First Time Dodge owner - Lot's of ???'s

[BigDaddyMC]

I've owned just about everything else but a Dodge with a Cummins in it. My first diesel was the Chevy 6. 5 - blew a rod through the side of the block doing 65mph on cruise control. Switched over to the 96PowerStroke and I have to admit, it was a GREAT truck. Limited on power though and seemed that no matter what I did, I wasn't making enough power. Put an intercooler on it, custom chip, propane etc. etc. I believe that it had as much HP as my new truck stock I don't think that it has as much torque as my new Dodge... .



Anyway, I have a few questions that I've been waiting to ask!



first the details of the truck.



04 Ram 2500 quad cab SRW

4X4

4R8E

"Bright Silver" with Toape guts

Now sure on the R&P but it runs about 1800rpm at 65mph

653 miles and getting about 14. 2 mpg in mixed driving.

Tow between 8 - 10K Toybox (weights are loaded weights)



Ordered guages and will have all three installed in the pod by this weekend.



#1 I've heard alot about Alt. Brackets. Do O4's have this issue? What do I check for?

#2 Before I bought my truck, I drove a Laramie. Same truck but a short box. When I got on it, it chirped the wheels when shifting to 2nd - mine doesn't. What's the dealio?

#3 Looking for a "Key'd - on" 12volt sourche to patch into... . Any suggestions?

#4 Looking for an illumination wire to hook guages to. Would like the guage light to JIVE w/the headlights and Dash.

#5 Where should I tap into the trans to install my trans temp sendor?

#6 I've read a little on the Edge EZ... are there any better options? And will the 03 Edge EZ (that's what everyone lists them as) work on the 04?

#7 I have a Powershot2000 propane system off of my Powerstroke, is anyone piggy-backing a box with propane? What is your result?

#8 Where is the best place to install the EGT proble? Depending on where you all say it should go, do/should I remove anything in order to do the job?



Sorry for such a long first post, but I couldn't find the info anywhere else.



Your help would be MUCH appreciated.



Cheers!

 

[Dean Upson]

Wow Welcome. I can answer #1. The alternator brackets were upgraded late '03 and I doubt that they will be a problem. The new one looks very rugged, I had the old style replaced with the tsb. #8 Most agree that pre turbo is the best place for the pyrometer. I just ordered boost and pyrometer gauges today and will be installing mine there when I can get to it. This should help you with the install

http://i.b5z.net/i/u/265866/i/2003_Dodge.pdf



Good Luck





Dean

 

[Photoman]

I think I can help with following questions:



#4. These are the instructions I received from Geno's Garage for my '03. They worked. "The light dimmer switch is easy to access as it is held in place with expansion clips. Start at the corner next to the steering column, then pull outward. For power to your light, t-tap into the dimmer switch orange wire with the white stripe (04 could be different?-Geno's would know). For ground we used a close-by Phillips head screw and a d-ring attached to the light's wire.



#5. Transmission. Rather than braising the autometer sensor, Geno's gave me the part number for a bolt on assembly. Just drilled a hole on back of transmission pan and installed hollow bolt. Sensor screwed into the hollow bolt. Of course, the transmission pan had to be dropped to do this. Geno's have a T. A. line and I am sure they would be able to give you the part number if you call. 1-770-886-2500. Don't drill at the absolute bottom of the pan and make sure you get any filings out of the pan after doing your drilling.



#8. I went pre-turbo for a more accurate EGT reading. See my "readers rig" for a photo of the install location. I was initially nervous about damaging the turbo, however the diesel mechanic who did the job (with my inept assistance) used a greased drill bit. He used a mechanics magnet to get as many filings as he could after drilling. He then started the truck up under low revs and the rest of the material was blown out. No problems with the install. Hope this helps. I have found the gauges to be very helpful in towing my fiver, especially over those steep mountain passes.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mine would chirp the tires real easy before the rear end broke in and quit binding.

 

[DPKetchum]

Some of us are waiting on the NEW generation fueling boxes. I was told by several performance shops to just hang in there and don't waste my money on whats at on the market at this time.