wrote

Congrats. FWIW - and speaking only from relayed info, not personal
experience -
you might wish to look into one of the after-market "chip programmers."
From
what I've heard, the new models are "tuned up" to provide _significantly_
more
HP than the older models (as are all US diesel PUs in the "power wars" -
IMO,
really, an advertising "numbers" war with little real-world application),
which,
as you probably know, isn't always a good or even necessary thing with
many
diesel engine apps.


Yeah, I looked at used trucks pretty hard just because the new ones get less
mileage.

This brand new ( '08 ) puts out 194% more HP then my '92 Cummins and 163%
more torque !! The power wars are another example of how the Big 3 have
let themselves ( and U.S. ) down .... I'd have gotten a new truck years ago
IF mileage had improved at those rates .


I kinda wanted to get the 5.9L engine not this new 6.7L but similarly
equipped used rigs ( say '06) with 80,000 miles on them were only a very few
grand less than what I paid for this new one. There are really good
incentives available right now on 'in stock' new trucks, employee pricing,
5K ( more at Ford) rebate, 0% financing .... all an effort to lower
inventory in tough times. Plus the new one has 36,000 mile bumper to
bumper and 100,000 mile Cummins warranty, so I went brand new ... trying to
balance all potential cost/ benefit factors. I don't drive a lot these
days, well less than 1/4 of what I did pre-retirement travelling to run
field trials, so a couple miles/gallon won't add up to such a large yearly
figure.

It came with a DVD that specifically warns against after market chip mods
that increase power and says they 'may' void warranty. As for de-tuning
chips, I'd guess they would have that same problem with Cummins/ Dodge,
although not with the same real world logic. However, if I am too
disappointed with the mileage I might investigate, since this thing really
does have very nearly too much power.


Larry L ( who has become one of those ol grandpas you youngsters all hate
.... the ones going the speed limit ( maybe even less ;-) and taking the time
to look around as you tailgate us, cursing, and rushing .... BUT, who, on
the 5 mile drive home from the dealer looked in his mirror to wonder how all
those people got so far behind, then looked down to see he was doing 78 in a
55 zone, .... a right foot trained by a '92 Cummins is too heavy for this
new one ( plus this is SO much quieter the speed sneaks up on ya ))