2006 Ram 2500 4X4 Diesel...A few Upgrades

[RBertalotto]

Well, it started out being a bit expensive and it ended up being a WHOLE BUNCH expensive......$12K ended up being just shy of $20K !!!!

I have a 2006 Dodge 2500, 4X4, 5.9 Diesel with 165,000 miles on it. Looked at new trucks and simply didn't want to spend 60 large, and I like my truck. It just needed some love.

Originally I decided to have a bunch of BD Diesel stuff installed at Auto Werks Diesel in Caldwell, NJ. They are 4 hours from me but came very highly recommended. I've read articles about them in various diesel truck magazines over the years.So I decided to take the truck down there for the following:
BD "Built" Tow/Haul Transmission
BD Torque Converter
BD Exhaust Brake
All new radiators (4)

All of that came to $12K with labor and other ancillary stuff......

But when we started to take the truck apart....the phone started to ring!

"Hi Roy, I have a bit of bad news....."


Transfer case had a hole in it and a crack....
Replaced with a Jasper Xfer case...Sure is pretty!

Oil pan had a rust spot nearly through and a big dent and a crack
Replaced with new version of OEM, thicker...Required longer bolts......Almost as pretty as the Xfer case!

"While we are in here....You should...."

Replace front and rear main seals on engine. They are weeping.
Replace Flex Plate. Crazy not to do it considering what you are spending now!
Replace Water Pump..Why not!
Replace Idler
Replace Serpentine belt
Replace front sway bar bushings and rod ends with VERY pretty BD Diesel version...
Replace rusted cross member for transmission
Adjust the valves (160K miles and never done. They were quite a bit out of spec)

So I picked the truck up and drove 5 hours to get back home.......To say that Auto Werks did a great job would be an understatement! They guys are artists!

The verdict?

FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Worth every penny! I can't believe how nice the exhaust brake is. Feel like an 18 wheeler!

The new transmission shifts velvet smooth. Hard to tell a 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th shift.....

Have no idea why, but I checked my mileage twice and I'm getting 2-3mpg better. From 17mpg to 20mpg! Could the valve adjustment be responsible?

Engine temperature is 10 degrees cooler and transmission temperature is 20 degrees cooler. Can't wait to pull the big trailer to see what happens.

Another strange thing is I'm not using anywhere near the amount of boost I used to. My Juice With Attitude is set to warn me at 30 psi. In 5 hours, never heard the alarm go off and I "got Into It" a few times....This truck simply hauls a** when the JWA is set at "Race".....

Yup, lots of $$ to spend on a 10 year old truck with 160K miles, but a new one is just shy of $65,000........Hope I get another ten years and 160K miles....That will only be $2000 a year!

Merry Christmas!

 

[Killer223]

it should be long as the rust stays in check.

 

[RBertalotto]

This summer the body might come off and a good scrap and epoxy paint the chassis. Body is in great shape except for a little rust on bottom of tailgate. New tailgate, pre-painted is about $300....

 

[diesel_driver]

Getting ready to go the same route with my '04. It's showing 140,000 miles and going strong!

I'm going to service everything, front to back. Including, new front unit hub bearings, ball joints, and front axle u-joints. Thuren suspension with 2 or 3" springs, links, and track bar. Just did the brakes, front and rear, using all OEM parts (not Value line). All fluids, front to back. I'm still running the original batteries, and I think it's time to swap those out. I think I will install Odyssey batteries, or possibly X2 Power batteries from Batteries Plus. These are both made in the USA. The Batteries Plus units have a 5 year replacement guarantee, with stores everywhere. These are the same size and have the same rating as the Odyssey's, but weigh 5lbs less each. That bothers me a bit, so I'm still deciding on which to use. Add a set of new 35" tires, and I should be all set!

I have been going back and forth on the new 2017 truck or doing the above work on my "04. I sure like my truck, and compared to the 2017, mine is still serviceable, for the most part, by me. Got to like that! Spend 4-6K in maintenance or 56K on a new one. That should be a no-brainer, but it is a tough decision.

 

[RBertalotto]

I usually do all my work myself, but this transmission seemed too big for a driveway job.

A few months ago I relaced everything in the brakes. Rotors, pads, calipers, parking brake, cables......All the parts were around $500 and labor was free.

A couple years ago I replaced everything in the front end with a free wheeling kit and did ball joints at the same time. And new alternator and AC compressor.

New Load Range E tires last year. New Rancho 5000 shocks at same time.

So I feel like I have a near new truck that I really know inside and out for about $25,000............Now I just need to live long enough to get my investment back! :-laf

 

[frank1]

Had a lot of work done on my 1992 truck about ten years ago from Auto Werks. Great company to deal with! They truly know what they are doing and you will pay for it!!! I have no problem paying for execllent quiality and service! When I got the truck back it was like driving a race car!What a difference! Is Mike still the owner? Good luck with your new ride!!!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I had the ConOfe for a number of years. It was the single worst thing I have ever done to any vehicle.
It was wildly grabby and you'd have to slip the crap out of it to make it temporarily manageable. It was noisy as well. I understand that when I bought it, SBC was having some issues with them.
Fast forward to the new organic SBC clutch good for 425 HP and it drives like a new Honda. Seriously, it's so quiet and smooth that I wish I'd made this change years ago.

 

[RBertalotto]

Had a lot of work done on my 1992 truck about ten years ago from Auto Werks. Great company to deal with! They truly know what they are doing and you will pay for it!!! I have no problem paying for execllent quiality and service! When I got the truck back it was like driving a race car!What a difference! Is Mike still the owner? Good luck with your new ride!!!

There is a Mike there. Not sure if he is the owner. I dealt with Chris who seems to be the owner and really knows his stuff.

 

[frank1]

Back when I had my work done to my truck, Chris was the head mechanic and actually worked on my truck also. Mike was thinking about making Chris a partner... well I guess he did ! Good for Chris!

 

[nibroc]

glad you're pleased with your truck---probably will do that to my 06 CTD in due time