Dodge Diesel mpg VS Titan MPG?

PHOEBISIS · 07-02-2004, 03:00 PM

Dodge Diesel owners-what is your MPG,RPMS at 60 mph in top gear,and interior noise levels? I like the Ram's looks(almost got the Hemi),and the straight 6 24 valve is a modern motor that has some theoretical efficiency advantages over a Diesel V-8(frictional losses,and heat losses from the CC should be less in a 6 cyl vs a V-8).
How noisy are they when you are in the cab?They are really noisy from the outside(the Ford,Chevy,and Dodge seem equally noisy),the Mercedes,and the VW are much quieter(but smaller of course).
This will give us an idea what to expect when Nissan comes out with a Diesel Titan,and some of us might want to get a slide in camper while keeping the Titan as a daily driver..
How many RPMS do you turn at 60 mph top gear?
Titans get about 10-12 city,and 16-19 hy.Thanks,Charlie

SupraTitan · 07-02-2004, 03:29 PM

My brother in law just got a dodge 3500 cummins 4X4 quad cab. He said that milage will improve with more miles and I agree, but even now the computer reports 18mpg while in town driving. He got the 4:10 rear end with the 4 spd auto, the damn thing turns 2100 rpm's at 70mph. I find that to be very excessive unless pulling a very heavy load, which this vehicle is designed to do, but for normal driving I wouldn't like it. Espcially when you consider the redline is 3500rpm. Its pretty quiet for a diesel but in the cabin driving down the road it sounds like a public transportation bus, not inspiring in my opinion, but then again I have no need for a diesel. It seemed pretty fast, not nearly as fast as my titan or his previous hemi but then again its a diesel. Also it stickered for $42k.

jhgnag · 07-02-2004, 03:55 PM

I just traded my '01 2500 Cummins for the Titan I ordered. The Dodge was LOUD. Couldn't stand it on long trips. I got a headache everytime (and I don't get headaches). Might have been the high pitched turbo whine, but I'm not really sure. I even tried Dynamat in the cab & ATP blankets over the exhaust manifold, turbo & valve cover. It improved, but still couldn't take the long rides.

The other MAJOR problem I had was the steering wander. I guess it's a trackbar issue, but totally unacceptable and I think dangerous. Not sure if they corrected this in the newer post-02 models or not.

Needless to say, I am done with Dodge in general. They should have had this figured out and fixed by the time I got my '01.

Mileage was around 16-17 highway. I also had the 4.10's. I did love the diesel power, and torque, and the 2500 payload, but it just wasn't working for me. I don't even have a camper right now, so the Titan should be just fine for my needs.

radiokid · 07-02-2004, 04:49 PM

One of the great features of the Titan is all the torque that is available at low rpm's specifically for towing fairly large loads. 9100# and under comprises the lions share of of towing requirements for recreational pursuits. Couple this with proper gearing and life with fast and quiet ride when not towing thats capable of decent gas mieage and the justification for owning a diesel gets harder all the time. Did I forget to mention the Titan's price because you can get all this for around $18K right now. This is what Nissan was aiming for in the under 10,000 # towing class when they created this truck.

I think they nailed it.

JS02 · 07-02-2004, 05:02 PM

The fuel economy of a diesel is going to be hard to beat when pulling a load. How does your Titan drive compared to the diesel when they are empty? The diesels that I have driven aren't near as fun to drive as my Titan.

Big Platinum · 07-02-2004, 08:35 PM

Woa, 18mpg city is freaking awesome for that heavy mother. My bro has a F-250 with the new 6.0 powerstroke and he's lucky to see 14mpg. That straight six is a pretty efficient setup.

CCM591 · 07-09-2004, 09:09 AM

Happened to run across this thread while doing a search on "diesel" (I'm hoping Nissan adds a diesel option to the Titan).

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 with the 305/555 HO Cummins. It weighs 7200 pounds per a certified truck scale. I've kept a log since I've had it (May 2003) and have gone 22233.2 miles on 1026.47 gallons = 21.66 mpg. This includes my daily commute (~19 miles round trip) along with several extended trips, no towing but some heavy hauling. The best tank (calculated) was 24.5 mpg and the best trip mileage was a ~75 mile round trip, mostly state highway @ 55-60 mph in which I obtained 27.8 mpg per the overhead computer.

Slappy · 07-09-2004, 12:04 PM

I convinced my father to get the 2004 Dodge turbo diesel after researching all other big tow vehicles(towing 11,500lb fifth-wheel). He's averaging 18mpg(not while towing). Amazingly quiet for a Diesel, amazing torque. My favorite of all engines period. The main drawback vs. the Titan 5.6 engine is weight and cost. The weight and HUGE pumpkins kill you off-road. You should be able to get a turbo diesel for at least $8,000 off of MSRP or keep looking. Love my fathers truck for BIG towing. Love the Titan for everything else.

PHOEBISIS · 07-09-2004, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the tips guys.The MPG numbers are very good-17-22 mpg,who would have thought a 6000 lbs pickup would do that well-Diesel or not.
I wonder if Slappys 2004 is quieter than the 2001 Jagnag had?Anyone have experience with both?Slappy,how noisy is the Diesel compared to the Titan-my Titan is very quiet-lux car quiet at steady speeds.Thanks,Charlie

radiokid · 07-09-2004, 04:10 PM

What does it do in 1/4??

Slappy · 07-09-2004, 05:07 PM

It is much quieter than the 2001's. The cummins was re-designed for 2004 and re-designed again for 2004.5. Both engines(2004 and 2004.5) are remarably quiet for diesels. The Titan is probably not the quietest engine as it was DESIGNED to allow that sweet V8 gurggle into the cab. With the windows up it is probably a close call as to which is louder in the cab. With the windows down I'm betting the Titan is quieter. I haven't measured SPL's in either case.

Still thinkin · 07-09-2004, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokid

What does it do in 1/4??

If you search the net you will find a number of cummins running low 14's and
better.

Edit :Modded of coarse-My bad Supratitan.

CCM591 · 07-09-2004, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slappy

The cummins was re-designed for 2004 and re-designed again for 2004.5.

Actually, the Cummins was redesigned in 2003 when the "common rail" fuel injection system was introduced. Common rail allows a small "pre-injection" (pilot injection) which "softens" the combustion cycle.

The 2004.5 has even more individual injection events per combustion cycle which is supposed to make it even quieter. The 2004.5 has 325 hp/600 ft-lbs torque vs. 305 hp/555 ft-lbs torque for the 2003-2004 HO engine.

The "common rail" engines are so quiet that noise is really no longer an issue.

SupraTitan · 07-10-2004, 07:13 AM

There is no way a stock cummins runs 14's, I think the rated at like 10 sec. 0-60. Of course with basic upgrades they start to scream and 14's are a piece of cake. The new cummins is still louder in the cabin than the titans 5.6. Also it sounds like a bus so its not all that sweet to the ears. Also if you have a diesel you can do what my buddy did and buy a 500 gallon tank and pump, off road diesel runs around $1.20 vs. 1.70(taxed) a gallon around here. He figured the used tank he bought will be pay for itself in less than a year.

JS02 · 07-10-2004, 02:57 PM

He will lose that savings if he gets caught not paying the road tax. It's not a very good deal. A stock diesel is no match for a Titan or a hemi. They would probably have trouble with a F150. Moded diesels are fast. Some are real fast.