Why Buy New? 2012 1500 6.4l install

[ajrj]

Great work! did you end up doing anything with the exhaust?

The short answer is no...

The longer answer is I looked into a few different options; Full length stainless dual exhaust, and locally sourced custom duals. The stainless was what I really wanted, I mean, who doesn't like mandrel bent tubing that looks like a work of art? But the price tag was steep, like 50% of my brand new short block steep. The locally sourced option was about 50% of the of the pre-fabbed version but was not mandrel bent, which was not what I wanted.

The final decision though came down to power and noise. For the former, the truck has all the power I need. I do run it through full throttle from time to time, but let's face it, as a daily it's not common to really feel the HP above 4500 RPM. As for the noise, the truck was as loud as I wanted. With my de-cat and high flow Y-pipe the neighbours already commented on my cold start ups, and for the first minute it is growly. Having had loud vehicles in the past, I really don't seem to enjoy them like I used to. Maybe I'm getting old HA ha. Don't get me wrong, this truck is still louder than stock by some margin, right where I like it. No resonance, easy to hold a conversation while towing etc. etc.

The final straw was the decision to stick to a NA motor, as the exhaust would have been a big detriment to the supercharger. But wants vs. reality kick in (dang it), and I just drive this truck too much to do anything else that compromises drivability, reliability, and longevity.

 

[ajrj]

Well, the truck has been retired from front line duty, though I am keeping it for the foreseeable future. For the past year the maintenance has only been a set of complete rear brakes (hardware + Rotors + Shoes +pads) and I had to change out an SKF front wheel bearing that was only 2 years old with ~80,00km on it (part was warrantied). Other than that it was oil changes, an air filter, and F/R diff service.

The final major component tally for the the truck as it rolled 400,000km on the weekend out running errands:

Original: Transmission (Solenoid pack replaced at 170,00km), Front and rear diffs, transfer case, drive shafts F & R (including OE u-joints!), alternator, radiator, fuel pump, injectors.

Replaced: Long block, water pump (PM), battery, upper control arms (2 sets due to levelling kit), Lower control arms, front wheel bearings, axle shafts, struts/shocks, at least 4 sets of front pads and 2 sets of rotors, and 1 complete rear brake overhaul. lots of tires...

The coup de grace was actually not even anything mechanical, it was the dreaded C word - Rust! The front of the truck is great but the box is finally showing some minor surface rust over the wheels. Honestly it's still better than most of these trucks I see on the road. It really is a great truck, and still surprises me how it pulls from a stop. The interior/electronics have functioned flawlessly, other than the usual drivers side seat bolster wear. No lights or warnings, just turn the key and go!

At the end of the day the truck served it's mission. That was to get me through the COVID price escalation and another 3 ish years and 157,000km and counting. Unfortunately for me vehicles haven't gotten any cheaper, and I recently just replaced it with 2025 Chev diesel 2500. I always said I'd get a black night edition HD Ram, but they are everywhere these days. Driving home a few weeks ago I was in a pack of three similar trucks, all black with blacked out windows lol. I also could not buy the first year 8 speed diesel and new Cummins - WTH is a CP8?. BTDT got the sticker...

I'm unclear as to the future with my truck. I don't think I've ever owned a vehicle longer or put more km on one. I've driven this thing 290,000km and it has never, ever, left me stranded for any reason. As vehicles with 400k on the odometer are virtually worthless I'm tempted to keep it for hunting, winter driving, etc. I would probably pull the 6.4 and sell the roller at some point, we'll see if I chime in back here with a future project.
Cheers to everyone who got something out of this

GJ.

 

[hemihustlin]

Well, the truck has been retired from front line duty, though I am keeping it for the foreseeable future. For the past year the maintenance has only been a set of complete rear brakes (hardware + Rotors + Shoes +pads) and I had to change out an SKF front wheel bearing that was only 2 years old with ~80,00km on it (part was warrantied). Other than that it was oil changes, an air filter, and F/R diff service.

The final major component tally for the the truck as it rolled 400,000km on the weekend out running errands:

Original: Transmission (Solenoid pack replaced at 170,00km), Front and rear diffs, transfer case, drive shafts F & R (including OE u-joints!), alternator, radiator, fuel pump, injectors.

Replaced: Long block, water pump (PM), battery, upper control arms (2 sets due to levelling kit), Lower control arms, front wheel bearings, axle shafts, struts/shocks, at least 4 sets of front pads and 2 sets of rotors, and 1 complete rear brake overhaul. lots of tires...

The coup de grace was actually not even anything mechanical, it was the dreaded C word - Rust! The front of the truck is great but the box is finally showing some minor surface rust over the wheels. Honestly it's still better than most of these trucks I see on the road. It really is a great truck, and still surprises me how it pulls from a stop. The interior/electronics have functioned flawlessly, other than the usual drivers side seat bolster wear. No lights or warnings, just turn the key and go!

At the end of the day the truck served it's mission. That was to get me through the COVID price escalation and another 3 ish years and 157,000km and counting. Unfortunately for me vehicles haven't gotten any cheaper, and I recently just replaced it with 2025 Chev diesel 2500. I always said I'd get a black night edition HD Ram, but they are everywhere these days. Driving home a few weeks ago I was in a pack of three similar trucks, all black with blacked out windows lol. I also could not buy the first year 8 speed diesel and new Cummins - WTH is a CP8?. BTDT got the sticker...

I'm unclear as to the future with my truck. I don't think I've ever owned a vehicle longer or put more km on one. I've driven this thing 290,000km and it has never, ever, left me stranded for any reason. As vehicles with 400k on the odometer are virtually worthless I'm tempted to keep it for hunting, winter driving, etc. I would probably pull the 6.4 and sell the roller at some point, we'll see if I chime in back here with a future project.
Cheers to everyone who got something out of this

GJ.

View attachment 565639

definitely keep it! you have already been through hell and high water with it! she has earned her keep and theres not much more to replace at that point! cut the rust out with a cutting disc/grinder and tremclad the fluck out of it!