Happy! ... yet Puzzled

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Thanks to the help from several of you I now know that my truck is in LA and I'll be getting the call to come and get it this coming week. Thanks again. Thats the Happy Part.
The puzzled part is, well... . Tradition is, when ever we get a new vehicle we hit the road and this time is no exception. We are planning a trip to Grand Junction, Co to see our new Grandson for the first time. The salesman at the dealer made a comment that he'd wait and not take the truck. Strange, i thought that a 30K truck would be ready for anything. Get in and go! Is there something he knows that I don't yet? After all it is only a 1500 mile trip.

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(Ordered 4/12) 2001 - 2500 Quad Cab, Cummins, 5spd, Long bed, with every option I could get

 

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I think the only thing to be aware of is that for the first 100 miles you should not run at a steady speed. After that, go for it. In fact, if you have some sort of load like a big camper it would help break in. These engines are TOUGH!! and do better if worked hard.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,Torque plate,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

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I wouldn't worry about it, I got mine drive it home and hooked up a 8k trailer and headed for Utah. No problem. These guys that drive big rigs don't wait to pull anything or go on a long trip before "break-in". Just go easy the first few hundred miles, biggest thing is don't lug the engine.

 

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Hooked up ro a 31' 5th wheel when mine had 300 miles, went to Niagra Falls, NY. , 4000 miles plus. Now have 35000, no problems. bg

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Ranco 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, aluminum tool box, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank not mounted yet.

 

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If you can find a trailer to take by all means get it. This is my third diesel dodge and I towed with all of them first 500 miles. Seems to be the only way to break them in.

 

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KB6GVT, I would vary your speed/rpm for the first several hundred miles of operation to allow primary and secondary lubrication a slightly different path of coverage. I was told by a race engine builder this will enhance engine longevity. I have always adopted this advice on all new vehicles I've purchased however, I have no way of actually quantifying this. I will offer this; when I sell my used vehicles they run as good (usually better) than the day I bought them, also due in part to the use of a high quality synthetic. Even after 100k mi. , internally they are as clean as new.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille, '00 Sport headlights with PIAA Super White 9007/9004 bulbs, 4-2-7+4 Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, Psychotty induction system, BLACK '00 valve cover, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, BD LV V10/Cummins hybrid TC and valve body, BD modified transmission front pump and PressureLoc, plus many other trick modifications

 

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Thanks Guys. I've got nothing to tow yet(comming soon). But I'll have the bed full of the son's stuff that he could not move. I also hope to have around 10 days between recieving the trunk and the trip. So thats a couple of days of to work and back trips (around 50 Miles/day)break in. I'm really looking forward to this trip should be fun.

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(Ordered 4/12) 2001 - 2500 Quad Cab, Cummins, 5spd, Long bed, with every option I could get

 

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The engine doesn't need much of a break-in period, but remember, you have other things in the driveline that might. A break-in period gives your brakes time to wear in a little, also the clutch, transmission,, rearend, suspension, & probably a bunch of other stuff too.

 

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My '96 came new from a dealer in Ohio. I flew there, went to the dealer, drove out the service door and headed directly for the interstate and New Mexico. 1600 miles in two days. Before I left I called Cummins @ 1-800-DIESELS and asked if that would be a problem. Whoever answered the call said, "no problem, that's what they're made for... to drive. All we ask is that you don't lug the motor. "
I agree with the posts above that recommend varying your speed, and going easy on the brakes for the first hundred miles or so. It just makes sense.
I have 53,000 miles on the truck now and it's as tight as new [mfd in St. Louie, btw], except for the hole in the fuel return line #ad

I sure wouldn't miss the opportunity to run that new Ram to Grand Jct if I were you.

Tom

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96 2500 E-Cab, 4x4, 5sp/3. 54, NRA sticker, etc.

 

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I just picked mine up last Thursday. I was reading the manual (regarding the comment above on brakes) and the manual says to hit the brakes hard a few times during break-in!? This seems counterintuitive... . after all, Cummins makes the engine, not the brakes!!

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'01 2500 SLT+, QC, LWB, 4X4, 3. 54s, AT, every option but running lights! To come: 19. 5"s (?), lift, Line-X, Exhaust brake, 4" turbo to tail, etc...

'98 DUCATI ST2 "Bombed" 944CC with Ducati Performance Carbon Fiber Exhaust, F. I. M. Chip, K&N and "modified" air box.

 

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KB6GVT...

Mine (see below) is still on order. I ordered my truck from Frahm. Where did you order yours from?

I am also making a CO trip at the end of the summer. My kids live in Denver and I will also be hauling their stuff to them.

Have fun with the new rig.

Mike

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Ordered 3/29/00 - D-1 5/22/00: 2001 Driftwood/Agate Leather Quad Cab, 3500 SLT+, 4x4, 5. 9L H. O. , 6-Speed, Camper Group, Trailer Group, Light Group and 2 gallons of gas.

Soon to add: 2-tone Intense Blue top and bottom, Bug Deflectors, Exhaust Brake, Brush/Grill Guard, LineX Bedliner...

 

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Have a great time. A new cummins is almost as good as a grandson(not really!). If you take I-15, when you get to the botton of the Baker grade count the burned marks in the hwy left by dead and burned gassers. its a good way to past the time for 30 miles or so.

 

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KB6... have a good trip (with a loud new truck to see a loud new person)--even infant boys love a proper Diesel #ad
--Be sure to check the giant thermometer at the Baker,CA "Big Boy" restaurant and then look at your own engine temp climbing out of Baker Valley--- I've seen 110*F outside, and only abt 190-ish for the water (w/ AC on) as I roar past all those gassers who should have cut their AC---kind of a morbid fun counting the "corpses"-gives "cool" #ad
a whole new meaning--rich

 

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RAMA. I did the deed at Moss Brothers in riverside. The Fleet manager (so far) has done a good job helping me through the ordering process. Although, 5 months of reasearch on the local lots and on the Net helped me more. More than a year ago I knew I wanted the cummins ram. Then my Brother found and bought a "2000 4x4, 5spd cummins" on a lot in Vegas. Can't be out done by the little brother. Hi Hi
I know the Baker Grade very well. 29 miles of h#ll for most. My daughter went to School in Las Vegas so I've made that trip way too many times. But I'm really looking forward to the Cajon Pass, in 5th, air on, towing 12000+, with a smile.

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(Ordered 4/12) 2001 - 2500 Quad Cab, Cummins, 5spd, Long bed, with every option I could get