Posted by Paul(in NY) on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 5:23PM :
The 98 Ram V-10 Gasser has been replaced with a new 2003 Ram 2500, 4x4, Cummins HO, 6 speed, Jake Brake, Long Bed, SLT with Sport Package, leather heated seats, dual zone AC, and 28H interior package, Anti spin Differential, Axle Ratio 4.10, Infinity 7 sound system. It would be easier to list what is not on the truck. Its awesome to drive, more power than I ever expected. MY trip home from Wabash, In. with the Ram was 804.8 miles. On the first tank of fuel, the onboard computer and also hand calculations showed 18mpg. I filled up in Erie, Pa with premium diesel and the MPG both on the computer and by hand went to 20 mpg. I was running 65 mph at 2100 rpms. This is awesome compared to the 9.5 MPG unloaded with the V-10 Gasser. I will put a picture up in a few days when I get it cleaned of the road grime/salt from the last storm. I sure hope it will pull Tam's Model A Ha!
The Down side; The Jake doesnt sound like the Big Trucks with the Machine Gun Rap, this is more of a Pisst, Pisst, pisst. The other thing with the V-10, I would be out of gas before my Pepsie got warm and flat so I always had a clod Pepsie. Now this Cummins will outlast my Kidneys.
Got a question, The tires on the Ram are LT 265/70R/17E 10 Ply, but they are not snow tires. I have called a bunch of tire dealers and they say there is no equivlent aggressive mud/snow tire. Even the little dodge dealer up here has no idea what size Dodge supplies in the On/Off road optional tires. What are you guys using on your Rams with Cummins for agressive tires ? Remember its 17" wheels.
Paul
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