engine rpm's

[LPChristensen]

I am a long time reader, but this is my first post, so please bear with me. I have a 03 HO, LB, 3500, Laramie, quad cab, 4x4, 6 speed with a 3. 73 rear end. I have had my new truck for a couple of weeks now and I am very happy with it. My last truck was a 99 Dodge 2500 with a V-10 and this Cummins turbo diesel makes my old truck look and act sick. On a good day I was getting 9 or 10 MPG and my new baby, right out of the box on a short trip, got 17. 5 MPG! My question is this: at normal highway speeds (at least here in Texas) of 70 or 75 MPH, my tac is reading right at 2000 RPM. To me, it seems a little high, but this is my first diesel in a large truck with a manual transmission and I guess I just wanted to get some feedback from some of you guys that have had your rigs for awhile. Also, what's with that short little air conditioner drain tube on the firewall, did they run out of money at MOPAR? Thanks,

 

[Steve G]

Your rpm is normal. Mine is the same.



Steve

 

[Boonieman]

I have 4:10's on this truck and my old 01. 5 CTD had 3:54's, so the higher RPM's took a little getting used to. Mine runs around 2400 at about 75 mph.



The little drain tube? Be glad you have it. My brand new 01. 5 drain tube was left off at the factory and all the A/C condensate ran into my wife's side in the cab floor. And this was on a trip to Florida and turned the A/C on for the first time when I discovered the problem. I had almost forgotten about that little glitch until I read your post. Just a minor thing and the Dodge/CTD's so far have been very good to me.

 

[Blakers]

You should run about 2200 at 70 actual mph. My speedometer says I'm going about 2 mph faster than I really am. It's good to check it with a gps.