5.9L vs 6.7L..

  • Thread starter Deleted member 225824
  • Start date

Regcabguy

Oil eater.
Have you considered the noise of diesel engines?

The links below are to a few of @Mundo4x4Casa 's posts here and at TruckCamperAdventure.com . He recently replaced the Dodge (with diesel) under his truck camper with a 7.3L gas engine Ford F350, despite his many miles in the Dodge truck. (The 3 links to ExpeditionPortal.com are to 3 different posts, even if the descriptions might appear the same.)





His 24v 5.9 is the loudest LT diesel engine Cummins ever made. I owned one. When I got my 2007 5.9 my wife could hardly hear me pull up. I'm going to re-install my stock muffler soon. The 2003 5.9's + are dramatically quieter than their predecessors. Mundo's was the loudest.
 

phsycle

Adventurer

I think Tremor package is a good upgrade for some people (probably myself included), but not for people who will want more out of it OR for people who won’t really be off-roading much. I don’t know what the OP’s plans are but it’s pretty dumb to blindly suggest the package.
 

1000arms

Well-known member
I think Tremor package is a good upgrade for some people (probably myself included), but not for people who will want more out of it OR for people who won’t really be off-roading much. I don’t know what the OP’s plans are but it’s pretty dumb to blindly suggest the package.
:unsure: ... :unsure: ... :unsure:
... Essentially looking for a live in vehicle that will take me far away from people in the mountains. Not a Baha girl. Prefer the trees to the desert. Alaska, Canada, explore the US, haven't been many places, grew up on an island. I do want to be able to get to the further spots to camp. Any thoughts? ...
... I like to be away from people, up in the mountains walking around with my dogs and 20yr old cat in my pack, for as long as he can take it. Hes a rock star! So the rig would need to be big enough for me and my two big dogs and cat. ... I want something ready to go and not too complicated ...

... Budget is pretty high, but wanting to stay under 200k. Of course the cheaper the better, more land I can buy, ideally no more than 75k. ...
Who were you referring to as being dumb? :unsure:

I took the time to read the OP's posts before suggesting she consider the "Tremor" package, it wasn't a blind suggestion :cool:
 

1000arms

Well-known member
I tend to read things rather than watch videos. It is generally faster for me to do so. I also avoid videos that insist on playing background music, especially when someone is speaking.

Perhaps a quick written summation of your intended point?
 

Gern

New member
I owned a 2004 SRW 3500 SLT with a 5.9 for 6 years, and I traded it for my current 2014 2500 Mega cab Laramie (black, sport) with a 6.7. I bought it new. The 2004 was better off road due to the shorter wheelbase and bigger lift (the 14 is over 18" longer than the 04), but I do like the mega cab for hauling passengers and inside cargo. There is no question that the coil rear end on my current 2500 gives a smoother ride than the leaf springs in the 2004. I have had no significant trouble with either truck. Both trucks had/have 35's. The 04 was leveled. The 14 has stock suspension. No tire rub with either truck. The 04 was over 7' tall as I had it configured. My 2014 is about 6'10", so some parking garages are a problem.

The 5.9 is more simple -- no DEF/SCR/DPF; only one fuel filter. It had a manual transfer case as well. The 2004's had cats, and my truck was not deleted. The truck was very reliable. I replaced a water pump, AC compressor and front diff seal. It needed new batteries every 2 years without fail, but that is not uncommon in PHX.

The newer truck has a much nicer interior and much better NVH. It is great on long trips with decent economy. The 6.7 has had several recalls (I believe that newer trucks were better sorted), and I recently replaced the touch screen radio (bricked during an update, BUT I was able to wrangle a goodwill warranty replacement) -- radio and climate controls are in the unit. Batteries have been changed, and I had a coolant fitting replaced to fix a leak.

I am torn. I really liked the simplicity of the older truck, but there is no denying the comfort of the newer models. With respect to power, the 5.9 was very adequate, even with a 30' loaded toy hauler. The 6.7 is better, certainly, and the integrated exhaust brake and brake controller on the newer truck are nice.

I think there is a reason that 5.9 trucks in good condition command a premium. I do not deny the attraction. Parts are plentiful, and the major components of the truck are quite reliable. The lack of DEF/DPF is a plus. I would have no problem going back, but I do like the 6.7 (particularly the creature comforts -- heated/ventilated seats, etc). The SCR/DEF/DPF system on my truck has been good, although there are those who have had problems. That is my biggest source of concern in the long term.

I really like diesel trucks, and, although the cost of entry is higher, resale is generally much higher as well, so I see that as a wash. I enjoy the range. If I am conservative, I can get well over 500 miles with onboard fuel (that was true with my old truck as well). My wife is much happier in the new truck, but she had no problem driving the old truck either. It was just louder and a bit rougher on the road when unloaded.

I think either will serve you well.
 

D45

Explorer
Depends which 5.9L in my opinion..........

I would not want anything other than a 03/04 HO 305/555 version

With a built 48RE, the 305/555 is hard to beat

Install some larger 6.7L fuel injector connection tubes also for better fuel flow in the 5.9L

Yes, the 03/04 trucks have small turbos............but a swap is simple

2003/2004: Holset HE341 Turbo; 54/58/9

2004.5-2007: Holset HE351 Turbo; 60/60/9

04.5-07 HE351:
7 blade 60mm/60/9
19mm wastegate hole non divided
 

D45

Explorer
I would steer clear of 04.5+ 5.9L trucks, personally

2003-2004 trucks have an 8 hole nozzles

2004.5+ trucks have a 5 hole nozzle

Both trucks use a different piston bowl design also

555 motors (2003 and early 2004): 5.9 and 6.7 injector nozzles have a wide spray angle due to a reentrant bowl design.

600/610 motors (2004.5+) 5.9 injector nozzles have a narrow spray angle due to the open non-reentrant bowl design.

555 motor: 143* injector spray impacts annular region of 113* piston bowl, concentrating combustion towards the piston dome. 8 hole nozzles with two injection events

600/610-series: 124* injector spray impacts central region of 140* piston dome, propagating combustion towards the cylinder wall. 5 hole nozzles with three injection events

The 2004.5 trucks have a odd piston bowl design, 5 hole nozzles with a less efficient spray pattern..............all this, when coupled with the 3 injection events makes the motors MUCH MORE prone to piston melt downs and higher EGTs

In 2007.5, Cummins went back to the old 2003/20-04 piston bowl design for the 6.7L CTD motors
 

D45

Explorer
The 5.9 is more simple -- no DEF/SCR/DPF; only one fuel filter. It had a manual transfer case as well. The 2004's had cats, and my truck was not deleted. The truck was very reliable. I replaced a water pump, AC compressor and front diff seal. It needed new batteries every 2 years without fail, but that is not uncommon in PHX.

2004.5+ had cats...............early 2004 did not

The batteries in my 305/555 2004 truck were 8 years old and still had to the factories batteries when I sold it

The manual lever NV241 tcase was a brute.........great solid case

The engine mounted fuel filter on the 2003/2004 trucks were problematic. Most had a warranty claim for failure and the dealer did a retro fit to the in-tank version (found on 2004.5+)
 

Darwin

Explorer
WIth the budget you have, I would buy a new cummins. I have owned 2 12 valve 5.9 cummins, the new one is light years ahead of them. You really need to focus on how much weight you will be carrying, that will determine if you need something larger than a 3500. I would suggest a regular cab cummins unless you have kids.
 

rebar

Adventurer
Why buy a new cummins and then spend more money deleting it, when you could just buy a 12 valve?

Find a professionally swapped 12 valve, because the dodge truck itself is junk.
 

D45

Explorer
Not to bring up the diesel vs gas debate, but

5.9L
2003-200; 305 HP and 555 TQ
2004.5-2007; 325 HP and 610 TQ

6.7L
2007.5+ ; 350 HP and 650 TQ (many variables, ei cab/chassis, etc)

Ram 2500 with the gas 6.4L: 410 HP and 429 TQ

Just depends if you NEED diesel and NEED the low end grunt it offers...........along with the added price of the initial purchase, the replacement parts/ oil changes, maintenance, etc............
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
189,791
Messages
2,920,906
Members
232,931
Latest member
Northandfree

Members online

Top