I bought a 70mph BUZZZZ!

[KBennett]

Hey guys I just joined the TDR!!!



I became a Dodge owner in June when I bought a silver 2003 QC SWB truck with the standard output and an automatic. I am a Nissan/Toyota fan but you can't tow through the Rockies very well with them. I just traded the SO for a 2004 HO, 6-speed, 3. 73, I didn't like the automatic after all. My last 3 trucks were manual and I enjoy "controlling" the engine.



FYI, the paint seems better on this truck.



My first question is about the buzzing sound that you guys talk about that occurs around 70 mph. The SO truck had kind of a rumbling sound at 70 but this truck has more of a buzzing sound that doesn't bother me too much but I am concerned about any damage that may be occurring in the drivetrain.



Has anyone figured out where it's coming from or if any damage has occurred from it?



Could someone give me some good info on upgrading the suspension on these trucks. The suspension is harsh off road compared to the TRD Tacoma I had before. Will Bilsteins help?



I will add my signature as soon as I figure out how.

 

[Boonieman]

Hey there..... good luck with your new truck. There are zillions of posts about the "buzz", or vibration, or hum, or various other descriptions. I haven't yet read one, definitive cure-all answer to cure it. My truck does it too, but at a somewhat lower speed than your is. I guess time will tell whether it is causing premature wear anywhere. So far I really love this truck. Can't help you on the ride. I used to have a Nissan 4X4 and these trucks ride smooth compared to that one. Later!

 

[KBennett]

Thanks for the response.



I found the buzzing link. There are some awfully unhappy people over there.



I had a 85 Nissan regular cab long bed 4X4 that was OK off road, a 95 Pathfinder that was awesome off road but a little twitchy at highway speeds. My last truck, an 02 Tacoma TRD, was a great all around truck but didn't have the torque to pull a 6K load here in Colorado. When Toyota came out with the TRD package the biggest thing they did was to use the Bilstein shocks and bigger tires. I was wondering if the same was applied to a Dodge if the off road handling would improve. The Dodge definitely cruises nice on the highway. The only problem I have is the rumble of the diesel puts me to sleep!

 

[Boonieman]

There are some guys on here using the Blisteins. I would suggest posting that question in the other forum (No engine and transmission forum) I mostly use my truck for towing, so I don't do any heavy-duty off roading with it. Guarantee you'll get some opinions there.

 

[rbattelle]

My $0.02

Well, there is a known resonance with the Cummins between 2000 and 2200 RPM, which is right where you are at 70 MPH with 3. 73 gears. The A/C compressor makes a TON of noise too, so if you've got that engaged it will be that much louder.



I can tell you first that it won't hurt anything. Secondly, it will improve as the engine breaks in. When mine was new, up until about 5000 miles the noise was sometimes too loud for my ears. Now that I'm at 10,500 it's quieted down a lot.

 

[David Pendleton]

Or you're just used to it.