Looking at a 2009 / 3500 quad cab / SRW loaded. I haven't been around the Dodge trucks since I had a 2001. I loved my 01 by the way.

-I heard the new Cummins mill gets lousy mileage....that right? The truck I'm looking at has 3:73 gears.

-How is the auto transmission holding up on these, the one I test drove had 6 speed on the auto shifter.

-How well does the OEM jake brake work?

-and, what the heck is Blue-tech (bad or good)

-Anything weak on these trucks?, like the older ones had lift pump and transmission issues.

Thanks for any and all comments good and bad since I want to learn all I can before I spend a fortune on a darn'd old pick-up.

Don

 

Well alot of what you have for questions are posted here and in the performance threads for 6.7.

The 6.7 gets great mileage, its the DPF cleaning that steals 5 mpg.

Auto is fine under a 60hp tuner.

The OEM exhaust brake is part of the VGT turbo. Not a separate item. Works well and is far advanced over an aftermarket model as it uses computer monitored back pressures to adjust braking pressures. Works harder under heavier loads.

Bluetec is the whole emissions garbage addons. DPF and EGR.

Weak links, front end seems to be somewhat soft from what I read..

Hope that helps... Get a fresh coffee and surf the threads here..

 

The biggest issue is the Particulate filter and ERG junk that's mandated now by the EPA. However, I think I've heard it's gotten better with the later model 6.7's.

Mileage isn't as good compared to the 5.9, but that's been true as a hole on almost every engine change starting with the 12V, 24V (like your '01), CR 305hp('03-'04), CR 325hp ('4.5-up). So, no out of the box I wouldn't expect the 6.7 to get the same mpg as your old '01 did. It will still get better mpg than most Fords do of the same year range.

If you spend some money, you can get 19-20mpg HWY out of one. From what I understand you have to delete all the ERG junk, particulate filter, and add a programmer box (Smarty or Edge).

 

If it is a later '09, don't remember the build date, it will have a locked ECM making a programmer and deletes unavailable currently. This will most likely change once a hack is found but don't hold your breath waiting.

My '07.5 is still in stock form and other than the lower fuel mileage it is the best CTD I have owned. I'm getting about 15 mpg empty and around 9 to 10 loaded heavy (pulling 26K).

Auto tranny and EB are great. I haven't had any issues and currently have 34K on the clock.

 

Thanks all for the help, I do need to coffe up and study the info you guys gave me. I don't think I'm going to get away from the emission garb no matterwhat brand truck I buy ( I drove a 2010 F250 Lariot tonight and loved it) I am kinda partial to the Dodge truck and they have some decent incentives........

Has Dodge improved the auto trans.? Dealer couldn't go much into what it was just said it's big improvement.

 

The new auto trans is much better than the 48RE. I'm running the 6 speed manual so I don't have first hand knowledge, but mine runs great and tows so much better than my '03 did.


Kris