New Cummins owner with some questions

[Ram-Jam]

Good morning everyone! I just picked up a 2008 2500 a few weeks ago and after doing a bunch on online research I still have some questions that I figured you guys should be able to answer for me. My truck is a 3rd vehicle for the family and was bought mainly to haul my Jeep around to offroad events. The jeep with trailer and associated tools and parts tips the scales at close to 9000lbs. The truck has had a full EGR/DPF delete and has a 5" turbo back exhaust installed with EFI live tuning. For the record, I wasn't really looking for a hopped up truck but for the price I couldn't pass up the deal. That being said I probably at some point would have done the EGR delete just for reliability and longevity of the truck.

With these modifications I feel more comfortable driving the truck as more of a daily rig, however I drive only about 2 miles to work and have decided it's probably best to only drive it when I have the chance to run some errands and get it up to full operating temperature. So with that being said am I thinking right? Obviously I don't want to run the truck 2 miles and shut it down and do the same thing at the end of the day. It's not my jeep. Or is my thinking wrong? The other side of this is it's honest to god the cleanest 2008 I've seen in a very long time in Minnesota. I work at a Ram dealership so I see the whole spectrum of vehicles come through the door. Thanks for the answers in advance and thank you!

 

[Killgore]

Ram-Jam, welcome and congratulations on your new addition. I can't address the mods, but there are some real knowledgeable folks on here that can. As far as how to use it, you need to avoid the temptation of treating it as a grocery getter. It needs to be worked and if possible, worked hard. I'm a full-time RVer pulling an 18,000 lb. fifth-wheel and I rely on my wife's Camry to putter around in. These trucks will cause less problems if you use them for what they are designed and built for, (excuse the preposition).
And yes, that is one sharp truck!

- Ed

 

[B.G. Smith]

Welcome and good advice from Kilgore. My truck will not be up to thermostat regulated temperature in two miles. bg

 

[Ram-Jam]

Yep that's exactly what I figured and my thinking is correct. I won't, and didn't intend, to use it as a daily errand runner. Weekend yard chores, home improvement projects, and pulling my XJ are it's intended jobs. It's been over 10 years since I owned a truck, it's just nice to have something with a bed and all the power I'll ever need to get my stuff handled.

 

[Jim W]

Hi, and welcome to the forum and your 2008 Dodge truck.

OK; I have a 2008 Dodge Mega Cab with the 6.7L Cummins and the 68RFE auto with 105K on the OD. I use as my truck daily driver whether it is to drive 2 miles or over 300 pulling my 5ER. With the deletes being done and you have the EFI Live as a tuner, the grocery getter problem does not exist for you. The only problem with short commutes is the same issue with a gas engine, that the engine does not reach operating temperature and condensation build up in the engine and exhaust system is not good for the truck.

I would use the exhaust brake 100% of the time this helps in warming up the engine and braking application. I would also use the selector switch to shift the transmission manually from 4th gear to 5th and 6th gear, keeping your engine RPMS in the 1,500 to 2,000 RPM range. Diesel engines do not like to be lugged! In the winter months I would plug in the block heater to help with engine warm-ups. This only has to be for four to five hours a night to be effective. I would also use a winter front for the truck this will keep the engine warmer in the winter. I use one 100% of the time from Nov 1 to APRIL 1 of every season. I open and closed the flaps accordingly to the outside ambient air temps.

Hope this helps you.

 

[Ram-Jam]

Jim,
Thanks for all the great info! I do use the engine brake all the time so I have that part figured out, and will keep in mind the shifting. I may store this truck for the winter just to keep it off the salt and garbage that MnDOT uses on the roads. Minimal driving in the winter at best. It's too nice to let it rot away due to the roads up here.