EGT's on HO Engine

[jimnance]

I hear that the stock 2003 HO engine runs rather hot EGT's. Does anyone have any real data on how hot they are while pulling a load up a steep grade??

 

[Roger rodbolt]

I have not heard how high egt's are stock but I wouldn't be surprised if the new engines won't take additional heat. The pistons are now "swirl cooled" with oil. This pistons to oil-- heat transfer is efficient. Larry

 

[yogibear]

EGT's on 03 HO Engine

I just got back from delivering a 40' 5er to Hillsboro, Or. from York, Ne. , GCVW was 26K+. Stopped by Diesel Performance in Ogden, and Ken installed guages for me. The highest temps I saw was 1200* going up Cabbage, when I had to drop to 4th when some 18 wheelers got in my way. In NW Utah and Idaho, the wind was gusting to 55mph, I was in 5th running 65 at 2600 to 2700rpm, and egt's were running 1050* to 1150*. I never had guages on my 00 till I put the Banks stinger kit on, so don't know what the egt's were on it when it was stock.

I sure like the way it pulls, has a lot more low end than my 00. The Di-Pricol guages are sure nice, I got the white face. BTW, hate to be bearer of bad news, but the new 3 guage pilar mts. don't fit for sour apples, Ken wouldn't put it on my trk. , fits like a saddle on a hog. I went with the pyro on a single pilar mt. , and the boost(which is not hooked up yet)and fuel pressure in a top dash mt. My fuel pressure idles and runs at 8# with low at WOT of 6#.

I've got 12,555 miles on it now, and it keeps getting stronger. I know some of you don't like the new quieter running trks. , but it sure was nice running up Cabbage in 4th at 2800rpm, and as quiet as running down the freeway at 70mph.



Larry

 

[jimnance]

Glad to hear you like it Larry. Mine is growing on me too. Can't wait to my fifth wheel up Sexton Summit.



I like to growl of my '99, but pulling a grade at 2600 RPM would kill brain cells after a while. I'm getting to like the quiet. I know my wife does too. That's a big reason why they did it.

 

[EOwen]

Larry,



From your signature, looks like you got the exact same rig as I,

except I only have 1,200 miles thus far.

What did YOU end up doing for a 5er hitch?

I am waiting to see what everyone does and what becomes

of the "no drilling the frame".



Eric

 

[jimnance]

I'm getting a Draw Tite 16K rocking fifth wheel installed. Apparently the frame rails are different on the '03 in addition to being further apart.



I haven't seen the fifth wheel yet, but it has rails specially designed for the '03 Dodge to accomodate the wide frame.



The installer believes that it will involve drilling the frame, but has has not received delivery yet.



Frame drilling always has and will continue to be necessary for installing certain components. It is much more desirable than welding which can affect the heat treating of the frame.



The key is to drill in locations which are not stressed greatly. We drill the frames on our big trucks (80,000+ GCVWR) all the time. The mechanic just has to know what he is doing.

 

[EOwen]

no concerns with warranty void as mentioned in other posts,

pertaining to drilling or welding the frame?

 

[jimnance]

You only worry about warranty if you think something is going to break. The frame is about the simplest and strongest thing on the truck. It would take a hellacious load to crack the frame unless someone did a ****ty job on the drilling or did it right next to a high stress point like right where the spring hangers are.



My installer is very highly regarded and been in business for years. He won't do anything to compromise my truck.

 

[yogibear]

EOwen, a tech at my dlr. installed the Reese 20K hitch off my 00 dually. He fabed plates and clamped it to the frame like B & M does. With over 10K mi. of towing, its working fine, checked everything today, and nothing is loose or slipped. My frame has no holes, nor is it welded. I wish I could take some pic's of it.



Larry

 

[Prairie Dog]

You guys are making it hard for me to wait until next spring to hook up my puny (4500 Lbs) 22 foot TT.

I actually cant wait to hit the hills! Oo.

 

[Big MAK]

Sounds like the EGT's stay slightly higher about 100 degrees; but don't spike as bad under a hard load. Seems reasonable to me; just run good oil.

 

[jimnance]

Looked close at my frame this evening. Dodge has holes drilled all over the frame. There are even chaulk marks still present where they marked the hole locations for the bed cross members.



I can't believe that drilling a frame when done by a competant shop and with regard to avoiding stress points is going to result in a damaged frame.



Nonsense!

 

[Casey Balvert]

This is getting off the original topic but... .....



My dealer pointed out that the fifth wheel hitch/frame issue is not new. He pointed to a section in the 2002 Owner's Manual that stated that Chrysler would not cover damage caused by modifications due to the installation of various things such as sun roofs, trailer hitches etc. I told him I didn't have a problem with that statement.



I did have a problem with DC specifically releasing a statement that advised "NOT TO DRILL THE FRAME". Why? There must be a reason and the only one that makes sense so far is that it has something to do with the hydroformed frame. I told the dealer that I expected either Chrysler supplies a fifth wheel hitch that meets their requirements or they provide clear and reasonable guidelines on how a hitch CAN be installed.



After all DC states "Daimler Chrysler Corporation requires that for warranty coverage, vehicles towing trailer with a weight rating of 12,000 pounds or more must be equipped with a fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch. "



In other words DC says I gotta have one on my truck. So put up or shut up, DC. This is an awful expensive vehicle for just driving to church on Sunday.



Cheers, Casey

 

[kbarlow]

Originally posted by CBalvert

This is getting off the original topic but... .....



In other words DC says I gotta have one on my truck. So put up or shut up, DC. This is an awful expensive vehicle for just driving to church on Sunday.



Cheers, Casey

My thoughts exactly...



Ken

 

[BPINE]

While I was at the TDR national this year ther was an 03 with a 5th wheel hitch in it, one of the demo units from dodge. It had some brackets that went from some exsisting holes in the frame to the underside of the bed. When I asked which brand of hitch this was no one had a clue but someone at Dodge must know if it was on there demo truck.

 

[Casey Balvert]

I asked Dodge how they attached the hitches in the demo truck and those pictured in the brochures. They chose not to answer the question, except to repeat the "no drill" policy. And I am getting angry. I advised my dealer that if DC does not come up with a reasonable solution soon, they may be buying my truck back. Don't get me wrong, I really like the truck but I DID buy it primarily for towing my fiver and if I can't do it with a Dodge, then I will do it with a ... ... ... ... ... .



Casey

 

[jimnance]

Spoke to my buddy that works in the service dept of the local Dodge dealer. I asked him about this issue. He said that the stock hitch mounts to pre-drilled holes. He suggested that the problem may be that Dodge does not want to take responsibilty for someone that does not know what they are doing turning the frame into Swiss cheese and destroying it.



He used to work in a shop that specialized in installing hitches. He said drilling OR welding should not pose any problem provided that it is done by a knowlegable shop.