So, the general consensus seems that a Cummins engine’s life expectancy is from 300k-400k miles, but if you follow the correct steps, you could, and should have some sort of control over the life span of your engine, and we don’t think crossing your fingers will really suffice.

Laramie is means loaded or luxury basically. Its the top of the line version for the ram. Different packages have more or less options. Though if you custom build your truck you could essentially build a SLT model thats a Laramie version.

To me the Holy Grail is an early-1998 Cummins 4×4 12-valve. The rear Quad Cab doors only started opening in 1998, but halfway through the model hear they started with the computerized 24-valve biz. That’s the best body configuration of the most reliable truck ever built and it’s got power potential as good as any.

The 12 Valve engine is hands down more reliable than the 24 Valve. Even guys who have spent the money to get an aftermarket lift pump (a must with a 24 Valve, along with a fuel pressure gauge) have gone through multiple pumps.

Dodge states that the Cummins is good for 350,000 miles before major overhaul. Chevy and Ford say 250,000 miles for their diesels.

High Mileage Generally speaking, diesel trucks are sold with higher mileage than the typical used vehicle. It is not uncommon to see a used diesel truck for sale with over 200,000 miles on it. Granted, diesel engines typically have better reliability than a gasoline equivalent, but high mileage remains a concern.

Despite the negative headlines, the impressive fuel economy of diesel cars means they still make more sense than petrol and hybrid models if you do a high annual mileage or cover a lot of miles on the motorway. Just bear in mind that, if your driving is mainly town-based, diesels really are best avoided.