1500 Hemi 5.7L vs 2500 Cummins 6.7L

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Visionari

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Hello everyone,

I am having the hardest time in the world deciding what Ram to get next.
For a little back story, I currently have a 2020 Ram 1500 Limited on a company lease.
I am leaving this company for a new opportunity, and with that, comes having to purchase a truck.

I am doing so much research my brain is starting to hurt.

I know I would do well with a 2016-2018 Ram 1500 Sport or Laramie
I have the 1500 now, so I know, in general, capability, feel, and overall experience.

I am relocating for work to a more rural area, one with much more good diesel, more readily available.
We will be getting a house in a more secluded area, with more land, and more work to do to the land.
This means I might do some light equipment hauling, and overall, might need a greater payload.

Now, I am trying to compare the 1500 Hemi to a 2500 Cummins.
Looking around the same price range of less than $40k, I can find some trucks out there.

I have found 2500's anywhere from a 2014 to 2018 in a Tradesman to a Longhorn with anywhere from 80k miles to 170k miles.
I am trying to stay with model year 2014 and newer because that was the interior refresh year.

What would be some things to stray away from, to look for, and some overall things with 2500's with the 6.7

Should I stick with a 1500, would I be stupid to go with a 2500?

What are your experiences with these, would maintenance cost with a higher mileage diesel not be worth the extra capability?

I am in the process of selling my house, trying to get temporary living, buying a new house 3 hours away, starting a new job, about to have my wedding, and having to purchase a new truck, all in the span in about 3 months, so I just have a lot going on that is getting overwhelming, I just don't want to make the wrong, stupid decision.

Thank you for any help.
 

miles01

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I had a 1500,
It was great on fuel milage.
Towing the RV (8,000lbs) not so good as the trailer would toss the truck around due to the light duty rear springs.

I now have a 2500 6.4
Terrible gas mileage compared to the 1500.
Good at towing
Rougher ride.

I should have got a 3500 with 6.7CTD (payload ok then) if 2500 CTD same as 1500 payload
 

dhay13

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I think a 2500 6.4 would be an option too but will be more costly for fuel, although diesel is more expensive so sort of a trade-off. I have no experience with the 6.7 or any diesels but do know they have payload limitations with the 2500. I get an average of 12.1 MPG with my 6.4 and that is with some towing a 9000lb trailer and some highway, most in town. I get about 16.5 MPG on the highway at about 65 MPH. Just for reference the payload on my 2500 is 2973lbs but mine is a little heavier with the skid plates and other off-road stuff that came with it. Aside from that I can't offer much. Maybe go with the 1500 and buy a small trailer for those times you need to haul much?
 

WY-Dave

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I had a similar dilemma when I had the hankering for a truck from 2 Jeeps and a popup. The JKU had towing of 3000#. The popup was at 1900# and about 2300# loaded (water and junk). Around here the camping areas are in the mountains and we go from about 5700' to 10,800'. That poor thang did not like going up and was a handful coming down the 5-7% grades with the popup. When both Jeeps needed to go in for the plastic thermostat housing cracks, we looked at trucks waiting for the Jeeps to get fixed. Needless to say, two go in and one come out.

I had gotten tired of wishing I had something that I could tow with that I really didn't have to worry about the numbers (knew would never get one of them monster 5th wheels). Now IIRC the 1500 had a 10K tow. The 27' 5th wheel we looked at was about 6000#. So empty we were about at 60% capacity. The 2500 CTD is at 17980# towing is at 33%. My thinking is that even with the 1500 getting better gas to start with but since it was working harder, it would be getting worse towing than the 2500 towing the same. Now, we tow the camper maybe 3 times a year. For that lil use, the offset is really not a cost factor if you think about yearly costs. When all the forest fires were going around I was able to help my bro-in-law evacuate his ranch with towing out of there campers, skid steers, a smaller front end loader, boats, tractor etc. We were also able to help out the fellow ranchers get live stock out and some of their equipment. With the 26' camper we have now, I go from 17mpg to 15mpg towing up to the mountains.

One of my favorite sayings is "better to have and not need (2500) than to need and not have(Jeeps)"

Now for the downside of the CTD. The fuel and oil filters are programmed to be changed out at 15K miles. I go 10k on oil and 15k on fuel. The CTD oil is 3gal, yup 12qts. About $100 for the good stuff (shell T6), and $20 for the oil filter. Last time the dealer charged about the same for them to do it, so they get to do it. The fuel filters they wanted close to $300. Front is about $53 and the rear is $64. So about $120 for both Fleetgard(Cummins) filters. Takes about an hour or so to do it. No-brainer there, I do those.

Even as a daily driver, I avg about 2 oil and 1 fuel maintenance a year, say around $320 a year. Along with the above, about every 2000 miles is a DEF refill at $8 for the Wally stuff (just as good as Blue Def, I check with a refractometer for DEF ratio). Manual says no fuel treatments needed, but I use Power Service(Cummins) products. The fun part will be when the injectors will need to be replaced. A set of new injectors are around $2700. The mileage varies, but unless something else is wrong, it starts at 100K miles. Then crankcase vent filter ($100) at 67,500miles. Looks like it can be done DYI. EGR cleaning, looks like a PITA, but can be done DYI.

Ok so after 3+ years, would I do it again, YUP!
 

crash68

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The fun part will be when the injectors will need to be replaced. A set of new injectors are around $2700. The mileage varies, but unless something else is wrong, it starts at 100K miles.
Are you saying the injectors need to be replaced on a CTD around 100K miles? really? .. you forgot to mention the turbo also, that another "100K mile" replacement item ...where do people make this stuff up from SMH
 

WY-Dave

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Are you saying the injectors need to be replaced on a CTD around 100K miles? really? .. you forgot to mention the turbo also, that another "100K mile" replacement item ...where do people make this stuff up from SMH
What I was trying to saying is that injectors at one point will need to be replaced and heard of them where people did them at around 100k (boss) and them some have gone 175k(bro-in-law).

Def not made up HSBaY
 

stembridge

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I'm going the opposite direction, selling my '15 RAM 2500 Tradesman 4x4 Reg Cab Longbed to replace with a new RAM Classic Tradesman Quad Cab. I retired last year and we moved from a 15 acre hobby farm to a small home on one acre. Won't be hauling hay or livestock any more, so the 2500 is more truck than I need (plus the wife wants the second row of seats and a smoother ride).

My 2500 has the 5.7 and I never found it lacking for towing, even with the heavily-loaded 25' enclosed trailer we used for our move. Fuel economy unloaded has been around 13-14 (best ever tank was 15.5), and down around 8-9 when towing heavy.

Prior to the 2500, I had a '99.5 F-250 Powerstroke with about 175K on it, and it was a horse of a truck. Sold it after about three years because I was deathly afraid of maintenance and repair expenses that would have certainly come along - seems like the entry price on repairing anything on a heavy duty or diesel is $4K (grin). The F-250 had some gremlins that made it unsuitable for long road trips, and at the time I was facing the end of my Dad's battle with dementia that eventually required several 16-hour road trips to clean out his house and deliver the casket I built to the funeral home.

I drove a '00 New Beetle TDI as my daily for over twelve years, and the fuel savings at 45MPG were a wash when factoring in maintenance costs (timing belts, etc.) and the normally-higher cost of diesel fuel.

Just a few data points that I hope are helpful.

es
 

jaflowers

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I'd go the newer 2500, 6.4 hemi and 8 speed transmission. Has all the payload it sounds like you'd need, the 8 speed lets you tow just about anything you ought to with a 2500 and lastly the maintenance on the gas engine is cheaper than the diesel. My thoughts.
 

SouthTexan

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Due to the cost of the special oil needed for the 6.4L and the that you can go almost double the number of miles between maintenance on the Cummins. The difference in total maintenance cost is not that different over the course of 100k miles if you do it yourself which is really easy to do. Taking it to the dealer will cost you especially if they change the fuel filters.
 

Bigseff23

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Due to the cost of the special oil needed for the 6.4L and the that you can go almost double the number of miles between maintenance on the Cummins. The difference in total maintenance cost is not that different over the course of 100k miles if you do it yourself which is really easy to do. Taking it to the dealer will cost you especially if they change the fuel filters.
You don't really need the expensive special oil for a 6.4. I run rotella t6 5w40 in it since it was new and have over 70k miles on it and haven't had one problem. I usually buy it in bulk when it's on sale for $24 bucks a gallon. So I might have $50 bucks in an oil change
 

ramffml

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Due to the cost of the special oil needed for the 6.4L and the that you can go almost double the number of miles between maintenance on the Cummins. The difference in total maintenance cost is not that different over the course of 100k miles if you do it yourself which is really easy to do. Taking it to the dealer will cost you especially if they change the fuel filters.
You need just one out of warranty expense on a diesel (if that) and you will never make your money back in savings no matter what you do.

Today's diesels are always the more expensive option. You buy them because you need the power, or because you want it, not because it's ever going to save you money.
 

SeppW

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Hello everyone,

I am having the hardest time in the world deciding what Ram to get next.
For a little back story, I currently have a 2020 Ram 1500 Limited on a company lease.
I am leaving this company for a new opportunity, and with that, comes having to purchase a truck.

I am doing so much research my brain is starting to hurt.

I know I would do well with a 2016-2018 Ram 1500 Sport or Laramie
I have the 1500 now, so I know, in general, capability, feel, and overall experience.

I am relocating for work to a more rural area, one with much more good diesel, more readily available.
We will be getting a house in a more secluded area, with more land, and more work to do to the land.
This means I might do some light equipment hauling, and overall, might need a greater payload.

Now, I am trying to compare the 1500 Hemi to a 2500 Cummins.
Looking around the same price range of less than $40k, I can find some trucks out there.

I have found 2500's anywhere from a 2014 to 2018 in a Tradesman to a Longhorn with anywhere from 80k miles to 170k miles.
I am trying to stay with model year 2014 and newer because that was the interior refresh year.

What would be some things to stray away from, to look for, and some overall things with 2500's with the 6.7

Should I stick with a 1500, would I be stupid to go with a 2500?

What are your experiences with these, would maintenance cost with a higher mileage diesel not be worth the extra capability?

I am in the process of selling my house, trying to get temporary living, buying a new house 3 hours away, starting a new job, about to have my wedding, and having to purchase a new truck, all in the span in about 3 months, so I just have a lot going on that is getting overwhelming, I just don't want to make the wrong, stupid decision.

Thank you for any help.
If you don't plan on towing or hauling heavy often, the 1500 would be the logical choice for car-like ride and performance. The 2500 diesel will ride like log wagon along with fuel, DEF, and oils, filters etc will add to operating expense. Then there is the culture of folks that think the only real truck is diesel-powered.
 

RLJ10X

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I think a Cummins/2500 is so cool, I'd buy one just for cool factor. What a beast!

But in reality, my 1500 will pull 10,000 pounds (just not very far, and not very fast). It rides really nice. It's a lot cheaper to buy and operate, all things being equal. As much as I'd like to have a diesel under the hood, I simply cannot justify it.

And I don't care for those pissy assed little 3 liter eco diesels.

Is a 5 liter in line six diesel in a 1500 with a six speed manual too much to ask for?! I think not. Too bad it'll never happen. Lol
 

SouthTexan

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You need just one out of warranty expense on a diesel (if that) and you will never make your money back in savings no matter what you do.

Today's diesels are always the more expensive option. You buy them because you need the power, or because you want it, not because it's ever going to save you money.


1) Cummins diesel engine warranty is 100k miles so there would be no out-of-warranty diesel engine repairs in the 100k timeframe I stated.

2) You DO NOT recoup any savings from diesel on fuel alone. It is a combination of resale value and fuel savings as shown in the chart below that I did a few years back. It actually needs to be updated because the value of my truck went up to $40k(I paid $50k and MSRP was $64K) when I looked it up a few weeks ago.

3) I have owned three Cummins diesel and none of them had any major repairs needed on them until around 200-250k miles. I currently have 140k on my truck with zero engine repairs besides a water pump that replaced due to a recall even though there was nothing wrong with the old one. My friends who own Powerstrokes and Durmax's, that is a different story.

However, I agree with you. You buy a diesel because you want more power even if it might costs you more money depending on your location and local prices. Similar to how a 6.4L owner pays more for that over the 5.7L in the 2500 or a 5.7L owner pays more for that over the base V6 in the 1500. Although in those options, the more powerful engines generally use more fuel, not less like the diesel option does.

To me, even if the diesel cost $2k over the course of 100k miles I would still think it is a good value for what you get in return.

5.7 vs 6.4 vs 6.7(3).PNG
 
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ramffml

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1) Cummins diesel engine warranty is 100k miles so there would be no out-of-warranty diesel engine repairs in the 100k timeframe I stated.

2) You DO NOT recoup any savings from diesel on fuel alone. It is a combination of resale value and fuel savings as shown in the chart below that I did a few years back. It actually needs to be updated because the value of my truck went up to $40k(I paid $50k and MSRP was $64K) when I looked it up a few weeks ago.

3) I have owned three Cummins diesel and none of them had any major repairs needed on them until around 200-250k miles. I currently have 140k on my truck with zero engine repairs besides a water pump that replaced due to a recall even though there was nothing wrong with the old one. My friends who own Powerstrokes and Durmax's, that is a different story.

However, I agree with you. You buy a diesel because you want more power even if it might costs you more money depending on your location and local prices. Similar to how a 6.4L owner pays more for that over the 5.7L in the 2500 or a 5.7L owner pays more for that over the base V6 in the 1500. Although in those options, the more powerful engines generally use more fuel, not less like the diesel option does.

To me, even if the diesel cost $2k over the course of 100k miles I would still think it is a good value for what you get in return.

View attachment 462707


I've heard way too many horror stories regarding ALL modern diesels, including cummins. Not the old school pre def diesels, but all modern ones released in last 10 years or so. Injectors, fuel pumps, def related stuff, the list goes on.

Good to know the warranty is that long, I did not know that so thanks for pointing it out.

To be fair to your point, the hemi 5.7 is also not without issues, lifter tick apparently affects up to 5% by some mechanic estimations, but still, everything on a cummins costs more except perhaps fuel depending on area.

I'd rather drive a cummins, but own a 5.7.
 

SouthTexan

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I've heard way too many horror stories regarding ALL modern diesels, including cummins. Not the old school pre def diesels, but all modern ones released in last 10 years or so. Injectors, fuel pumps, def related stuff, the list goes on.

Good to know the warranty is that long, I did not know that so thanks for pointing it out.

To be fair to your point, the hemi 5.7 is also not without issues, lifter tick apparently affects up to 5% by some mechanic estimations, but still, everything on a cummins costs more except perhaps fuel depending on area.

I'd rather drive a cummins, but own a 5.7.


The injector and pump issues are mainly with PSD's and D-max's due to the CP4 pump and very sensitive piezo injectors. The CP4 pump is more sensitive to fuel contamination and also generally grenades when it fails sending metal shrapnel throughout the whole system. This requires you to replace or clean your whole fuel system including injectors costing upwards of up to $10k to fix. The PSD still uses the CP4 while GM went with a Denso HP4 that is looking to be more reliable.

The Cummins used the more reliable CP3 pump and electric solenoid injectors. Not only are these considerably less sensitive to contamination and last a lot longer, but the CP3 generally does grenade when it finally fails. All that happens is that you lose pressure and power meaning that your repairs are much less. Cummins did go to a CP4 for a few years(2019-2020), but went back to the CP3 in 2021 that was revamped for the higher pressures to meet the new emissions/power requirements.

I had to replace one CP3 at around 225k miles in my old 2003. The pump cost me about $500 at the time and I had it replaced in one afternoon. Although to be fair, I was pushing more fuel through that thing than stock levels due to the tune I was running so that likely cut the life span of the pump.
 
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ramffml

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The injector and pump issues are mainly with PSD's and D-max's due to the CP4 pump and very sensitive piezo injectors. The CP4 pump is more sensitive to fuel contamination and also generally grenades when it fails sending metal shrapnel throughout the whole system. This requires you to replace or clean your whole fuel system including injectors costing upwards of up to $10k to fix. The PSD still uses the CP4 while GM went with a Denso HP4 that is looking to be more reliable.

The Cummins used the more reliable CP3 pump and electric solenoid injectors. Not only are these considerably less sensitive to contamination and last a lot longer, but the CP3 generally does grenade when it finally fails. All that happens is that you lose pressure and power meaning that your repairs are much less. Cummins did go to a CP4 for a few years(2019-2020), but went back to the CP3 in 2021 that was revamped for the higher pressures to meet the new emissions/power requirements.

I had to replace one CP3 at around 225k miles in my old 2003. The pump cost me about $500 at the time and I had it replaced in one afternoon. Although to be fair, I was pushing more fuel through that thing than stock levels due to the tune I was running so that likely cut the life span of the pump.

Far as I know, cummins used the CP4 for a few model years too. They may have switched back to the CP3 now though.
 

SouthTexan

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Far as I know, cummins used the CP4 for a few model years too. They may have switched back to the CP3 now though.
That is what I stated. They used the CP4 with the new model but went back to the CP3 in the current 2021 and up trucks.
 
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