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2024 Ram Rebel 2500 with the Current Diesel or wait for the 2025 Ram Rebel 2500 and updated engine and trans?

If its been over 20years id assume they were not emissions trucks so don't expect the same lifespan or ownership experience just an FYI, at the end of the day its your choice but the more you say how the truck will be used the more the Hemi sounds like a better fit. Especially for off-road use.
His current one is a 2015 if that helps out. We put DEF in it every year on our 6,000+ mile trips. (where we are not towing anything at all) Is that a pre emission truck? I won't be off-roading it all the time, but it will get off the road and on the trail/in the dirt from time to time. Only meant to say just because I won't tow daily with it, does not mean that the engine will not get some work done intermittently. It definitely will not be only used to go 5 minutes to the grocery store is my point. I have other vehicles for that.
 
@Fezick, it sounds like you really want the diesel, so I'd say def get it if that is what you want. Only way you can know is buying it and living through the ownership process to see if it's a good fit or not.

One thing I'll say though, is that slow speeds and idling are generally what cause issues with modern diesel trucks. At lower RPMs you're going to see more soot load on the DPF in part due to turbo only kicking in so low. That excessive soot load will show up as more frequent active regens vs fewer passive regens. This may eventually turn into a bit of a spiral as the excessive soot load will start to cake the grid heater, which will in turn reduce the amount of air getting into the cylinders, and less air means the fuel won't fully burn, so thus more soot. It's slightly more complex than this, but suffice to say, idling is not your friend, and slow speed offroad or around town trips are not your friend.

Since you're in cali I'm assuming you are used to "longer" highway trips, so just make sure that you get on the highway and stay at speed for a bit every so often. That will help keep the systems clean and functional.

One final comment here. You seem to be concerned with resale value of the truck, as that appears to be one of the driving factors for why to purchase the Cummins over the hemi. I'll admit I don't quite understand this reasoning. While a diesel truck will hold a slight benefit over a gasser in resale, you should consider a few things.
  • A diesel is higher upfront cost, and so while you may get most, or even all, of that back by selling it, if you're not paying cash you're financing ~10k more, which means roughly an additional $1500 in interest
  • A diesel has higher maintenance cost, and while it's somewhat offset by less frequency and better MPG, it's still higher
If you're primarily concerned with what makes the most financial sense, perhaps look at a few year old used diesel, as it will have taken the majority of the depreciation vs new. Again, if you really want a diesel, and you really want new and have the finances or are comfortable with stretching your budget or whatever, then by all means. It's your money, life, etc. you should be happy and a bunch of dudes on the internet can't change that.

If you do decide to move forward, I'd at least wait until the new Cummins truck is publicly officially announced. At that point a lot of folks will wait for the ZF because of the hatred for the 68rfe. If you can wait till the new ZF starts hitting lots, and are willing to be flexible with options, that is where you'll likely see your best savings new.
 
California get uppity when one buys a new vehicle from outside California as it may not meet California emmisions requirements.
I don't think that's an issue here. I've read many threads/posts from California folks buying from Mark Dodge or Granger and driving them back to Cali. Never heard any of them say there was any problem registering them.
 
So my real question is: Do I wait for the 2025 with new engine
Forgot to ask about this one. What new diesel engine? I'd not heard anything about that. Tranny, yeah, but that's been rumored for years now.
 
Forgot to ask about this one. What new diesel engine? I'd not heard anything about that. Tranny, yeah, but that's been rumored for years now.
It's not a "new engine" per say. Word is that along with the ZF trans, dodge is also streamlining engine production to a single Cummins (no more SO and HO).

While this sounds a bit counter to what they should do, considering that Ford just released the HO powerstroke, it makes sense at least partially as there are only like 1-2 small hard part changes for the Ford HO, while the Cummins HO vs SO has a number of hard part changes, they are functionally different engines.
 
There's a ton of HDs sitting on dealer lots. I'd wait for the update to be officially announced then base your decision off that. If you decide on the current model you'll more than likely get an even better deal compared to today to get them off the lot.
 
I ordered my Ram 3500 from Mark Dodge in Louisiana, great dealership and saved me thousands. They will ship or you can fly and drive.
 
It's not a "new engine" per say. Word is that along with the ZF trans, dodge is also streamlining engine production to a single Cummins (no more SO and HO).

While this sounds a bit counter to what they should do, considering that Ford just released the HO powerstroke, it makes sense at least partially as there are only like 1-2 small hard part changes for the Ford HO, while the Cummins HO vs SO has a number of hard part changes, they are functionally different engines.

While it's still possible they pop a refresh and do a single HO with the new ZF, I've also been told by an insider there is an all new Cummins coming that requires a firewall design change for 2027.
 
@Fezick, it sounds like you really want the diesel, so I'd say def get it if that is what you want. Only way you can know is buying it and living through the ownership process to see if it's a good fit or not.

One thing I'll say though, is that slow speeds and idling are generally what cause issues with modern diesel trucks. At lower RPMs you're going to see more soot load on the DPF in part due to turbo only kicking in so low. That excessive soot load will show up as more frequent active regens vs fewer passive regens. This may eventually turn into a bit of a spiral as the excessive soot load will start to cake the grid heater, which will in turn reduce the amount of air getting into the cylinders, and less air means the fuel won't fully burn, so thus more soot. It's slightly more complex than this, but suffice to say, idling is not your friend, and slow speed offroad or around town trips are not your friend.

Since you're in cali I'm assuming you are used to "longer" highway trips, so just make sure that you get on the highway and stay at speed for a bit every so often. That will help keep the systems clean and functional.

One final comment here. You seem to be concerned with resale value of the truck, as that appears to be one of the driving factors for why to purchase the Cummins over the hemi. I'll admit I don't quite understand this reasoning. While a diesel truck will hold a slight benefit over a gasser in resale, you should consider a few things.
  • A diesel is higher upfront cost, and so while you may get most, or even all, of that back by selling it, if you're not paying cash you're financing ~10k more, which means roughly an additional $1500 in interest
  • A diesel has higher maintenance cost, and while it's somewhat offset by less frequency and better MPG, it's still higher
If you're primarily concerned with what makes the most financial sense, perhaps look at a few year old used diesel, as it will have taken the majority of the depreciation vs new. Again, if you really want a diesel, and you really want new and have the finances or are comfortable with stretching your budget or whatever, then by all means. It's your money, life, etc. you should be happy and a bunch of dudes on the internet can't change that.

If you do decide to move forward, I'd at least wait until the new Cummins truck is publicly officially announced. At that point a lot of folks will wait for the ZF because of the hatred for the 68rfe. If you can wait till the new ZF starts hitting lots, and are willing to be flexible with options, that is where you'll likely see your best savings new.
Thanks for all of the insight and the detailed reply. Living in Central Cali, there is not too much traffic and I often take trips to the bay area where it will see plenty of 70MPH speeds not to mention fishing trips to the mountains about an hour away again on freeway speeds and the off the beaten path. As far as the the wanting a diesel, yup I want one. I never said in my OP that I was even looking at a gas engine but many here have posted their opinions that I should look at a gas engine. Point taken, but I was not and am not considering a gas vehicle. Too many trips with family in my father in laws 2500 diesel (6,500 miles+ in three weeks each trip) over the last 8 years. Just love driving that diesel. And he has owned two since the early 2000's. And here is the kicker, he does not two a thing with them. 8-) Lastly on the cost, no interest to be worried about on my end. I pay cash for my cars. They are a horrible investment as far as return goes to begin with so I don't plan on losing another 7% on top of that. I have always saved up the money I need prior to buying a car to just buy it. Sans the one lease I had for business reasons.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Some really good food for thought here. After some additional research and speaking with some guys about timing of the 2025's I am going to be placing an order tomorrow most likely. Props to Leopoldo from Chico for the reference to Robert Trachtman Tuttle-Click Ram in Irvine. By far the best price on this beast out of the 20 or so dealers I have bounced pricing off of (5% below invoice is I think where I am landing). Quick and to the point with answers to my questions and pricing all over the phone. Once I seal the deal I will let you all know how the process goes in the appropriate thread.
 
Thanks for all of the insight and the detailed reply. Living in Central Cali, there is not too much traffic and I often take trips to the bay area where it will see plenty of 70MPH speeds not to mention fishing trips to the mountains about an hour away again on freeway speeds and the off the beaten path. As far as the the wanting a diesel, yup I want one. I never said in my OP that I was even looking at a gas engine but many here have posted their opinions that I should look at a gas engine. Point taken, but I was not and am not considering a gas vehicle. Too many trips with family in my father in laws 2500 diesel (6,500 miles+ in three weeks each trip) over the last 8 years. Just love driving that diesel. And he has owned two since the early 2000's. And here is the kicker, he does not two a thing with them. :cool: Lastly on the cost, no interest to be worried about on my end. I pay cash for my cars. They are a horrible investment as far as return goes to begin with so I don't plan on losing another 7% on top of that. I have always saved up the money I need prior to buying a car to just buy it. Sans the one lease I had for business reasons.
Absolutely dude. A lot of the guys that have posted in this thread are very knowledgable, and we see a form of these questions asked so often that a lot of us just kick into "auto response mode".

I feel you on just loving the diesel though. My 2500 is now my daily/off-road truck, it should not be a diesel. I don't care, I'll deal with any of the issues I need to in whatever way is best because I love these diesels so much. Best of luck with the new rig, hope it treats you well!
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Some really good food for thought here. After some additional research and speaking with some guys about timing of the 2025's I am going to be placing an order tomorrow most likely. Props to Leopoldo from Chico for the reference to Robert Trachtman Tuttle-Click Ram in Irvine. By far the best price on this beast out of the 20 or so dealers I have bounced pricing off of (5% below invoice is I think where I am landing). Quick and to the point with answers to my questions and pricing all over the phone. Once I seal the deal I will let you all know how the process goes in the appropriate thread.
The heart wants what the heart wants at the end of the day there is no guarantee you will or you wont have issues. Good luck with your future 2024 you will enjoy it, just do not baby the throttle the DPF does not like that.
 
@Fezick just want to clarify a few points that have been discussed. The 2015 emissions system and the 2024 emissions systems are not the same. The 13-18 DEF/DPF trucks are not as picky about offroad/city/slow driving as the 19+ DEF/DPF trucks are. Driving that would only require 24 hour time based regens on a 2015 can easily require frequent soot based regens on a 2024, that's not a good thing for mostly empty use.

Off road driving doesn't mean good passive regen, in fact most off road driving is the opposite and creates lots of soot loading.

70 mph is generaly enough load to keep a clean DPF clean, but it would take hundreds of miles to clean a DPF driving empty at 70. There just isn't enough exhaust heat to get very productive passive regen at 70 mph.

You want the diesel, so get the diesel, just be prepared for DPF soot loading issues with the duty cycle you have described... even if you FIL's 2015 doesn't have them.
 
All new vehicles sold in the US have been 50 state compliant for at least 10 years now due to federal regulation.
Well, perhaps California laws have not caught up. But I left California in 2011. Have refused to return for on site work there since then.
 
Well, perhaps California laws have not caught up. But I left California in 2011. Have refused to return for on site work there since then.

So you’re mentioning 13 year old information as relevant?

Even in 2011 these trucks had 50 state engines, they have since January 1st 2004.
 
So you’re mentioning 13 year old information as relevant?

Even in 2011 these trucks had 50 state engines, they have since January 1st 2004.
What I do know is that someone I personally know, purchased a vehicle from out of state in 2010. I drove them to the emmisions place to drop off and pick up their truck. Because it was a new vehicle, They had to have it inspected and verified to pass CARB. Apparently then not every truck (1500 GMC) was certified for CARB.

Relate you personal experience, not what the internet says.

Another smart moderator....whatever.
 
What I do know is that someone I personally know, purchased a vehicle from out of state in 2010. I drove them to the emmisions place to drop off and pick up their truck. Because it was a new vehicle, They had to have it inspected and verified to pass CARB. Apparently then not every truck (1500 GMC) was certified for CARB.

Relate you personal experience, not what the internet says.

Another smart moderator....whatever.

14 years ago, good “modern” info that is not relevant to the OP’s situation.
 
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