A few Dodge questions

Hi ah64id - yes EGT probe is in the retarder housing behind turbo. When towing at 22,999 lbs I actually set the manifold pressure at 30 and EGT limit at 950F. I wasn't aware Banks would market anything that would cause engine damage?

KD4UPL wrote:
With a Cummins diesel 100k isn't high miles. I'd say over 200k might be high miles.
If you're buying a truck with an automatic transmission be sure you get the 68RFE six speed. I'm not sure what year they came out. You don't want the 47RE or 48RE 4 speed.

All auto 5.9's in a 3rd gen have the 48RE, which is a good trans at stock power levels. It does have a big OD which makes towing at 65 either lugging or screaming.

All auto 6.7's in a 3rd gen get the 68RFE, with double OD's makes a very nice towing trans.

dodge guy wrote:
Any CUMMINS will be a good buy! just look at them closely. I would buy used with high miles only if it was well taken care of and maintained properly. as for the trans, the 48RE is an excellent trans and very durable, the Aisin trans 68RFE is also an excellent trans. just look for clean and well taken care of!

The Aisin and 68RFE are two different transmissions in a 3rd gen. The Aisin is a AS68RC and for 3rd gen's was only offered in the C&C trucks.

For 4th gens the '13+ 3500's can get a AS69RC Aisin, but that's a different trans too.

tsetsaf wrote:
Just be aware that your requirements are very popular right now. My truck is worth more now than when I bought it 4 years and 100k miles ago. Asking price on a 06 with less than 100k is in the high 20's right now. You can find some in the sub 20 range but they are at 250k driven hard miles.

Yes they are, it amazes me how much people will pay. I have seen my truck on lots for more than I bought it used for back in 2007.

If you look at pricing and interest rates you might find new is not a bad way to go.

The '13+ trucks are pretty nice, and get better economy as well.

06Fargo wrote:
I run a Banks Bullet kit in "tow" mode with EGT limit at 1000 deg F.

You must be post-turbo with those temps. The stock trucks will run 1450° in the manifold and 1000-1100° post turbo. Depending on how they are tuned the EGT's can go up or down with power increases.

The Bullet is a pressure box, which are not recommended for use on CR's, they are the #1 bad box when it comes to injector damage.

At a minimum I hope you have done a bit of filtration upgrades.








The late 3rd gen 5.9's where emissions free, just external emissions free, and do get the worst fuel economy of any 5.9 but also had the most power. The 6.7 from 07-12 will generally get lower economy still, but good economy can be had.

The early 6.7's where troublesome, but the current flashes has made them run much better and turbo issues are very rare.

Look at the service history if you buy a 6.7, see if it has the latest flash.



I'm a big fan of the 5.9, and the link in my sig will show you all I have done to it.

They can be modified and made stronger than stock, more efficient, and more powerful. But it's not a simple tuner, it takes some hard parts to rectify the emissions. They are also very reliable in stock form.

parkersdad wrote:
If you're looking mid 30s why not buy brand-new truck. I bought my 2013 crew cab for 36,000. You have to wait until there are incentives but they will come down. Mine is just a tradesman model though.

Agreed. I started out looking at used 2012 - 2013 diesels, primarily F-350's and Ram 3500's. I was shocked at how much dealers were asking for 1 and 2 year old diesels with 25k - 50k miles on them already. With a little effort and a willingness to drive a few hours, I was able to negotiate a brand new 2014 down to within a $1000 of what some used ones were going for. Plus having had some issues with the last used diesel I bought, I was leery of buying used again. If you don't know the history of the diesel you're buying, how it was treated and maintained, it's a gamble. Even if it checks out ok initially, you might discover some issues when you put it under the load of towing (as I found.) I'd be much less leery buying a used gasser. My best advice for buying a used diesel: get an extended warranty if the factory warranty is up. It saved me about $4k on repairs to my '05 F-350.

Our 2006 5.9 6sp manual 4x4 3500 SRW 19.5's, BD engine retarder brake, has 160,000 miles on it does 20ish mpg/US gal as a daily driver. I run a Banks Bullet kit in "tow" mode with EGT limit at 1000 deg F. I do not cane the 5.9 for all it is worth on every long grade - I pull most grades by climbing at part throttle at about 2000 to 2200 rpm between 50 and 60 mph and gear up as the grade flattens out. We cruise at 60 to 65 mph except 55 to 60 in CA. I can't just remember but I think there are maybe 5 grades (?) between MT/AB border and San Diego that I drop under 50 mph for a few minutes. There are a couple 4th gear / 4 way flashers / 45 mph spots. The engine retarder will hold the truck and trailer on downgrades up to 7% without using service brakes.

Recent towing - January 2014 - I-15 southbound on dry roads in mild weather - 39ft 5th wheel GCWR 22,999lbs - Butte, MT to Ft. Hall, ID (some crosswind) - 9.9mi/US gal., Ft. Hall to Nephi, UT 11.9mi/US gal. Hand calculated.

Other than lube oil and filters, the engine sytem has required one top set, a fan belt, and we replaced the belt idler as the pulley was not going to last another belt.

I get those numbers with my new 6.7. If you're looking mid 30s why not buy brand-new truck. I bought my 2013 crew cab for 36,000. You have to wait until there are incentives but they will come down. Mine is just a tradesman model though.

sportsman 500 wrote:

tsetsaf wrote:
Just be aware that your requirements are very popular right now. My truck is worth more now than when I bought it 4 years and 100k miles ago. Asking price on a 06 with less than 100k is in the high 20's right now. You can find some in the sub 20 range but they are at 250k driven hard miles.

I will be looking in the low to mid 30's range as long as I get what I need on my trade.
One more question that will help with my decision. This will be a daily driver so MPG is important. What can I expect form the 5.9 and 6.7?
I will be pulling a Raptor 3018 TT around 12k. What kind of MPG can I expect towing?

2 to 3 MPG better with the 5.9 pretty much across the board. Maybe even a little more on freeway travel with the 5.9.

My 24V 2001 gets 12 towing, 15 around town, and 19-20 on freeway, with 4:10 gears and held to 65MPH. Chris

sportsman 500 wrote:

tsetsaf wrote:
Just be aware that your requirements are very popular right now. My truck is worth more now than when I bought it 4 years and 100k miles ago. Asking price on a 06 with less than 100k is in the high 20's right now. You can find some in the sub 20 range but they are at 250k driven hard miles.

I will be looking in the low to mid 30's range as long as I get what I need on my trade.
One more question that will help with my decision. This will be a daily driver so MPG is important. What can I expect form the 5.9 and 6.7?
I will be pulling a Raptor 3018 TT around 12k. What kind of MPG can I expect towing?

Tsetsaf, is pretty spot on, My truck has not lost any value and may have gained some even at 270,000 miles. Towing 12,000# you will be fine I have a small chip in my 01 giving me about 270 hp and 570# of torque. The 3rd gen got to 345 hp and 610#. I pull 11,000# in the coast range of Western Oregon and never hold up traffic.

tsetsaf wrote:
Just be aware that your requirements are very popular right now. My truck is worth more now than when I bought it 4 years and 100k miles ago. Asking price on a 06 with less than 100k is in the high 20's right now. You can find some in the sub 20 range but they are at 250k driven hard miles.

I will be looking in the low to mid 30's range as long as I get what I need on my trade.
One more question that will help with my decision. This will be a daily driver so MPG is important. What can I expect form the 5.9 and 6.7?
I will be pulling a Raptor 3018 TT around 12k. What kind of MPG can I expect towing?

Just be aware that your requirements are very popular right now. My truck is worth more now than when I bought it 4 years and 100k miles ago. Asking price on a 06 with less than 100k is in the high 20's right now. You can find some in the sub 20 range but they are at 250k driven hard miles.

If I was going 3rd generation, I would go for the 5.9. That said, I would spend just a little more and get the 2010. The new body style with the true crew cab are worth a few extra $$$.