FIRST thing do to my NEW truck

[gonzo2]

Personally, I think 200 miles is way too early for an oil change. 3000 miles sounds about right to me, 1000 anyway.

In your first post you mention filtration conditioning for your cooling system. If you mean as a way of avoiding cavitation corrosion, the Cummins doesn't have this problem.

 

[RMalone]

You aint kidding stay away from performance upgrades. You will LOVE them, your truck wont mind if you do it right, but your wallet will NEVER be the same. And your dealer will disown you. Its too late for me but you can still be saved.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I like 1000 miles for the second oil & filter change. After 2000-4000 miles of town driving, lots of acceleration and deceleration in the gears, tow something about 5000 pounds or so to help finish break-in of the rings.



As for when to start with the toys, I have been asked many times, and my answer is to wait until you get the truck home



My 2004 is all stock. Everything was in stock when I installed it. It will remain stock. Whenever I can put something else in stock, it will go on the Ram

 

[klenger]

As for when to start with the toys, I have been asked many times, and my answer is to wait until you get the truck home

Sounds like when someone asked the Dr. "how long should I wait before I start spanking my new-born child".

 

[hERKY130]

sweet truck

Its gotta be a nice looking truck man, sounds pretty close to mine. I'm expecting to pick mine up from Tomeygun mid May. The first thing I'm gonna do is attend the new owner diesel workshop at Carson Dodge in Carson City and then I'm installing my DRC Race suspension Oo. Oo.



I have a question with break-in period. I will be driving about 2-3000 highway miles after delivery and I won't be under load until the end of June. Is my break-in gonna be messed up and if not, is a load of 2-4000 lbs enough to really seat the rings?? I will be rolling over the rockies on my way out to NC from NV under load the entire trip.



congrats Abdiver

 

[Radman]

I don't entend to Bomb my truck, I just want to do all I can to keep running great

Yeah, I remember saying those EXACT words. Well, that was in January. 1st mod was torque tube, ordering quad box tomorrow...

 

[abdiver]

I like 1000 miles for the second oil & filter change. After 2000-4000 miles of town driving, lots of acceleration and deceleration in the gears, tow something about 5000 pounds or so to help finish break-in of the rings.



As for when to start with the toys, I have been asked many times, and my answer is to wait until you get the truck home



My 2004 is all stock. Everything was in stock when I installed it. It will remain stock. Whenever I can put something else in stock, it will go on the Ram

I like 1000 miles for the second oil & filter change. OK when does everyone suggest when to change it the first time?

 

[LightmanE300]

Abdiver, do some searching, all of the questions you are asking have been asked and answered many many times.



As for the first oil change -there is no consensus - you'll have to decide what YOU want to do. The original oil is Valvoline premium blue - not a special break in oil etc. I did my first change at around 500 miles, then 2500, then 5k, then 10k. I would suggest changing the fuel filter at 5k and then every 10k after that. The preferred brand for both fuel and oil filters is Fleetguard Stratapore.



You can get mudflaps and the rear wheel well liners from the dealer - they are both mopar parts.



The condenser guard is available here - http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/ke-acg.htm and is a great, cheap mod that's easy to install.



You might want to check out line-x or rhino lining's spray on bedliner options. I love my line-x.



I went to invinca-shield.com and got one of the pre-cut 3m scotchcal clear protective kits for my truck. It was installed the day I picked up my truck, and 45k miles later I do not have a single rock chip in the front paint of my truck. 6 year warranty on the stuff too against cracking/yellowing etc.



Hope this helps!

 

[mberry]

I don't entend to Bomb my truck, I just want to do all I can to keep running great AND not void my warranty. I think gauges are good so I can monitor running conditions.



Changing the oil at only 200 plus miles. I question as isn't the original oil a breaking oil meant to stay in engine till first oil change? I hope I get feed back on this.



What brand filters should I use to replace and where should I buy them?



Bill

Yes, guages are great to monitor what's going on. As to the oil change, no the oil they put in is not "break in oil". Changing it after the first 200-500 miles gets out whatever was left in there from assembly. I changed my oil the first time at 2000 miles only because that was my first opportunity to do so. The drive home was almost 1K miles. I changed it again at 8000 miles with Amsoil. I now have almost 17K on the truck and am getting ready to change it again.



Filters: Fleetguard. You can get them at your local Cummins facility or from Geno's Garage online.



All I am saying here is a suggestion. If you want to keep the oil in there for 7500 miles go right ahead. It's your truck and you can do whatever you want with it.

 

[Grizzly]

I don't entend to Bomb my truck, I just want to do all I can to keep running great AND not void my warranty. I think gauges are good so I can monitor running conditions.



Changing the oil at only 200 plus miles. I question as isn't the original oil a breaking oil meant to stay in engine till first oil change? I hope I get feed back on this.



What brand filters should I use to replace and where should I buy them?



Bill

I'd keep the original oil for about 3000 miles and then change it every 5000 miles. First things I did to my 05 was SS running board with box boards and front and rear mud flaps. Next was a SS push bar/grill guard. Grizzly

 

[nickleinonen]

an other good idea is to remove the wheels, anti seize the heck out of the hubs, and reinstall the wheels... then next time, you won't have to fight to get the wheels off...



and the condensor, it is part of the A/C system... it condenses the r134a from gas to liquid before continuing through the a/c system... it sits in front of the charge air cooler and is very exposed... kilby enterprises makes a nice guard for it, or you can make your own [that is the route i took for mine]



#ad




red is the condensor [in front of CAC], blue is the evaporator [under the dash pass side] "a" is the expansion valve or orifice tube depending on the system used, and "b" is the compressor...

 

[abdiver]

Its gotta be a nice looking truck man, sounds pretty close to mine. I'm expecting to pick mine up from Tomeygun mid May. The first thing I'm gonna do is attend the new owner diesel workshop at Carson Dodge in Carson City and then I'm installing my DRC Race suspension Oo. Oo.



I have a question with break-in period. I will be driving about 2-3000 highway miles after delivery and I won't be under load until the end of June. Is my break-in gonna be messed up and if not, is a load of 2-4000 lbs enough to really seat the rings?? I will be rolling over the rockies on my way out to NC from NV under load the entire trip.



congrats Abdiver

Thanks hERKY130, I need to get that truck as I already need to haul a Tractor- a John Deere riding mower for my wife if she cuts the grass I can have more time for my toys.