Hey guys....

I tried to search around the forum but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for. My wife really wants to get a boat but she's looking at something around 30', or slightly under, like a cabin cruiser. Suffice it to say that the Dakota isn't going to be able to handle that kind of towing.

I want to get something like a Ram quad cab, with the diesel engine and manual trans. However, I know the regulations changed sometime around 2005-2009 in California and they started adding Urea injection, particulate filters and all sorts of other junk onto the trucks.

2 questions:

1) What was the last year that they made truly unregulated diesels?

2) Are they planning on requiring everyone to retrofit their trucks or is that just for fleet vehicles and busses?

Thanks for your help...

 

1) There's no such thing as unregulated diesels. My 06 has an EGR function integral to the design to meet 06 EPA standards. Ram met the 2010 emissions standards in the 2007 model year.

2) I don't know about California, but retro fits aren't required anywhere else. As long as it meets the EPA standards for the year it was manufactured, your fine. I am not certain what rules change for commercial traffic.

 

Thanks man...

So, if I don't want Urea injection, particulate filters that inject fuel into the exhaust system, or any other craziness like that, I should look for 2006, or older models, correct?


I think it's just for busses, vehicles over 12,000lbs or Tractor-Trailers but I wasn't sure.

 

04 is the last year with minimal emissions controls...think they have a cat? but thats it. no EGR or DPF.

03-04 are 24v Common Rail (CP3) motors, 98.5-02 are 24v vp44 motors (absolutely no emission controls) 94-98 are p7100 12v motors, (only a cat in the exhaust) and 93 and older is 12v VE motors (no emission controls)

my 2000 before I modified it quite a bit, had a cool air intake, straight pipe 3" exhaust, and a boost fooler, and it blew 2% opacity (anything under 40% is acceptable)

 

Is that the same across the board will all manufacturers? I was also (slightly) considering looking into a Chevy Duramax diesel...

 

no, that's for cummins only.

as for torque, reliability, and just brute strength of parts, cummins is unchallenged by powerstroke and duramax.

the cummins is the most overbuilt factory engine you will find in a diesel pickup. bottom ends of these engines are literally good for 800hp without modification. (though head studs, valve springs, and push rods would need to be done to the top end)

many have already rolled past 1.3 million miles without a rebuild and they are still goin strong. dont get me wrong here though...the dodge around that cummins motor falls apart around the motor lol but the motor itself is damn near bullet proof...

 

Thanks man...

I'm a bit of a Dodge fan anyway, so I was leaning that direction. My Dakota has treated me very well.

So, I'm guessing a low mileage 2004 would be ideal but anything up until 2006 will have limited emissions issues. I think that's what I'll start looking for... ;(

 

That's not accurate. 07 is the last year of the 5.9, and as such, has basically no emissions control. They do have a catalytic converter, but that's it. The EGR you refer to is merely a function of valve overlap via the camshaft and engine programming; the so-called "in-cylinder" EGR takes advantage of the natural characteristics of the intake and exhaust flow to control emissions. Basically, think of it as not completely evacuating all exhaust gasses, and closing the exhaust valves while there is still some gasses in the cylinder, that are then burned again in the next combustion event. That's in layman's terms, as I understand it, since I'm far from a physicist or engineer and really lacking in anything with fluid dynamics.

Any 5.9 has minimal emissions controls. Dodge does not currently have urea injection unless you get an '11-'12 chassis cab. The pickups sound like they'll be getting urea injection with the 2013 refresh, but that's as of yet to be confirmed.

January '07 with the release of the 6.7 is where you have all the emissions junk, and I do mean junk. I was appalled by all the soot build up in the intake tract of the 107k mile 6.7 I dropped into my 03...compared to the 125k of the 5.9 I took out of it, and the 103k mile 5.9 in my 07, both of which are spotless; you could almost eat off them. External EGR is the one you want to avoid, and yes, 12 valves sold in California had external EGR systems that clogged up just as the new ones do.

As for the Duramax, great engine. As with the Dodges, January 07 is when the LMM came out that has all the emissions junk on it. Early 07 Duramax trucks, just like Dodges, do not have emissions on their LBZ. If you did go Duramax, seek out the lowest mile LBZ you can

 

So, any 5.9L, up to a 2007 year model is okay? Awesome!!!

I'll keep an eye our for a Duramax too but I like the manual transmission option of the Ram Cummins. That being said, maybe I can find an Allison/Duramax with low mileage...

Thanks for your help, man!!!

 

Yep. Love my 07 5.9!