Made the switch

[Keegan_AZ769]

Hello all. New member from Arizona. I recently switched from ford to ram. I was set on getting a super duty for my first diesel, until ram changed their body style for the 2019s. Fell in love with the looks , not to mention you can’t beat the cummins, so I made the switch. Zero regrets. I picked up a 2019 3500 srw. Love this truck. I got the tradesman. I was ready to go back to simple options. Iv had all the fancy stuff with all my fords. And something about the simpler options just seemed more appealing. I got the truck on 04/28/20. Iv only done a couple things so far. Got the windows tinted the day after I got it. And just got the carli commuter 2.5 kit with adjustable track bar a couple days ago. My truck came with the 5th wheel and gooseneck pucks in the bed and the plug in the bed. Pretty cool. But I don’t think I’m gonna use them. Not a fan of 5th wheels. But, wasn’t a fan of rams either, so things might change. Aside from that, it has the built in exhaust brake, And the built in trailer brake adjuster. It’s a crew cab 4x4. With the aisin trans, and leaf rear. Iv got some more plans for it, surprise surprise my wife always says. I’m going to ad amp research steps, 35” Toyo rts and 18” machined method wheels. Then probably a pedal commander, intake(not sure on brand yet), def back exhaust, and some Baja designs lighting. And whatever else Sparks my interest. Can’t wait to learn from everyone and become more familiar with the cummins.

 

[Wiredawg]

Welcome to the TDR fold. I'm a lifelong Mopar and Ram owner. but its NEVER too late to catch the Ram bug.

Nothing like accessorizing a new truck. You can find help and opinions here for your new Ram in abundance.

Enjoy your new ride and please share your experiences.

Cheers, Ron

 

[lpennock]

Intake is waste of money on the trucks. None of the CAI filter as well or give any more power on a stock motor.

Same thing for the DEF back exhaust. Most of the sound restriction is the CATs and DPF so you won't see/hear any real changes.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Welcome!!!

Forget the intake it will just remove money from your wallet with ZERO benefit! Air intake on these new trucks are GREAT right out of the box.

DEF back exhaust is simply a replacement for your pipe, there is no muffler. My Son did a 5" and it is a bit more throaty.

Run FleetGuard Stratapore or Donaldson Blue Oil Filters. Mopar or FleetGuard Air Filter. Engine mount MOPAR or FleetGuard Fuel Filter. Under bed RACOR or MOPAR fuel filter.

Don't chip it as this WILL void your 100k warranty.

 

[TFucili]

Welcome!
As stated, the factory airbox works fine, and there's nothing to gain except maybe noise, and/or dirt ingestion. A chrome or polished exhaust tip will give as much benefit as a DPF back pipe.

 

[Keegan_AZ769]

Sweet. This is exactly why I love forums. Chrome exhaust tip it is! What are the thoughts on the pedal commander? I’d like a little better throttle response.

 

[TFucili]

Sweet. This is exactly why I love forums. Chrome exhaust tip it is! What are the thoughts on the pedal commander? I’d like a little better throttle response.

I have not tried a PC, but in my view the real issue is the heavy-handed TQ management in place, and I don't see it making that much difference, other than making the throttle twitchy. Maybe someone that has one will chime in?

 

[Ozymandias]

The response of a Diesel and especially Turbo Diesel to the Pedal will always be slower then from the Gassers you had, its simply physicality of burning oil or gas.

The new Gen Rams are known to have a very good throttle response compared to the older models with CDI Engines.
So best is you get used to it. It's a Diesel Thing.

 

[HPSimpson]

Welcome to TDR great group of Ram Cummins folks our very knowledge!

 

[R.Taylor]

Sweet. This is exactly why I love forums. Chrome exhaust tip it is! What are the thoughts on the pedal commander? I’d like a little better throttle response.

Welcome to the club! You'll get plenty of good advice and some here at TDR. Be sure to check out Geno's Garage here for all your OEM needs and some aftermarket bits. As for the Pedal Commander.... I ran one on my 2018 2500 and it made me a believer, Makes it feel "right". I went with an Edge Amp'D Throttle Booster with the remote switch... I love it. Improves overall pedal feel the tenfold.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...r-switch-07-18-59l-67l-dodge-ram-cummins.aspx

I highly recommend getting better bumpers, I just wasted my rear bumper by backing into a sign post at 1.5mph which also dented my tailgate lip. Funny thing is I actually bought a FabFours heavy duty rear bumper in November but had yet to install it. Check out my posting:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/rear-bumper-tacod-at-1-5mph.269163/

You can't go wrong with Carli, Good choice (Thuren is just as good also). Not much you can do to the exhaust system.... 80% of it's length is exhaust treatment stuff!
Whichever wheels you get.... Try to keep the offset as close to stock, Having 3 inches of tire stick out of the wheel well looks kinda silly plus you'll be throwing rocks and grit everywhere. There are plenty of folks here that can steer you towards the correct rim fitment. Tire pressure is important... Do not follow the manufactures recommended pressures on the door jamb... Air em down if you're not towing or hauling. I run 63psi up front and 55psi in the rear on the stock wheels. Skip the intake... The stock one is good to go. If you ever change the air filter element to an aftermarket one..... Don't get an oiled one, Dry filter is best. If your going to de-badge your rig I'd say do it soon while the adhesive is young. I pulled mine off and getting the leftover adhesive off was easy as it was soft. If you haven't already checked out Diesel Power Products online store I'd say take a look. They've got everything, Prices are good and shipping is free plus they are in Washington so getting your stuff happens quickly.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/2019_ram_cummins

Also.... Now that your in the CP4.2 club I highly recommend using OptiLube XPD with each fill-up.... It adds back the lubricity missing from ULSD which in turn will keep your CP4.2 happy. Try not to go below a 1/4 of a tank.

https://opti-lube.com/diesel-fuel-improver/xpd-diesel-fuel-additives.html

Enjoy your new rig.... Nothing beats a CTD Ram!

 

[Rob S]

Same here
Got my first Diesel in Jan, 2019 Ram Limited 2500. love it. Was a life long Chevy guy.

 

[R.Taylor]

I have not tried a PC, but in my view the real issue is the heavy-handed TQ management in place, and I don't see it making that much difference, other than making the throttle twitchy. Maybe someone that has one will chime in?

I have one on my 19 and the difference is night and day. I had the Pedal Commander brand one on my 2018 2500 and it made me a believer.... That's why I bought one for the 19. Smooth response, not twitchy. I believe some of the TQ management is actually based on the signal the ECM receives from the pedal. It reminded me of when I first got my Smarty for my 06.. Imagine you had a Smarty on your 2019 set on level 2, It makes the truck feel right. It's also easily removed if you're worried about warranty service. It's CARB approved as well.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...r-switch-07-18-59l-67l-dodge-ram-cummins.aspx

 

[Wiredawg]

I have one on my 19 and the difference is night and day. I had the Pedal Commander brand one on my 2018 2500 and it made me a believer.... That's why I bought one for the 19. Smooth response, not twitchy. I believe some of the TQ management is actually based on the signal the ECM receives from the pedal. It reminded me of when I first got my Smarty for my 06.. Imagine you had a Smarty on your 2019 set on level 2, It makes the truck feel right. It's also easily removed if you're worried about warranty service. It's CARB approved as well.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...r-switch-07-18-59l-67l-dodge-ram-cummins.aspx

I agree, I have an Edge Pedal whatever and like it too. Like RT says, it seems to offset some of the TQ magt, but had not thought of the delay in the pedal as part of the TQ management, but not a bad theory.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Larry Sciblo]

Welcome...I also made the switch from Ford to RAM. Congrats on the new RAM. White is the color of COOL in the Land of AZ. Nice look with the Carli susp. Man the truck is ALL set up to tow. We tow a 32ft 5er (11K lbs)...its weird I cant hardly tell its back there, unless I am on a steep grade. LOL When the DW gives the green light. AMP steps and cab lights. These guys are very experienced on this forum, especially if you like to manage your own maintenance ie. Oil & Filters, Fuel Filters, Trans etc.....Enjoy the forum...

 

[Keegan_AZ769]

Welcome to the club! You'll get plenty of good advice and some here at TDR. Be sure to check out Geno's Garage here for all your OEM needs and some aftermarket bits. As for the Pedal Commander.... I ran one on my 2018 2500 and it made me a believer, Makes it feel "right". I went with an Edge Amp'D Throttle Booster with the remote switch... I love it. Improves overall pedal feel the tenfold.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...r-switch-07-18-59l-67l-dodge-ram-cummins.aspx

I highly recommend getting better bumpers, I just wasted my rear bumper by backing into a sign post at 1.5mph which also dented my tailgate lip. Funny thing is I actually bought a FabFours heavy duty rear bumper in November but had yet to install it. Check out my posting:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/rear-bumper-tacod-at-1-5mph.269163/

You can't go wrong with Carli, Good choice (Thuren is just as good also). Not much you can do to the exhaust system.... 80% of it's length is exhaust treatment stuff!
Whichever wheels you get.... Try to keep the offset as close to stock, Having 3 inches of tire stick out of the wheel well looks kinda silly plus you'll be throwing rocks and grit everywhere. There are plenty of folks here that can steer you towards the correct rim fitment. Tire pressure is important... Do not follow the manufactures recommended pressures on the door jamb... Air em down if you're not towing or hauling. I run 63psi up front and 55psi in the rear on the stock wheels. Skip the intake... The stock one is good to go. If you ever change the air filter element to an aftermarket one..... Don't get an oiled one, Dry filter is best. If your going to de-badge your rig I'd say do it soon while the adhesive is young. I pulled mine off and getting the leftover adhesive off was easy as it was soft. If you haven't already checked out Diesel Power Products online store I'd say take a look. They've got everything, Prices are good and shipping is free plus they are in Washington so getting your stuff happens quickly.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/2019_ram_cummins

Also.... Now that your in the CP4.2 club I highly recommend using OptiLube XPD with each fill-up.... It adds back the lubricity missing from ULSD which in turn will keep your CP4.2 happy. Try not to go below a 1/4 of a tank.

https://opti-lube.com/diesel-fuel-improver/xpd-diesel-fuel-additives.html

Enjoy your new rig.... Nothing beats a CTD Ram!

Wow. Lots of good info. About the tire pressure, Are you saying air them down on the factory tires? Or once I get bigger ones?
Ouch on the bumper. I would do different bumpers, but I haven’t seen any that I really like for these trucks. Plus I am particular to the chrome ones, iv always had paint matched bumpers, or black bumpers.
As far as de badging, another look I’m going for, badges. Lol. I like how it looks with the badges.
With the exhaust, I was misinformed by someone about doing an exhaust and intake on this thing. After everyone on TDR told me not to, I scratched that idea. I’ll put a nice tip on it and call it good. I don’t want to delete it or chip it. I don’t want it to be loud, I don’t want to roll coal, I simply want to open it up and let it breathe as much as possible without removing all the emissions stuff.
Wheels and tires, I’m looking at no bigger than a 35. And for the wheels, I’ll go with an offset that puts the outer sidewall just a hair out of the wheelwell. Not tread past, just a little sidewall, that way it gives the truck the aggressive off road look without constantly flinging rocks outside of the wheelwell.

 

[lpennock]

Door jam tire pressure is for running at full Gross axle weight ratings. You can
1. Have your truck weighed
2. get a copy of the TRA load tables off the TOYO web site
3. Set the tire pressures that match your actual tire loading

A LT275/70R18 will be somewhere around 50F/35R. Rather than the door jam number of 80R.

 

[ProLean]

I have the BD Throttle Booster too and LOVE it. There's different settings on it and it does make a big difference IN PERCEPTION maybe not in the protection factors for the transmission from the factory. It makes the truck's driving experience "crisper" versus feeling the delayed input. My opinion. I wish they wouldn't engineer in those delayed responses as I have gotten in trouble when merging with traffic on the freeway. If someone makes an unexpected stop in front of you and you hit the brakes but need to get back on the throttle in a quick manner...good luck. The BD Throttle Booster helps eliminate the issue....helps but doesn't eliminate it altogether. I actually put one on my wife's Jeep GC and she loved it! She wanted me to set to RACE but no way!

 

[nukegm]

welcome to the forum. congrats on the truck. a lot of friendly " brain matter" here. i have been helped many times with input/advice from ram comrades. might check into a subscription to the turbo diesel register. and genos rocks on prices and shipping. cheers !

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I’m going to add 35” Toyo rts and 18” machined method wheels.

Not trying to change your mind, just here to point some things out. I’ve never had the RT’s but I’ve had three sets of 35” AT 11’s and currently have 35” CT’s. The AT 11’s have a 65K mile rating and the CT’s are 40-50K miles while the RT’s are 45K. I will admit, my CT’s are wearing faster than any set of AT 11’s I’ve had. I went well beyond 65K on the AT 11’s. My next set of tires will again be AT 11’s.

On another note, apprentice or lineman?

 

[Keegan_AZ769]

Not trying to change your mind, just here to point some things out. I’ve never had the RT’s but I’ve had three sets of 35” AT 11’s and currently have 35” CT’s. The AT 11’s have a 65K mile rating and the CT’s are 40-50K miles while the RT’s are 45K. I will admit, my CT’s are wearing faster than any set of AT 11’s I’ve had. I went well beyond 65K on the AT 11’s. My next set of tires will again be AT 11’s.

On another note, apprentice or lineman?

Iv had the at2s a few times. Always my go to. A friend of mine has the rts and he swears by them. I’m more than likely gonna go with the at2s. am I’m an apprentice. Almost done. Maybe 10 1/2-11 months left. This corona virus is putting a damper on classes and testing. Hopefully it doesn’t delay me. You IBEW? If so what local?