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Dodge Ram - II
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Comments
Thanks
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
Jerryg5
The wipers are fine, don't adjust them. The reason you smell the fluid inside is because you have the HVAC system on - the intake grille is right below the nozzles.
#328
Rich, the formula for calculating ratios is done from the rolling radius, not the height - remember, tires squish at the bottom. It's never exact, but it's close - works out to about 3.80
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
What ever you want to try these guts have tried it. I just purchased a 2000 ram and had a lot of questions and they have answered them all.
Just trying to help all diesel owners and any questions you may have.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
THANKS AGAIN.
I think if I had to do it again, I would have waited for the 6 spd. My 5 spd does pretty well but there is a gap between 3rd and 4th. The problem with the Auto is you lose 40 ft.lbs. of torque 420 vs 460. It does'nt matter if you have 4.10's or 3.54's with a Limited Slip, it still works the same. If you are pulling heavy loads it makes sense to have the 4.10's, but if the majority of your time is without a load you should consider the 3.54's. I enjoyed the simplicity of my 1998 Ram with an Auto, but my Y2K Ram Sport Cummins sure pulls with the 5 spd, and gets good Fuel Mileage...........Bill
A few lines up Mr. Silver posted a web site: www.turbodieselregister.com this is a great site for information, alot of experience is shared on that site. I feel if you are tired of shifting you should go with the Automatic, I like the fact that a Manual is somewhat maintenance free, fluid changes and a clutch every once in awhile. The five and six speed have a Granny first gear that is incredible, I put it in 4 Low 1st gear and can walk next to my truck. My wife would have preferred the Auto. but who drives the truck 95% of the time, she has her car. Mike as far as the dealer goes who is buying the Ram? not them so order what you want, but if you get the six speed be prepared to wait awhile for delivery. There are alot of people who use the Auto. for large loads, and for the most part have not have problems, when I talked the Service Manager at my dealership he said Auto. problems where very few. I just did not want to give up that extra 40 ft.lbs. of torque, so I will continue shifting, and if I want to upgrade to the new ECM program (505 ft.lbs.) from Cummins sold by Mopar, my Tranny will handle the torque, the Auto. will not........Bill
After reading other posts, I understand there is a
price increase. Can you tell me what items went up? The ETH is $5225 MSRP? Is this right?
Here's what I want to get- 2500LWB QC, 2HH, AGG,
AHC, AHJ, ATK, DEE, DHG, DSA, GFD, and of course
the ETH.
Do you know if the prices of those options
increased from the 2000 pricing? Please excuse my
brevity, but you probably know the codes.
It is now crunch time with going to the
dealership. I just want to go in there with the
right prices in mind (on paper) and not have some
salesperson saying that certain items I've chosen
have inflated drastically. Invoice prices on
options are 15% less than MSRP prices, right?
I really appreciate all your help on this. I've
been researching Rams, diesels, negotiating, and
pricing since 4/98 and I want to completely prepared.
After reading other posts, I understand there is a
price increase. Can you tell me what items went up? The ETH is $5225 MSRP? Is this right?
Here's what I want to get- 2500LWB QC, 2HH, AGG,
AHC, AHJ, ATK, DEE, DHG, DSA, GFD, and of course
the ETH.
Do you know if the prices of those options
increased from the 2000 pricing? Please excuse my
brevity, but you probably know the codes.
It is now crunch time with going to the
dealership. I just want to go in there with the
right prices in mind (on paper) and not have some
salesperson saying that certain items I've chosen
have inflated drastically. Invoice prices on
options are 15% less than MSRP prices, right?
I really appreciate all your help on this. I've
been researching Rams, diesels, negotiating, and
pricing since 4/98 and I want to completely prepared.
Been a member of the TDR for a while now - both Dodge and Cummins actively promote the club on their corporate websites. It's just one big happy family, and I never hesitate to re-up my dues each year.
miked555,
For 2001, both the 5-speed and automatic have the same horsepower/torque rating (235/460). This was (finally) accomplished by the fact that the Cummins is computer controlled, and thus can do a "spot" detune during shifts, rather than having to detune the entire engine for the same purpose. The advantage of the manuals are lower initial gears, which depending on your needs and habits may or may not be necessary for you. I would agree that the 6-speed is better if you want to shift for yourself; the gears have MUCH better spacing. The automatic will require frequent regular maintenance behind the Cummins - every 12K miles. As for ratios, either way, limited slip is a must.
nascar,
The MSRP of $5225 is the only hard price I know at the moment. The remaining options should remain about the same, and the vehicle itself is expected to go up a few hundred dollars.
By the way, I did get your holiday e-mail - thanks!
ramman7,
Two things working against you:
First, the 5.9 is a tad underpowered for the 2500 and 3500 in my opinion. Even using cruise control, you're still trying to move a 7000 pound "brick", compared to a 5500 pound brick in the 1500. If an engine is working too hard to move its vehicle (i.e., your right foot is further diown into the carpet), fuel economy will suffer.
Second, yes, the air system is tight. Many people go straight to a parts store for a K&N setup, and they almost always report better fuel economy.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
Off hand, do you know what a K&N setup goes for? Also, how difficult is it to install?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Thanks
I am starting to question exhaust efficiency now as well and I wonder if loosening that up would provide a few more MPG (headers or just a free flow from the converter back?). The dealer recommended synthetic oil, specifically Amsoil as well.
K & N seems like a good value @ $42 bucks. I spend that on one tank of gas and if I add 2MPG I recover the cost in five fill ups, that's two weeks for me.
I imagine the reason for not installing it in the factory is because it would provide little or no value to Dodge. Think about it, you and I are going to buy that truck cause we like it. Why should they spend $40 on a filter per vehicle when a $2 filter will do for the masses. Truthfully, how many people actually question the mileage numbers, not many so why incure the expense in Dodge City.
Other thoughts??
Regards, Ramman7
Is is fairly certain that one would improve their mileage 2 MPG with a K&N Air filter? Also, is there any increase in HP with a switch?
For the record I have the 5.9L gas engine in my 2500 Quad Cab 4x4. I agree that one could quickly recover the cost of the switch, especially with a 2MPG increase! Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks in advance.
There are companies that put the best possible components on their vehicles, their called Rolls-Royce, Ferrari....
Also found a product called Airaid on the net. It is an aluminum air box that replaces the stock plastic box. It is shaped like a big sea shell with a big pipe coming out of it and a HUGE airfilter. Claims to add 15HP and ?MPG, not sure I believe them though. Might work, looks to be addressing the free flow air problem.
Good Luck, Ramman7
Actually that depends on what your desires are. Swapping to the air filter alone does free up some air flow, and is a darn sight better than the OEM filter.
Going to a full FIPK (Filtercharger injector performance kit) is another story. The FIPK is considered a performance upgrade, as it increases air flow substantially and relies on the engine computer to match the added air with added fuel for better performance.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
they know nothing about this. Per 2 different dodge dealerships they know nothing about this. Same from the regional sales representative in my area.
So my question to you, have you heard about this from anywhere other that www.car-truck.com ? I have written the editor there asking him for more information, but he hasn't responded. If this is an option "coming soon" I will wait, otherwise I will purchase soon. I dont want a stick, as I have never had a hint of a problem with my 97 automatic, but I would like more (stock) power.
Any input you have would be helpful
Thanks
Zander
on the transmission. I was leaning towards the auto, but it seems a shame to spend $900 more for a tranny that can barely handle an engine that has
already surrendered 20 hp and 40lbs torque! Now I
have swayed towards manual. But if 2001 Cummins are no longer de-tuned I might go back to auto. How much better is the mpg in the 5-speed vs auto, and 6-speed vs 5 speed? Thanks
As you can see, this is very critical as I am not interested in a dually which is standard on the 3500 (1 ton) and therefore I may have to look at other brands if the 2500 does not work out.
I know there are some of you who have the 2500 truck that I described. Can you let me know if the curb weight is 5700#
Thanks.
Trailblazer2
Wildman
The automatic/Cummins upgrade was reported by several sources. It would almost seem ridiculous for Cummins to ship 3 separate versions of the engine to Dodge. But I will certainly look into this further and get back to everybody.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
I would have the stalling thing checked out, unless you are going straight from forward to reverse without a pause, that is alot of torque to send in another direction without stopping. My Cummins power Steering is the same way, I think it is because of the added weight on the front end from the Cummins engine, my 1500 4x4 QC never did it, but my diesels at work are the same way, you are looking at close to 1000 lbs. more of engine.
How is your mileage? I just got 17MPG to St. Louis and back (350 miles), I have a Y2K QC 4x4 5spd w/3.54's and 2700 miles on it, it seems to get better mileage as the engine gets more broken in.............Bill
A I'm from New Jersey. There shouldn't be that much difference 4hr away.
nascar6
THe truck doesn't stall when Im shifting from drive to reverse, mind you it does come close but never does, but when Im shifting from reverse to drive it sometimes does, so I think I'll take your advice and have them check it out.
Eric16
site:
http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/guide/00ram.htm
Scroll down a little and you will find the weight ratings for all the various models.There is no information in print about the 2001 Ram Yet. However there are no rumors that the weight ratings will increase. Hope this helps
Zander
Visited my local Fort Worth dealer, told him I wanted a 2001 Cummins QC and that I wanted to cut to the chase right away. Offered him $200 over invoice and he quickly accepted...too quickly, I thought. Anyway, I was quite proud of the great deal I'd driven.
Proceeding along with the negotiations, I suggested that, since I was ordering the truck, I shouldn't be liable for the ad/marketing fee (though, in truth, I expected to pay a fee of maybe $200, in keeping with what I'd seen in various references). Well, without missing a beat, the guy let me know that I'd be paying a Dallas Zone marketing charge of $210 and a Texas truck marketing charge of $320. Furthermore, since those charges were on the "old" 2000 Rams, I could probably expect to see an increase of $150/$180 on the 2001's. So much for my "great" deal.
Questions: (1)In citing your purchase prices of $100, etc. over invoice, are you posters out there including the marketing fee in that figure or is that the amount you pay PLUS paying a marketing charge. I wonder because the marketing charges I'm being quoted are actually part of the invoice. (2) What is a reasonable total marketing charge to pay? kcram, in a previous response to a post of mine, you suggested I'd have to pay a "national" marketing fee but not to fall for a local markup. What say you now, my friend? I expect to be able to negotiate something off that absurdly high $710 my dealer is proposing but wonder how much. Thanx!
From the dealer? Or is there another way.
Read Edmunds article on hold backs. The dealer gets 3% of MSRP for advertising and intrest on your truck if you are ording it thats 100% profit and could be negotiated with I didn't pay anything
and got mine for $350 over invoice. Try Autobytel seewhat they can come up with. It worked for me.
Eric16