I like my new RAM 3500

[H. John Kohl]

I just came back from Elkins, WV by way of route 219 and I 68. Route 219 goes over and around a couple mountain tops. I had one 9% grade. On I68 I had one 12 mile 6% grade on the interstate.
I let the transmission down shift to slow me down and the exhaust brake did its thing. I think I used the brakes once on 219 for a downhill curve. I did drive ahead of the turns and was not making a speed run. No cars behind me so 30 and 40 mph most the time was ok.
On I68 I set the cruise on 60, when the rig got up to 65 it downshifted and worked the exhaust brake. I did not get over 66 down any of the hills and I never had to assist slowing down with the brake peddle.
I LIKE MY NEW TRUCK.

[DQDick]

We love ours also. The exhaust brake is a wonderful thing and the engine, transmission and rear end combination works well enough I've only used "tow haul" once.

[bigskyjimmy]

I am just about to pull the trigger on a 2002 5.9 cummins 3500 dually and look forward to the extra torque but I am concerned about the injector pump problems they have had anybody heard anything about that????

[Wiesehan]

I like mine too, except for the milage. My 5.9 got about 3 mpg better towing our rig, but this new truck is a real beast and I like all the bells and whistles in addition to the way it tows. As far as bigskyjimmy's question,check the TDR web site and you should find all your questions answered there.
Don

[Trailer Trash 2]

Not going to bad mouth my old 1996 7.2 power stroke with all the Banks goodies I had installed, BUT.............. I do love my Red Ram 3500 DRW 4 door more. I have had the same experances that you had John, power uphill, and down hill control no brakes necessary 80% of the time. the true test will be when it goes more that 117K miles to beat my old Fords milage then I'll be real happy.

[Ozz]

Nothing sweeter than a nice new truck! Enjoy it buddy.

[DarMar]

Glad to hear of your enjoyment from the new TV.

[oldelmer1]

I agree John, we were in the Smoky Mountains 2 weeks ago, and the combo of the EB & tow hall is amazing.

We currently have 12,529 miles on ours now, so I thought I would change the fuel filter. Here is a picture, its suppose to be white.

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This is the first time I've ever changed it, so I don't know if this is normal or what?

[Gorgeguy]

Your '02 5.9 Cummins will probably have the firewall mounted fuel pump unless it has been changed already. My '04 had the fuel pump fail at about 58K miles and the replacement was placed inside the fuel tank to help keep it cooler, it got pretty hot by the firewall. If the '02 has the 12 valve engine, it will be noisier than the slightly later 24 valve. I am not sure when the change to 24 valve happened. But so far, I am loving my 5.9 Cummins.

[Mynabird]

X2!!!!!!! Love the power & strength!!! Per Bob!!!!

quote:Originally posted by H. John Kohl


I just came back from Elkins, WV by way of route 219 and I 68. Route 219 goes over and around a couple mountain tops. I had one 9% grade. On I68 I had one 12 mile 6% grade on the interstate.
I let the transmission down shift to slow me down and the exhaust brake did its thing. I think I used the brakes once on 219 for a downhill curve. I did drive ahead of the turns and was not making a speed run. No cars behind me so 30 and 40 mph most the time was ok.
On I68 I set the cruise on 60, when the rig got up to 65 it downshifted and worked the exhaust brake. I did not get over 66 down any of the hills and I never had to assist slowing down with the brake peddle.
I LIKE MY NEW TRUCK.

[mobil]

We love ours too. Still amazed at how quiet it is compared to our '99 7.3. Plenty of power and the EB is great. Tom, I change my fuel filter every 10,000 mi. and it looks just like that one. Guess it's doing it's job. Got 33,000 mi. on mine.

[ALSAN]

on my 02 I had the fuel pump changed under warranty then about a mounth later the injection pump went and that was also under warranty about 87k for miles when it went the pump was replaced with a unit that was installed in the tank . Fuel filters should be changed ever 10 k or you can do as I do at every oil change usally 6500 to 7000 miles my thougt is there is a LOT of very expensive componants down stream from the filter and the filter is a cheap investment (look for the post not to long ago about bad fuel) I also have a Mopar heavy duty filter kit coming

[seahunter]

Glad you're enjoying that new truck John. I just got to try out the exhaust brake and uphill capability of mine finally on a few small hills on the coastal range in Oregon. It did a mighty fine job - I think she's a keeper!

[steelpony5555]

Had a 5.9 Dodge before and loved the fuel mileage it got. Now have the 6.7 and hate the fuel mileage but still love the truck. This trip into the hills of Pa. and WVa. have been great with the engine brake for some of the steeper hills. It also takes a pretty good grade for it to drop down a gear when in cruise. So for now I will tolerate the fuel mileage at least till I can get the deletes done.

[Ishler]

Tom
That is typical for a fuel filter, should be changed every 10k or every other oil change.

[adelmoll]

Like you John, Bill loves our new Ram...Loves the way it pulls the Big Sky and I adore all the bells and whistles...

I must say though, our 2005 Ford F350 served us well towing more then 150,000 miles across 49 states and Canada without any major problems.. Hope the Dodge performs as well.

Helen

[PackerFan]

I had a '99 3/4 ton Dodge with the 24 valve - 5.9 Cummins and I thought it was great. Good fuel milage and nice power. Dodge/Cummins changed from the 12 valve to the 24 valve engine in mid 1999. Now I have an '09 1 ton, single rear wheels with the 6.7 Cummins and it is just FANTASTIC!! I love the extra power and the Exhaust Brake and the wife loves that it is quieter then the previous one.

We recently pulled the Montana from Wisconsin to Virginia and back it really showed it's muscle going through the mountains. Averaged about 11 MPG on the trip. I am now getting about 20 MPG running empty. I figure that I bought the truck for the power and not for MPG. Got to love the Cummins engine!

[fourplay71]

To save your injection pump look into the FASS or AirDog frame rail mounted pumps. You get larger fuel filter and Air/Water Separator. I have an 01 Dodge 5.9 running the AirDog 150. Added the Aux fuel pressure light from AirDog. If my Fuel Pressure drops below 5psi the light lets me know. http://www.pureflowairdog.com/

[3fortheroad]

quote:Originally posted by steelpony5555

Had a 5.9 Dodge before and loved the fuel mileage it got. Now have the 6.7 and hate the fuel mileage but still love the truck. This trip into the hills of Pa. and WVa. have been great with the engine brake for some of the steeper hills. It also takes a pretty good grade for it to drop down a gear when in cruise. So for now I will tolerate the fuel mileage at least till I can get the deletes done.

Dave our truck is a 2007 6.7, first we tried the Edge Attitude didn't change fuel mileage much but it would get up and scream if you needed it too. When the warranty run out I took it to a shop and did a complete delete from the turbo back with 4" exhaust and a flow thru muffler. I also disconnected the Edge Attitude and added a Smarty Chip that reconizes the delete. There is no smoke but its like a wind tunnel comming out of the tailpipe at an idle. As far as mileage only gained 1.5 - 2 mpg loaded and 2 to 3 mpg empty. Hopefully the engine will last a little longe without all the back pressure.
We also have the engine brake and I use it all the time. At 80k mechanic said brakes were still showing good lineing and probably 50% or better. Cabbage Hill dropping into Pendelton OR is 6 miles of 6%, useing 4th gear(6 speed auto)and the engine brake only had to brake 4 times to bring the rpm's down.

[bigskyjimmy]

Thanx everybody for the feedback I am going to go ahead and buy the 02 i WILL go with the AIRDOG pump I do not want any expensive repairs because of low fuel pressure