Dodge Ram Nears 1.7 Million Miles

[Tilar]

Howard Clayton's Dodge Ram 3500 is heading for the record books. Purchased new in 2000, people tell him it looks like it might have 80,000 miles on it. When FARM SHOW caught up to him, he had just passed 1,688,676 miles. In all that time, he's never touched the inside of the 5.9 Cummins engine, and it's not because he follows the book.

"The book says change the oil every 3,000 miles, but if I did that, I would be stopping every other day," says Clayton. "I change the oil and filter every 10,000 miles. That's two trips from Indiana to California."


Link to the rest of the story.

http://www.farmshow.com/issues/35/02/350201.asp

[bull]

  Now, let's see if Dodge is smart enough to use this guy/truck in its advertising or just ignore the company's history like it usually does.

[1970Moparmann]

I was on a website called Diesel Place and there were many guys doing the camping trailer hauling - none of them had that kind of mileage though.   It was a Chebby site, so it was interesting to see how the trucks were holding up to the abuse, and after 200,000 they weren't.   

That is crazy to think he is on his original trans and rear end!   

[PocketThunder]

 

[73rallye440magnum]

That's unbelievable.

We had two Cummins trucks in our shop last summer for headliner work. Both were used to trailer campers across the country.
The first generation had 1.8 million
The second generation had 1.6 million.
Motors untouched.

Trucks looked better than mine does (215k)

[Todd Wilson]

Friend of mines Dad used to haul campers and was close to 900000 on his 24valve.


I guess it really shouldnt be a surprise. Theres many 200k and 300k used trucks around here and they are still getting 15-20g's out of em.  I really want a diesel Dodge but just am too nervous to buy one with 200k+ on the od.



Todd

[chargerboy69]

I was on a website called Diesel Place and there were many guys doing the camping trailer hauling - none of them had that kind of mileage though.   It was a Chebby site, so it was interesting to see how the trucks were holding up to the abuse, and after 200,000 they weren't.   

That is crazy to think he is on his original trans and rear end!   

After owning my own RV dealership the last couple years, I see camper transporters on a regular basis.  I am guessing 60-70 percent of the guys drive Dodges.  The rest drive Fords.  I am sure they are out there, but I have yet to see a transport company use a GM. 

[sixty8charger]

wish my 5.9 was diesel..  the magnum runs good, but you can't beat the longevity and performance you get from that cummins!

[Old Moparz]

When it comes time to replace my Dodge 5.7 I'd get one with a Cummins. The 2 diesel mechanics at work have had Dodge trucks & bought them specifically for the Cummins. I'd be happy to get a couple of million miles out of something. 

[tan top]

  cool stuff  ,  how did the ad go !!  RAM tough 

[Cooter]

This would be the key phrase in myself giving anywhere NEAR $10K-$15K for a used Diesel truck, and I'd have to see proof....

Clayton says there are no secrets to what he and Cunningham do. "I try to keep an eye on maintenance, and if anything goes wrong, I take care of it immediately."

I have a Subaru right now with 541K onb it on the original engine and I haven't had the head off like this diesel...It isn't hard when someone spends the $$$ in maintenance, but when you get some rode hard and put up wet truck that's ragged out, you better run like hell...

[pipeliner]

Thats no supprise.The 5.9s bottom ends are good for 750,000 miles before a rebuild.The 12 valve was probably one of the best if not the best motors put in a truck but those dodge trucks they put em were pieces of shit until they came out with the newer body style in the late 90,s.Nothing were good about em,weak front ends,trannys and they rode like a tank.The better all around truck of that era were the Fords PSD.They were good for around 500,000 miles and didnt nickle and dime you to death.

[Silver R/T]

Maybe highway miles are not as bad as city miles on drivetrain.