because of the rear wheels tend to throw a lot of crap up that packs right into the back of the bumper.

That may be why you see so many rusted-through rear bumpers. Also the bottoms of the doors, the door jambs, and the underside of the front edge of the hood. Often, I will pressure wash the calipers and brake rotors if I think the truck will sit for a while.

I will buy aerosol cans of Rust-Check or Fluid Film for touch-up jobs such as the bottom of the doors, jambs and door hinges etc. if they look like they need it.

 

[terryknight]

the underside of the front edge of the hood.

this is the one spot i don't clean and the one spot i have a little bit of rust

 

[fordmantpw]

This, folks, is the real issue with the Ram EcoDiesel: 2014 Annual Physical: Braking - PickupTrucks.com Special Reports

The truck with the smallest payload capacity turned out to be the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel (Laramie Longhorn with air springs), with a calculated payload of 490 pounds, which equals just 7 percent of the truck's actual weight.

490 lbs! I'm not big in the 'my numbers are bigger than yours, so my truck is better' game, but this is ridiculous. How are you supposed to tow the 8k lbs if you only have room for < 300 lbs of tongue weight after putting yourself and the hitch in your truck? Granted, it's a fully-loaded version, but still!

 

[Diamondpilot]

This, folks, is the real issue with the Ram EcoDiesel: 2014 Annual Physical: Braking - PickupTrucks.com Special Reports

490 lbs! I'm not big in the 'my numbers are bigger than yours, so my truck is better' game, but this is ridiculous. How are you supposed to tow the 8k lbs if you only have room for < 300 lbs of tongue weight after putting yourself and the hitch in your truck? Granted, it's a fully-loaded version, but still!

This is a issue with all 1/2 ton Ram's right now.

Chris