Just bought 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L

[RMilner]

Hi. I'm new to the diesel world, but am glad to finally be here! I just bought a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 5. 9L Turbo diesel, Big Horn edition. It has just over 23,000 miles on it. I'm wondering what the top three things are I should be thinking about doing as far as mods go. I've talked to friends who own Dodge diesels, all of whom have recommended I replace the airbox and exhaust, then install a performance module. I've been looking at the Edge Juice with Attitude. I'm looking for some advise. Thanks very much in advance.

 

[jgillott]

First of all, welcome to TDR.



Before you begin thinking about modifications, it would help if you would let us know what you are going to be using your truck for, what you are looking to accomplish through your mods, etc. Spend some time searching through the forums for information on some of the products you are considering. I believe you will find a wealth of information on almost anything out there.

 

[HBarlow]

RMilner,

Welcome to TDR. May I suggest you spend a few weeks browsing threads and reading up on the proposed mods you are considering?

I'm going to step out of the conventional wisdom here and, with your best interests in mind, I'm going to recommend that you reconsider all those mods.

The Cummins diesel engine is a low rpm torque motor. It doesn't need high rpm to make power so there is no need to rev it up against the redline. The OEM air box installed by Dodge provides more than adequate air flow up to and beyond factory horsepower ratings and the Dodge factory air filter provides better filtration than any aftermarket filter.

A larger or free flowing exhaust will likewise provide no improvement unless it is the diesel exhaust sound you want. I replaced the OEM muffler on my '06 with a straight pipe and loved the sound but it offered no additional benefit.

Most of the electronic black boxes increase the rail pressure in your HPCR fuel injection system. Higher rail pressures quickly damage or destroy fuel injectors. Failing or failed injectors overfuel and overheat cylinders and melt pistons which means you may require a $15,000 replacement engine shortly. There are a couple of current open threads on that problem.

I've made my speech now. Feel free to ignore my advice and hopefully you won't learn I was correct.

 

[FourBarR]

My advise for what its worth is if you want reliability and the least expense leave it stock. I know all the others who have moded this engine and paid the price. Barlow has it right. If you want to play be prepared to pay. My 2nd gen has 500,000 kms (300,000k). It still has the original vp-44 and injectors. To me reliability is the most important thing ,this thuck has never refused to start or run . My 2 cents.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I agree leave it stock. But a Smarty for low end power would be good. But if you increase pressure you will need to upgrade to better injectors and they aren't cheap. Joe D. discussed them in the last issue.

 

[RMilner]

I appreciate the advice. I've wondered at the necessity to upgrade anything because it seems to have more than enough power just as it is. I'm active duty Air Force stationed in Nebraska, but am moving back to Alaska at the end of this hitch ("retiring" and moving on to a new career). I'll be putting a slide-in camper on the truck and pulling a trailer with the required toys (ATVs, snowmachines, boat as the season dictates). I currently have a 28-foot travel trailer that I haven't had a chance to hook up yet, but plan to soon to see how the truck performs. I have no doubt it's going to do great just as it is. I'll look through the forum for threads on mods, but unless I find some compelling reason to change something, I'll likely take all your advice and enjoy it stock. Thanks, and I'm looking forward to both the truck and participating in TDR!

 

[wcjp]

Welcome to the TDR. I did the poor man's airbox upgrade on my 06'. The best improvement to my truck was gauges and the Pacbrake Exhaust Brake.







Airbox

 

[Grizzly]

I totally agree with everyone who suggested to leave it bone stock. Most people I know who have modified their engine wind up shorting the engine's life.



A good set of gauges and a PacBrake, as wcjp suggested is all I would do.

 

[JoeHutchinson]

Welcome

Hi. I'm new to the diesel world, but am glad to finally be here! I just bought a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 5. 9L Turbo diesel, Big Horn edition. It has just over 23,000 miles on it. I'm wondering what the top three things are I should be thinking about doing as far as mods go. I've talked to friends who own Dodge diesels, all of whom have recommended I replace the airbox and exhaust, then install a performance module. I've been looking at the Edge Juice with Attitude. I'm looking for some advise. Thanks very much in advance.

Welcome and congratulations



I also have a 06 and think it is the best version of the 5. 9 Ram made... . with that said you have to customize or else what the fun in owning one of the last super trucks. So here my advice.



a. Use Geno's for filters and stuff their 4-2-1 kits are the best Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage



b. Reading TDR give you great ideas and you can see what works and what does not



c. Smarty Jr will wake your engine up, it is the only computer change I trust, by changing the timing not only does the motor run better, it runs cooler and best of all I gained 3 MPG



Have Fun



Joe

 

[WStephens]

Welcome to TDR.

A set of gauges to monitor your EGT and Boost is very important because you would be surprised just how fast the temps go up when you are pulling a hill. The stock programing will not defuel for high temps and if you dont know you cant tell your foot to defuel. I also added a pressure gauge for my fuel pressure so I can tell when my two fuel filters need to be changed if I get some bad fuel. I have a temp gauge on my transmission also. I have also added a 2 micron bypass filter to my oil system. I am pulling cold air from below the inner fender and did go with a non oil air filter that fits in the stock air box and a torque tube between the air box and the turbo and new air horn from the intercooler out let to the manifold. I have removed the muffler and installed the muffler delete from Geno's Garage. I have not put any electronic controllers on it and so far have not needed any. I have more than enough power but an exhaust brake is needed for towing in the mountains I found out just pulling a 6K HiLO from PA to WY through CO it never lacked for power going up but the brakes were not enough and when I came out of the Eishenhower tunnel in CO in 5th gear it wanted to run 80 mph or more. Even when the speed limit was 75 mph it took a lot longer to stop but did not take long to get up to speed. I now have a 5th wheel that is twice as heavy and I come off a pass in 4th or lower. I have a friend that took his Dodge CTD and trailer over Wolf Creek Pass and he put his automatic in 2nd and praied all the way to the bottom.



I have put coolers on the transmission that increased the capacity of the oil and had ports for thermalcouples and I replaced the rear diff cover with a MagTec cover which also increased the capactity

 

[Bob V]

I agree with the others on the intake and the exhaust- a lot of $$$$$ for very little, if any gain. However I am going to recommend the Edge. First it is one of the mildest of the add on boxes with programmable "back off" setting for over boost, over temp, EGTs, and clutch/tran slip. On your 2006 it does NOT add rail pressure. In addition it will give you a full set of user settable gages, about 15 different parameters you cam monitor. I monitor EGT, Boost, intake air temp, and barometric pressure. It has 5 settings, stock, mileage, tow, race, and extreme. It sounds like you would use the mileage and the towing settings the most.

I also like the smarty but you would still have to spend money for gages, and I don't think you really are looking for that kind of power.

The very first thing I did to my truck, or any other truck, would be an exhaust brake. Once you get use to having one you'll never be without. I recommend give Rip a Source Automotive Performance Diesel - Home a call. He will steer you in the right direction even if he doesn't make a sale 503-654-9004

 

[HBarlow]

I agree completely with those who suggested a set of guages and an exhaust brake. All three of the Dodge Rams I've owned, 2001, 2006, and now 2008 have had both (part of the turbocharger on the '08).

Mag-Hytec or competing brand finned aluminum transmission pan (for 48RE) and differential cover are also excellent accessories that do provide additional benefits such as increased capacity and lower operating temperatures.

The TDR's own Geno's Garage is a great source for maintenance parts such as Fleetguard (Cummins) filters and high-quality proven accessories like gauges and transmission/differential covers. Call or e-mail Geno''s for a catalog.

 

[RMilner]

Sounds like I need to put an exhaust brake on the list, and maybe go with the Edge Juice after all... the ability to monitor temps and pressures, squeeze a couple more MPGs out and adjust for towing when needed would be good. The racing and extreme settings aren't something I'd use. I like the fact that there's no need to purchase and install extra gauges with the Juice with Attitude. Maybe a finned transmission pan and differential cover as well. I've already planned on going with Geno's 4-2-1 kits (a friend who's a TDR member gave me a copy of a Geno's catalog, so I've been drooling over it like a kid waiting for Christmas!). I waited a long time to make the plunge to a Dodge diesel, but I have to say I'm sure glad I finally switched! The difference between the Dodge and my Chevy regular gas truck is amazing. And I'm obviously in great company!

 

[MChrist]

I didn't catch if you had an automatic or manual trans. If automatic, change the torque converter. I've always said, if my '06 went away today, I'd find another one, and take it straight to Dave Goerend and duplicate what I have now. Makes it a totally different truck! I had him do a torque converter that stalls at a much lower rpm, and beefed up the trans at 36,000 miles. My stock trans looked like new, but stock converter was shot! (he showed me after he sliced it open). Also, I assume your 100,000 mile warranty is still in effect, so a Smarty Jr. is a great investment and not detectable by the dealer (I'm positive )

 

[MChrist]

Oh, and to put the modification thing into perspective. . along with my '06, I have a '98. 5 24 valve 3500 cab and chassis with 5 spd manual trans. for work. With my steel tank on this truck EMPTY it weighs 11,300 lbs. (Yes I know it's over gvwr) Now when it's full, I actually weigh around 17,000. Once, I was full, and had to pull our 12,400 lb trailer out of a grass field after an event and tow it home around 10 miles. I hooked up to that trailer, whose tires had sunk into the grass about 3-4 inches, and let the clutch out slowly with no throttle and it just pulled it out without a second thought. This is a 2 wheel drive truck, (so no low range) and 3. 55 rear!! This truck has 260,000 miles of all stop and go, because it is a porta potty service truck. I think it's rated at 235 hp, 440 lbs torque. Burns no oil and Cummins mechanic looked it over and said motor looks like it has alot of life left!
So, are modifications necessary to your 325/600 motor... nope. Are they fun, absolutely!! My '06 with trans work, Smarty Jr on 100hp runs consistent 0-60's in 5. 6 according to my Edge Insight monitor.

 

[CurtLee]

First off welcome to the club.



Listen to the advice above and you should be ok. My $0. 02 is gauges before anything else. I've hear the juice on the attitude can be hard to read sometimes and, personally for me, there's nothing like watching analog gauges move back and forth. If you do go that route i suggest pyro and boost at minimum. On my truck i also added oil pressure because the idiot gauge in the dash warns you when its too late.



On the modification side, for longevity keep it stock. I have done exhaust work on my truck and love the sound of the common rail straight piped. Other then that its bone stock besides things to make it look better.



Have fun. My $0. 02