quote:

Originally posted by 4sixteen:
Good service from your Ram 2500.

My 2004 Ram 1500 Laramie 4WD 5.7 L hemi at 165,000 miles runs ok. Aside from tires, shocks and brake wear not without issues along the way - steering rack, CV joints, 1 broken valve spring, steering cooler, front wheel bearings, a few sensors, coolant pump, body rust. Surprised the alternator hasn't blowed yet. Might keep it as a beater truck.

quote:

Originally posted by DesertRam:
Todd, any particular reason you decided to replace the old girl now? Just time? I sure like that new one! Not keen on all the emissions controls though.

My '06 is very similar to your '05, but with only 130k miles so far. I'll probably retire, and maybe even die, with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by DesertRam:
Todd, any particular reason you decided to replace the old girl now? Just time? I sure like that new one! Not keen on all the emissions controls though.

My '06 is very similar to your '05, but with only 130k miles so far. I'll probably retire, and maybe even die, with it.

I had worked it pretty hard over the years. It was really just time to get a new one. I'm confident it would go another 400,000 miles with only the normal maintenance items, except maybe the tranny. The engine was as strong as ever but I was still on the original transmission, and that includes no work of any type done on it. I pulled a 40' fifth wheel for several years and again, never had any issues but we all know the transmission is the weak link in the Cummins power train. I expect the tranny will need a rebuild sometime in the future so I thought now is a good time. Also being in the construction business, I get the tax write off this year.

There were some issues with the stereo in that the old one didn't have an AUX input and had a multi-CD changer that had stopped working awhile back. So I was limited to Sirrus/XM. Didn't have the option to stream music. This new one has Apple Car Play which I was first introduced to on the Lotus I bought last year. I REALLY like that feature from the ability to stream music, connect to Waze navigation, and the phone interface for calls, etc.

Really, everything just kind of lined up to being the right time for a replacement. I hear you on the emissions stuff. The dealership filled it with the emmissions additive and it's only got about 400 miles on it so far, so I haven't had to refill it yet. We'll see how much of a hassle that is soon. What really surprised me is the torque on the new one. It feels more urgent to accelerate with just a little throttle. Found out the old one had something like 660 lb/ft which I always thought was very strong. The new one has 1,047 lb/ft!! Will be interesting to pull something for the first time. I'm also surprised by how quiet the new engine is.

Nice looking truck of yours! I like the color! It looks like you've taken really good care of it. With only 130K miles, you've got another 20 years with that one I'm sure!!!

quote:

Originally posted by DesertRam:
Todd, any particular reason you decided to replace the old girl now? Just time? I sure like that new one! Not keen on all the emissions controls though.

My '06 is very similar to your '05, but with only 130k miles so far. I'll probably retire, and maybe even die, with it.

quote:

Originally posted by 4sixteen:
For comparison my company fleet new pickup is scheduled for disposal after about 3 years or 70,000 miles on the odometer because reliability is deemed to become problematic. Business need.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Tell us about your front bumper addition.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
The reason I constantly have folks try and buy my 96 12V and 06 dually.

quote:

Originally posted by DesertRam:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
The reason I constantly have folks try and buy my 96 12V and 06 dually.

Same here. I have had several offers for this truck that are more than I paid for it used in 2012 with 75k miles. The fact that it is a six-speed manual makes it very desirable on the used market.

quote:

Originally posted by DesertRam:
I don't really have much use for a dually; those training wheels make it pretty much useless on our narrow desert/forest trails. When I bought this truck we didn't even have a camper, let alone a fifth wheel, so the short bed was actually preferred for off-road mobility. Now that we have and regularly tow a fifth wheel, I do wish for the longer bed. I saw a truck just like mine, with 97k miles and a long bed sell locally for $29k.

I have always loved your red and silver Dodge. Those mid-90s are still my favorite Dodge truck of all time. I can't believe it looks as good as it does after a life in the snow of Alaska. My gray Dodge looks good when slicked up, but upon close inspection one will note a lot of desert pinstriping. Detracts a little, but I take comfort in knowing that it earns its living around here.