We all know someone with a vehicle that the stars aligned for and ended up yielding impressive mileage. 200,000? Not bad. 300,000 miles? It’s heard of but uncommon. Take that number up several notches and consider the possibility that, with the right maintenance, there is a particular engine that can get up to 500,000 miles and beyond. That is 20 times around the earth, or a simple trip to the moon and back.
It is very much possible, and there are plenty of owners of the RAM 2500 and RAM 3500 who can enjoy not having to worry once their truck ticks past the 200,000-mile mark. Something I am sure owners of any durable pickup truck, or any car owner in general, would be immensely jealous of. But what makes this engine so impressive, so robust, and how has it served the needs of the trucks that it propels into hundreds of thousands of miles?
The King Of Longevity, The 6.7-Liter Cummins Engine
This enormous brute of an engine has powered Dodge RAMs since 2007 and replaced the 5.9-liter (which had been produced since 1989). The goal was simple. Maximum strength to suit the character of the vehicle, insane levels of torque that could equate to impressive towing capacity for heavy-duty users, and an engine that was a little more emissions-friendly than its predecessor. And the results were extraordinary.
6.7-Liter Cummins Engine Breakdown
- Inline-six turbocharged diesel engine
- Cast iron block material
- 4 valves per cylinder
- High-pressure common rail fuel system with Bosch CP8 in later models
- Engine weight of 1,100 pounds
With an incredible build quality, heft, and stronger materials being used, in an engine that was so capable that it would be difficult to put it under stress, the Cummins 6.7-liter established a bedrock foundation that gave Dodge RAMs over the past 20 years such an established name for those who needed to haul the heaviest loads possible.
The Ram’s combination of power and technology made it a simple job to keep both truck and trailer between the painted lines and up to speed. Getting a regular guy like me to tow confidently within minutes, well, that’s exactly the idea.
– Seyth Miersma for TopSpeed
An Insane Name For Reliability, And It’s Gotten Better
As a result of this insistence on equipping a new generation of Dodge RAM with the motor that it needs, owners swear by their reliability. Within that, though, there are some even more reliable years of production to take note of. Enthusiasts of the RAM 2500/3500 note that the engine itself is even more durable now than it was a few years back. The main issue of late 2010’s models was the Bosche CP4.2 pumps, which were a weak point, only to be improved by replacing them with Bosche CP8 pumps from 2022 to the present day.
There were a couple of other issues left with the engine. The EGR coolers and DPF were changed to address the clogging issues that many diesels tend to suffer from. And importantly, the turbocharger was improved, with higher-quality bearings and housings being used — another weak point of turbo diesels in terms of reliability.
Maintenance Could Double Your Total Mileage
No matter how perfect or refined an engine becomes, the key to longevity will always be going that extra mile with maintenance. The mantra of “prevention over cure” could save you from engine failure by a measure of hundreds of thousands of miles, so treating the 6.7-liter right will, in the long run, pay off enormously.
Best Measures Of Maintenance
- 5,000 – 7,500 on oil changes, though the lower, the better
- High-quality oil, CJ-4 or CK-4 spec
- Fuel filter recommended change every 10,000 miles
- Ensure EGR and DPF aren’t built up with soot
- Coolant quantity and quality prevent cylinder head damage
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How This Engine Enhances The Dodge RAM’s Abilities
As mentioned previously, the vehicles lucky enough to benefit from the 6.7-liter Cummins engine are the 2007 onward Dodge RAM’s. They have become a quintessential and dependable part of the RAM experience and allow for the heavy-duty capabilities of the 2500’s and especially 3500’s to be possible.
With such strong reliability reports year-after-year, there’s quite the competition on whether the truck or the engine itself is going to give out first. But it’s no surprise that the RAM 3500 has become a key player in commercial applications. Most trucks succeed in becoming a tool for an individual, towing heavy trailers, caravans, and lighter workloads. But with a colossal 30,000-35,000 pounds of towing capacity, it’s no wonder they are capable of so much more.
They Can Tow Almost Anything, And Do It Without Breaking A Sweat
These beasts can streamline workflow for those who need to transport heavy loads back and forth. With the ability to tow steel, lumber, or cement (and lots of it), the RAM is part of an exclusive club of pickups that have enough torque to be used in commercial fleets for this kind of work. It’s also capable of towing heavy trailers or equipment, such as mini-excavators, cement mixers, or agricultural machinery.
The Cummins 6.7-liter engine was designed for this kind of work. With an available torque figure of up to 850-1,075 pound-feet at 1,600 – 2,000 RPM, it allows for enormous pulling power to be readily available, whilst staying low in the rev range, which puts less pressure on the engine itself. This creates smooth hauling and avoids overworking the engine for 30,000+ pound loads to be towed efficiently.
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Would You Even Want To Drive A RAM 3500 For 500,000 Miles?
With so many potential miles at your disposal, is the RAM 3500 the vehicle you want to choose to do those miles in? Whilst its towing capacity and its reliability are going to make it an appealing option as a commercial workhorse, is it actually a good vehicle elsewhere?
In terms of driving pleasure, the new eight-speed automatic improves the smoothness of the experience and responsiveness, and puts it more in line with its competitors compared to the old six-speed gearbox. And thankfully, the interior is now acceptable for a heavy-duty truck. Many trucks with this in mind don’t make an effort to focus on interior specification, but by no means is this a luxury vehicle. With that being said, it is now a more pleasant place to be. With higher trim options featuring a large 14.5-inch screen as an option, a premium Alpine speaker system, a heated steering wheel, and premium leather, it is proof that heavy-duty towing doesn’t have to be done in a basic cabin.
Technical Specifications And Disadvantages
Despite the RAM getting a much-needed modernization with screens and upper-trim refinement, it still suffers compared to an SUV or smaller trucks in refinement. The heavy, stiff suspension is fundamentally set up for the priority of carrying loads rather than people. The large size makes it perfect for highway driving, but less suited to smaller roads, and whilst out on the road, the economy is fairly poor, with 15 mpg achievable in a combination of environments. Then again, not too bad for a huge truck with the abilities that it has.
2025 RAM 3500 (6.7-Liter) Specs
|
Horsepower |
430 hp |
|
Torque |
1,075 Ib – ft |
|
0 – 60 mph |
7.5 seconds |
|
Max Payload |
6,050 pounds |
|
Weight |
8,480 pounds |
|
Price |
$48,565 – $90,000 |
Yes, it is flawed by the standards of a normal vehicle: It has a stiff ride, it’s uneconomical, and to get an interior that feels premium, it becomes very expensive. But the Dodge RAM 3500 isn’t trying to be the best all-rounder; it’s not trying to be luxurious or sporty. There are other cars for such tasks. What it is trying to be is the absolute king of unparalleled capabilities in the heavy-duty truck lineup. You don’t buy one to commute to work in, you buy one because it can do things that almost no other vehicles can.
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The Verdict On The 6.7-Liter Cummins Inline-Six
The 6.7-liter inline-six and the RAM 3500 go hand in hand. And that’s why they both come together to achieve a similar goal. And whilst doing that, reach an incredible number of miles whilst doing it. With the right servicing routine and correct maintenance, its low-revving, low-stress nature, its cast iron block and countless refinements over the years, it’s no wonder this engine can indeed reach the 500,000-mile mark and has done plenty of times. It’s not overly cheap or particularly efficient while doing it, but if you want the maximum amount of longevity available in a vehicle on sale in the USA right now, the Dodge RAM 2500/3500 paired with the unstoppable 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six is the way to go.