durasmack

At the current time, I am looking into replacing my 1997 Ram 1500 5.2ltr, auto, regular cab, 8' bed, 4x2 (which averages 10mpg city and 13mpg highway unloaded) with a 1994-1997 Ram 2500 CTD, auto, extended cab, 8' bed, 4x4. I have been told that the operating expense of the Cummins engine combined with the 4x4 will defeat my goal of reduced operating expense. Either truck will be subject to about 25000 miles per year, mostly unloaded.

I am posting about this because I have not seen any similar discussion about this topic, but I'm sure there are people on this forum that have been through a similar situation.

Lil Mule

Well, Last year i drove 50,000 miles in my 94 CTD 4X4. Besides fuel, I spent $300 in oil changes (10 changes X $30 each), $500 on tires, and about $500 when I went through my NV4500.

At 13mpg gas 50,000 miles would have cost $7115 at current prices in my area (3846 gal X 1.85 a gal)

At 18mpg diesel 50,000 miles would have cost $4583 at current price.
(2778 gal X 1.65 a gal)

Thats a total savings of $2532 a year.

in your case that would be cut in half $1266

That savings alone would have bought tires which you would replace anyways, paid for oil changes you would have done anyways and in my case covered an unexpected tranny problem.

The problem with some 4X4 vehicles has to do with extra u joints, front axle and t-case. With our trucks these items are very heavy duty and unless abused really shouldn't cause much problem. The front axle is heavier than most rear axles on a 1/2 ton truck.

Obviously, you need to look at your local fuel prices, but even if they are equal. You're still looking at 38% better fuel milage.

My 2 cents

infidel

No spark plugs to change and with a 12 valve no emmissions system to keep intact.

durasmack

Lil Mule, I have on my 1500 LT245/75/R16-E tires. At the current time, they have about 1000 miles on them, and I still have the old tires from this truck that I could put back on. Do you know if those tires are suitable for the 2500? If they are, that would be a $600 chunk of money that I wouldn't have to re-invest.

gitchesum

Those tires would work on the 3/4 ton seeing as they are load-E range tires. They are one size smaller than what the stock tire size would be. I believe the stock tire size is 265/75/16.

As far as cost savings, you can't go wrong with the diesel. Longer service life, longer oil change intervals(7500 miles instead of only 3000). Lower fuel costs, better mileage.
Plus, if you decide to increase the HP in the truck, you can do it for a fraction of what it would cost on a gasser. How does 40-60 HP at a cost of $0 sound to you? Can't do that with a gas burner these days.

Srigs

I had a 96 Dodge 1500 5.2 and my 97 CTD has saved me a bunch of money.

Oil changes cost @ 50% more but every 5k instead of 3k.

Diesel vs gas MPG is the big difference.

One down side is picking bugs out of your teeth from while going down the road with the windows down so you can here the engine and turbo better!

I will never buy a gas truck again!!!

FANZDSLPWR

back on the tire issue, stock tires for those years are 245/75/16-e. the 265's were a option

Lil Mule

Fanzdslpwr is right. 245's were the stock size although there probably aren't many on the road that haven't been upsized to the 265's

Wehn I was running unloaded all the time, I even ran a D rated tire. Didn't see any difference really. But I wouldn't run them with any decent load

durasmack

Srigs, do you recall your fuel usage from your 1500 5.2ltr when you were running it empty? Some people are having a really hard time accepting that that is what i mentioned at the top of the thread is an actual figure, and I was interested if anyone else can verify that from their own experience.

gitchesum

I tracked every tank of gas I put in my 01 gasser. It was a 2WD with the 5.9L.

Best I ever got was 14.2 mpg empty, 100% highway miles. It averaged 12 with a mixture of city and highway driving.

My 02 CTD is averaging 17.8 mpg under the same conditions I would get 12 mpg with in the gasser. I'll find out in a few weeks what kind of highway mileage it gets.

Forrest

I'm gettin high 17s to low 18s commuting & 20 to 21 @ 70 on the hwy with my 96.

96_12V

Continue to consider you usage requirements and preferances. I drive a '96 2wd 5-speed 2500 with just over 280k on it and average 18+ around town, 22-24mpg on the highway. This is with the original exhaust & cat still on the truck. It is a commonly known fact that the auto trans is a weak point, I avoided this conpletley and the 5-speed is very nice to drive. Plus 2-3 mpg better fuel economy, and $665.00 for a new South Bend clutch installed is far easier to handle than $1500+ for a new auto transmission.

As far as tires, my truck had the wrong ones on the front when I purchased it. It's important to run only load range "E" tires (80 psi inflation) both front and rear on these trucks. Otherwise you'll end up wearing out the fronts quickly. (Mine were so bad it was beginning to affect safety, too.) Remember, this engine dry weighs in excess of 1200 lbs. Run good tires, and you'll get better fuel economy anyway.

I am shocked to hear 10-12mpg with a 2wd 1500 5.2. It would only take a couple of tankfuls before I put a "for sale" sign in it! Good luck!

durasmack

believe me, anyone that wants it is more than welcome to it....... i don't know why anyone here would want it though.... i hope i can find someone that either doesnt know about the fuel usage or has their own supply of cheap gas.....

edgrim

I drove a Dakota Quad Cab for two years, after a 3" exhaust with Flowmaster muffler, Jet chip, Air intake system and more, including up to date tuneups and flashs I couldn't get over 14mpg. It was a blast to drive but.... I knew that a diesel would beat that and still be fun to drive.I'm still working on the power dept. but the fuel mileage is 17.4949 in town and getting better!!!