Cummins 6.7

[Robbie Hegwood]

Just took a 07 3500 4x4 CC with a 6.7 cummins and 6 speed auto for a test drive. Very impressive truck with some very useful features. Tow/haul mode with a jake brake. Very functional. When they first brought it around I said there must be a mistake I asked for a diesel. It was as quiet as a gasser. Very impressed, but all this brought on by my ford 6.0 pouring smoke out the exhaust yesterday afternoon. They think it is the EGR cooler failed and dumping antifreeze into the turbo. Who cares... its on its second turbo and tranny with 90k miles. Warranty up at 100k so its time to cut the strings. We'll take our truck for a trade-in look and see if we can meet on the numbers. Salesman said with the 08 coming in daily the have orders to move the 07's. He felt we could deal pretty easily. Never thought I would be a dodge man but who knew. With as much trouble as my 6.0 is having and the 6.4L off to a rocky start I felt it was a safe move. I guess we'll see. Robbie

 

[john_bud]

That should be a good machine. Have you also looked at the Chevy / GMC's?

jb

 

[jcmseven]

Robbie,

The 6.7L is a solid motor which I really like. I do not from whom you have gotten the information about the "rocky start" of the 6.4L Ford, but it is incorrect. Thus far, of all the Ford diesels way back to the non-turbo, pre-PowerStroke days there has not been a light duty truck engine (diesel) from Ford with this few problems in its first few months. Despite all the desires among competitors to the contrary, the service bays remain silent. It is a refined truck with good power and excellent quiet operation. I really like the Dodge Cummins engine, it is nice. The rest of the truck, in my opinion, is not yet at the level of the powerplant, but its getting there. I do not know about where you live, but resale on these Dodges in my area is poor relative to GM and Ford. Just last week, a gentleman offered me exactly what I have in my 2008 SD at the carwash. My washers know him and said he likely meant it. I thought about it, but then said I would get exactly the same thing again, so I did not see much point in that. I like the GM products also. The powertrain is solid and they have good power also. They are quiet and refined on the inside too. My friend has a new GMC 2500 which he really likes. I like it too for its performance but to me it is a really homely truck. That said, it will likely hold its resale better than Dodge. I know since you are having problems with your Ford, you may wish to change brands, but I will tell you they are making a very nice truck right now. Tough to beat and quite a distance ahead of what you are currently driving. As always, drive them and drive them well. Take a stopwatch and time them. Kick the tires. Look underneath at the frame and suspension components and then report back your findings. Since the prices are similar also consider which ones give you the best resale, unless you are one of those million milers.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

Robbie,

One more thing: I am not a separatist nor do I wage battle against the global economy every day, but something our recent posts on trucks have not touched upon is where the truck is made. The Dodge truck is made in Mexico with an American engine and a transmission also assembled in Mexico. The Ford product is made in Kentucky (for now) with an engine made in Huntsville, Alabama and a transmission made in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to my spec sheet on my particular truck it was made with 88% American components. The mirrors are made by Schefenaker in Australia (some of the finest) and assorted wiring is made in Honduras. At the time it had the highest domestic parts and labor content of any heavy duty pickup. My understanding was that many GM heavy duty trucks were also assembled in Mexico, but recently the ones I have seen have a "made proudly in Flint, Michigan" sticker on the driver's side door. Don't know if it matters to you, but it mattered to me.

John M

 

[whitetiger]

A very few of the HD GM's that are assembled in Mexico come across the border. Almost all are sold there or are exported to the south. The GM's assembled in Canada are mostly sold in Canada. The GM's sold in this country are almost all assembled here.

 

[MississippiMan]

my dodge was made in missouri

 

[firedog]

My Dodge 2500 (Cummins) was manufactured in Canada.

 

[LarryRB]

Robbie,
One more thing: I am not a separatist nor do I wage battle against the global economy every day, but something our recent posts on trucks have not touched upon is where the truck is made. The Dodge truck is made in Mexico with an American engine and a transmission also assembled in Mexico.
John M

Jcmseven,
Dodge's are made in St Louis, Mexico and Canada, they are not all made in Mexico.. I have a new 6.7 and it was made in Mexico. Been a flawless truck so far. I also take issue with your previous statement that Dodge isn't as good as Ford/GM, but coming... I have friends with new GM's and Ford's and their trucks can't do anymore than mine can, at least matching SRW 1 ton pick-ups.. THeir's don't ride any better, aren't any better in interior and I don't find the Dodge inferior to any as you suggest, Am I hard core Dodge? Yes. Try looking up the match between connecting rods Cummins vs Duramax vs the powerstroke.. Big difference here too,. I'd be foolish to say Dodge is better than the other two, however, I won't accept the other way around because it just isn't a true statement.

 

[cp1969]

The rest of the truck, in my opinion, is not yet at the level of the powerplant, but its getting there.

What parts, in particular, are not up to the Ford/GM standards?

I do not know about where you live, but resale on these Dodges in my area is poor relative to GM and Ford.

That would be interesting to see if Kelly/Edmunds agrees.

Just last week, a gentleman offered me exactly what I have in my 2008 SD at the carwash. My washers know him and said he likely meant it. I thought about it, but then said I would get exactly the same thing again, so I did not see much point in that.

That, too, is interesting. Why would he be willing to pay as much for your used truck as a new one would cost? I can see one point--if you're not afraid of getting a lemon on the next one, you could have erased all the miles off your odometer for free.

 

[MississippiMan]

i truly doubt if an american assembly line worker is better than a mexican one. they receive the same training and use the same robots.

 

[crbr]

Just took a 07 3500 4x4 CC with a 6.7 cummins and 6 speed auto for a test drive. Very impressive truck with some very useful features. Tow/haul mode with a jake brake. Very functional. When they first brought it around I said there must be a mistake I asked for a diesel. It was as quiet as a gasser. Very impressed, but all this brought on by my ford 6.0 pouring smoke out the exhaust yesterday afternoon. They think it is the EGR cooler failed and dumping antifreeze into the turbo. Who cares... its on its second turbo and tranny with 90k miles. Warranty up at 100k so its time to cut the strings. We'll take our truck for a trade-in look and see if we can meet on the numbers. Salesman said with the 08 coming in daily the have orders to move the 07's. He felt we could deal pretty easily. Never thought I would be a dodge man but who knew. With as much trouble as my 6.0 is having and the 6.4L off to a rocky start I felt it was a safe move. I guess we'll see. Robbie

My suggestion would be to read up on a forum bulletin board and see what feedback daily users are giving. I hear rumors of inherent problems with this engine, mostly fuel mileage. I do not know anything for a fact nor does it matter to me who makes what, where. This is a one world global economy, regardless of where one last knew life as they perceive it.

Do a search for a popular forum and get feedback from actual users. If it were a Duramax, I could tell you what I have learned from use of that engine. I can say that the third generation Duramax has finally worked out most common issues (the LBZ engine).

GMC has a tow / haul Allison transmission, but no true exhaust porting for braking. It is merely an electronic shift to a higher gear for assisted slowing.

 

[garth466]

Has anyone had the 6.7 that had a 5.9 before? I have an 03 and love the idea of the 6.7, but waiting to hear if "real fuel mileage" seems to stay the same. My normal is right at 16 mpg and with prices of fuel, don't want to use any more.

I think resale for the Dodge is better around here. They seem to sell for about the same prices used as the other two, but it should be noted that the Dodge starts out cheaper. I would say that I would rather have a Ford truck, but since the Cummins is in the Dodge, that's what I've bought the last 3 times.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Several factors played into my choice.

1. The inline engine is how the big rigs get'r dun
2. I feel the cummins has the most reserve left in the engine
3. A decent track record locally with dodges pulling big weight
4. Price, they are offering alot of rebate and are very motivated to move the 07's Ford holding out for top dollar.
5. After having a 6.0 it's not holding up pulling my equipment
6. I've heard just the opisite for MPG, neighbor has a new 450 and has parked it from daily driving for 10mpg, bought a car for comuting.
7. Past records for MPG has been in dodge's favor

Lastly, It may turn out to be a 8k lbs. problem but from my point of view now it seems the right truck. I like ford's personally better but my tractors aren't making us money sitting in the yard because the trucks broke. Plus they said a loaner of equal size if it's in the shop, I'll have to buy a bumper pull as a backup for the loaner but I need one anyway.

It's good to hear the feedback. Thanks Robbie

 

[garth466]

The thing I really want to know is what kind of mpg does the new 6.7 with automatic get? I really wonder if all the new "clean" stuff on it hurts the mileage. I don't know anyone who owns one. I have a lot of friends picking up the last 5.9's they can find because they are under the impression the 6.7 won't put out the MPG's.

I probably won't ever know for sure until I get one myself. My 03 is almost identical to the 99 I had before. Neither of them do as well as my 98 12v though. Of course that was a standard cab and 5 speed, so not really apple to apples.

Most people who talk mileage seem to think that the computer by the mirror is actually accurate. I wish! I'm know I'm not getting 20.7 as the thing states. My calculator said 15.95 yesterday at fill up.

 

[LarryRB]

I've had several 5.9's before this 6.7. The overhead, which doesn't always mean accurate, reads an average of 18.4., Towing, it depends,, If I run through Bigelow Hollow, it may be 9 or 10. Out on the highway interstate, 12.

 

[jcmseven]

LarryRB,

I made not a comment about the truck not comparing favorably v. other trucks. Please read my response carefully.....I said the engine in the Dodge in my opinion is its strongest suit. I think no one here would argue that point. Dodge has come a long way on the rest of the truck. One major advancement is the new transmission. The frame, which has been a weaker point in the past is now coming into standard and I think is in line with the other truck improvements made. There was a time not long ago when the Dodge frame was not riveted, but solely welded and only welded on one side at the cross member. Some would argue with hydroforming that the frame does not need this, but if it is there it shows to me someone took the time to "do it right". Dodge now does this, but they have not always. Larry, I see this as a complement to the Dodge truck, not a detriment. cp1969, I did just what you asked and plugged in my zip on both Edmonds and KBB. My suspicions seem correct. I tried to spec two trucks as equally as I could with similar trim levels and mileage. Unfortunately, I could not spec a 2008 Ford as apparently the model is too new. On average, the Dodge brought $4500 less on KBB and $3200 on Edmunds v. a much maligned 6.0L Ford and about the same v. a Chevrolet. I am sure though, the gap is closing. Also, for Robbie, I would say that if you are planning to run a very low gear, greater than 4:10, do not get the Ford if you want good fuel mileage. My mileage in my 250 has been fine and the equivalent of my friend's GMC, if not slightly better. I am though running a 3.73 axle, and that really helps. The reports I have heard about the Ford's that are getting poor mileage have the lower gears. I suspect the Cummins engine would not be as subject to this problem.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

One more thing, to those who do not have Dodges assembled in Mexico, I apologize to you for being overly general. My experience was based on when I was looking at new trucks in April, 2007. There was not a single heavy duty Dodge when I was shopping on my dealer's lot that was not assembled in Mexico. Also, at THAT time, Dodge had the lowest domestic parts content among the three HD truck brands. Ford had the highest and GM was a fairly close second and this was according to three separate Dodge dealers' spec sheets, and two each from Ford and Chevy (also from window sticker on Ford). That, of course, was not my primary thing during the purchase, but it did matter to me. We as a group talk so often about our pride in American production so I felt it an important thing to mention. One responder mentioned that the Mexico factory most likely did as good a job as any American one, and I certainly agree with this. I have no problem sending jobs outside our borders if it helps a company remain viable. But, the point being...if one has a CHOICE should we consider this an important part of the purchase???? I just bring this up for discussion, perhaps someone has some newer information than I that he/she could share with us.

John M

 

[crbr]

I luV these dueling posts.

YouTube - Dueling Banjos - Deliverance [best quality]

.

 

[Z-Michigan]

One thing to consider for anyone buying a 2007+ diesel - make sure ULSD is readily available both in your home area and wherever you'll be driving. It's available in my home area, but I'm currently on a road trip in Michigan's UP and have seen old LSD at the pumps. Fortunately I am driving a 2005 diesel (Liberty CRD) and can still use 500ppm LSD, but if I had a 2007+ I would have been driving farther for fuel.

We also own a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Cummins and have been completely happy with it. That said, I think GM and Ford make good products also. I have yet to drive any of the 2007 MY diesels so I can't compare. Without knocking anyone else, I do think the Dodge Ram is a very solid vehicle in all respects - frame, suspensions, interior, steering, etc. - and I don't think it will give you any problems (at least relative to Ford and GM) if you decide it's what you like.

 

[srsu99]

All I know for sure is what I have experienced and witnessed first hand. I try to get a new work truck every two years. Put about 12k a year on them. Had ford 7.3 natural asperation (no turbo) ran good mileage about 12 -15. Had a 6.0 ford sat in the shop more than I sat in it traded at 6 months, got decent money for it. Had a 04 2500 dodge cummins 4x4 4 door all the bell sand whistles. Got about 10 mpg for the first 10 miles. then went up every tank to about 18 mpg. At about 20k miles mpg started to drop about the same time they were intriducing low sulfur deisel here. Traded at 2 years old had 30k miles on it. Paid 32k for it got 28k, so that blows resale value theory out of the water. Got a 06 same truck as above on trade. Both had 3.73 rear ends. And I dont think my dealer jacked up the price of new one in order to give me more for trade. Wrote a check for 8000, the difference in price between trade and new truck. New one started out getting better mpg than old one right away. Have gotten up to 20 mpg going to the coast in the winter (not using AC). Both were 6 speed manual box. Have gotten as bad as 7 mpg pulling my 11000 lb excavator to the ranch with a 30 mph headwind. My BIL has a 04 duramax, nice truck injectors went at 140k mile. Got new ones for free under warranty. I have about 20k miles on 06 truck now. Dont haul that heavy with it as I have an 18 wheeler and detachable neck trailer to haul my equipment. However when I pull a brutton 26' cattle trailer I have scaled just shy of 25000 lbs loaded. But I dont do this very often. Truck pulls as good as the 04 did and gets a better mileage. But who cares about that with fuel as cheap as it is LOL