How Big A Load?

[Ranger Dick]

I've read post about breaking in the Mighty Cummins with a load to speed up fit and finish, but How much is a load? I don't own a fiver, big trailer or access to heavy stuff. I flat tow a CJ-5 that weighs about 2800lbs and it tows it like it's not there. So any suggestions as to what I can put in the back to make a suitable load? Would two thousand lbs in the bed be enough? And how many miles will I need to drive with this load?

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01. 5 ETH/DEE QC, 2500 4X4, 3. 54 Everything but leather

 

[Frank J. Lloyd]

Originally posted by Ranger Dick:
I've read post about breaking in the Mighty Cummins with a load to speed up fit and finish, but How much is a load? I don't own a fiver, big trailer or access to heavy stuff. I flat tow a CJ-5 that weighs about 2800lbs and it tows it like it's not there. So any suggestions as to what I can put in the back to make a suitable load? Would two thousand lbs in the bed be enough? And how many miles will I need to drive with this load?

I regularly put 2000 - 5000 pounds in the bed of mine and have done so for the past 8500 miles, I still don't believe it's broken in. My EGTs never really get over 800. Towing a 12000 pound equipment trailer I actually see temps in the 9s. The higher temp means the engine is actually working harder. The harder the work, the quicker the break in. It still won't be fully broken in until 15-20,000 miles.



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2001 3500 4x4 H. O. 6 speed 4. 10, SLT, Cab and Chassis, 163" wheelbase western hauler stake bed 3" straight pipe, silencer ring AWOL, boost pyro gauge, K&N, ready to bomb
Big Red is ready to roll!

 

[C Schomer]

If that's all you normally tow, I wouldn't go out of my way to try more! I drove mine 700 miles from the dealer, then put it to work. Just don't give it h@ll for a long period. Run it up to full load gradually, then down gradually to no load. Doing that a dozen times or so and keep fast idle(or more)is supposed to get thru the critical period with a fresh overhaul. I don't think you could hurt it with your load. I have 32k on mine and it was still loosening up at about 28K. The process is finally slowing down. The biggest difference is the way it runs around town when it's broken in - you won't believe it! Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, AFC kit, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Gutted Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[DHatfield]

I was in the same boat as you, I just haul my CJ-5 on a steel trailer (about 6000 lbs total) and it still takes for every to break-in but it did break-in much quicker towing with the Jeep and trailer over the Rockies outside Denver.

I know this is off the subject, but my I ask what year is your Jeep Ranger Dick, I have a 1980 model?

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2001 2500HD Quad Cab SLT SB 4x4, HO Cummins, 6-speed, 3. 55 gears, LSD, brightwhite/driftwood, 4w ABS, camper and trailer tow packages, HD transfer case, snow plow prep, group, cab lights, Isspro Boost and Pyrometer gauges mounted on A-pillar, 4" JRE exhaust, BD exhaust brake. 22500 miles as of 11/11/00.

1980 CJ-5, Modified for off-road use, bobbed fenders, 350 TBI, NP435 trans, 4. 56 gears, Dana 300, Dana 44 front, Dana 60 reverse-cut rear axle, ARB air lockers front and rear, 15/35/15 Super Swamper TSL on 10X15 steel rims, Cobra CB, Warn 9000I winch, nerf bars, 1/4" steel rock crawler bumper front and rear, jerri can/spare tire rack, custom roll cage.

 

[Pete Peterson]

Air down the tires on the jeep, then put it in gear then set the parking brake, now your ready to tow!! #ad
#ad
!! Just kidding, tow when you can, if you can find something to tow around 8 to 10 thousand pounds. These engines will break in without towing it just takes longer is all. Regards Pete

 

[Ranger Dick]

Hey Doug, It's me Matt. I just thought I needed a better Handle then my real name. I Emailed you when I was lurking prior to Joining. But of course, you were still Jeff Hatfield. Yeah, the Cummins is a total blast. I'm gonna install a Boost/egt guage in a few weeks, and perhaps some velvet rides. No intention to bomb yet, but I'm getting the guages from Nowell (HVAC) and you never know what will Happen.

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01. 5 ETH/DEE QC, 2500 4X4, 3. 54 Everything but leather

 

[DHatfield]

I thought that was you, but I was not sure and I would like to say welcome to the board.

 

[Okie-Go]

Ranger, something you may consider is just go rent a U-haul trailer. A friend of mine did this and with the wind drag it did make the engine work a little harder than just normal driving. I think he pulled it about 500 miles and he said he thinks it helped it. Any how HE thought it was money well spent. He went shopping with his wife and put the goodies they bought in the trailer and hauled it home.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[TowPro]

I drive lots of highway miles empty, and every once and a while I would tow my 7000 lb 5th wheel. I don't think my 24V was broken in until around 25K miles. It seemed like it ran better every day!

Now I tow a 12K 5th wheel, and it feels just as light as my 7000 lb one did. You can't really tell the difference!

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[BrentMW]

Why do you need to tow any load to break-in the 24v? Won't normal driving do it, or am I missing some good info?

 

[DHatfield]

You need to work the truck by towing something to produce heat and pressure or something like that to help the rings seat sooner, so you can get maximum mileage and power. If you do tow it could take around 10,000 miles and if not it could take as long as 20-25,000 miles.