These trucks are great once you no longer have to worry about the emissions problems. I don't think I could live with mine in stock form now even if it wasn't giving me problems. Reading through all the threads of people getting 3-4+ more mpg by doing the deletes would just be too tempting for me and I would just constantly feel like I was getting jipped with the poor mileage by not doing them....

 

I second that!

 

i 3rd that!

 

I have been reading this post and all others as much as time will allow with great interest as I am in the same quandary as the original poster. I have never owned a diesel nor a Dodge but since I love manual transmissions Dodge seems to be my only option. The choice of the Cummins comes from the plans to have a large trailer for family vacations but mainly for its reputation for longevity (I have had my Sierra 14 years and plan on keeping this next one even long if it will hold its end of the bargain). The truck will have an easy life. Infrequent but long highway hunting trips to other states empty and pulling the above mentioned trailer, not much commuting. Please forgive in advance my next question as it may be completely irrelevant but I have 0 experiences with diesels. I live in a county next to DFW where emission testing is required for state inspections each year on my gasoline vehicles. I do not believe I can get an inspection in a more rural county. In light of this and the talk of the 6.7L needing DPF deletes, EGR unplugs/blocks, butterfly removal, and programmers; what of these things can be done should I purchase the 6.7L and not have a bunch of work to do getting it ready for inspection. The warranty period does have some bearing, but I’m more concerned about the inspections at this point if I do any of the things above. A programmer like an Edge may be in the future of either the 5.9L or the 6.7L as high mpg is one of my overriding concerns. With the deals they are running from now until the end of the year on the 2008’s it is hard not to want one of those over a used non warranted 5.9L but I also don’t want a regretful 30K purchase.

Thanks to all,
Wyliecaver

 

With a standard trans, you will get much better fuel economy than with the Automatic. Even though I would never trade my auto in for a stick. That being said, it is a very personal decision as to wether or not to get the emissions trucks. I don't think I could live with the emissions my self. It makes such a huge difference in the way it performs and milage and longevity. Also lack of visits to the dealer. CHeck your local area and see if the test diesels first of all. If not, then they most likely will in 2010, or shortly there after. If you don't mind putting the dpf back on for the testing, you will be fine. You can just do the dpf, cat delete, unlike me who did an entire 5" exhaust and it will still serve the same purpose. And I am reading now the the 08 flash will make it so you don't have to pull the butterfly, so that makes it a lot easier.
Don't be intimidated by your first diesel. There are about a billion of us out here that can answer any question you have, probably better than any dealer tech. And we love to help. We all started the same way and got the same help from the forums.
Hope that helps.

 

It is challenging when you read alot of these threads since it is mixed. Some people have had great luck with the 6.7L and some have not. Many people use these threads to research the trucks, adds, and so on. Also, many use the threads to find solutions to problems which is not unexpected. Given that, you will find problems with any pickup on the market and you can read the threads for the common ones.

I am lucky. My exhaust system has worked great from the beginning and my milleage (highway is pretty decent). Highway mileage is 18.5 to 20 at the speed limits in Colorado (65 to 75). If I go over 70 the mileage does start to drop. 45 to 65 appears to be the "sweet spot". In town - good luck. I get about 13-14.

As far as "codes" I have never seen one on my truck and I have 24000 miles. I also drive highway alot on the weekends (I work on a computer all week) and my truck is working over mountain passes. During the warmer summer months I load a lightweight slide-in camper in the back and it hauls it like no other truck I have ever owned. As an outdoor recreation vehicle to get to my favorite fly fishing spots - it certainly gets there and back just fine!

The truck ride is pretty good although a little bouncier than the Chevy I had for 12 years.

I bought the diesel for longevity, efficiency in hauling and highway mileage over gassers, and power for the passes. So far I am pretty happy. We always bought gassers in the past because we haul a camper and didnt want it to smell like diesel. I have to admit, while mine sounds like a diesel which is perfectly fine with me, it certainly doesnt carry the smell into the camper which is awesome. You wouldnt get me back into a gasser for anything.

Mine does run great on biodiesel although I havent ran a high percentage and am staying within the warranty limits since I have an extended one.

The 6 speed auto and exhaust brake have been great.

So far, I havent been to the shop except for oil changes. The only modificiation I have made is an after market cold air intake.

2007.5, 6.7L, 4x4 QC, mineral gray.

 

Besides my twin turbo, p-pump converted 24 V Quad Cab ´99, I bought a brand new 6.7 Megacab and from the Dodge Dealer I tokk it directly to GAW Diesel in Miami to et rid of the emission bs, instll a free flow 5" exhaust, an S&B intake and the Bully Dog PMT. It has 390 horses on the rear whells now (factory number was 245) does 18.5 mpg and drives with amazingly low egt´s and moderate boost but amazing numbers in top speed and take off. I am in Germany and we have the autobahn. It does 135 mph on GPS with ease in the performance setting, (even more in extreme) and still is reasonable in gas mileage. I use 305/22´s and at 135 mph it shows 3400 rpm.
as long as he emission equippement is taken off, the 6.7 is a very nice and economic truck.
greetings from Germany Thomas Tork MD

 

Holy Crap!!! 135mph?!?!?!

 

Now that is scary!!! I know that at 1900 rpm, mine is doing about 83 mph on the highway according to the GPS. That's on 35's. Not even working hard at all. But I can't imagine this truck, 8000 lbs, going 135. Crazy!!!!!

 

I think I have a great truck now!
After the Exhaust Delete, The EGR Delete, Edge Juice with Attitude and EGT probe, and a new turbo (Just because they let me have it) My truck is running great. I average 20.5 to 21.8, and this is on back roads. Originally I was getting 16 to 17.
If I was going to the dealer today, I would take a new 08 6.7, drive it straight to my shop, and do all the deletes. I think the 6.7 is going to be a great engine, as long as you do the deletes ASAP! No engine can take all that dirt and soot in the intake for ever, so the sooner you get rid of it, the better off you will be.