Dodge Ram 2500 - Diesel

When I had a diesel I always used Delo since it's available for cheap at Costco. Filters came from fleetfilter.com. I believe they are NAPA gold filters just rebranded.

I use Delo 400 15/40 from Costco, $30.00 for 3 gallons. I buy Fleetguard LF16035 filters from Amazon, 11 bucks delivered. I change my oil at 5,000 miles. Maybe this is too frequent but for $41 and a half hour of time it is worth it to me. I use a Baldwin 5 micron fuel filter. I would like to put in an under hood 3 micron kit but my PacBrake compressor is in the way.

I put on a BD cast aluminum transmission pan with drain plug and I splash 7 quarts of transmission fluid at every other oil change. Very simple to do. I run Castrol Transmax ATF+4. Adjusting the bands is simple to do yourself especially with the ability to drain the pan first. I use OEM transmission filters.

Lastly, I use Optilube XPD in my fuel. People are going to call me names but I am sold on the stuff. I feel my maintenance regimen will allow many miles on my truck.

Me Again wrote:
That vintage is call "Common Rail" engine, which started with the 2003 and ended with the early 2007's.

Chris

They are still common rail systems.

ScottG wrote:

Me Again wrote:
That vintage is call "Common Rail" engine, which started with the 2003 and ended with the early 2007's.

Chris

They are still common rail systems.

Probably meant the end of the 5.9 was early 2007

Early or late 04? I bought mine with 25k on it and it has about 94k now. Fleetguard Stratapore oil filter, Oilguard bypass and Schaeffer 7000 supreme semisyn 15w40 every 15k miles and the UOAs look great.
RP 85w140 in the rear every 25k or so. RP synchromax in the trans whenever it gets to shifting stiff... about every 30k or so.
The TPS died at 60k but it's a cheap fix if the TPS is on the engine left side, like mine.
I tow hard and heavy and it was running hot in the mtns at about 60k and a new Cummins t-stat fixed that. I put both stats on the stove and the old one only opened half way.
My AC dampers need replaced but I've been getting by, by cycling the controls whenever the dampers act up.
I love being able to look down both sides of the engine and seeing the trans... no egr, emissions or any other garbage! Craig

FishOnOne wrote:

ScottG wrote:

Me Again wrote:
That vintage is call "Common Rail" engine, which started with the 2003 and ended with the early 2007's.

Chris

They are still common rail systems.

Probably meant the end of the 5.9 was early 2007

Yep ...
5.9 12V up to 1998, then
5.9 24V common rail fuel delivery from 1998.5 to 2007, then
6.7 24V common rail in the 2007.5/2008 M/Y, if I'm not mistaken.

I owned a '97 12v and currently have a 2007 24V

OH.......
Forgot one thing


NO Bio-diesel above 5%

So IF you see a BIO % on fuel pump...it's above 5%
(Fuels 'up to' 5% DO not HAVE to be identified at pump)

310000+ miles on a '03 305/555 HO engine with the NV5600 tranny and used nothing but 15w-40 Rotella and Fleetguard oil/air and fuel filters from genosgarage.com or a local Cummins dealer.
The '03/'04 are the same 305/555 HO engines and produced in those two years.

gkainz wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

ScottG wrote:

Me Again wrote:
That vintage is call "Common Rail" engine, which started with the 2003 and ended with the early 2007's.

Chris

They are still common rail systems.

Probably meant the end of the 5.9 was early 2007

Yep ...
5.9 12V up to 1998, then
5.9 24V common rail fuel delivery from 1998.5 to 2007, then
6.7 24V common rail in the 2007.5/2008 M/Y, if I'm not mistaken.

I owned a '97 12v and currently have a 2007 24V

That is all correct but they are still common rail, albeit 3rd generation, to this day.

Someone mentioned brakes... I've never seen a truck stop so well as my Dodge does with the disc brakes on all four wheels. I was amazed...