Upgraded the TV, bye bye gas, I'm burning oil now

[mikeysotp]

Traded my 2015 Ram 3500 with the 6.4 liter gas motor for a 2015 Ram 3500 diesel with the Aisin transmission. The 6.4 actually did a good job towing my 5er but I have had diesel envy for too long now! I'm a little worried about all of the DEF bs but I'll just have to deal.

[Elkhounds]

You are going to love diesel. I can't see ever going back to gas for towing. Don't worry about the DEF crap. It is not that big of a deal.

[NMWildcat]

Congrats! You will be amazed at the difference in towing experience! And when you get tired of the DEF and all the associated BS then install a delete kit. My brother deleted all his farm trucks and was amazed at the difference in power and mileage. Of course we don't have state inspections out here. You can always hang all that crap back on for warranty work or trade-in time.

[shorthorn]

No worries Mikey.... the DEF crap is just hype from gasser drivers... it's really a non-issue! Be glad you have it... the ones with DEF are much better on fuel than those without.

Congrats and good luck getting the smile off your face the first time you pull a hill with that beast!

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by Elkhounds

You are going to love diesel. I can't see ever going back to gas for towing. Don't worry about the DEF crap. It is not that big of a deal.

X2 and congrats!!!

[Phenom]

After my first long trip with my 3/4 ton gasser, battling headwinds and altitude, I've got a little Diesel envy myself. It did fine too, but......

[RSchleder]

Diesel makes total sense for towing, as long as when it's bought, the owner doesn't expect it to be cheaper to operate due to slightly better fuel milage!

[mikeysotp]

Thanks everyone. I can't wait until the 13th, we will be heading to the Lake George area which is about a 5 hour ride for us. I may have to hook up this weekend and pull my camper around town because I feel like a kid waiting for Santa!

[flighht2k5]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Congrats! You will be amazed at the difference in towing experience! And when you get tired of the DEF and all the associated BS then install a delete kit. My brother deleted all his farm trucks and was amazed at the difference in power and mileage. Of course we don't have state inspections out here. You can always hang all that crap back on for warranty work or trade-in time.

Originally Posted by shorthorn

No worries Mikey.... the DEF crap is just hype from gasser drivers... it's really a non-issue! Be glad you have it... the ones with DEF are much better on fuel than those without.

Congrats and good luck getting the smile off your face the first time you pull a hill with that beast!

So which one is it?

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by flighht2k5

So which one is it?

The new diesels with def get better mileage than the old diesels w/o def. But if you delete all the def crap from a new diesel the mileage and power increase dramatically. My brother has deleted 4 farm trucks so far and that is the result.

[windsurfdog]

This is from DEF Overview - discover Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF):

"Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is an emissions control liquid required by modern diesel engines. It is injected into the exhaust stream. DEF is never added to diesel fuel. It is a non-hazardous solution of 32.5% urea in 67.5% de-ionized water. DEF is clear and colorless, and looks exactly like water. It has a slight smell of ammonia, similar to some home cleaning agents. DEF is used in by Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to remove harmful NOx emissions from diesel engines.
In January 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brought in new emissions standards requiring medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to significantly reduce engine emissions, particularly NOx and particulate matter (PM). Vehicle manufacturers use SCR to meet these standards. DEF is sprayed into the exhaust, breaking down NOx gases into nitrogen and water using an advanced catalyst system. As a result most new diesel trucks, pickups, SUVs, and vans are now fitted with SCR technology and have a DEF tank that must be regularly refilled.
EPA set the emissions standards to improve air quality. NOx and PM emissions are associated with a wide range of health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, aggravation of asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function. The EPA estimates that the emission standards will prevent 8,300 premature deaths, more than 9,500 hospitalizations and 1.5 million work days lost due to illness, saving approximately $70.3 billion by 2030.
SCR is a so-called "aftertreatment" technology, which means that it destroys harmful emissions after combustion. This gives manufacturers greater scope to tune engines to improve fuel efficiency and increase power. Owners of SCR vehicles enjoy greater reliability and longer oil change intervals, which add up to impressive operating cost savings over the life of the vehicle."

If replenishing is the only cost/inconvenience associated with def use, why would anyone want to bypass it? Are there other considerations?

[windsurfdog]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

The new diesels with def get better mileage than the old diesels w/o def. But if you delete all the def crap from a new diesel the mileage and power increase dramatically. My brother has deleted 4 farm trucks so far and that is the result.

I'm certainly interested to know how much a "dramatic" increase in mileage and power is compared to NOx and PM increase. Seems that since the entire technology is "aftertreatment" that it would not be a "dramatic" difference. Just trying to understand...

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by windsurfdog

If replenishing is the only cost/inconvenience associated with def use, why would anyone want to bypass it? Are there other considerations?

I don't think anybody sets out saying, "I wish the air was a little more polluted", but when you have to replace your first DPF (Diesel particulate filter) and it costs several thousand dollars, you look for alternatives. A delete kit is much cheaper, and then you get rid of all future DEF associated problems and annoyances.

You should go to a diesel forum to research this as there is a lot of detailed information there, both for and against.

I'm waiting to buy a new diesel until they get this DEF stuff figured out a little better. But then, my 2007 Duramax might never wear out

[locogk]

i get better m.p.g. and if better for the air quality i an good with it

[keeprr]

Ran up and down the Arbuckle Mountain in OK. People around here say it's a "B...." because of the long incline. With my diesel towing my 10000 lb 5er the truck never shifted out of OD and never tacked over 1800 rpm. You're gonna love you new truck.

[flighht2k5]

Originally Posted by locogk

i get better m.p.g. and if better for the air quality i an good with it

Diesel pollutes less than gas. Soot just falls to the ground.

[CTGREG]

I love my 2013 megacab 2500 with the Cummins diesel. The truck has plenty of power to pull my 16,000 pound 5'er. I will recommend that you get some sort of fuel cap for the diesel tank fill however. The DEF fill is very close to the Diesel fill. If you accidentally put DEF fluid into the Diesel, will cause a problem. Don't ask me how I know.

[mike.t]

With the Ram you have a DEF gauge so there is no surprise's coming when it gets low and you don't notice the message on the dash. And that Cummins is a beast.

[aceinspp]

Well ya made the diesel guys happy Still gas and loving it. Later RJD

[Steve29rlx]

You are going to like the Cummins. I had a 2005 3500, now I have a 2015 3500. Don't neglect your fuel filters.