Breaking in new 99' Dodge Diesel

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I have 300 miles on my new Dodge Cummins Diesel Pickup. I'm going to take a 1,000 mi. trip in a few days. How should I break it in?
Can I set the cruise at 65 to 70 or should I hold the speed down and try to variate the speed?

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99 QC Diesel,5spd, white,Laverne SS step bars, Mopar long mud flaps, A. R. E. cap with walk thru door, SS rock side panels, JC Whitney front bumper 14" guards,and BED RUG box liner.

 

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Hopefully you ordered 8 or so back issues of TDR when you joined. There is invaluable information in all the issues. Your question frequently comes up. As best I can recall, the Cummins is broken in when installed in the Ram. The only caution that seems to be raised is to not baby the engine. It is recommended that fairly early in the Cummins life it be run under load. This assists in quicker ring seating. Another frequent question relates to fuel economy (mpg) and the most common reply is the engine is not broken in for 7 to 8k miles. Don't expect your max power and mpg till then. Bottom line seems to be, Drive it !!!

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98. 5 24v auto 3. 54, Westin nerfs, fold-a-cover, Lund visor, NAPA backup lites

 

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I broke mine in hard keep your eye on the gauges you really cant hurt the engine unless
you overspeed or lug it. Keep it above 1700
in a hard pull and below 2700 for extended periods... short bursts of red line rpm are also good for break in. I feel my engine was still breaking in after 15,000 miles, Cummings states it could take 10,000 miles
to break one in. I like to run the RPM's up to redline in the lower gears and back off the throttle... ... other than that hammer it. .

 

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The response that I received from Cummins NW was to put 500 miles on it varying speed and as mentioned above "don't lug the engine or overspeed it for long periods" then start towing or hauling with it as soon as possible and if done right you can seat the engine within 10,000 miles or if you just drive it to the office and back it could take up to 30,000.
FWIW

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99 2500, QC, SLT, 4x4 ISB, 5sp, 3. 55sld, Infiniti am/fm/cd, HDTcase, NW Running Boards and Mud flaps, Draw-Tite Front Mount Receiver Hitch, Tekonsha Brake Control, SRW and Husky Liners.

 

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Even though it's a diesel, internal parts of the engine still have to hone in and become mated to each other. I broke mine in by doing the following; first 500 miles, I drove mostly around town and a few interstate trips never exceeding 60 mph. The second 500 miles, I drove mostly interstate trips at 70 mph. After 1,000 miles, I started putting a load on it by hauling a tandem trailer at varying speeds between 60-75 mph. Don't let it sit and idle, don't race the engine when stationary, don't over rev it or lug it and try to vary your speed some. I believe in taking it fairly easy on a new vehicle---remember, the rest of the truck has to break in too---the transmission, wheel bearings, rear end(s), differential, brakes etc etc. My truck runs great and doesn't burn a drop of oil in the 5,000 mile intervals I adhere to. Good luck, Sam

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1999 Dodge Laramie SLT QC, 24V Cummins turbo diesel ISB, 2WD, auto trans, 3. 55 rear end- LSD, long bed, HD towing and camper pkg,K&N air filter, CD player, electric seats, bright white, chrome diamond plate tool box, resonator removed, turbo silencer ring removed, all options except leather seats. "I love the smell of diesel in the morning. "
Hemet, California



[This message has been edited by porky (edited 10-21-1999). ]