Well I just purchased my first Dodge in 30 years. I also own a 900 HP Ford lightning pickup but needed a new work truck so I decided to go with a 2012 3500 Cummins.

Since I know nothing about this truck, I have several questions.

1. I get about 19 MPG highway but only about 12 city. Is this normal and will the MPG get much better after so many miles ?

2. Does the 3500 have a DPF ?

3. I am familiar with Diablo and SCT tuning from my Lightning setups but who makes the best and safest tuner for these trucks ? Looking for HP and better milage.

4. Are there any simple things I can do to get more HP and mileage ?

 

Man, do I have to get rid of the FORD for someone to talk to me !!

 

I know it's a curse but no you can keep the Ford. It is Sunday and nice out at that so I'm guessing that most are out enjoying the day off. You asked a lot of questions that have many answers, in fact some would say it was a mistake to even buy the truck in the first place. 19 mpg? if that's not a Canadian gallon then you are already getting better fuel mileage than most. The truck does have a DPF and to gain better fuel economy you could do the deletes and use a tuner. H&S makes the best one for these trucks, choices are the XRT, mini maxx and black maxx. Both the mini and black maxx's enable auto defuel for various settable parameters but some have had problems with the black max. Be warned you will most likely lose your warranty by deleting. I suggest you have a look at some photos

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...e-t298909.html

and here, and welcome to DTR.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...s-t300348.html

 

Wow that is some crud. I will doing the so called "Deletes" very soon. Not many of my vehicles ever make it to the warranty mark. So I will probably be going with the H&S tuner (Your thinking minimax ?). Even though I have a 3500, I still have the DPF ? What is involved with "Full Delete" and how much will I need to spend between tuner and delete ?

 

Here is a link to a very good thread on deleting. https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t-t278158.html

As for price H&S doesn't allow for price cutting but this site DTR does give us a discount because we are members. I suggest a DPF delete pipe no bungs which replaces the DPF and NOX, keep the factory down pipe and muffler. Use the mini max with EGT and transmission tune. Buy the H&S intake and boost tube. Then you only need the EGR "Cooler delete" kit. not the EGR and EGR cooler delete. You also don't need a Throttle valve delete either. There is also an over head console to mount the mini maxx in available that looks very factory.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Work has had me absent from spending much time here, but, if you have any questions, keep on asking. Ill do my best to help out, and there are a bunch of great guys around here that love to help out also.

 

Dam that mini max is pricey. $900, where can I get one cheaper ?

Also what kind of realistic MPG will I gain from full delete and tuner ?

 

You cant. It cost money to join that delete club. Just the way it is.


However, the best Ive ever seen in my '11 normal extended highway crusing was, 14.5 to 15. Deleted I now get 19 to 19.5

Unloaded of course.

 

My dash MPG reading said 18 to 19 on a long highway trip last week. Not sure how accurate that is but I will do a hand calc sometime to see the accuracy. Still only have 1600 miles on her

 

If left stock you will see a milage increase of about 1-1.5 around 20k. Both my 08 and my 11 did this.


The lie o meters for fuel mileage vary, from pretty close (mine is .5 off) to just plain ridiculous (4 or 5 off). Hand calculate and compare until you can learn how close yours is.

 

Here is some more photos of when I did my deletes


https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=296346

 

Here is some more photos of when I did my deletes


https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=296346