October 26, 2008 – Las Vegas, NV
The 2007 and 2008 DOdge RAM 2500-3500 Cummins diesel is well known for having terrible problems with re-occurring engine codes, lousy performance and poor fuel economy thanks to the government mandated use of Ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.
Dealers have accused customers of not driving correctly, using the “wrong” fuel and every other imaginable offense, for a problem both they and the factory know are problems that can’t be fixed “in a flash”.
I have researched the various products, chips and kits available to bypass or eliminate these problems. Readers of this blog have sent me detailed information on solutions that have worked for them. There are a number of these products on the market, but in my research, only DPF-R contacted me to do an independent analysis. SO I contacted my fiends that I have sold these trucks to, and asked if they would be willing to have the kit installed and to provide the data, for a period of time they were comfortable, AND if they were not happy, I’d pay to have it removed, the truck put back to stock and report any information on that situation as well.
SO, now I have a kit from the manufacturers of DPF-R to install and test on a 2007 DODGE RAM 2500. I don’t own the truck, the company that makes the kit or otherwise. I have no vested interest other than making an independent study of the kit, as many of you have asked about it. This kit isn’t cheap, $800.00 if you install it yourself, add another 1.5 hours time if you pay a mechanic. The truck wasn’t inexpensive either, at $55,000.00, so I want to be sure before I put myself out there to recommend something, that I see it for my own eyes and it lives up to the statements.
The owner has been recording his codes, the frequency of the check engine light appearance and the MPG for over a year. In the next week or so, I will video the actual installation and post it to this blog. Then we will continue to test it as he drives HWY, city and uses the truck to haul animals and do ranch work. You can check back to see the diary of this test. Note that the product liability disclaimer says “to be used for off-road and truck racing purposes. I am checking into the “SMOG” compliance issue in accordance with vehicle registration laws in Nevada. (update to come.)
The pipe for the DPF install
This is the pipe that came with the kit. It’s 6′ length, 4″ diameter.
Click here to see the parts to the kit: http://www.youtube.com/v/WmClSMS_BHY
Incidentally, At the cost of diesel fuel, they say it adds 3-4 mpg, which will pay for the kit in a year of average driving, not to mention the lost time at the dealerships.
If you have any experience with this kit or would like to add comments please feel free to.
Sarah Lee is the MY CARLADY, 20+yr veteran of the automotive industry, consumer advocate and unabashed foodie. For a no hassle car deal, without the nonsense; go to: www.mycarlady.com
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I have a 2008 dodge ram that has been in the shop for 3 weeks since i’ve owned it (about 6 months), all dpf related. I’ve been told by the dealer that it’s because i let it idle too much (which i do, but i should be able to if i choose), and that the wrong oil was put into my truck at the last oil change. As i’m researching the dpf delete kits, your name keeps coming up. Can you tell me which one is the best, which one does not throw codes etc? I’m looking at this one here seriously:
http://www.purecummins.com/catalog/exhaust/ps-796-48-07-08-dodge-cummins-67-dpf-delete-kit.php
Thanks alot! dave
Comment by Dave Brandsen — 12/23/2008 @ 6:51 am
I purchased my 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 with 6.7 cummins in July 2008. Since purchasing this truck I have had 21, that’s right twenty one, check engine lights all related to exhaust. I have had two turbos replaced, various sensors replaced, 21 new flashes, and I don’t know how many cleanings. Since I purchsed this truck and put it in my business name, I do not qualify for lemon law. I have a truck I can’t get Chrysler to take back and ethically I can not sell or trade in. I need a dpf delete kit badly! I need to know which one is best. This is a great truck other than the exhaust. It has been in the shop over 60 days in the year and a half I have owned it and the dealership has told me that I need to drop it off again for 5 recalls and another complete cleaning of turbo and small tubes. Shame on Chrysler.
Comment by Walt Leytham — 01/25/2010 @ 6:41 am
I purchased an 08 Ram,6.7 back in Sept of 10. I haven’t seen the DPF problems others have had, but I’m disappointed in the fuel milage. Someone I know is a diesel mechanic, had told me to use a product called c-tane. He says because the fuel is very unpredictable these days, this additive helps to even out the fuel, similar to octane boost for gas. It definately helped with the motor running smoother and better responce. He also mentioned idleing a long time will plug the DPF quicker. These engines are made to run hard and just driving short distances does adversly affect the DPF.
He suggests getting out on the highway and running it hard to build up heat in the DPF. This will help clean it out. The motor has to go into a regen mode dumping fuel into the exhaust, this is OK as long as you can get the heat into the exhasust to help the DPF to burn out the slug build up.
I have been using this advise, and so far it seems to work. I am considering going to some kind of DPF delete kit, but just swaping the DPF for a staight pipe isn’t enough. You need to get a program either added to the computer or one of the aftermarket programmer boxes, to block or change the error codes. Doing this could void warranties,and is not suggested.
Comment by Ron — 02/24/2010 @ 6:23 am
I own a 2008 Ram 2500 4×4 6spd 6.7 cummins with 103,000 miles. I havent had any of problems that I hear many people are having with their trucks. I am thinking about a dpf kit due to the fact i don’t like paying 3.65 a gallon for fuel just to have it dumped into the exhaust pipe. A lot of my friends have bought the dodge truck and are having the same problems i am reading about and i let my truck idle all the time. I am interested in the results that u get and a good brand to buy.
Comment by James — 01/05/2012 @ 8:54 pm