Can the drivers and passengers hear the clatter of engine noise while driving down the highway? I am talking about the older diesels, the ones that sound like a Briggs & Stratton engine with the muff...
Our 2001 Ram with the Cummins rattle box, came from the factory with extra sound insulation. Yes can carry on a conversation, Radio doesn't need to be on Max volume, it still makes some noise. The 2002 was the last of the really noisy Cummins (it is relative), up until then they had single shot mechanical injectors (Big Bang Theory). In 2003 they went to Common Rail electronic injectors.