Finally Picked Her UP!!---Bd short shift Kit

[dsaint69]

Flew into Fund du Lac, Wisconsin about 10 pm on Tuesday night. After doing all the paperwork, I was south bound headed for home (NY). I drove that puppy 18. 5 hours straight with no problems at all and only two fill up's. No vibration, even up to 80mph!! The only thing I was a little upset about was the MPG. 15. 4 was my average, perhaps that's because she's got the 4. 10's?? Anyway, my first plans are to get some N-Fab step bars, followed by an AFE stage II, dual exaust, and finally a Quadzilla box. That should do just fine.





Does anybody know that much about the short shift kit by BD?? Is it worth getting??

 

[Jeff Clark]

15. 4 is great for a new truck with 4. 10 gears. I have 18,000 miles and 3. 73's and I barely get that.



As far as the short shift goes, it gets mixed reviews. Some people don't like it, others do. I'd say try it and if you don't like it, put it on ebay. You'll get most of your money back.

 

[dsaint69]

Really?? I guess then I should be blessed. Do you know anywhere that I can also get a set of heavy duty flexible rubber mud flaps with the chrome on the bottom?? I've seen some on ebay trucks out of Texas. I wonder if they would sell me a set? I hate the hard ones that MOPAR sells.

 

[drewRoberts]

15. 4 is good for starting off. I started off at 13. 5. but I'm hitting in the 17's now with my 4. 10's



yea, I'm a bit easy and dont go over 70. . . that much

 

[dsaint69]

Quick question, what are your rpm's running at doing 75?? I'm just shy of 2500. I assume it's OK to run her at that rpm with no problem's?? Right?

 

[JCleary]

No problems at all. Your Cummins is capable of running at 3200 rpm indefinitely (meaning over 10,000 hrs).



Many generators and air compressors using the Cummins ISB run at WOT all day long.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Really?? I guess then I should be blessed. Do you know anywhere that I can also get a set of heavy duty flexible rubber mud flaps with the chrome on the bottom?? I've seen some on ebay trucks out of Texas. I wonder if they would sell me a set? I hate the hard ones that MOPAR sells.

Mopar has two different ones (at least around here). Hard plastic ones that all have dealer advertisement on them. I've tried to get a set without the ads on them, but the dealers say they aren't available. They also have a thick flexable rubber flap with the Ram's head logo on it. That's what I have and I like them. They don't have chrome on the bottom, but if you are creative, you can probably find a way to put some on there.

 

[firefighterpickett]

rpms vs mpg

I don't feel there is anything wrong with the rpms being that high, however you must remember just how sensitive a diesel is to mpg changes. I recently went to napa ca. from loveland co. and got 19 mpg all the way, tailgate down, two people, luggage, cooler, 2500 hd with 373s. the only thing I have changed is adding a BHAF. I drove 70 the whole way. At 75 she only gets 18 tops. The total time added to my trip was very miniscule in comparison to the number of hours we spent in the truck. 60 hours in the truck during the duration of the trip.



Fuel out there was almost 3. 00 in some places so I gladly went a little slower.

 

[Sarge]

Be very careful before you invest in the BD shortshift. I had an awful experience with it, and BD. So much so that I would not recommend ANY BD product to anyone EVER. Rather than go on here, do a search on my name and read the horrible treatment I received. Then decide for yourself.



As for your MPG, 15. 4 on a brand new rig is great. My dually with 4. 10 rarely see's 15 mpg. Your off to a great start.

 

[JHardwick]

I recently went to napa ca. from loveland co. and got 19 mpg all the way, tailgate down, two people, luggage, cooler, 2500 hd with 373s. the only thing I have changed is adding a BHAF.

Put the tailgate up next time and see if you can squeak another MPG or maybe more

 

[dsaint69]

you mean the tailgate down, right?? Do you reall think that will make a difference?? I'll try it... what the hell.

 

[JRMora]

No, he mean's tailgate UP. The Dodge engineers have supposedly done lots of aero testing of this body style and they say that the mileage is better with the tailgate up. And you won't lose your underwear along the highway!

 

[dsaint69]

Flew into Fund du Lac, Wisconsin about 10 pm on Tuesday night. After doing all the paperwork, I was south bound headed for home (NY). I drove that puppy 18. 5 hours straight with no problems at all and only two fill up's. No vibration, even up to 80mph!! The only thing I was a little upset about was the MPG. 15. 4 was my average, perhaps that's because she's got the 4. 10's?? Anyway, my first plans are to get some N-Fab step bars, followed by an AFE stage II, dual exaust, and finally a Quadzilla box. That should do just fine.





Does anybody know that much about the short shift kit by BD?? Is it worth getting??

2003 3500 Laramie Sport, 6 speed, Getting N-fab bars, quadzilla box, afe filter, dual exaust, back rack

 

[JHardwick]

And you won't lose your underwear along the highway!

LOL, good point!!



Actually, I'm not so sure that this isn't true for all pick-ups. If I remember correctly, the tailgate down was worse than tailgate off, but still worse than tailgate up. I think a cap was the worst of all, but a bed cover was the best of all ... ... ... ... I could be a little off here.



I'm thinking the bed cover was the best and tailgate up was right in there in 2nd. The theory was this ... ... ... ... ... . if you take the profile of your pickup and draw a line from the trailing edge of the cab to the tailgate, the air forms a bubble of dead air there that causes a slip stream over it.



One thing is for sure, don't ever head down the road with loose hay, yard trimmings, whatever ... ... ... ... and the rear slider, open tailgate up :-laf :-laf

 

[GCross]

even up to 80mph!! The only thing I was a little upset about was the MPG. 15. 4 was my average.

If you do much of that 80 stuff get used to it. These trucks are big heavy slugs and not particularly aerodynamic and moving that much air is going to cost you. On the up-side, MPG usually improves with mileage. I'm getting just over 17 with 12000 on the odo.



-George-

 

[nickleinonen]

i like my short throw shifter just fine... at first, it was a bit of a learning curve to learn the new shorter shift pattern, but once that was learned, and the shifter was broke-in in about 1000km [or i just finally learned how to shift it again?] to be nice and limber, it is great to drive...

 

[Snoxracer]

Dura flap mud flaps

I just got a pair of them and have to say they are really nice. I don't remember the exact wed site for them but do a Yahoo search for duraflap mud flaps. Found it www.kaydenco.com I ordered the smooth stainless for all four corners of the truck. Look sweet

 

[firefighterpickett]

am i retarded?

I always thought the tailgate down was better because it allowed air to flow through the bed and not hit resistance as it came in contact with the tail gate. Won't air flow go over the sides of your bed and than into the bed hitting the gate if it is up?

 

[JHardwick]

I always thought the tailgate down was better because it allowed air to flow through the bed and not hit resistance as it came in contact with the tail gate. Won't air flow go over the sides of your bed and than into the bed hitting the gate if it is up?

i just did a quick google search, click here ... ... ... ..... a couple things it doesn't mention is the cap or the stress on the bed sides

 

[firefighterpickett]

whod a thunk it

:--) wow, when I go back out in a couple of months I'll leave it up and see what I get. Guess Mom was right about not doing it just because everyone else is.

:-laf