I posted this in the other thread:

My .02$ I feel I have a pretty good amount of knowledge on this subject.

My company supplied me a 99 Ram 2wd 2500 Quad cab short bed witha 5.9, I drove it for 190,000 miles. The only problem I had with it was the intake gasket. It averaged 12 MPG the entire time I drove it. (190,000 miles)High of 16, low of 10, (I use a company fuel card and get a spred sheet every year) I borrowed the truck to pick up a Jeep In NC and towing a trailer@ 5500 Lbs Returned 9MPG

In 2003 I purchased a 1999 Ram 2wd 3500 QC with a Cummins and 105,000 one owner miles. I had it for about 1 year and the block cracked(The dreaded "53" block) The local Cummins dealer worked with me on price because it was a "Known" problem. Still a replacement long block ran me 4500.00 and I did the R & R Myself. Fast forward to2005 the lift pump failed, taking along with it the Injector pump. Another 2500.00 repair.At this time I added an Edge Comp box, 4" exhaust, and AFE intake. This woke the truck up, before these additions i could not figure out why everybody gushesthe engine. I'd definately reccomend these add ons to the truck. Milage empty was 17 empty, and 13 towing (6000 Lbs) Over 35,000 Miles

I sold The Diesel last summer as I wanted a 4x4 SB. I picked up a 99 Ram Sport 4x4 with the V-10 and 92,000 miles (for 5500.00 I was looking for a cummins, but could not pass up the price) So far I had to rebuild the trans, (2nd gear band was worn through to the steel) (900.00 with a HP converter and a Cast deep pan and shift kit) I added a K&N FIPK and GIBSON Cat Back at this time. Towing performance is easily equal to the Cummins (@6000 lbs anyway) Un loaded driving has returned 16 MPG on the Highway, and towing 6000 Lbs has returned 11 MPG( 25,000 Miles). The V-10 is always labeled a GAS HOG, but in my experience it has better milage than a 5.9, and with the cost of Diesel today, Mile per mile cost is not far from the Cummins. The ony engine problem I've had to date wa a leaking oil pan gasket that I fixed while the trans was out.

Of all 3, I have had the best experience with the V-10, your results may vary

All 3 trucks have 3.55 gears, and the V-10 can do a wicked "Smoke Show" by stabbing the accelerator from anything less than 10 MPH. With the cost difference in purchase, and fuel, not to mention repairs (The cummins is a durable motor, but when something does go wrong, it costs a pretty penny to fix)


Another thing, towing performance with the 5.9 Vs the Cummins Vs the V10
On the same route through western NC the 5.9 would be in 2nd gear floored at 45 MPH on the steeper grades, The cummins would be in OD @ 70 MPH, The V-10 downshifts where the Cummins NEVER does, but still pulled the hill in cruse @ 70 MPH in 3rd gear on that exact same route the 5.9 was @9 MPG The V-10 was @ 12MPG and the Cummins was @ 15MPG[align=right]
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Actually the Mexican block is the GOOD one Vato.

 

I stand corrected.
Mexican foundary has not had problems,
it is the Brazilian foundary.

http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm

 

Yeah, NAFTA

 

it depends what week it is about 3 weeks ago i remember seeing diesel at 2.99 a gallon and gas was right under it .

 

The fuel costs are only one part of the equation, My Cummins cost more to Insure (Not sure if it the Gas/ Diesel or 3500/2500 that made the difference, The Diesel is 5-6000.00 more to buy (new or used) and simple things like Oil changes the Cummins takes 12 Quarts, compared to 6 Quarts. (I used the same milage intervals) At 1000 miles a month with your figures its 80.00 a month, add in the difference of Oil Changes every 3 months (3000 miles) 25.00 for 6 quarts (synthetic) and you are at 215.00 every 3 months or 860.00 a year, it would take 6-7 years to break even with the original purchase price. IF you can get 20 MPG from the Cummins day to day. I could not.

 

are you NUTS man??????

the cummins does not require an oil change for 6000 miles!! yes it uses 12 quarts, but a gasser will over 6 months of oil changes too. if a gasser's oil is changed every 3k or 3 months, then you pay the same as 1 oil change for a diesel every 6k or 6 months. the new ctds are rated for 7500 miles between oil changes.

I would be pissed about $$ if I was changin 12qts every 3 months too when Its not necassary.

 

Changing synthetic oil evey 3000 miles is a waste of money, I'll agree with you there.

 

I run Amsoil synthetic in my diesel and change the oil every 15k miles. I change the filter every 7500 miles just to be safe. If you change it every 3k miles, you are drinking the jiffy lube kool aide.

 

I have seen 1995 V10 2500 Rams
with broken 47 automatic transmissions advertised for sale
at $1600.

Buying one of these
converting to the NV5600 manual transmission
and
converting to compressed natural gas to power the V10
...and generally fixing the truck up to near new specs...
and you might have put in less than $15,000
and have a truck that can pull as much heavy trailer as a Cummins
and do it for about one third the cost per mile.

That I-40 hill near the NC town of Black Mountain
is a great place to test what a truck will really haul up a hill.

Did you all know the now common Geodesic Dome
was invented at Black Mountain College?