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Old 09-11-2016, 11:05 PM   #12 (permalink)
slowmover
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442

2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
90 day: 19.36 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hersbird View Post
Slowmover, on a somewhat related note, the reason I found this was I was trying to figure out what Dodge Cummins has the best potential for high fuel economy. Your 2004 seems like a good bet. I need a bigger cab then the 94-02 offers, unless there are crew cabs out there I don't know. I'm not above a swap into a Ford or Chevy either. I'm also OK with whatever mods might help, no emissions here and I don't want to make big power, just like a DPF and EGR delete for economy and reliability towing about a 6-7000 pound travel trailer.

My 14 mpg towing that Hi-Lo has gone to 9 mpg with the new Forest River hybrid. I don't think that's unexpected. I'm also thinking about a 2008 3.0 GL Mercedes CRD but I don't want the rest of the expensive problems that surround those things. The Ecodiesel Dodges and Jeeps are just too expensive still.
Mine has the penultimate drivetrain: the New Venture 5600 six speed behind the triple nickle motor 5.9L 305HP/555TQ. It is thoroughly overpowered for my little 9000-lb travel trailer.

The later motors go to a third injection event per cycle, thus with different injector nozzle spray pattern and piston design. Not as good. Then, emissions creeps in. The latest DEF-tune motors with the 6.7L have more power and eco my as good as mine (extra torque means a higher rear gear set and double overdrive automatic trans) but the two separate cooling systems and emissions complexity make longest life at lowest cost an iffy proposition.

An early Third Gen is an excellent. Four wheel disc brakes and HPCR reliability make it a winner.

I purposely avoided 4WD as it takes away more than it adds. IFS plus rack & pinion steering makes for excellent feedback plus control.
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Hersbird (09-13-2016)