First Cummins at last!

[Skyjim]

Try setting cruise control when descending and locking in the gear you would have came up that same grade in.

12V98, I wish I had thought of that - I did limit to 4th during the climb up once slowed down (I waited for it to start feeling a little like it was lugging, though in Tow/Haul it never really got there). The only reason I slowed below our silly 55 mph trailering limit - which everybody, including most cops, reads as 60-62 - was some trucks who popped out into lane 3 of 4 and blocked me on the way up. But I was mindful of preferring it in direct rather than an OD gear pulling a grade. Glad the new trucks have 3.73s - not sure it would have felt as nice going down with the 3.42!

I once got a ticket for popping out into the number 2 lane (blocking nobody - my butt was clear for a thousand feet) on that very climb with a trailer I was towing with my old V-10 to get around some really slow crawling 18 wheelers who were running side by side in lanes 3 and 4. I was out and back in in less than 15 seconds or so, slowed nobody down, and didn't exceed 60, but I got popped by a CHP guy anyway, and it was a hefty ticket - so, nope, not doing that again...

Anyway, on the way down the north side, I had shifted to D, just kept the exhaust brake in auto, remained in Tow/Haul, came out of the throttle as i crested, and gave a gentle brush of the brakes as speed crept to 60 early on the descent. Left it in drive and let it shift per the programming, so I guess I've done it that way - will try to remember to try your method next time - it's sort of my "home" grade, living as I do just a few miles from the south end of it. It did downshift pretty promptly after the summit, but I have no idea when it dropped to 4th. That's the sort of time I find myself wanting the Edge monitor - Would like to see when the TC is locked/unlocked, what gear I'm actually in, etc.
More toys to buy, but not wealthy so will need to wait a bit...

 

[Skyjim]

I don’t think it has a drain, but to be honest I like the opportunity to peek at the gears.

Fair point!

 

[snadamo]

SkyJim,

thanks for sharing your experience, I enjoy reading them. I feel as though we’re in a similar situation; but I don’t own the diesel yet. Your stories are helpful and fortify my logic going down this path.

 

[Skyjim]

SkyJim,

thanks for sharing your experience, I enjoy reading them. I feel as though we’re in a similar situation; but I don’t own the diesel yet. Your stories are helpful and fortify my logic going down this path.

Glad it's helping, snadamo! I can tell you that I'm definitely in love with the auto exhaust brake - it just makes the downgrades so much easier thus far that it's ridiculous. Of course it's still the honeymoon and everything's still unicorns and rainbows... ;-) I have been waiting quite some time to get this truck - over two years since it became apparent we'd need to go to a 2500 since our lightweight trailer experiment was a dismal failure and we traded it for our North Trail.

 

[Skyjim]

I did lots of mods to my 05 that I won’t be repeating on my 18, and one of them is a MH diff cover. I think they are a great product, but not necessarily a benefit for many users.

I noticed after putting mine on that in winter it would take 30+ miles for the diff to warm up and that came with a noticeable increase in engine load. I think it dealt more with the 8 qts instead of the fins. That 8qts also made for expensive changes. If I towed at or above GCW for more than 50% of my miles I’d be more inclined to look at one again.

If I were to do anything on my 18 it would be the OEM finned cover. I think it offers the best of everything for most users.

Hey AH64ID! (I AM a fan of the Apache, incidentally) - Have you by any chance been looking at Gale Banks' R&D videos on his line of diff covers? Pretty interesting and largely in line with some of your points, but with specific reference to factory style rounded cover contours promoting smooth flow of lube forward to the pinion bearing area. I did not realize until I spoke to the Banks folks today that the housing on my diff has been changed from the earlier 2500s, though they couldn't provide specifics other than that their 11.5 AAM cover would NOT fit the 2019s. I do not know whether the current or earlier 3500 finned factory piece will either. More research needed! I'm also struggling to understand the factory callout for GL-5 75W-85 in my diff... Geez, what was wrong with 75W-90?

 

[AH64ID]

Hey AH64ID! (I AM a fan of the Apache, incidentally) - Have you by any chance been looking at Gale Banks' R&D videos on his line of diff covers? Pretty interesting and largely in line with some of your points, but with specific reference to factory style rounded cover contours promoting smooth flow of lube forward to the pinion bearing area. I did not realize until I spoke to the Banks folks today that the housing on my diff has been changed from the earlier 2500s, though they couldn't provide specifics other than that their 11.5 AAM cover would NOT fit the 2019s. I do not know whether the current or earlier 3500 finned factory piece will either. More research needed! I'm also struggling to understand the factory callout for GL-5 75W-85 in my diff... Geez, what was wrong with 75W-90?

I have seen their video's, but like most stuff with a Banks name on it I take it with a HUGE grain of salt.

The MH cover is a great cover and works well for many users. I'd still personally run a MH over a Banks just to not have Banks on my truck. I cannot think of a single axle issue for anyone with a MH installed.

The 2019's don't have the 11.5 anymore, it's now a 12" R&P and visually different than the older 11.5/11.8" axles.

The change from 75w-80 to 75w-85 happened mid year a couple years ago... no idea why but emissons/economy might be a reason. I'll still use good ol 75w-90.

 

[Jim W]

I did a lot of research on what diff covers to use when I looked into changing mine on my 2008 truck. Why I picked the Mag-Hytec was the agility to drain all of the fluid from a drain plug and the magnetic dipstick. I like to the ability for the dipstick to pick up the metal fillings in the oil and to be able to clean off the dipstick every once in a while.

I also tow heavy with my 2500, with the extra oil capacity of the cover also being AL with the fins helps to dissipate the heat. On a 90+ ambient daytime temps my rear diff cover temperature measure around 145F using an IFR gun.

I also use 75W-90 Gear oil from Amsoil, which I change about every 40, 000 miles front and rear.

Just my $0.02

 

[Skyjim]

I did a lot of research on what diff covers to use when I looked into changing mine on my 2008 truck. Why I picked the Mag-Hytec was the agility to drain all of the fluid from a drain plug and the magnetic dipstick. I like to the ability for the dipstick to pick up the metal fillings in the oil and to be able to clean off the dipstick every once in a while.

I also tow heavy with my 2500, with the extra oil capacity of the cover also being AL with the fins helps to dissipate the heat. On a 90+ ambient daytime temps my rear diff cover temperature measure around 145F using an IFR gun.

I also use 75W-90 Gear oil from Amsoil, which I change about every 40, 000 miles front and rear.

Just my $0.02

Haven't posted in a while since the truck hasn't been working much with the whole Covid-19 thing happening and us hunkered down at home. My work is shut down so we have to watch the budget, and our big May/June trip plans have gone up in, maybe not smoke, but at least uncertainty for a while. Did get the White Knuckle sliders and they are really stout - will try to post some pics in the 4th gen forum in the next week. Further mods like the Edge and diff covers or trans pans are going to be on hold to for a time. Might just yank the stock steel diff cover and change out the gear oil for some Amsoil 75W-90. There seems to be some confusion about whether the finned cover for the 2019 3500s will fit the housings on the 2019 2500s - does anybody have a service manual with ring gear specs? John, you mentioned that the 2019 are 12" R&P but is that both 2500 and 3500?