Diesel Newbie...

[KPhillips]

Well I'm just sitting here sipping on my Kona coffee and thought I should introduce myself... .



My name is Kerry Phillips and I'm a diesel newbie ,,,,,seriously though, I just bought my first diesel rig and so far I'm loving it..... my dream has always been to have the big 4x4 diesel rig and I finally got it.



My rig is a 2001 HD2500 4x4 Regular Cab LWB... ... This is also my first Dodge,,,



I'm actually a Ford man at heart for the most part, and have always owned Fords... Don't be too harsh on me, I did buy the Dodge after all... . and I like it...



I also am addicted to and own Jeeps (so if you need any assistance on that subject, let me know), well only one Jeep now (was up to three at one point, but now I'm back down to one), I traded in my 2001 modified Jeep Wrangler for my new (actually used, 50k) truck... . My truck will be used as my everyday driver and as a tow rig for my 82 Jeep Scrambler which is near completion in its beefy build up.



I really look forward to being a member here and learning about my new rig... . I do have a good grasp on the mechanics of gas vehicles, but may need some assistance on the diesel side of the house, from the little bit of surfing I have done before joining, this site is very informative, and I really look forward to diving into the tech articles and bulletins now that I have access...



Just please excuse me if I ask some dumb questions, I am just learning this diesel stuff, and I will attempt a search on the subject before I ask..... that being said, I'll let you get back to your regularly scheduled programming. .



thanks,



kerryp

 

[Dkevdog]

Oh Goodie- I get to be first and say WELCOME ! You'll find tons of information here both useful and useless . And the worst part is, you'll soon be addicted to spending endless hours at the computer figuring out ways to spend money you don't have! !! AS far as stupid questions go, don't worry, we ask them every day, hell that's what the forum is for!!



Kev

 

[HillCountrykid]

Welcome. Noticed you live close. Since you like to modify things, you'll soon be spending money on your truck. You'll realize real quick the potential of these trucks. These things are a lot easier to hot-rod compared to a gas engine. I'm pretty new to these trucks, but there are some very knowledgeable guys out there. Hope you have fun with your new ride.

Give me a holler if you have any questions, and I'll try to help if possible.



Brian

 

[Tom G]

A Big Welcome

O. K. I didn't get to be the first to welcome you AND hopefully I won't be the last Welcome Aboard



Now you did bring your wallet didn't you? The Dodge Ram is a wonderful truck and seriously heavy duty. You of course will want gauges very soon. Then some other power goodies and then of course a beefed up - oh forget - just get your Visa card ready.



You are right though - the Dodge Ram with the Cummins is a wonderful truck and is significantly different than a Phord or Chebby. Its not that they are bad trucks its just that they are different. My son drives a Power Stroke (mis-guided parenting I guess) and likes it. He of course better like it because his payments are $600+ a month.



As far as the Cummins goes, change the filters on schedule, never run out of fuel and don't baby it. The Cummins likes to work so they say and I have worked mine and it run smoother and sweeter every day.



Remember, keep those fingers-a-punchin away on the keyboard so we can all take advantage of your knowledge as well. And remember, there are NO STUPID questions only less complicated answers so ask away. Somebody on the TDR will know the answer or at least where to find it.



Tom Garven

Lake Havasu City, AZ

 

[tntway]

Welcome Aboard Matey!!!!

welcome to the TDR kerry... as has already been stated, there is a wealth of information here. had my baby for 11 months now and im still diesel challenged but i know a heckuva lot more now than i did then.

my first piece of advice os to do a search for the proper order of bombing by ted jannetty... .



then watch out because someone will try to lead you to the DARK side... . GO with them and have FUN!!!!!!!!Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[KPhillips]

First off thanks for the wonderful welcome,,,,,thats why I already like this place, its not a bunch of teenie boppers running around screaming at each other... . Secondly, I think everyone that responded eluded to the fact that i might be spending boocoo's of money on my new rig..... tell me it ain't so..... are you saying that the dealer didn't sell these things bombed right out of the package???? ,,,,,kidding of course.



I know about blowing money on mods, I don't know if any of you do or have ever owned a Jeep, but lets just say its a very addictive habit,,,,mine started out and was just going to be semi stock, 2 years later it has a 4" lift, 36" tires, and lots of other mods to help me get a little further down the trail ... .



all being said and done, the only mods I really plan in the short term to my truck is a gauge package, an Amsoil dual filter set up, and maybe some bigger tires since it has the 245 series on it now, but I will probably wear them down first..... I may do a little here and a little there after that, but nothing big real quick... heck, I ain't got ther money for that and want to stay married.....



I do have a simple question, right off the bat... . what air pressure sdo most of you run in your tires for everyday driving?



They had mine pumped up so hard that my truck handled like &^%* (they had them at Dodge specs for the truck) and my kidneys were giving out (and don't get me wrrong, I know about driving rough vehicles). .



So basically I took my pressure down to about 40psi in each tire, and it rides and steers a whole lot better... I usually run around 32-35 in my other vehicles, but wasn't sure how low to go on these E rated tires. .



Thanks, guys,



kerryp

 

[SLittle]

Welcome aboard Kerry. There a quite a few people on the list with Dodge trucks and Jeeps, seems like a natural combo. I've got an '83 CJ7 that is mostly stock, it's always been my daily driver so it gets babied. Also have a '55 & '59 Willys 4x4 pickup trucks.



I think most people run 50psi or more in the front tires because of the weight of the Cummins, I think the specs that come with the truck work out to 65psi or so.



Scott



edit: I think built up Scramblers are cool, post pictures some time.

 

[Tom G]

Tire Presure

Hi Kerry:



My truch is a 3500 which would be different for the rears but I run the fronts at 50psi when empty. I run the duals at 40psi which seems to give a pretty good ride and the stock Goodyears seem to like it. The fronts are wearing about equally across the entire tread area. Even at 40psi in the rears they seem to be wearing mostly on the center 75% of the tires unloaded.



One good thing about the Dodge, is that it has some seriously heavy duty springs. I can connect my 5th wheel which has about an 800# hitch weight and it makes no impression at all on this truck. It just makes it ride better.



See there really aren't any stupid questions just less complex answers



Tom G.

 

[MCummings]

Hey.

I see you live around Bastrop, that's a NICE Place to live, I went up there when I was little (~10 yrs old).



If you'll look at my sig,, these trucks are purty easy to BOMB (Better Off Modified Baby).



I didn't see if you mentioned if you had an Auto or a 5-speed, but Fuel Pressure EGT and Boost Press. would be the best gauges to get for a 5-speed, and on an auto trans temp would be good.



If you have a 5-speed, with $2,000 you can have one HOTROD Hauler. A PE COMP, a Clutch and some Mild injectors, and you'd be all set to haul your jeep or haul your rear.



Have fun, there's lots to learn here.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[KPhillips]

thanks, I'll pump the front back up to 50 and see how that does, I think I'll leave the rear at 40 for now and see how it rides and how it wears, especially since I will be upgrading to bigger tires anyway, this way I can experiment on the tires I will be unloading...



if you ever want to see pics of my Jeeps, just go to:

Kerry's Pictures, its still in build up stage, and status pictures are added on a semi regular basis, I just flat fendered it out, but haven't got the pictures dowloaded yet...



hopefully there will be some pictures of the truck up there soon, just have to get out there and take them... .



Its good to see some of my Texas brethren here too,,,,



oh, and I have the NV4500 trans, I can't bring myself to buy an automatic, I guess I'm just a MT kinda guy..... and be sure to post some pics of your Jeeps too, stock or no I like Jeeps in any state...

 

[Tom G]

Cool Jeep - Massive Winch

I also drive another Chrysler product - a Jeep ZJ. A Jeep Grand Cherokee for those of you un-initiated individuals on the TDR who don't go play in the rocks and dirt.



3rd Annual 'Desert Run 2002' is this weekend in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Last year we had about 200 Jeeps and (?whatevers . More this year I would imagine. Last year we had no one hurt, two broken axels, two roll overs, great food, lots of raffel goodies - generally great fun for all.



p. s Nice looking Jeep you have there

 

[KPhillips]

thanks tom g,



have good time this weekend, I'm a Texas boy through and through, but I would love to live somewhere west, Colorado or Arizona,,,the wheeling out there is awesome, can't wait to get the Scrambler done and come join you guys for some runs. .



kerryp

 

[RustyJC]

Welcome Aboard!

Kerry,



Welcome to the TDR forums! Hey, if you get the "itch" to put some miles on that Cummins tomorrow, the LSTDR is having a meeting on the west side of Houston at 10:00 AM Sunday at the Cracker Barrel @ I-10W and Barker-Cypress. You could either go down 71 to I-10 then east to Barker-Cypress, or take 290 to the Barker-Cypress exit, then south on Barker-Cypress to I-10.



If you get some goodies, Grandpappy is putting together a BOMBing day for Saturday, April 6th. Lube up that credit card, utilize FedEx next day air, and you can have all your stuff ready to install by then.



Rusty