You got a good one.
My Ram made it about 170k before some previous owner decided it was time to replace the motor with an auto-parts store long block. That one's going pretty good now with another 80+k miles on it - in the last two years I swapped out the water pump and timing set when I put in a new cam, intake manifold, carb, and some other goodies in it. it's got a bit of a leaky rear main on it I believe, not so much that you notice drips on the ground, but the back/bottom of the engine is always wet. I've put 3 alternators in four years, one bad from the store, and just yesterday replaced the starter. All in all the thing has been running pretty strong and I imagine I'll get another 50k miles out of it if I don't trade up to a newer one (a/c, fuel injection or diesel being the main reasons).

I'm not saying that gas engines can't last, because sometimes they can. Sometimes diesels die early. But it seems to me that the majority of gas engines start going downhill fast after about 100k miles. There's a reason that car values take a dip after cresting 100k.

 

...my best friend bought a 05 Ram w/Cummins Diesel, I wanted one so bad till I heard what he paid for it, I ended up buyin the 05 Ram QC hemi new for $24061.00, I couldn't pass that deal up. But I have to go to the gas station twice as frequently (if not more) than my buddy. It's all about preference... as much as I really would have liked the diesel, I'm glad i bought the Hemi...I'm reborn so to speak... gas price and mileage aside, I don't think I've had this much fun with a vehicle that I can remember.... I tow a 3800 ib boat twice a month and it works just fine... if I had to tow more frequently and for longer distances, I probably would have spent the extra bucks and go with the Cummins... Diesels are a better investment in terms of longevity.... but Hemi's are, uh, you know....Hemi's!

 

I tow a 21ft toyhauler trailer when fully loaded and extra passengers I figure I'm hauling 7800-8100lbs. The HEMI does a great job but the transmission doesn't shift when I'd like it to with Toy/Hual on or off. I know when I want to down shift so I just give it the wide open trottle so it will down shift when I want it to.

I use to tow a flat bed with 3 quads and camp supplys, maybe 2700lbs. The HEMI hardly noticed it was there.

I towed my Jeep wrangler one time using a U-hual dolly and it pulled it fine.

This is the first full size truck I've ever had and I wouldn't what to be towing my trailer with any less power.

No comment on Diesel vs Gas!

04 QC 4X4 tow package HEMI

 

 

LMAO!!

Just for the heck of it, your hemi will "break" long before the CTD. WTF are you smokin'? You know you're only getting about 11mpg, AT BEST, with your hemi, UNLOADED!!; whereas I, honestly, average 20.2mpg, mostly highway driving, with my CTD. Eat up fuel savings? Not on your life. The CTD (600) only calls for oil changes every 7,500mi severe duty, and 15,000mi normal service. Sure, it costs me $30 to change my oil (with a $10 Fleetguard Stratopore included in the price), but I only have to change my oil half as much as you. Where's the savings with the Hemi? Oh yeah, the manual states that the CTD will go 350,000mi between overhauls, but MANY people are getting upwards of 500,000-1,000,000mi on theirs. Try that with your hemi. The hemi's a good engine if you want to go fast, tow a boat or occasionally a small to medium trailer, but the CTD is BUILT TO TOW, tow heavy, and do it every day. PLUS it has a 7 year, 100,000mi warranty. Does your hemi? Wonder why not? You get half my mpg, and have to change the oil twice as much. Check ANY forum for TOWING MPG, and you'll see that even towing a full load, the CTD will get better MPG than your UNLOADED hemi. Again, where's the savings? Another thing, the 48re tranny is a helluva lot stronger than the 45-whatever tranny they put behind the hemi. CTD's are put in Sea Fishing and tour boats and run at full throttle for hours on end...any hemis in there? Nope.

 

Its funny how people get offended when someone questions what they bought. A CTD is a great motor, the best on the market in my opinion. The Hemi is also a great motor, what I'd consider the best small block in a pickup on the market. What this really comes down to is immediate cash flow and how long you intend to keep the vehicle. I've never known anyone with ANYTHING with 300,000 miles on it. Most people (over 60%) trade in new vehicles within 3 years of ownership. So for the purpose of this argument, debating 350,000 mile overhaul intervals really isn't pertinent. What is pertinent is initial cost and intended use. I wouldn't buy a CTD if I towed a toybox once a month. Likewise, I wouldn't buy a Hemi if I was going to tow a 5th wheel. So, this guys problem comes down to, "What is he going to use it for, how much will he tow, and how often?"

Secondly, not everyone has the financial means or desire to fork over an extra $5,000-$6,000 on a truck. I didn't (because I have no need to tow 12,000+ lbs) buy a CTD when I was in the market for a new truck. So, I couldn't justify the extra price. I keep vehicles between 3-5 years, so a 350,000 mile overhaul interval means nothing to me. I have a desk job, so hauling around lumber, tools, or anything else wasn't in my needs list. I wanted something powerful enough to do the things I wanted, yet still within my budget. The Hemi fit my needs, just as the CTD fits the needs of you guys out there that tow, keep vehicles for a long time, or just need the extra torque.

This argument is nothing new, the 4.7 and 5.7 guys argue the same thing. I am sure the 3.7 V6 and 4.7 V8 guys argue it as well.

 

If you get the diesel you can turn it into a grease car for 1200 bucks. Put a tank in the bed and get the grease from local food shops with a deep fryer and you get free fuel. That could save you a crap load and you could get all the chubby tail you want as your exhaust would smell like french fries.

 

Get the CTD!!! It's an investment, get more for your money.

 

I have an 04 Hemi QC 1500 and it tows our 6000# 23' boat around just fine. Gas mileage towing averages 11.5 over the course of several trips and going generally 70 MPH on cruise. The Hemi does a good job towing.

What you need to decide is will your truck be more of a daily driver or more of a tow vehicle. My Ram is more of a daily driver, grocery getter, mini-van, Home Depot lumber hauler, and so on. When I need it to tow, it does a really good job. If you are going to be towing your Jeep around alot, the CTD will be a better investment for you over time in gas mileage and resale value. The CTD loves to tow heavy loads and gets really good gas mileage doing it.

Mike

 

Wow, we are quite an angry bunch on here. Diesel or Hemi; lets just agree that either engine is good, as long as it is destroying the competition. [sm=badbadbad.gif]