I am in the beginning stages of investigating the purchase of a new truck. I am leaning toward a Dodge,probably a 2014 to 2016 model. I was wondering if anyone on here has a 3/4 or 1 ton with the 6.4 hemi. I was wondering how they are holding up. Also how are the automatic transmissions in these newer trucks. I have a 1995 one ton with the old 5.9 Cummins and it has been great except it has been through 3 transmissions. I am retiring next year and the new truck will be my everyday driver and will pull a small (24 foot) camper on road trips from time to time. Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
- Thread starter Fudpucker
- Start date
we have a new 2017 2500 6 speed auto. with 6.4 just over 5000 miles gas mileage was real bad 14.5 mpg we came from WI. to Florida pulling a 30ft travel trailer got barely 9 mph NOT HAPPY got to TENN.check engine light came on next day after we got to Milton FL. went to Milton Dodge to have it checked .forgot when the check light came on it shifted real ruff and harsh.they scanned it and did a up date now it is a new truck.put 200 miles today and per truck got 23.7 mpg on I10 doing 68 i was happy as hel-
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
If it is a direct injection gasser, the diesel places 2nd.
Andy Martin
Well-known Member
I'd stick with the 95. Spend a few thousand to fix the cosmetics and you've got something that will last a long time.
Dune Country
Well-known Member
if the 95 is a 12 valve keep it, good for a half of a mil or more, and I'm a ford guy!!
My Dad bought a new 6.4 hemi in 2015. Best towing gas truck I've ever seen. Transmission has been great too. Gets 20mpg on long trips with no trailer. We took it from MD to OH in January to pick up my 706, towed great the whole way home, about ran about 80-85 the whole way. Dropped to a little over 7 mpg on the return trip, but there's a lot of mountains to cross. I would definitely recommend one if you're looking to tow without spending the extra $ on the diesel.
tractorsam
Well-known Member
I have had a 2012 3500, 2013 2500, and a 2014 3500. All Ram diesels. The 2012 was a great truck, no complaints other than higher fuel consumption than the 12 valves I had before (it also had a lot more power). The 2013 had issues with the emissions and left the yard on a wrecker a couple of times. The 2014 never had to be towed but it did have a reserved parking space at the dealers and they never did get it fixed to my satisfaction. So, to sum it up - I now have a 2016 Ford F250 with the 6.2 gas and after a year all I've done is change the oil and put gas in it and I'm happy with it. It burns about 10% more fuel empty and maybe 25% more towing but services are $50 instead of $400 (and that's doing the work myself - the new diesels want expensive filters to maintain warranty). Also I have no worries about diesel emissions systems failing and leaving me stuck. I said I'd never buy a gas truck but I work mine hard and wish I'd done it ages ago. Good luck, Sam
Tx Jim
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coyote Flats, Texas
23.7 mpg on a 3/4 ton gasser all I can state is WOW
Just curious,has anyone had a ton of transmission problems with the mid 90's dodge with the Cummins? Mine has had several transmissions. All of them get hot when sitting in traffic and when doing alot of backing. Truck is well maintained and radiator and transcooler are always kept clean.
Andy Martin
Well-known Member
My 93 Dodge has 300,000 miles and has had 3 transmissions and a rear end. Still has original water pump, alternator, injector pump, injectors, and the A/C has never been touched. Right now it is down for a lift pump and needs a PS pump. The only thing previously done to the engine is I replaced the thermostat years ago.
So when I retired I bought a 2015 F350 6.2 gasser. Gets 14 around town, 13 on the highway, and 7 loaded. But I'm convinced it will last many years and I don't drive it that much. I just wanted something I was comfortable heading out of state in and everything on the Dodge is old. The Dodge lives with a bale spike now.
I've seen too many guys buy a used diesel and spend almost the cost of the truck on injectors so anything after a 12 valve I'm not interested in. I think new diesels are best for guys who will buy a new truck every two years.
So when I retired I bought a 2015 F350 6.2 gasser. Gets 14 around town, 13 on the highway, and 7 loaded. But I'm convinced it will last many years and I don't drive it that much. I just wanted something I was comfortable heading out of state in and everything on the Dodge is old. The Dodge lives with a bale spike now.
I've seen too many guys buy a used diesel and spend almost the cost of the truck on injectors so anything after a 12 valve I'm not interested in. I think new diesels are best for guys who will buy a new truck every two years.
Butch(OH)
Well-known Member
I am a Ford guy but our experience and current engine fuel choices are in total agreement. I manage a fleet and we keep records, accurate records. We average just over 40K miles per year on 3/4 ton trucks and my diesel vs gasoline cost opinion is not a biased guess. We haven't purchased a diesel pick ups in mass since 2005,just a singular one every now and then to be certain we are still buying the correct engines. If we could still buy 1990s engine reliability, had 1990 mileage differences and 1990 purchase cost and operating cost differences we would still be buying diesels.
We have a F550 with a brand new 6.7 diesel in it that has been tuned and retuned by Ford a half dozen times. It usually tows one direction and returns empty so about half its miles are loaded and the other half are empty. Per our IFTA report it averages 8.5 MPG. The original 2011 6.7 that destroyed itself at 98K was averaging about 6.5 on the same reports. I'd be ****ed happy to get 9 MPG loaded out of that POS.
had a ford diesel for six months one ton went back to chevy gas trucks one is 454 one ton the other is 6.0 3/4 ton they both pull 2-26' goose neck trailers and a 34' goose neck camper, 26' bumper hitch camper and tandum trailer. no problems with the gas motors but the 454 had a trans put in at 150,000, both trucks plow snow
I know nothing about the trucks you are talking about but I pull a 24' bumper pull camper with a 2003 Dakota with the 4.7 and before it a 2000 Dakota with the 4.7 until it was totaled by a stop sign runner. The 2000 was extended cab 2 wheel drive automatic, the current truck is a 4 door cab with 4 wheel drive and automatic. So I know a smaller truck can handle that size trailer.
2002sliverado
Member
My family has driven GM, Ford, and Chrysler products for years. The most recent trucks have been Chrysler products for my father, and a Chevrolet for myself. With respect to the Hemi engines, my father has a 2007 Dodge with the 5.7 liter Hemi. That gas engine is the "snappiest" that has been on the place probably ever. I can only imagine what a newer 6.4 liter would be like. I pulled a 26 foot travel trailer with a 98 Dodge 1/2 ton and a 2002 Dodge half ton. Both trucks had the Chrysler 5.9 liter V8 (360 cubic inches) and were adequate for pulling, but I liked the longer wheelbase of the extended cab 2002, as it was more stable, compared to the standard cab 1998 model. A 3/4 ton would be even better yet, and I can only imagine what an "animal" the 6.4 liter Hemi would be!
Determined
Well-known Member
My vote also goes to put the money into the one you have and I am a GMC diehard.
There are tranny guys out there that will build you an automatic that will easily hold up to twice the HP your truck has, it will cost you more but will also be the last one you will do.
Even if you go all out and have a body shop replace everything on yours and put a real good paint job on it you will still be money ahead compared to buying a new one and I would not at all be surprised to see the old one being worth more than the new one 10 years from now.
Take a look at your local classified ads, around here 95 Cummins with 1/4 million + on them are still selling for more than 07 Dodge gassers with low mileage.
There are tranny guys out there that will build you an automatic that will easily hold up to twice the HP your truck has, it will cost you more but will also be the last one you will do.
Even if you go all out and have a body shop replace everything on yours and put a real good paint job on it you will still be money ahead compared to buying a new one and I would not at all be surprised to see the old one being worth more than the new one 10 years from now.
Take a look at your local classified ads, around here 95 Cummins with 1/4 million + on them are still selling for more than 07 Dodge gassers with low mileage.
I have 2016 Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi that I pull a 29ft travel trailer and 25ft gooseneck hauling hay and tractors all over the MO Ozarks with and have had absolutely no complaints with: except wife's constant "Slow Downs" lol. Couple friends have larger Hemi and they will pull amazingly; but, they all complain about the gas mileage (16/18 empty) and (10/12 moderately loaded). On our last trip to California to see grand babies with the 5.7, we got around 22/23 running empty and overriding all speed limits. Towing through the hills with the travel trailer, normally average around 12/13mpg. Got just over 75k on the truck with nothing but new tires and regular servicing I do myself. IF your not familiar with the newer 6/8 speed automatics, the higher revs will take some getting used to: From the sound perspective. They are God-awful smooth, though.
From my friends with the diesels, I hear all kinds of whining about minor stuff from the guys who use theirs for occasional heavy hauling like myself. From the guys who work them hard everyday, only complaints I hear is the expense of maintaining them.
Another factor on the 5.7 guys don't think about, the lighter engine makes it ride and handle much better. After two major back surgeries and with two bad hips, we take the truck on all long trips because it rides so much better than the wife's car.
Happy hunting. Only you can know what fits your requirements.
From my friends with the diesels, I hear all kinds of whining about minor stuff from the guys who use theirs for occasional heavy hauling like myself. From the guys who work them hard everyday, only complaints I hear is the expense of maintaining them.
Another factor on the 5.7 guys don't think about, the lighter engine makes it ride and handle much better. After two major back surgeries and with two bad hips, we take the truck on all long trips because it rides so much better than the wife's car.
Happy hunting. Only you can know what fits your requirements.
Ken Christopherson
Well-known Member
My honest opinion... I wasn't real impressed. Here was my experience:
I borrowed a cousins 2017 Dodge 2500 quad cab with the 6.4L hemi to go from Minneapolis to Muscle Shoals, AL and back again in the spring of this year. I was going to pick up a 1967 Farmall Cub. Pulled a single axle utility trailer shown here with the Cub loaded.. Truck did fine on the way down, at 70 MPH, actually averaged close to 16mpg which was pretty good (trailer gate down flat). On the way back, different story. Truck got barely 10mpg, and with any significant wind or hills, she was downshifting constantly. I was not impressed with that. I spent more time in the lower gears than I did in any other. I'd be worried about pulling any of my full size tractors - Farmall H, M, etc.
Other than that, it was a beautiful truck. Rode like your typical 3/4 ton, but that was expected.
I borrowed a cousins 2017 Dodge 2500 quad cab with the 6.4L hemi to go from Minneapolis to Muscle Shoals, AL and back again in the spring of this year. I was going to pick up a 1967 Farmall Cub. Pulled a single axle utility trailer shown here with the Cub loaded.. Truck did fine on the way down, at 70 MPH, actually averaged close to 16mpg which was pretty good (trailer gate down flat). On the way back, different story. Truck got barely 10mpg, and with any significant wind or hills, she was downshifting constantly. I was not impressed with that. I spent more time in the lower gears than I did in any other. I'd be worried about pulling any of my full size tractors - Farmall H, M, etc.
Other than that, it was a beautiful truck. Rode like your typical 3/4 ton, but that was expected.
My son has 2015 Hemi 3/4 ton that he brought new for his landscape business. Its got around 40,000 on it. It works good for him, he likes it better than the 2010 Ford Diesel he has which he says cost about 3 grand every time something goes wrong with it. He usually has a 16ft. enclosed trailer or a 14,000# Dump trailer hooked to it both of which are probably overloaded half the time. I have drove it a few times for him and it pulls as good as my 3/4 Chev 6.0 and drives just as good. He also has a big V plow for it to plow snow. Has miles are mostly city and on the expressways around the city of Detroit Area.
Gas engine will not pull with or get fuel mileage of a like size truck diesel. You simply have to decide if the performance and mileage justifies the additional cost. You will hear both good and bad on most all vehicles. Ram or Dodge seems to have a reputation for weak transmissions, though. The experience both me and my Dad had with Dodge transmission, I will never own another
Destroked 450
Well-known Member
- Location
- Harned, Ky
Keep the Dodge and fix it up, big issue on the transmission is the convertor is to loose and heats up the oil, also line pressure is a little low.
This can be fixed with a good billet torque convertor and shift kit for the valve body, then the trans will hold up nearly as well as the Cummins in front of it.
I've got a F-450 that had the 6.0 explode at 95,000 miles, it now has a 12 valve Cummins and will most likely be the last work truck I ever buy.
Should I have to purchase a new pickup it will have a gas engine, the added cost of the diesel engine and trans plus the high maintenance cost of new diesels won't pay out for me and I don't want to have that close of a relationship with my dealer.
Friend has a 12 Dodge 6.7 Cummins, it has a coolant leak the dealer can't find, only gets 16 mpg highway empty and 6-10 towing.
Reading some of the diesel forums I wouldn't want the nightmares some of the 14 - newer guys are having.
Eldon (WA)
Well-known Member
After the dealer did a computer flash on my 04 Dodge Cummins after I complained about the fuel mileage it started lying to me too LOL!
Eldon (WA)
Well-known Member
When I decided to upgrade last year I was told by a couple of mechanics to stay away from the new Dodges....so I went with the Duramax. Not real happy with the fuel mileage, but so far no problems and the mileage is starting to go up. Averaged 11.8 last weekend on 830 mile trip, half of it loaded to around 23,000 gross.
The new HD automatic trans are much better and now the ONLY trans offered in most of the diesels.... So if the one in the gas model is the same or as good, I would not worry about it.
I have owned a dodge and it rattled, squeaked and and was the worst cab I have ever been in. The Cummins was fantastic other than dropping a fuel pump every year. The 6 speed tranny worked well with no problems, and the hydraulicly operated clutch was lack luster and other than a slave cyl failure, was ok. The front bearing fail early on all modern dodges due to design and have to be replaced. Electrical grimlins and failed sensors were common, but I could repair those. and later the dreaded vp44 failure. Brakes were fine empty, but horrible lacking under heavy load. Calipers were failing, and eathing brake discs. But it got me past the series of junk engines in the ford lineup. I only pull and pull heavy with the dually truck.. I have other cars, and light trucks for regular driving.
Question is... are you gonna be hauling a lot or a little. Are you going to be hauling heavy... 17, 000 to 35,000 lbs of trailer, as I do anytime the truck is used???? How often are you hauling? And do you really need a new truck or will a used one do. The are plenty of 2year city slickers that buy hd trucks and trade them every two years with nary a scratch in the bed. So.. that will determine if you need a full time diesel, or a gas for moderate to occasional.
I moved to a 2013 f350 dually ford 6.7, that had 15k miles on it for not much more that I sold the Damned ole Dodge... for. 800 lbs of torque does the job, cab is whisper quiet, and I find myself constantly driving too fast and having to back off.
I would go gas unless you are commercial hauling. A modern diesel is not reliable and has added maintenance costs associated with it that the modest increase in fuel mileage does not cover. Costs like DEF, expensive fuel filters, etc. I only recommend diesel to people running 20K miles a year and that have a farm or business associated with the truck that allow the extra costs to be written off. Diesels make no sense for the pRivage individual to own for use as a normal putter truck. I just did a $650 DEF system repair on an F250 SD. How many miles would a gasser run on $650 of gasoline?
as others have said, unless you're doing alot of pulling i'd go with the gas engine now days. Pre-2007 i'd consider diesel. now, no. they are WAY TOO complicated. I'm an AMSOIL dealer and pretty much went from 1 diesel oil needed pre2007 to about 4-5 now. the days of putting 15W-40 in everything you own (I wouldn't recomend that ever) are long gone, new cars, trucks or new tractors.
the extra cost and maintenance aren't worth the slight decrease in fuel mileage.
i've run Chrysler products for years. pre-2004 were fine, and post 2014 are getting better. anything that Daimler had their hands in designing or cutting cost on is questionable. so the new 2014/15-on Dodges (Ram) should be ok. only issue on our Cherokee has been several computer software updates.
the extra cost and maintenance aren't worth the slight decrease in fuel mileage.
i've run Chrysler products for years. pre-2004 were fine, and post 2014 are getting better. anything that Daimler had their hands in designing or cutting cost on is questionable. so the new 2014/15-on Dodges (Ram) should be ok. only issue on our Cherokee has been several computer software updates.
I looked at a 6.4 Dodge in 16. But could buy a 6.2 gas Ford cheaper. Just got home from Tunica Mississippi tractor pull. We live in Southern Il. About 335 miles. I have a 16-F250 4 door 4X4. Pulling a 15000 lb. Trailer with about 6000 lb. Load. My buddy has a 11-F250 diesel otherwise same as mine. His trailer is bigger than mine and has a hyd ramp. About 7500 lb. Load. We both filled at same station in Tunica. Drove straight thru to Boomland near Sikeston Mo. My gas truck took 53.02. His diesel truck took 53.?? Also. His got 11.?? My gas got 9.??. We drove 70 to 75. I had 6th gear locked out. 5th about 2400 rpm. I can keep up with the diesels if they don't have a programmer. But you do have to let it rev! Look on you tube about 6.4 Dodge climbing the grape vine in Ca. 6mi. Up. The 6.4 Dodge trans got hot and computer cut back the power. It was slowest of all three.
wildcat445
Member
I'd probably buy a new Ford V-10 if they still made them. I rented one awhile back and it was the stoutest gas burner I ever drove. Attrocious gas mileage, usually around 5 mpg. Never ran out of power regardless of what I asked it to do. The "Tow Haul" setting on the automatic transmission let the engine rev to over 5,000 rpm going down hill. That was scary, listening to the main bearings and wrist pins rattle. The thing had really low oil pressure, but that did not seem to hurt it.
I traded in my 2010 2500 mega cab diesel 4x4 with 220,000 miles for a 2017 2500 mega cab 4x4 with the 6.4 hemi in April. I have 22,000 miles on it and love it. Around town it gets 14-15 mpg and on the highway about 16-17. It is not babied at all. That is about the same mileage I got out of the diesel. It definitely doesn't have the power the diesel had when pulling a trailer but it will still hold its own. I have had no issues with it and the $9000 I saved by not getting the diesel will buy a lot of gasoline.
Destroked 450
Well-known Member
- Location
- Harned, Ky
VicS, I'm a little confused.
You both drove the same miles and both used around 53 gallons but his got around 11 mpg and yours only got 9 something.
That doesn't add up, where you guys going by your dash display or actual.
If you used 53 gallons in 335 miles that's 6.32 mpg, a few tens of a gallon difference isn't going to change the mpg numbers much.
Bryce Frazier
Well-known Member
That's about where I am at too. I get about 16 empty, and 12 loaded, but most I have pulled is 16,000lbs.
2001 LB7 Duramax
2001 LB7 Duramax
Have a 95 Dodge 3/4 ton with the 12 valve Cummins, and 260K miles. this truck has the original transmission. the engine is still stock, and has fluid changes, and band adjustments on trans. This truck is sitting in shed waiting to get cab replaced and put back on the road. My vote would also be to rebuild the 95. Steve
RedGreenGuy
Member
I have 96 3500 with 12 valve 180,000 miles & 03 3500 with 5.7 Hemi with 150,000 miles. Both 410 rearends. Trading the 03 this week on new van. it gets 10-11 mpg empty. purchased it 2 yrs ago for crew cab & 4 wheel drive, Truck was in good condition for age & miles, but will not pass a gas station. Have had 12v since 98. All I pull is 14,000 lb RV. Will keep for 17 more years if I make it that long.
Have a 96 that I just had trans rebuilt.240,000 miles. Usually hooked to a 25 ft gooseneck flat or 28 ft stock trailer. Had all upgrades and shits like it should. Bought truck with 100,000 miles and bad trans, well weak. Had it rebuilt and made it to where it is now. Have used and abused this truck and have done nothing other than normal maint and tires. Also have another 96 with same mileage and no issues, just normal maint. Wife's truck. My old 93, which we still use, 230,000 miles. Rebuilt trans about 2,000 miles back. Would not hesitate to go across country with any of the three. 2001 with 24 valve, hesitate to drive it around the block. New brakes all around, brake lines and cables. New wiring harness," electrical " fire. Every time we use it something else seems to go wrong with it. Check engine light on along with abs and brake light. Still would not take a newer truck if paid to.
Eldon (WA)
Well-known Member
Eldon (WA)
Well-known Member
LOL, surprised that made it past the filter!
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
you have never driven a GMC with the 420HP direct injection engine. It is 2017 with diesels choked with Tier IV emissions. It is not a 1970 gasser vs an early 1990's Cummins.
What I tell people to do is figure up an approximate cost per mile instead of just MPG's . Also consider the start up costs for both too. Diesel engine option is going to be around an $8k premium or more on new, still higher on used.
The maintenance whether you do it yourself or pay someone is going to be a lot higher on diesels. Then you have the higher price of diesel fuel plus the addition of DEF fluid to factor in. Diesel fuel alone ( cost per mile ) is not good when you consider the price per gallon and then adding DEF cost too. MPG vs $ per mile...
The maintenance whether you do it yourself or pay someone is going to be a lot higher on diesels. Then you have the higher price of diesel fuel plus the addition of DEF fluid to factor in. Diesel fuel alone ( cost per mile ) is not good when you consider the price per gallon and then adding DEF cost too. MPG vs $ per mile...
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