greasemonkeyok
Veteran Member
Yup, if I could get a Cummins engine and Allison transmission in my Ford I'd have a real truck.
2012 Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel thoughts
- Thread starter Code54
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SPIKER
Elite Member
The ole 7.3 was pretty good, the 6.0 had issues though rumored they are fixed. Not sure what is NEXT or NEW coming or the Direct Injection what nots on them cant afford 50K truck heck I cant afford 5K truck.
I'm driving a 91 f150 that I had 12 yrs and paid 1800 for it way back when! still running strong w 300cdi 6cyl 5spd econo truck. M
kenmac
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I have owned Dodge cars/ trucks since the 70's.
Ram4x4
Silver Member
I bought my Ram 2500 diesel 4x4 quad cab new in 2004 (it's the 2004.5 model with the then new 24-valve 5.9L "600" motor - 600 lb-ft torque). It's got 147K on it now and has had a 6" lift with 35" Khumo mud tires. It's an auto tranny.
When I first bought it it got about 16 MPG, but at about 20,000 miles the mileage just started getting better and better. I got 23-24 MPG on the highway, and it only dropped to about 21-22MPG after the lift. Still gets that same mileage today.
I pulled a tandem axle trailer with about 6500 pounds in it from Texas to Pennsylvania and got 19MPG average for the trip.
Stock tranny has held up, even with the larger tires (and I didn't regear the diffs). They're 3.73. Lost a little acceleration, but not significant.
I love this truck, best truck I've ever owned, however....
In 2003 Dodge stopped using Dana axles and went to AAM. This is the worst part of the truck. The ball joints absolutely suck. The full weight of the front rides on the lower two ball joints. The uppers aren't really ball joints and are more like king pins. They last about 40-50K miles and are shot. I rebuilt my whole front end when I did the lift. I opted for the $600 Dyna-Steer joints which are larger and much heavier duty than stock (Carli also makes excellent heavy duty joints, but theirs are $800). I also replaced the tie-rod ends, steering box, track bar and steering shaft (another part that wears out quickly). I added a steering brace as well and dual steering dampers. Front end is now much, much better.
The only other area that sucks are the wheel bearings. You can't replace just the bearings, you have to replace the entire hub unit at $350+ each. Haven't had to do that yet though, but probably soon.
Everything else about the truck has been great. The ride is a little more harsh with the lift and tires, as expected, but outside that it's taken everything I've thrown at it and then some without a wimper.
I know the new 6.7L Cummins has had issues with the regen cycle of the exhaust (all that new pollution crap they keep adding), and the mileage is down on them, but haven't heard much else. I hate the new body style. Too square/boxy looking and reminds me too much of a Ford.
Here she is:
When I first bought it it got about 16 MPG, but at about 20,000 miles the mileage just started getting better and better. I got 23-24 MPG on the highway, and it only dropped to about 21-22MPG after the lift. Still gets that same mileage today.
I pulled a tandem axle trailer with about 6500 pounds in it from Texas to Pennsylvania and got 19MPG average for the trip.
Stock tranny has held up, even with the larger tires (and I didn't regear the diffs). They're 3.73. Lost a little acceleration, but not significant.
I love this truck, best truck I've ever owned, however....
In 2003 Dodge stopped using Dana axles and went to AAM. This is the worst part of the truck. The ball joints absolutely suck. The full weight of the front rides on the lower two ball joints. The uppers aren't really ball joints and are more like king pins. They last about 40-50K miles and are shot. I rebuilt my whole front end when I did the lift. I opted for the $600 Dyna-Steer joints which are larger and much heavier duty than stock (Carli also makes excellent heavy duty joints, but theirs are $800). I also replaced the tie-rod ends, steering box, track bar and steering shaft (another part that wears out quickly). I added a steering brace as well and dual steering dampers. Front end is now much, much better.
The only other area that sucks are the wheel bearings. You can't replace just the bearings, you have to replace the entire hub unit at $350+ each. Haven't had to do that yet though, but probably soon.
Everything else about the truck has been great. The ride is a little more harsh with the lift and tires, as expected, but outside that it's taken everything I've thrown at it and then some without a wimper.
I know the new 6.7L Cummins has had issues with the regen cycle of the exhaust (all that new pollution crap they keep adding), and the mileage is down on them, but haven't heard much else. I hate the new body style. Too square/boxy looking and reminds me too much of a Ford.
Here she is:
genusCastor
Silver Member
Code54 - I guess it's too late to talk you out of buying a new Dodge. :laughing:
I never buy any vehicle new. And from what I've heard about the DEF trucks, I would not own one. But I haven't researched it that much either, since I'm not in the market for a truck.
My daily driver is a '01 Dodge 1-ton dually with a 9' flatbed. Like someone else said, I bought a Cummins engine with a Dodge wrapped around it. But I do like the truck. The Cummins engine is the best for hauling, IMO.
Being a Dodge truck owner, I highly recommend you join the Cummins forum, lots of really good folks over there. :thumbsup:
- djb
I never buy any vehicle new. And from what I've heard about the DEF trucks, I would not own one. But I haven't researched it that much either, since I'm not in the market for a truck.
My daily driver is a '01 Dodge 1-ton dually with a 9' flatbed. Like someone else said, I bought a Cummins engine with a Dodge wrapped around it. But I do like the truck. The Cummins engine is the best for hauling, IMO.
Being a Dodge truck owner, I highly recommend you join the Cummins forum, lots of really good folks over there. :thumbsup:
- djb
Fordman1981
Platinum Member
The 2012 dodge does not have def unless it's a cab and chassis
kenmac
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Got a sale add in today from Dodge dealership.. sales add stated 2012 is the last year for a Dodge without DEF. As far as the wheel bearings . It you have the $$ , they can be changed over to the old style bearings/hubs that can be serviced. they are the manual locking style hubs
OP
Code54
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Yep little late on that one... Ha Ha. I got a 2012 2500 Cummins and love it. I had a few Dodge's for work (gassers) and had real good luck with them and have to say I liked them a lot. I know buying used is better from the $ stand point but I sort of like being able to know what it has been through and having a warranty. I'm pretty **** (well so my wife, partner at work, kids, parents, etc tell me) and I like to do the oil changes early, make sure everything is always done, etc.. so having a new car is one of my "things" I guess.....
As for DEF - Fordman1981 is correct, only on the cab & Chassis, that is one of the reasons I went with a 12 (well that and a ton of rebates). Not that DEF is that big of deal but I would just rather do without it. I have not had any "regen" issues and it seems most of the people with 2012 have not had the issues the earlier models so I am hoping all the bugs are worked out with the newer emissions stuff.
I found the cumminsforum and it is very helpful but thank you for the heads up - the more info the better!
JESSE1
Veteran Member
I have a '12 F-450 pickup with the 6.7. The DEF hasn't been an issue with me. I've added about 8 gallons of DEF in 12,000 miles. I don't like all the emissions equipment on the new truck but have to admit it is the most powerful, smooth running diesel I have ever owned and will get over 17 mpg non-towing.
I wouldn't be afraid of a Dodge with a 6.7 Cummins and DEF. Great engine and evidently a great truck since I see them everywhere.
I wouldn't be afraid of a Dodge with a 6.7 Cummins and DEF. Great engine and evidently a great truck since I see them everywhere.
jinman
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I have a '96 Dodge 2500 12-valve Cummins that has me worried. I only have 380k miles on it and I'm afraid it's trade-in value isn't gonna be much when I decide to get some other truck. Just because it starts perfectly and gets 22 mi per gallon is no sign that it'll do that at 500k miles. Sure, I haven't ever had to do anything to the engine except replace a leaking valve cover gasket, but it does need a new paint job on the cab roof and hood. Why is it that the original paint can't hold up more than 16 years? How oh how will I ever get my money's worth out of this truck?:confused2:
:laughing:
:laughing: