I have been looking at Dodge Ram Diesels trucks, around 95' to 00'. I have a mowing business and want to truck to pull my mower. My question is what kinda of gas mileage can I expect (unloaded) on getting with this truck, and year. Plus do you have to have your truck pluged in a outlet in the winter if so, everynite. How much with that cost or it the a better way for that. Thanks for the help just not sure what to buy. We also just bought a 2008 Dodge Avenger, grad to be a Dodge owner.

 

if your looking for a mileage truck to serve double duty... go with the 12 valve motor IMO... gets better mileage and is a rock solid setup. the '98 & up 24 valve motors use a VP44 injection pump that has a habit of wanting alot of lubrication to live a long healty life. Nowaday's the fuel is going to ULSD (ultra low sulfer diesel) which the VP44 doesnt like much. It's still a good setup, with that perticular problem. another one to watch out for is the "53" blocks... stamped somewhere on the block (forget where at the moment)... they have been known to crack because of the thickness of the block when made (wasnt thick enough IIRC)... I think the 2001 & ups started having a 55 block which is much better.

welcome to DF...

 

for milage and ease of matinence i would also recomend the 94-98 12 valve trucks. that is what i was recomended and i have not been disapointed. everything from filter changes to exhaust upgrades to fuel system modification has been very easy to learn. 18 mpg unloaded and 15 mpg with a light load around 2500lbs.

 

doublejay2003


please, please, what ever you do. do NOT put GAS in a DIESEL

you will have fuel milage calculations, not "gas milage

 

Well in the winter will I need to plug in to start up in the morning?

 

If I keep in the garage will it smell it up?

 

You don't have to plug it in. These cummins will start even in the coldest weather by themselves. I just plug it in when the temp drops so it doesn't take so long to de ice the windshield. As for mileage I average between 17 and 18 (half highway half city) unloaded. And as for reliability and easy to work on, I have had no problems with my 2002 cummins with either the injection pump or the lift pump (replaced the lift pump before it had a chance to go out) The 98 and older are easier to work on though because they are a mechanical engine.

 

Depends how bad your garage smells and if you leave the windows down in the truck or not.

 

It runs on diesel fuel, not skunk oil. (I wouldn't leave the garage door shut with the engine running.)
Diesel fuel isn't any more objectionable to smell than gasoline.

 

Try to get an early 1998 12 Valve. I get 20.5 on the open road with a light load, 900 lbs. fuel and tools, crusing at 65 to 70. At 75-80 the milage goes down to 15-16. I get 14-15 pulling 5,000-7,000 trailers on the open road @ 55.

The only weak point is the Automatic Transmission. I opted for Over-Kill, to make it bullet proof.

YOU WILL REALLY LIKE YOUR CUMMINS DIESEL.

Ralph