So pros and cons of the Cummins?

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Bgeise

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I current have a Hemi. Purchasing a new truck and debating on getting the Cummins. How is the quality of the Ram 2500 Cummins? What should someone know before moving from a Hemi to a Cummins.

Thanks in advance!
 

MADDOG

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Pros:

1. Lots more torque than a HEMI
2. Better fuel mileage
3. Pulls things up hills with ease
4. Quiet (when stock)
5. Performance mods turn them into snarling beasts

Cons:

1. Heavier than a HEMI. Affects towing capacity and payload calculation as part of the GVWR & GCVWR.
2. Diesel is more expensive than 87 or 89 (in my area at least)
3. Added expense of DEF fluid
4. Higher maintenance costs (may be offset by lower fuel costs due to better mileage)
5. Some mods are needed to keep dirt and air out of the fuel system. Injector and injector pump life will improve with better filtration.

I'd pick a Cummins again if I was towing heavy a lot. The 6.4L gas engine is a good one, however, but be mindful of tow weights and long steep grades.
 

jejb

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Great list above. I'd add that I would not buy the diesel unless it's going to primarily be a hauler. I love my CTD Ram, but I do not commute or run to the store with it. It usually has a trailer behind it if it's going anywhere. I believe they need to be worked to keep the emission systems in good working order.
 

chri5k

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I would also add higher initial cost. The 6.7 Cummins option adds around $10K to the sticker price.

It seems the Cummins option buyers fall into 2 camps; those need it for hauling and those that just want / like a diesel engine. The first camp is practical and the second camp is emotional. It is pretty easy to determine load, frequency, typical terrain, etc to make the practical decision. The emotional one, I won't go there ....
 

corneileous

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I current have a Hemi. Purchasing a new truck and debating on getting the Cummins. How is the quality of the Ram 2500 Cummins? What should someone know before moving from a Hemi to a Cummins.

Thanks in advance!

I know you just asked about the quality of the new modern day Cummins turbo diesel‘s but, there any particular reason why you’re wanting to move up to a three-quarter ton with a Cummins?


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Bgeise

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I know you just asked about the quality of the new modern day Cummins turbo diesel‘s but, there any particular reason why you’re wanting to move up to a three-quarter ton with a Cummins?


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So, I have one foot in both camps as I want the Diesel and will be pulling a 4 place covered snowmobile trailer for 8 hour trips one way several times a year. It would be my daily driver, 20 min commute. I like that they last forever, and hold their value better than the Hemi. How much is the def fluid and how often do you have to fill it?
 

Dennis Shellito

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Nothing in a pickup truck pulls like the inline 6 Cummins Turbo Diesel, but if you aren't towing heavy and plan on driving short little commutes I would advise you to look into a 6.4L gasser with 4.10 axle. For what you would spend on the diesel option you could buy a lot of gas and have less maintenance expenditures with a gasser. But, having said this I really like my Cummins and would be heart sick to have to go back to a gas pickup again.
 

Dennis Shellito

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A twenty minute commute would be good and you will love the pulling torque of the Cummins, as it makes towing so much more comfortable. I don't use DEF in my Cummins but have heard that if the DEF system is working correctly they don't use copious amounts of fluid.
 

corneileous

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So, I have one foot in both camps as I want the Diesel and will be pulling a 4 place covered snowmobile trailer for 8 hour trips one way several times a year. It would be my daily driver, 20 min commute. I like that they last forever, and hold their value better than the Hemi. How much is the def fluid and how often do you have to fill it?

They do, but modern diesels aren’t like what they were before 2007. That’s why I’m my opinion, I wouldn’t own o e unless I just absolutely needed it. You pay about a 10,000-dollar increase for the Cummins and just despite the maintenance always being higher even before all this new emissions garbage, you now have that to deal with as well.

As far as DEF fluid, that all just depends on your driving but from what Ive read, you should get 3 to 4 tanks of fuel before you have to refill the DEF tank.

But it just all boils down to how much you want to spend on the truck, the maintenance and the costly repairs on all that California-junk emissions [if you ever encounter any] vs the more fuel you’ll spend money on with the 6.4 gasser.

All in all, it’s not just longer longevity or better resale anymore when it comes to a diesel. That all changed in 2007.


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John Jensen

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I'm a diesel guy so unable to give you advice on a gasser.
Maddog gave a good comparison except for his Con #5, I've never heard of any air filtration problem with late model Cummins. In fact quite the opposite, they have an excellent air filter system.
 

MADDOG

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@John Jensen I was not referring to intake air filtration. It's air in the fuel that's the issue. It causes pump cavitation.
 

John Jensen

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@John Jensen I was not referring to intake air filtration. It's air in the fuel that's the issue. It causes pump cavitation.
Gotcha - thanks for the correction

However, I've not heard of that problem either. I read a lot where guys are afraid the capless fuel filler will allow dirt but not aware of air in the fuel.
Could you elaborate and also comment on what the preventive mods might be.

Thanks
 

MADDOG

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Gotcha - thanks for the correction

However, I've not heard of that problem either. I read a lot where guys are afraid the capless fuel filler will allow dirt but not aware of air in the fuel.
Could you elaborate and also comment on what the preventive mods might be.

Thanks

How do you know if you have water or air in your fuel system? If it is a diesel then white smoke and rough running is one of the symptoms of air in the injector lines. The engine may start and run briefly, then stall and not start. Water in the fuel tank/line will cause the same effect.

You can purge the injector & fuel lines and there's a documented process for that.

But how in the heck does air and water get into the fuel in the first place? Water, well, it's a thing and it's an easy thing to have happen depending on your fuel source, storage tank condition or even if you don't seal your fuel neck. Most newer diesel trucks have no cap on the fuel filler neck. You'll find the same omission on the DEF fill. So water happens.

The capless systems are not supposed to suck air or be a water infiltration location but I have my doubts that the little metal flapper in the neck will work properly for the entire life of the truck. Sealing the filler necks has two benefits. 1) No water or air can be introduced into the tank, and, 2) no low-life creep can pour anything into either of those openings.


Air in the fuel is also a thing but it indicates that some issue exists in the fuel system. Air bubbles are caused by any air leak on the vacuum (suc‑ tion) side of the fuel system from the fuel tank pick‑up to, and including the lift pump. You can also introduce air into your fuel system if you run the tank too low and the pump starts to cavitate, sucking air into the lines.

So when it's air the purge method is used as well as a fuel system pressure test to find any air leaks.

The water fix? Fuel treatment systems to remove air and water from fuel have been used for years on large diesel powered trucks for years. The technology is available for light duty trucks as well. Companies like Ingersoll Rand, FASS, and others have systems available. Another method is treating the fuel with additives such as those produced by Bell Performance and many others.

I hope that helps.
 

John Jensen

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How do you know if you have water or air in your fuel system? If it is a diesel then white smoke and rough running is one of the symptoms of air in the injector lines. The engine may start and run briefly, then stall and not start. Water in the fuel tank/line will cause the same effect.

You can purge the injector & fuel lines and there's a documented process for that.

But how in the heck does air and water get into the fuel in the first place? Water, well, it's a thing and it's an easy thing to have happen depending on your fuel source, storage tank condition or even if you don't seal your fuel neck. Most newer diesel trucks have no cap on the fuel filler neck. You'll find the same omission on the DEF fill. So water happens.

The capless systems are not supposed to suck air or be a water infiltration location but I have my doubts that the little metal flapper in the neck will work properly for the entire life of the truck. Sealing the filler necks has two benefits. 1) No water or air can be introduced into the tank, and, 2) no low-life creep can pour anything into either of those openings.


Air in the fuel is also a thing but it indicates that some issue exists in the fuel system. Air bubbles are caused by any air leak on the vacuum (suc‑ tion) side of the fuel system from the fuel tank pick‑up to, and including the lift pump. You can also introduce air into your fuel system if you run the tank too low and the pump starts to cavitate, sucking air into the lines.

So when it's air the purge method is used as well as a fuel system pressure test to find any air leaks.

The water fix? Fuel treatment systems to remove air and water from fuel have been used for years on large diesel powered trucks for years. The technology is available for light duty trucks as well. Companies like Ingersoll Rand, FASS, and others have systems available. Another method is treating the fuel with additives such as those produced by Bell Performance and many others.

I hope that helps.
Yep, helps a lot. Thanks
 

BossHogg

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So, I have one foot in both camps as I want the Diesel and will be pulling a 4 place covered snowmobile trailer for 8 hour trips one way several times a year. It would be my daily driver, 20 min commute. I like that they last forever, and hold their value better than the Hemi. How much is the def fluid and how often do you have to fill it?

I strongly suggest you stay with a gas engine. Typically, a 2500 Cummins is a towing solution for someone that regularly tows over 12,000 pounds. Your short daily commutes are going to be rough on the emissions system.
 

jejb

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I would also add higher initial cost. The 6.7 Cummins option adds around $10K to the sticker price.
You hear this argument a lot, but you have to remember that the truck is also worth a lot more when you sell it.
It seems the Cummins option buyers fall into 2 camps; those need it for hauling and those that just want / like a diesel engine. The first camp is practical and the second camp is emotional. It is pretty easy to determine load, frequency, typical terrain, etc to make the practical decision. The emotional one, I won't go there ....
Agreed.

As far as DEF use, it really depends on usage. If you're hauling a lot, especially at highway speeds, you'll go through it pretty fast. Unloaded use, it does not use much at all.
 

wakeboardcraze

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I have the gasser my father in law has the diesel.. I feel like I f’ed up big time buying the gasser. Can’t wait to get rid of it and into a diesel. We just did emission delete on it at 158k so far has been trouble free! It’s a 2017 model.
 
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