Tell me about your Cummins 5.9L

[375RUGER]

In the market as it were--so I stopped today and looked as some trucks. Found a 2006 Dodge Ram, 5.9L Cummins, 46K miles.
What kind of mileage do y'all get with yours?
What don't you like about your 5.9?
Thanks in advance!

[rockrat]

I am sure those more familiar with the engine will chime in, but I have heard that '06 was the last year before they put the system in that burned carbon particulates and dropped the compression ratio. In other words, the last year of a really good engine.

[Plate plinker]

I do not like the VP44 injection pump and the expense that it requires to replace. However if you don't starve it for fuel I guess it is okay. The engine itself is rock solid.

[Petrol & Powder]

I owned a 3/4 ton Dodge with the old 12 valve Cummins that had the mechanical injection pump. I owned it for 17 years. The engine was fantastic. The rest of the truck was junk.

The good: The engine itself was bulletproof. It always got me home. That truck got 19 miles to the gallon regardless of the speed and load but the mileage would suffer in cold weather. Diesels require some basic knowledge to operate but I had that knowledge and never had a serious problem.

The bad: I owned a lot of Chrysler products before that truck but I doubt I'll ever buy another. Can't blame the Cummins engine for the Dodge related problems. The cab leaked. I rebuilt everything on the front end at least once and some parts 4 times. Rear axle seals went at 60K. Fuel gauge sending unit died after about 7 years. Parts of the fuel system were made by monkeys and they we not the smart monkeys. With the application of nylon ties and epoxy you could make the heating & A/C controls work for more than a week at a time - if you were careful. The automatic transmission on mine actually worked but it required very vigilant maintenance; other people reported less favorable results. The front brake calipers required a great deal of attention or they would seize. With some careful maintenance they would work OK; not the best design I've seen.

So, in a nutshell: the Cummins 12 valve engine was GREAT. I wish I could have pulled it out and installed it in another chassis with a different body.

[smokeywolf]

Another vote against the VP44 injector pump in the 2nd generation models. Replaced mine almost 2 years ago (2nd time), but instead of replacing the OEM lift pump with same, I went with the FASS system. Hoping that will make the $1,400 VP44 go longer than 75,000 miles.
Mine gets 17 MPG. Used to get 19, but about one to two years after I bought it, had to take it in for one the many factory recalls and while they had it for that, they re-flashed the chip and I lost about 5% of my power and 10% of my fuel mileage. Tried to get them to flash it back to original specs and they said, no dice, was done on orders from the CARB (state pollution NAZIs).

I bought the truck specifically for the Cummins engine. Sadly, I also got stuck with the piece of karp Dodge that comes wrapped around the Cummins.

[silverjay]

I had a 2000 for 15 years, now I have a 2013 with the 6.9. The weak spot in the VP44 is the lift pump that feeds it. Another vote here for the FASS system. I put 120k on mine after the FASS with no problems. Factory torque converters on the automatics are soft to protect the transmission on the 47re, not sure what the '06 has. Loved the engine, cab was pretty good, front end suspension and transmission were the weak points on mine.

[Lloyd Smale]

My son in law has 99 that has over 300k on it. Sure its had a couple tranny rebuilds and a bit of fuel injection problems, steering components, starters altenators ect. But like he says It was paid off with 70k on it and its a heck of a lot cheaper to keep running then it would be to make a payment on a new one. I know for a fact that the shortblock and heads have never been off it or ever needed work. he said he will consider a new one when this one has 500k on it. Personaly I think that if you not capable of turning a wrench you should stay away from ANY high milage vehicle. There all going to cost money to keep on the road and probably more so with a used diesel truck because a good many were used as trucks and some problems they may have are very expensive to fix especially if you cant do it yourself. Hes a diesel mechanic by trade so that's no problem for him.

[kens]

A low milage '06, I would buy it. that is the last year of the good common rail system, the best engine.

I got the '98 24 valve, mine is the so-called weakest of the bunch, due to the VP44. 250,000 miles and I put 1 injector pump on it.
I got the 2.50 rear gears and have had 26mpg empty hiway, had as much as 21mpg towing a 30' travel trailer.
the interior parts is the weakest part of the whole truck

[garym1a2]

I think the 2003 thru 2006 did not have the vp44 and where the best of the 5.9.
My 2001 had the vp44, the dash that falls apart and backed door that doe not open.

[Petrol & Powder]

The Cummins 6BT 12 valve engine with the mechanical Bosch P7100 injector pump were the most reliable and durable Cummins Turbo diesels used by Chrysler. They also produced the least amount of power. That system did not use a common rail and the injectors were purely mechanical.
Those early trucks used a fuel heater that was prone to failure and would introduce air into the fuel system. The fuel heater really wasn't needed and could be modified so that it wouldn't leak but that mod also eliminated the heater function.

In 1998 the 24 valve engine came out and somewhere in there the injector pumps changed and the common rail system was introduced. Those later engines produced more power but were not as reliable.

Increased complexity = increased failures.

[Bookworm]

I have a 2005 (3rd gen), 2wd auto (48RE), 2500 series. I purchased it new. I would buy it again.
It has pulled everything I've hooked to it, and asked for more.

Now to answer your questions. I get 18-20 MPG. I drive like someone looking to get good mileage, but I don't try to hyper-mile.

Best tank ever was 26mpg, I was driving steady 65, no trailer, no cargo. I've been called into question about the mpg figures, but I hand calculate every tank. I know how to do basic math.

I have done some mods.
Trans - shift kit, billet torque converter, external filter, billet flexplate, a few other bits and pieces.

Engine - Banks computer (I love it, some don't), aftermarket exhaust manifold, aftermarket intercooler.

4" mandrel bent exhaust, free flow muffler. I left the cat on it - as of now there are no inspections here, but I expect that to change.

I expect the Cummins will outlast the Dodge that is wrapped around it.

[375RUGER]

All good info--Thanks a lot fellas!

[Rusty W]

I have an 03 2500, 4wd, quad cab, nv5600 with 274392 miles. I bought it used 2 years ago & don't regret it for a second. I haul a Kubota L3430 on a 18' bumper pull with no problems. I haul hay, horses, firewood, feed or anything else that needs hauled & never missed a beat. I get 18-20mpg unloaded & 15-16mpg loaded. Keep a spare water pump & baldwin fuel filter on hand, they seem to go out at the worst possible time but are easy to change. Buy E rated tires & try to stay around the stock size. I get about 35-40k on a set, these trucks are heavy. I had to get used to the nearly $100 oil changes but I go about 7k on a change & change the air filter & fuel filter every other time or as needed. I'm happy with mine so far but truth be told I could do 80% of what I need to do with a gas burner. Everything on a HPR Cummins is expensive, cp3 pump, injectors, sensors, lift pumps,etc. I looked at both before I made a purchase but I wanted a Cummins so that's what I got, the dodge just happened to be what it was wrapped in.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/03%20Ram%20Cummins/150830_0003_zpsmbeiip5m.jpg

[historicfirearms]

I had a 93 3/4 ton with the Cummins. Great engine but **** truck. Multiple automatic transmission rebuilds, front and rear end rebuild (does Dana build junk just for Dodge?) Brake problems including loosing front brake pads twice - they fell off and pedal went to the floor, rust if you look at it wrong. I loved that engine though. Tons of power pulling heavy trailers, smooth running, great mileage. I won't ever own a diesel pickup again though. It was hard to start in the winter unless you plugged it in, oil changes and maintenance was expensive, and don't laugh, but just getting fuel was a hassle. Usually only one diesel pump at small town stations that someone with a gas car was already using, and the stuff stinks no matter how careful you are. Not enough benefits for a diesel for me to put up with the drawbacks.

[Petrol & Powder]

I had a 93 3/4 ton with the Cummins. Great engine but **** truck. Multiple automatic transmission rebuilds, front and rear end rebuild (does Dana build junk just for Dodge?) Brake problems including loosing front brake pads twice - they fell off and pedal went to the floor, rust if you look at it wrong. I loved that engine though. Tons of power pulling heavy trailers, smooth running, great mileage. I won't ever own a diesel pickup again though. It was hard to start in the winter unless you plugged it in, oil changes and maintenance was expensive, and don't laugh, but just getting fuel was a hassle. Usually only one diesel pump at small town stations that someone with a gas car was already using, and the stuff stinks no matter how careful you are. Not enough benefits for a diesel for me to put up with the drawbacks.

My experience was similar to most of that.
I never had problems starting the engine in cold weather, even without the block heater plugged in (although that made it wayyyyyy easier). The Cummins didn't use glowplugs, it had an intake heater to pre-heat the air going into the head. If you cycled it twice and had good batteries, it would start even in single digit temps. It didn't want to start,... but it would.
I did my own work but yes, an oil change wasn't cheap. I would purchase a case of oil and have one can left over after filling the crankcase. The engine didn't burn oil so after 4 or 5 oil changes I would have 4 or 5 spare cans of oil. That was the only time I didn't buy oil by the case !

As for Dana building junk just for Chrysler, I thought I was the only person to believe that but I'm glad to hear others noticed it as well. I've seen Dana axles run for decades in other vehicles without a hiccup. Not in a Dodge.

I actually think diesel engines are worth the extra measures they require but couldn't agree more that the Dodge truck they wrapped around that great engine was S***.

[nicholasbailey93]

Recently finished swapping a 12 valve from a 93 dodge into a 84 one ton Chevy solving the problem of a bad truck wrapped around a good engine. Been driving it about a month and a half and loving it. Getting 18 or 19 mpg

Sent from my Z798BL using Tapatalk

[Smoke4320]

owned a 2003 3500 dually... Pulled a 48 ft 21,000 lb trailer my son and I traveled from NC to Texas and Florida to Canada 2 weekends a month for 5 years vending at paintball tournaments
It also pulled a 32 ft camper to Sturgis SD twice .. from NC
best truck I ever owned
on the road with a load per above 15-17 MPH
unloaded in the country or highway 22-24 MPH Yes That's correct not a misprint .. in the city about 17-19 depending on how much I wanted to show off
only mods done were a chip and a cold air box

Lucas fuel treatment in EVERY fill up

never had a minutes problem Take that back had a switch/solenoid go out in the tranny at 101,000 lost first gear
dealer said the transmission needed to be rebuilt .. old trans repairman in the country said no its a switch $200.00 and you will be on the road again .. Sold the truck in 2009 Still running strong

[gpidaho]

I bought my 2001 ten years ago with 110,000 miles on it for $10,000 dollars. It had been rode hard pulling concrete form trailers since new. It now has 210,000 miles on it and is much cheaper to keep going than payments on a new rig. Motor is still strong but needs fuel system work and the body is about to fall off. Always bought Ford trucks but think this Dodge 4X4 may be the best dollar spent truck I've ever owned. Gp

[Idaho Mule]

My Dodge with a Cummins is a 1997 1 ton, I bought used in 99. At purchase it had 62k. I bought it cuz I had worn out my older 1987 3/4 ton with a 318 and 4 speed by pulling my mules all over Idaho. That was a vast improvement, trust me. The 3/4 ton did great for what it was but when I got a bigger trailer and could shove 6 head plus all the accrutaments on board it just pulled it's poor guts out. The 1 ton obviously handled the load much better and the Cummins could provide the needed torque. Once we crossed the 100k threshold and got out of warranty I did some tuning on the Bosch pump to suit my needs a little better. I did not want to squeal tires and leave black smoke filling the sky, just move a load consistantly. It does what I ask as far as moving a load, but my boys (when they were younger) soon developed the habit of saying "black smoke them hippy's Dad" as we would roll through town somewhere and pull away from a stop light. It does throw a little black smoke if you make it, but it also rolls over the next hill without having to downshift. The old girl just crossed 180k, I sold the mules, haul tractors now, and as soon as I get the doors and paint put back on all is well. It is a Dodge. JW

[jimlj]

I've got the best of both worlds. 5.9 Cummins in a '79 F250 extended cab Ford. It is a '89 Cummins with stock tune so it's no power house compared to the newer ones, but will pull anything I have put behind it and gets 20+ mpg empty. Over 350000 miles on the engine.

[Plate plinker]

As for Dana building junk just for Chrysler, I thought I was the only person to believe that but I'm glad to hear others noticed it as well. I've seen Dana axles run for decades in other vehicles without a hiccup. Not in a Dodge.


Honest truth MY FIL worked for 32 years at DANA axle in Syracuse IN. He is extremely honest and told me that when parts failed to pass for chevy that they would just dropped them into the Chrysler order because Chrysler did not check the parts. Scouts Honor my friends.

[Tyguy95]

When it comes to diesels nothing beats a 5.9 for reliability. Mileage for me was always about 20mpg could squeeze a bit better our of it on longer trips but nothing drastic.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

[redneck1]

I drove a 2005 dodge with a Cummins for almost 7 years , it was a company truck .
When It was handed down to me it already a bit over 100,000 miles .
One of our mechanics had already changed the lift pump to an aftermarket pump and put a cold air intake on it .

It was a 6 speed with 4:10 gears .. regular cab, single wheel , one ton
When It left me it had a bit over 240,000 miles .
Other then regular maintenance the engine gave zero problems .
The rest of the truck was a different story .

The complete front end was rebuilt three times , .. tie rods , track bars ball joints , bushings .. the works . .it was due for another rebuild when it was replaced . the front end sucked .


It also went threw two expensive transmissions and one clutch .
I lost count of how many universals it went threw , more then 10 is all I can say .

It also needed one intercooler and two radiators ... but I'm inclined to blame them on the fact that the truck spent a lot of time under rough conditions .

Two rear differentials and two right front axles .

Fuel mileage. .. I'll blame the gearing for the lousy fuel mileage .
Normal driving it averaged 13-14 mpg , if you pulled something heavy it would drop down to 11 mpg .

My opinion on the truck ... overall it wasnt a bad truck considering the life it lead .
Engine was good ... but the rest of the truck left something to be desired .

My biggest complaint. .. engine noise ! There was many a day I spent all day in the truck , it got tiresome listening to the noise .
Good engine yea , plenty of power .. yea . But it's still a noisy engine and at the end of the day it didn't do anything that a gas engine couldn't .
Unless I was pulling a heavy trailer day in and day out I'd go with a gas engine every day . .. cheaper to buy and maintain.
And with diesel always more money the regular gas in my neck of the woods there's not any money saved on fuel .

The noise man .. the noise .

And Let's not forget the ever lingering stink of diesel fuel

[41magjh]

I have a 06 2500 60-65 mph I got 19-20mpg loaded 12 mpg. If you get it I would put a fass system on it also it a 4x4 extended cab 8ft. bed six speed. 2006 did not have the pollution stuff on it . Just make sure you change fuel filter regular . I just put the fass on mine doing injectors next. Didn't take care of filter hitting me in back pocket now.

[smokeywolf]

I had the FASS lift pump/filters put on and injectors replaced when I had the VP44 replaced a couple of years ago. Also had to have the speed sensor in the differential replaced.