Is the front end on the new trucks any better than the 3rd gens?

The 3rd gens are plagued by isses with ball and u-joints amongst other things.

I've got the new truck itch,and don't know if it will be another Dodge or even another diesel.

I haven't been impressed with the front end components on my '07.

I'm not impressed with the fuel mileage on the new crop of diesels either.

 

Only have 28K miles since May 1st on my 2010...still drives like new, and is getting 17-19mpg highway depending on speed.

Deletes this week finally!
Chris

 

I had the 04.5 truck. I had to have new ball joints at 30K on that truck. Other wise that front end was super tight. This truck front end feels tight as well. Time will tell with the ball joints though. Fuel mileage is to far off from the 04.5 but not the same. You might want to hang in there abit long and see what's coming down the pike for Dodge. Lots of rumors on the upcoming cummins. Might be worth the wait.

 

No issues with mine yet. It wasn't a big change for the front end for the 4th gen.

Chris, what programmer you using for your delete. Its about time buddy.

 

Smarty...Deleted just after 28K miles....well, kinda....I couldn't get the darn down pipe out with cutting it, so I think that will just have to stay for now. Everything else is out, or unplugged.

Chris

 

Chris, Let us know how the EGR, DPF, CATS, cooler and turbo looks inside? It would be interesting to see the differences. Mine was deleted at 4500mile mark, and everything is still pretty clean inside. I have to throw the stock stuff back on for some warranty work shortly, so it should be interesting to see how things work out. My DPF/CAT just fell out, had to undo the supports cramps and kick at the muffler some. I did mine during a rain storm last spring.

 

EGR Cooler and plumbing is still there...I have some issues with removing it due to hearing about some Headgasket problems once removed...I'm still researching that part.

DPF and CATS looked pretty good, but there was some "plugging" in the DPF...meaning some of the honeycombs were plugged....but I should also note that about 1K miles before I removed it, I ran the Smarty tune with everything still on, just turned off, and the DPF got to 95% plugged before I could stop and return to stock...with more time or some towing, maybe the DPF would have re-cleaned itself?

Getting it out was cake except for those stupid hangers...and an 80" long 4" pipe and a 15 minute plasma cutter flange with some tack welds took care of that space...I really would have like to get the downpipe/converter out of there, but I'm no too keen on hacking it up, or pulling the tranny crossmember with 28K miles on it...should something major happen, even though my dealer knows what I've done, they would probably like it to look stock in case the Chrysler man would come in

Chris

 

Thanks for the info buddy, mine the same way, except with the H&S. Just removing the dpf/cat, was worth 15-20rwhp by itself. My emission stuff is still like brand new.

 

I'm not sure about stock with deletes...I think the Smarty Junior has a setting for that, but so far the 100hp setting has been where it's at...and if it weren't for tire spin the 68RFE would be hating life I think.


Are you running H&S Overdrive software??
Chris

 

No overdrive, can't justify it. My truck is stock as well, all stock RFE68, but I have laid down the hammer a few times. H&S claims that they have a 175HP tune. A few guys have run it though, they just released a new **** hot tune and aggressive turbo tune. I've been too chick to try, my wallet is to tight after christmas to squeeze out a built RFE68

 

I'm with you...can't afford a new tranny, nor do I really want to turn the wick up that much.

Suncoast told me they have a tranny tune for the 2010 trucks that can be downloaded with an H&S...I'm looking into that now.

I like a VERY firm shift...my old DTT would shift very nice for me, of course 210psi line pressure and no accumulator springs would do that

100hp is more than enough for me...honestly, 30-60 will probably be where I settle on it. Just mileage and a little better towing the heavy loads is what I'm looking for...and of course max life from my tranny!

Chris

 

Ya I'm the same. I run a DTT race trans in my 02 truck. Shifts about prefect as it can gets. The RFE68 seems to manage the power better than the RE48 ever did. I was supprised how well that a stock 6.7L 350/650 engine, tows a heavy trailer.

 

I was too...under 30K is almost effortless, between 30-40K i like to manually shift it to bring the RPM up a bit more. I don't like lugging even though the engine does...the tranny can't be happy with that for very long!

Chris

 

Wow that heavy buddy, if anything should kill a transmission, that will. I pull a little 5vr 12-14k, depends on how much grub/beer I put inside. I'm going more for fuel mileage as well, as I just use mine to cruise the hiways and some gravel stuff. The RFE68 seems to be working so far pretty good. I had a bunch of worries when I bought mine, first I bought one of the last 9's for a decent price. My order got cancelled, so I had to get a 10 (for a lot more money mind you than the 09 deal, back then everyone was ready to throw the flowers onto the chrysler coffin. I thought for awhile I was going to have to buy a pile of ford.

 

Yeah, maybe a bit heavy, but my dealer says to use it It was built for this!

I told them what my plans were for the deletes, and they said go for it, we'll take care of you. Of course they sold me 1 Dodge, and we've bought about 10 GM's in the last 3 years They want our business pretty bad...


I'm really happy with the 10 truck though...really like the interior!
Chris