Break-in Questions.

[AndyMan]

Greetings!



I just took delivery of my '03 Cummins last Thursday. This truck is certainly, without a doubt the most undeniable force on the planet. It amazes me every day.



I don't want to waste everyone's valuable time, but do have some questions that I feel are important and would like to get answered. I have used the search feature, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for.



First let me say this. I have been researching diesels for a couple of years now. I was pretty set on a duramax. I had driven several of them. Decided I wasn't going to buy until I had at least driven each of the three (dmax, cummins, pstroke). Pulling out of the Dodge Dealers lot, I knew. Cummins was the one. I could type a dissertation on what I think makes the Dodge superior to its competition, but you all aren't the ones that need to be convinced of the beauty of the CTD and it's beautiful Mopar wrapper.



I say all of that to say this: I was a member of a GM Diesel board for a couple of years. Those guys seem obsessed with what should be done in the first 500, 1000, 3000, and 5000 mile marks. Total (oil, diff, xfer, etc. ) fluid changes. Is that REALLY neccessary? I can kind of see maybe changing fluids at 500, then not till 7500 or so. Their reasoning was always to get out the "shavings" that are "present" after manufacture of the parts. I'm not real sure, but it doesn't seem like simply draining the fluids would neccessarily rid your motor/gears of the metal shavings that may or may not be there? Anybody got any input on that? I'm right at 500 miles on the odo, and am wondering if I should spring for new fluids, or save my money?



After just buying the truck, I don't have a lot of cash laying around. It would be hard for me to spring for all the fluids to be changed right now. If that's what it will take to keep this truck on track for 350,000+ miles of service, that's what I'll do. But, if it's a waste of money, then obviosly I'll just wait.





Also, what oil do you guys recommend? (Opening a real can of worms here. I know. )





Just need a little help from my new friends!

Thanks SO much, TDR is the greatest!

Andy

 

[Hammerhead]

I'm no salty dog on these trucks either but I have to say that those guy's need to get a hobby. If these trucks were that poorly engineered then there is no way that they would last as long as they do. IMHO. I have a friend who also is a d-max owner and a member of a GM diesel board and he echo's my sentiments with regards to some of those guys seem to have nothing better to do than work on thier trucks. I could be wrong but it seems logical that if the fluid changes that you mentioned were that vital then the owners manual would at least mention them if for no other reason than DC still has to warranty the truck for 7yrs/70,00 miles. It does seem to make sense that changing your fuel filter early the first time would be a good idea because of the risk of trash being either in the tank or fuel lines or both. I could be toally wrong but if I were you I would save your money and spend it on something more important like BEER Oo.

 

[AndyMan]

Thanks for the reply Hammerhead. Beer is good. I like to sit in my garage, drink beer, and stare at this gorgeous truck!



Tell me about the 2" leveling kit? Sounds like something I'd be interested in.



Also, can I REALLY go 15K mi before changing the oil? Cummins seems to think so:

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/....cfm?uuid=00047BA9-DD93-1E30-8DDB80C4A8F00000



Shouldn't I change it before that the first time? I'm just paranoid I guess.



/abg

 

[Dean Upson]

I did my first oil change at 2500 miles, next one comes at 7500. I have used Rotella 15w40 in 3 CTD's since 1994 with no problems and either a Mopar or Fleetguard filters. I believe that this engine will last longer than the rest of the truck if you take reasonably good care of it. Good luck with your new truck. You made the right choice, it keeps getting better and better.



Dean

 

[Pit Bull]

I'm with Dean. My first oil and filter change was 1000 miles then every 5000. Use Rotella T 15w40 (or other good dino diesel oil) and either a Fleetguard or Mopar filter until you have 20000 on the engine and then if you want (not needed) you can use synthetic. With the other fluids in your truck just go by the owners manual based on your driving style/conditions. Welcome to the TDR.

 

[Hammerhead]

Hey Andy,

The leveling kit is simply a metal spacer that you install above the factory coil springs. They also make a poly version of the same thing and it's from daystar. It makes a killer addition to the look of these trucks. Instead of the nose down look that comes from the factory you actually get the truck to sit level and WOW Oo. does it really make these bad motorscooters look tough. The best part of the deal is that you don't void any warranties, it doesn't change the way the truck rides, and they're only $70. 00.



They say that you can put the 315's on the truck without the leveling kit and there are several guy's on here that have done it that way, but I have lifted every truck that I have ever owned. If you want to see what a truck looks like with the spacers in look at mt truck in the readers rides or 4xquadrod's. Also David Meunch(sp?) had a set of 315's on the original wheels with no spacers if you want to see a truck set up that way also. Good luck with the new truck and happy dieseling!

 

[Sawbones]

HH, does your truck still sit level with 315's, 2" front spacer, and 1000#'s of tongue weight? That's the set up I'll be looking at, thanks.

 

[Hammerhead]

JW,

The truck actually still sits about 1/2 in lower in the front even with the spacer,but with the trialer hooked up it sits about 1/2 to 1" lower in the rear. That isn't very noticable at all but if you're really looking you can tell. If I get a chance in the next few days I'll take some pic of the truck with and with out the trailer hooked up. Maybe that can help you see what I mean. You know what they say about a picture is worth a 1000 words an all



Eddie

 

[Sawbones]

Thanks, HH. How much tongue weight are you running?

 

[dmurdock]

Treated this one as the previous 2... after 500 on the clock towed with and and started working it as hard as possible as often as possible. Change oil at 2500 to delo 400 and every 4500-5500 after that. I use fleetguard filters.

 

[d90boy]

At 500 miles I changed the oil and filter and went on a 1000 mile tow with it. i'll be changing the oil this week with 1850 miles on it. Before I towed I also replaced all the drivetrain fluids with redline except the motor I used Delo 400 and Fleetgard LF 3894. Yeah I'm absolutely obsessed but so F ing what I enjoy taking care of my stuff.

 

[Hammerhead]

JW,

Not sure the exact weight but fully loaded it has to be well above 500lbs. If I were to guess I'd say somewhere in the 800-1000 lb range.