Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins-opinions

[Raspy]

To save on shipping costs I buy a bulk pack of filters every few years.

That's what I do too. It's great to always have them in stock at home.

On my '04, I installed a gauge on the fuel filter housing so I could monitor the restriction and change the filter when needed.

Costco carries cases of Delo 400 oil that have (3) one gallon bottles. Last time I was in they were on sale for, I think, $29. I always keep several cases in stock.

 

[deerefan]

That's what I do too. It's great to always have them in stock at home.

On my '04, I installed a gauge on the fuel filter housing so I could monitor the restriction and change the filter when needed.

Costco carries cases of Delo 400 oil that have (3) one gallon bottles. Last time I was in they were on sale for, I think, $29. I always keep several cases in stock.

I was leaning toward synthetic to keep oil temps lower, but I may be overthinking it. In my 2 Fords with 6.0 diesels, I used rotella 15-40. The 15k mile interval and oil temps had me thinking synthetic.

 

[DonRybak]

I have a 2015 2500 Longhorn with just under 80k miles. I have used Amsoil since the first oil change. I became a preferred member for something like $20 a year that saves quite a bit due to free shipping for orders over $100 plus the lower cost of the oil. Here's what I paid for 3 gallons of 15w-40. They also have a 5W-40 for colder climates. Even though the company is in Texas they have warehouses all around. I order before noon and I get it delivered from Orland the next day. Other full synthetics like Mobile 1 are good too but I believe that Asmoil is the only one that adds ester that helps keep seals soft.

 

[Raspy]

I was leaning toward synthetic to keep oil temps lower, but I may be overthinking it. In my 2 Fords with 6.0 diesels, I used rotella 15-40. The 15k mile interval and oil temps had me thinking synthetic.

Why would synthetic oil run cooler? Cummins engines don't have a problem with the oil overheating. Look at DonRybaks example and see that Amsoil costs over three times as much as Delo and even Delo should make your engine run for 500,000 miles or more.

Babying these workhorses can be carried to an extreme. They are not fragile!

 

[deerefan]

Why would synthetic oil run cooler? Cummins engines don't have a problem with the oil overheating. Look at DonRybaks example and see that Amsoil costs over three times as much as Delo and even Delo should make your engine run for 500,000 miles or more.

Babying these workhorses can be carried to an extreme. They are not fragile!

I hear you. This truck was a big purchase for my wife and I and our small business. I am trying to do everything in my power to make it last. I moved a Case 450 bulldozer this evening with it. Man, this thing has got some power. Remember, my last diesel experience was 2007, with a 2006 F250 6.0 diesel. No comparison. I pulled the dozer 14 miles, up and down hills. Nary an issue. I need to remember to take pictures.

 

[deerefan]

Also been hearing a lot about deleting emissions equipment. I do not care for that stuff as they tend to cause more problems than good. Thoughts? Good or bad for the truck?

 

[Raspy]

I hear you. This truck was a big purchase for my wife and I and our small business. I am trying to do everything in my power to make it last. I moved a Case 450 bulldozer this evening with it. Man, this thing has got some power. Remember, my last diesel experience was 2007, with a 2006 F250 6.0 diesel. No comparison. I pulled the dozer 14 miles, up and down hills. Nary an issue. I need to remember to take pictures.

It is amazing what they will do and make it seem easy. That is a big part of their appeal.

As the years have gone by, improvements have been made to the basic design, and until recently, they were always the best part of the drivetrain. Now, with the 4th gens, the trucks have a lot more power and the rest of the truck can perform with the engine.

My first gen was such a terrible truck, but the Cummins was flawless and would pull until it melted the tranny. My third gen was a much better truck. I tuned it for more than stock power and the torque converter could not hold it, but the Cummins was flawless. 280,000 miles on that one when I sold it and it ran better than when it was brand new. It never used a quart of oil between oil changes at 10,000 mile intervals. Now, my 4th gen HO with the Aisin tranny is a wonder. 145,000 miles and just getting broken in. It is by far the best driving truck I have ever had, but the emission system started having problems at 110,000 miles. I decided to delete at that point. It is now tuned, and runs stronger than stock. Again, no oil use and just getting started on a long happy life. The only other problem was a recall on the water pump. Apparently they got a bad batch of bearings and the pumps fail too early. Mine did at 130,000 miles.

In order to stay ahead of the competition, Cummins redesigned the 6.7 for model year 2019. Same displacement, but beefed up internally, a stronger but lighter block, a new turbo and tuned up to 1,000 ft lbs of torque. Incredible.

I got tired of the 3.42 gearing because, with the emissions tuning, the engine can't build much boost below about 1600 RPM. This means a lot of downshifting and delayed throttle response, unlike the third gen. So I went to 4.10 gears and it is a huge improvement. Much more lively performance, builds boost easily at highway speeds, no apparent loss of mileage and the full use of all six gears. I'm also running 295 tires instead of the factory 275s. this means, with the new gears, that 6th now is slightly higher than 5th was with the stock gearing and the 275 tires. I think it's turning about 1800 at 70. Perfect. This gear change also makes 1st gear lower for pulling and it makes the engine brake more aggressive.

 

[Raspy]

Also been hearing a lot about deleting emissions equipment. I do not care for that stuff as they tend to cause more problems than good. Thoughts? Good or bad for the truck?

If you are considering deleting you must decide why. If more power is the reason, you also have to tune the tranny. The 68 RFE transmissions can take the stock power, and the Aisin can handle more than the stock power, but the issue is tuning them to match the torque increase during shifting. The engine and the trans are tuned to work together based on the stock fueling map and throttle position. The 68 tranny can be tuned, but the Aisin cannot.

I tuned mine to the lowest number above stock to get a better fueling map for better throttle response, no EGR and possibly better timing. I wanted better drivability and better mileage, if possible. Since mine is an Aisin, I have to be careful with the tune to not get slipping during shifts. I don't know what trans you have.

Also, if you have emissions testing where you live, leaving it stock is the best answer. Deleting requires a whole new exhaust system at the minimum, unless you want to destroy your DPF by knocking out the filter.

The emissions system is not all bad as it does make the exhaust much cleaner and the mileage is still pretty good. The EGR is the worst thing as it recycles exhaust right back into the intake and the EGR cooler must be cleaned periodically. That is a big job. The other thing is the DEF system. It seems they are very expensive to fix and the dealers may not know just how to do it. Also, if they fail, the truck goes into limp mode and will leave you stranded. The warning comes on and says "5 MPH max in 100 miles". I hate that.

 

[deerefan]

If you are considering deleting you must decide why. If more power is the reason, you also have to tune the tranny. The 68 RFE transmissions can take the stock power, and the Aisin can handle more than the stock power, but the issue is tuning them to match the torque increase during shifting. The engine and the trans are tuned to work together based on the stock fueling map and throttle position. The 68 tranny can be tuned, but the Aisin cannot.

I tuned mine to the lowest number above stock to get a better fueling map for better throttle response, no EGR and possibly better timing. I wanted better drivability and better mileage, if possible. Since mine is an Aisin, I have to be careful with the tune to not get slipping during shifts. I don't know what trans you have.

Also, if you have emissions testing where you live, leaving it stock is the best answer. Deleting requires a whole new exhaust system at the minimum, unless you want to destroy your DPF by knocking out the filter.

The emissions system is not all bad as it does make the exhaust much cleaner and the mileage is still pretty good. The EGR is the worst thing as it recycles exhaust right back into the intake and the EGR cooler must be cleaned periodically. That is a big job. The other thing is the DEF system. It seems they are very expensive to fix and the dealers may not know just how to do it. Also, if they fail, the truck goes into limp mode and will leave you stranded. The warning comes on and says "5 MPH max in 100 miles". I hate that.

I have the 68rfe and 3.42 gears. Honestly, more power is great but not necessary in my case. I am looking to delete to deter any major repairs as it seems most of them are centered around emissions items. If I do it, it will be after warranty expiration. Depending how this truck does, I may go to a single wheel 1 ton when it is time to trade. I have heard good things about the Aisin transmission. The loads I handle now-under 20k lbs-are easily handled by the 3/4 ton. I do not for see handling anything bigger.

 

[Raspy]

Mine is a SRW one ton. The 3/4 and the SRW one ton are very similar, except the one ton has rear leaf springs, an available HO tune with the Aisin, a slightly higher tow rating and some minor programming differences, like setting the TPM anywhere you want without getting a warning. I'm sure the one ton rides stiffer, as mine was brutal when I got it. But the axles, brakes and gear ratios are the same. Not sure if 4.10 is an option in the one ton SRW, or not. If so, it is the right option. I would have picked the stick, but didn't want to give up 200 ft lbs of torque.