Looking at 6.7 Cummins trucks

I've been looking at a few 6.7 Cummins powered Rams to replace my tried and true 2004 5.9 Cummmins Ram.

I want a well optioned Laramie and/or Longhorn 4x4 crew cab short bed.
This truck will also be my daily driver just like my current 5.9 Cummins is.

From my research it seems like the 2010-2012 Cummins Rams are popular as long as they are deleted and tuned.
The area I live in does not do emissions checks so there are a lot of deleted Rams for sale in my area but these modifications do seem to limit the truck's value and resale in areas that do emission checks.

I prefer the 2013 and newer Rams with the newer electronics, larger touch screens and other options but they do have the added DEF to deal with.

I understand there is a difference in rear suspension and transmissions between the 2500 and 3500 trucks.
Is one setup better than the other.

So which 6.7 is the better way to go.

Are the newer DEF trucks pretty well sorted or do the need deleted and tuned also?

How does the MPG of the older 6.7 deleted Rams compare to the newer stock DEF trucks?
Any chance the 6.7 mpg will be close to the impressive mpg my current 04 Cummins Ram gets?

Thanks.

I wouldn't do it. I would sink money into the 04 to make it better than taking the hit on a newer truck. Fuel mileage is MUCH worse than the 5.9 and the extra power is not worth it. Of course the only 6.7 I drove all over the country was an 07 G56 6-speed, good power, horrible mileage, terrible transmission, and that rotten egg smell and constant burning off of the catalyst. I won't even consider a 4th gen Cummins at this point. Is yours the 305 555 or 325 600?

My current early build 04 Ram is the HO 305/555 with 181k miles on it.

Thanks.

That is what I had and I miss it. Too many trans problems and blew the motor, then rust started coming through. I would like to have another one day but am sticking with first gens for now.

I agree! Keep it. Have you ever worked on a 6.7? I keep all of my vehicles and know eventually I have to work on them. Emissions is killing diesels...


Ordering a new ram in two weeks and it will be a gasser. Keeping my 5.9

I drove a 99 24Valve for 13 years and really liked it. Well I got the itch and bought a 2011 in 2012. The milage was 15 to and from work, 18 at best on the highway. I deleted the truck in 2016 and couldn't be happier. The truck has way more power and milage now. I took a road trip Friday to pick up a 69 Chrysler 300. The drive down with my 2500 lb trailer in tow turned in 19 mpg, running 70-75. On the way back with the car loaded, we got 18 mpg. This was an almost 900 mile round trip. My truck is a Bighorn, 4X4, crew cab.

13 and newer have been a really great package. Nothing at work has made me hate them like the 07-12.... I'm currently looking for a 13-14 3500 single wheel long bed to replace my 01.

Would you delete it? I have to go through emissions every year in my 06 and it is annoying.

I have a few customers that have deleted newer DEF trucks, but in my experience with this system that arrived in 13 has been a pretty dang good combo. Doesn't pollute the oil like the 07-12 trucks did... I often see people going the full 10K oil change interval.

These trucks now have two fuel filters, something that has probably been needed since the common rail came out (03). I see 4x4 trucks with "avg mpg" in the 18-20 range when they come in for service. These trucks have also been A LOT more short trip friendly.... not recommended by any means, but they don't soot up like the older ones did.

My dash has a crack, the OE paint is finally succumbing to desert life, and in my "oldness" I'm getting tired of pulling grades and having to adjust driving style to keep my egt in check.... I want "set it, and forget it"! BTW I pulled my race trailer with a 15 and it was laughable at how much better of a driving experience it was. Tow mode, exhaust brake.... it was something else coming up to the Cajon Pass with the cruise set at 55 and it held that speed all the way down that gawd awful long steep hill. Automatically apply the Exh brake, shift down, apply more... it was an eye opening experience.

I am in the same boat. We have been shopping left over 17's and you can get a 2500 shorty crew SLT or better for around 45k. *Some* 3500's have the AISIN trans which is a medium duty trans (i.e. a 2.5 ton box truck) however they are not as daily driver friendly due to the shifting characteristics. It's not a ton more $$ to get into a 3500 with the AISIN when looking at left overs from what I have seen.

I'd like to find a 2500 SLT shorty 4x4 crew with the cold weather package for about 38k and I'd pull the trigger.

If you don’t plan on removing the emissions I would look at the 2014 up trucks. But if you are going to remove the emissions I would be scared to look at the 2010-2012 trucks. But I would try and find one that is still all stock and delete it your self. You never know with one deleted how the owner treated it. I have a 2010 ram 2500 that’s had all the stuff done to it. With a 80HP tow tune I averaged 24MG driving 70 mph to gulf port Mississippi. But I Daly drive it on my 500 HP race tune. I love my truck but the 2014 have a lot better looking insides and are soposed to ride nicer with the rear coil springs. Oops also forgot to add mine has the 68RFE 6 speed auto. Happy hunting on a newer truck

Have a 2010 Cummins. Love the power, hate the mileage. On a really good day running empty, maybe, maybe 19 mpg.

That’s above average for a stock truck of that era.

I just can't justify all the extra "stuff (emissions)" for what I do. I do see deleted trucks around town but they are still too new for emissions and that would scare me if I had to deal with the warranty.

I hear you on the set it and forget it. I pull a small camper and my 06 is still a pain with egt's at altitude. I am most likely going to get a gasser for around town and camping trips.