Author Topic: Hemi or Cummins? (Read 1802 times)

torredcuda · « **on:** April 06, 2008 - 07:28:14 AM »

I`m looking to replace my truck with something newer and can`t decide on getting a Hemi or Cummins.My `97 2500 5.9 gas has been a good dependable truck for the last couple years but at 110k it needs some work.The mechanicals are just some brake work and tune up but the body is starting to get fairly rusty around the typical spots -over the rear wheels,rockers and lower fenders so rather than put a lot of time into body work I`ve decided to upgrade.My budget is $18-22K which should get me a nice `03-06 quad cab SLT with under 50k miles on it but I`m undecided on getting the Hemi or Cummins.I`d really like the Cummins but they are harder to find and my main concern is fuel costs as this truck will be my daily driver and at $4 a gallon and rising my 60 mile round trip commute is a killer on the wallet.
So what I really need to know is what can I expect for fuel mileage from the Hemi vs Cummins so I can figure my fuel costs for both?Around $3.25 for 89 octane gas vs $4.03 for diesel in this area.

thedodgeboys · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2008 - 07:42:57 AM »

Good question....

I dont have the answer

But I think Cummins will run more miles than a gas motor before needing rebuilt.

What about the smell of diesel?

Do you have to drive a full size truck as your daily driver? Or would a smaller car be better at 30 MPG instead of 13MPG???

Good Luck..

hemiken · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2008 - 07:46:45 AM »

with DB,

But deisels can get expensive in parts alone when they break down. Comes down to what others may of experienced or what you really want................ Like the ads, has that thing got a Hemi.........

Bullitt- · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2008 - 09:13:51 AM »

I researched a 2006 2500 on Kelly Blue Book & there is a $8,000.(aprox 30% more) premium for the diesel....Would have to be getting lots better mileage or planning on keeping it a very long time to justify the expense IMO.

CHUCKS71 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2008 - 09:29:18 AM »

Go with the Cummins!

My 2003 cummins gets 20 M.P.G and my friends 5.7 HEMI is lucky to get 13mpg. It won't be long til gas is up to $4.00 like diesel anyway. I have 166000 Miles on mine so far With out any problems. Chuck

71GTX · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2008 - 10:05:15 AM »

I'm still getting approximately 20 MPG with my 95 Cummins with a manual tranny....have put relatively little money into it and have over 251, 000 miles on it, but with fuel prices over $4 per gallon for diesel, what is your purpose for getting a newer vehicle?? Hell IMO, try to go with something that gets better fuel mileage, smaller truck or a car, fix the truck that you currently have and use it only when needed. Hell, its already paid for....JMO!

Moparal · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2008 - 10:47:04 AM »

No brainer. Cummins is better for mpg, and also for towing. Long trips the cummins will always get better mpg. I was just forved to turn in my 2002 cummins dually and get a new truck at work. It went 306,000 miles. Air still worked good, cruise worked , seats were great, no body dents. I rebuilt the ball joints and added a clutch at 225k. I got 13 mpg towing and 23 on its own with 354 gears. Your choice though. My barracuda was towed from ca to al with a 2006 hemi. 11 mpg and 17 without the trailer. or something close to that. And he never used the a/c

JS27N0B · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2008 - 10:47:11 AM »

Good advice already, If you are looking at towing some distances or using the truck for other heavy purposes the Cummins is the only way to go. Will the Hemi perform? Sure it will, but what the Cummins can do easily the Hemi will be working it's guts out.
I'm a little biased though as I think my 6.7 is fantastic, especially the 6spd auto and standard engine brake.

Oil changes are about 11.5 quarts(12 liters) but the intervals are almost double that of gas.
You are also probably looking for 2500, so the fuel mileage on them will be lower with the Hemi, but around here a way better deal used can be found on that truck as everybody is looking for a Cummins.

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2008 - 12:54:53 PM »

you will have problems with virtually all other componenets of the truck before the Cummins will cause a problem , I have approx 400,000 miles on my Cummins & finally had to repair the original injection pump , yes it cost $2400 to fix but averaged out over 400,000 miles it is still cheap , the milage is always over 20 MPG . I would find a manual trans truck , the torque of the Cummins will kill the lock up converters in the autos , the front ends are the weak link in the Dodge Trucks from 94 to present other than that they are indestructable , I will never go back to gas

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2008 - 02:15:28 PM »

with the 94 & newer trucks you really need to upgrade the lift pump , Dodge uses a pusher style pump to pull fuel from the tank to the injection pump the design is very poor & needs upgrading or the injection pump can fail as often as every 12,000 miles , approx every oil change , why they use a push type pump to pull I have no idea

JS27N0B · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2008 - 02:34:52 PM »

Quote from: Chryco Psycho on April 06, 2008 - 02:15:28 PM

with the 94 & newer trucks you really need to upgrade the lift pump , Dodge uses a pusher style pump to pull fuel from the tank to the injection pump the design is very poor & needs upgrading or the injection pump can fail as often as every 12,000 miles , approx every oil change , why they use a push type pump to pull I have no idea

I will have to disagree with you on that one Neil. I have these trucks in my shop all the time. Every cummins built since 05 has had the lift/transfer pump in the tank. Our fuel here in Alberta is what was killing them. 94-02 trucks used to go about 80,000 miles on a lift pump.

I would also disagree about weak front ends on the 3rd generation trucks.

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2008 - 03:02:29 PM »

yeah I am not as up on the newest trucks , with the lift pump in tank that will be a better solution for sure , however I have a friend with the 04 & he has had to replace the wheel brgs & front stabilizer at 125,000 Km so the front end doesn`t seem any better than the 94-02

torredcuda · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2008 - 03:10:39 PM »

I looked at a couple Hemis yesterday and today,13-14 mpg average they said.I know the Cummins will out tow the Hemi but I only tow occasionally so not really sure the benefits outwiegh the plusse of the diesel.

Quote from: thedodgeboys on April 06, 2008 - 07:42:57 AM

Good question....

I dont have the answer But I think Cummins will run more miles than a gas motor before needing rebuilt.

What about the smell of diesel?

Do you have to drive a full size truck as your daily driver? Or would a smaller car be better at 30 MPG instead of 13MPG???

Good Luck..

I know it`d paid for but once it starts rusting it will keep going unless I strip and and restore it and I don`t have the time for that.

Quote from: CHUCKS71 on April 06, 2008 - 09:29:18 AM

Go with the Cummins! My 2003 cummins gets 20 M.P.G and my friends 5.7 HEMI is lucky to get 13mpg. It won't be long til gas is up to $4.00 like diesel anyway. I have 166000 Miles on mine so far With out any problems. Chuck

But when gas is $4/gallon will diesel be $5 ?

Quote from: JS27N0B on April 06, 2008 - 10:47:11 AM

Good advice already, If you are looking at towing some distances or using the truck for other heavy purposes the Cummins is the only way to go. Will the Hemi perform? Sure it will, but what the Cummins can do easily the Hemi will be working it's guts out.
I'm a little biased though as I think my 6.7 is fantastic, especially the 6spd auto and standard engine brake.

Oil changes are about 11.5 quarts(12 liters) but the intervals are almost double that of gas.
You are also probably looking for 2500, so the fuel mileage on them will be lower with the Hemi, but around here a way better deal used can be found on that truck as everybody is looking for a Cummins.

Yes I will get a 2500 quad cab 4x4 but want an automatic not a manual for a daily driver/tow vehicle.Do the `03-06 auto trannys hold up OK?

torredcuda · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2008 - 03:12:55 PM »

My `97 has dana 60`s front and rear with 4.10s,do the newer 2500s have the same axles and what gear choices do I have?

CHUCKS71 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2008 - 05:24:16 PM »

My friend has a 2005 diesel with an auto he also has a Bully dog chip& over sized tires. He uses it to tow a lot and with 77000 has not had any problems with the trans.

Author Topic: Hemi or Cummins? (Read 1802 times)

torredcuda

Hemi or Cummins?

thedodgeboys

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

hemiken

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

Bullitt-

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

CHUCKS71

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

71GTX

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

Moparal

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

JS27N0B

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

Chryco Psycho

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

Chryco Psycho

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

JS27N0B

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

Chryco Psycho

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

torredcuda

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

torredcuda

Re: Hemi or Cummins?

CHUCKS71

Re: Hemi or Cummins?