A little love for White Lightning.......

[Cummins2014]

I think you misread. I don't use Rotella. I did a few times when they had the massive rebate. But if it is not really cheap, I think there are better

Thought about your comment , have read endless, and I do mean endless comments like this " I think there is better ".

I never gave 1 seconds thought to what is better, before getting on a diesel forum. I guess if you are looking for 500 million miles out of your truck, I suppose there maybe better. But aside from that , for the average guy, thats where I fall in , does it REALLY make a difference . You seem to be involved more then some on oil threads . Just curious. It seems like some really get into this oil thing, posting data, oil anaylsis etc. Just wondering to what "END", or is it just interesting to know.

 

[Newsa]

Thought about your comment , have read endless, and I do mean endless comments like this " I think there is better ".

I never gave 1 seconds thought to what is better, before getting on a diesel forum. I guess if you are looking for 500 million miles out of your truck, I suppose there maybe better. But aside from that , for the average guy, thats where I fall in , does it REALLY make a difference . You seem to be involved more then some on oil threads . Just curious. It seems like some really get into this oil thing, posting data, oil anaylsis etc. Just wondering to what "END", or is it just interesting to know.

This is my first diesel. And i plan for it to be my last vehicle period. It is the most expensive vehicle that i have ever bought. I was taken aback by how much soot is produced by a diesel as compared to a gasser. I have always done my own maintenance except for one transmission rebuild that had to be done due to transmission fluid failure.

So, yes...... It has lasted me 6 years and I expect it to last another 25-35 years.

 

[Newsa]

Thought about your comment , have read endless, and I do mean endless comments like this " I think there is better ".

I never gave 1 seconds thought to what is better, before getting on a diesel forum. I guess if you are looking for 500 million miles out of your truck, I suppose there maybe better. But aside from that , for the average guy, thats where I fall in , does it REALLY make a difference . You seem to be involved more then some on oil threads . Just curious. It seems like some really get into this oil thing, posting data, oil anaylsis etc. Just wondering to what "END", or is it just interesting to know.

I have learned alot about the trucks electronics, fluids, and general design from this forum. I would have gotten stranded in Dec 2017/Jan 2018 in central Illinois if i had not gotten my fuel filter heater fixed. I only knew about the TSB and how to teach ny dealership how to pursue the TSB from this forum. It took several trips to the dealer and speaking with 2 service advisors and arguing my point against their limited experience to get it done. I even had to print a copy of the TSB for them. I would have been very upset if i got stranded in subzero weather with whipping winds with 2 small dogs that would quickly freeze to death and my disabled wife.

So i have learned alot from this forum and i enjoy learning what others know. Unlike you, i don't tell them that they are talking to much on the forum. That seems like what you are telling me?

 

[Cummins2014]

I have learned alot about the trucks electronics, fluids, and general design from this forum. I would have gotten stranded in Dec 2017/Jan 2018 in central Illinois if i had not gotten my fuel filter heater fixed. I only knew about the TSB and how to teach ny dealership how to pursue the TSB from this forum. It took several trips to the dealer and speaking with 2 service advisors and arguing my point against their limited experience to get it done. I even had to print a copy of the TSB for them. I would have been very upset if i got stranded in subzero weather with whipping winds with 2 small dogs that would quickly freeze to death and my disabled wife.

So i have learned alot from this forum and i enjoy learning what others know. Unlike you, i don't tell them that they are talking to much on the forum. That seems like what you are telling me?

Whoa !! Not telling you that at all ,talk all you want. You are totally reading between the lines that are not there. I apologize if you think that. There are people on here ,you are totally not one.

Here is the thing you missed what I said , the average guy !!! You ,I see are far from that . 25-35 years, think about it, some never get past their warranty, they could care less about what brand of oil, they don't even change their own oil ,and have no idea whats even in there. I fall somewhere in-between. I am not looking for 200 or 300 hundred thousand miles, but I want to take care of my truck , but not caught up all of this technical stuff. I know the products I use will serve me well .

Sure like you ,I don't want to be stranded beside the road anytime. I have learned a lot of good stuff on here, and have applied it .

 

[gsbrockman]

White Lightning is at 188,326 miles, 467 idle hours, and 3,300 drive hours, so that means it’s time for another transmission sump filter and more Mobil 3309 transmission fluid.

All went well, although I was a few miles over on the previous 30k drain and fill, and a tad over cumulatively on the actual sump filter change, too.

A new sump filter and 12.5 quarts later......all is well for White Lightning once again. I’m actually all caught up on ALL of my maintenance for now, which is good with winter coming around.

The ol’ AS69RC still shifts and performs as new.....and has been subjected to some fairly high GCW figures.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Treat your tools well and they usually treat you well!

 

[gsbrockman]

White Lightning is steadily creeping up in mileage (223,840) so more maintenance has been performed the last little bit.

On May 4th, it received a DBL7349 oil filter, 3 gallons of Chevron Delo 400 5W40 Synthetic, MOPAR air filter, both MOPAR fuel filters, two MOPAR premium wiper blades, greased front end parts and driveshaft, and 11 quarts of Mobil 3309 transmission fluid went down the chute.

White Lightning also got four new Monroe shocks. My writeup concerning those is here:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ums-for-the-2018-ram-4500-cab-chassis.269184/

Also....I replaced the two front tires as worn shocks was causing some very uneven wear. This time, I went with some new Firestones in the flavor of Transforce AT2 in 225/70R19.5 in 14 ply (LRG) article number 004-196. These tires seem great after about 1,000 miles of use, and are much quieter than the FD690 Plus tires they replace. They are more in line of the Continental HDR’s that were OE on my 4500.

Along with the two tires, I did get my alignment checked and set to -0.01* total toe. The steering wheel is straight cruising down the road.

Since we all like pics.....here’s a couple of the new rubbers.

 

[gsbrockman]

More pictures.......minimal fuzz on the PML transmission drain plug.

 

[JR]

Out of curiosity, what was the wear you were seeing on your front tires from the old shocks? Inside wear?

 

[Wayne M.]

I see you specified MoPar wiper blades. They have to be pricy. Do you see an advantage over aftermarket blades? Did you get a sweet deal? I believe the OE supplier is Trico anyhow.

 

[Wiredawg]

I see you specified MoPar wiper blades. They have to be pricy. Do you see an advantage over aftermarket blades? Did you get a sweet deal? I believe the OE supplier is Trico anyhow.

Hi Wayne,

I opt for Mopar wiper blades too. My dealer gives me a nice discount after purchasing a Jeep and 4 Ram trucks. I buy two sets whenever I purchase, so I'm ready whenever that rain comes and the wipers are streaking.

My methodology is buy from the dealer when economical and equal or superior quality. Tires too, they beat everyone and we have a mutual loyalty dividend.

Anyhoo, thought I would add to this discussion since I also buy from the dealer. Look forward to read Greg's answer as well.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins2014]

I replace our Ford Escape blades with the Motorcraft brand, just pull into the service bay area, and pull out 10 minutes later, with new ones. They are always sending out those coupons for them. I should try that at the local Ram dealer ,and see how that works

 

[gsbrockman]

Out of curiosity, what was the wear you were seeing on your front tires from the old shocks? Inside wear?

Hey JR.....
Not sure if these pics will reveal what I’m going to describe, but the tread wear on each tread block opposite of the main center tread rib began wearing unevenly. The “leading” edge of the tread block was upwards of 1/32nds to 2/32nds higher than the “trailing“ edge of the tread block, when looking at it based from the direction of rotation. The R/F was worse, but the L/F wasn’t far behind.

 

[TFucili]

Greg, was it pretty much all the way across the tread? If so, that's what mine was doing. I am hoping replacing the bad shock resolved it, but have not logged enough miles to judge, yet. Maybe I'll have to bootleg a load or two for you

 

[gsbrockman]

I see you specified MoPar wiper blades. They have to be pricy. Do you see an advantage over aftermarket blades? Did you get a sweet deal? I believe the OE supplier is Trico anyhow.

The MOPAR premium (they offer value line also) wiper blades were $20.55 each, part number 55277446AC. Bought some for The Radio Flyer once on the advice of my parts guy. Let’s just say...he was right. One thing I’ve noticed is that the OE blades appear to work great in the aerodynamics department.

If you put 225k miles on your truck in two years and had good service from them.....I’m sure you’d go back with’em as well. In all honesty.....I’d bought these on March 23rd and really replaced them on April 27th. I figured it was easier to change them in my driveway than to totally let them fail and have to deal with them on the road. Funny thing is.....I carry my “old” ones in the truck for an emergency now.

 

[gsbrockman]

Greg, was it pretty much all the way across the tread? If so, that's what mine was doing. I am hoping replacing the bad shock resolved it, but have not logged enough miles to judge, yet. Maybe I'll have to bootleg a load or two for you

Hey Tom......in most areas, it was in either tread opposite the main center tread, as a rule. However....there were a few worn places that was indeed all the way across the tread.

 

[JR]

In other words, they almost feel like running your hands across a saw blade? (not quite as dramatic, just for comparison)

My boys tires started doing the same but everything in the front is tighter than two coats of paint. But the struts were original - we just replaced them last night. I'm making him get another alignment done because the tires are still pretty new but I'm hoping the shocks were the culprit.

 

[gsbrockman]

In other words, they almost feel like running your hands across a saw blade? (not quite as dramatic, just for comparison)

My boys tires started doing the same but everything in the front is tighter than two coats of paint. But the struts were original - we just replaced them last night. I'm making him get another alignment done because the tires are still pretty new but I'm hoping the shocks were the culprit.

Yes......small mountains and valleys I guess you could say....

 

[Cummins12V98]

Since 01 when I bought my 12V I have ran either replacement blades of the whole assembly OE. I have also always used 20-10 wiper fluid.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wiper blades don’t last very long around here with all the gritty air pollution and city grime, so I do go through them often- sometimes 4 sets a year. I find that cleaning the blades with rain x on a paper towel goes a long way. I usually buy in bulk on Rock Auto, and it’s usually the Trico exact fit blade, in the case of the ‘04, Trico 241 at $5.25 per.