New cummins owner

[Mopargunguy440]

So i finally went green pump last week and picked up an 03 2500 with a nv5600. The truck has about 212k miles on it and from what i can tell is stock and was pretty well taken care of. Because im new to the diesel world i was looking for some input on things i should look out for and or change out as preventative maintenance on the truck. First thing i wanna do is fluids, filters, and hoses then a new injection pump. But aside from that im kind of lost with it. Any help would be great! Thanks.

 

[KRSmitty]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Killer223]

why new CP3? injectors are a bigger worry,
Get after market filtration ASAP!! for those injectors.
as for fluids, i'm not a brand name snob, i use Tractor supply and walmart oils and with well over 400K combined miles no issues. i use TC gear oils in the difs, and walmart trans fluid in my auto, i ususlly buy oil on sale, and i mix from 5-40 to 15-40 what ever is on sale. but right now i have over 300 gallons of oils stockpiled.. so i think i'm good for a while.
the only place i do use a snob oil is AMSoil in the G56. else it's all easy from there.
any engine oil that meets the CJ-4 spec will be just fine.
the baldwin PF7977 in stock fuel filter location is best there.
Donaldson 7349 for the oil filter.
you do not need a gear oil with Limited slip additive for the rear.
keep an eye on the HVAC system for broken doors. make sure heat blows from all vent locations.

Oh yeah we need pics.!!!! welcome to the forum.

 

[Shadrach]

Check the upper alternator bracket for cracks. Number 4 injector line is prone to breaking. Get the updated one from Cummins. Do a FULL service so you know the condition of things. Use GOOD quality filters ( I only use Fleetguard - which is a division of Cummins ) and change them OFTEN. Use a GOOD quality oil, one that is readily available to you - Valvoline, Shell Rotella for example. Don't be cheap on this. Drive it and find out how you like it first before doing any mods. 2003 is a good year and has the 305 HP engine ( I had one).

Enjoy it. David

 

[Prairie Dog]

Congrats on the greatest Dodge truck ever built!
All the fluids (except eng oil) are synthetic from the factory and you'll want to keep up that practice. You do need to install better fuel filtering and Glacier performance makes a nice kit for our trucks that just bolts on.
Enjoy the ride!

 

[Mopargunguy440]

@killer223 i meant to say lift pump not injection pump
What service intervals do yall suggest for the filters when i do the lift pump? The fuel filter i was gonna go off my dads word and do it every oil change. As for mods it has a knn filter on it. I was gonna start with a programmer after i get setup with EGT and boost gauges. Thanks all for the quick replys!

 

[Killer223]

Get the Knn out!!! they are junk for a daily driven truck. https://youtu.be/gNQ6d3ox5Ok
my 04 has the intank lift pump and it's been flawless. and the fuel filters would depend on what filter system you go with.
http://dieselfuelfilterkits.com/03_12_cummins_fuel_filter_kit.html i have the second one on that page with the single filter. i run the donaldson P553203
these bigger filters will last easy to 20-30K miles.
be ready to buy a clutch if you get a programmer. i like my Edge, most here don't like them. but well i'm not most people. they claim the HP tuners are the way to go. or the smarty. i had the smarty, now i have the edge. tunner and gauges in one.
Good looking truck.

 

[K5IP]

I also have a used 03 3055/nv5600. It is a great truck.
You might check the hydro boost line between the power steering pump and master cylinder. There should be a large weight about half way up the line. My truck did not come with it and it took me a long time to find the source of a slight vibration at about 60 MPH. The line can vibrate without the weight.
Rog

 

[Motorhead]

Get a secondary, finer fuel filtration installed. Glacier diesel makes one. The better the fuel is filtered, the longer the injectors will last. Over fill the NV5600 with at least one quart but no more that 1.5 qts. This helps 6th gear last. Great, simple truck!

 

[gofastman1]

Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance, That is the key, I drove my 03 to 750,000 miles, and i didn't replace cp3 pump ever, lift pump was my down fall, but only once, I'm an Amsoil guy, I believe in it, I have the miles to prove it, keep an eye on the HVAC, had that bite me too, but did the metal door replacement , and it lasted a long time,

 

[frank1]

Love my 03's (actually anything that has a cummins in it!). I've owned two of my 03's since new, Great trucks!!! Just keep up on regular maintenance and clean fuel (also added filtration). The biggest expense so far on one of my 03's was the ECM failing (just under$2,000.00 for a new one!). Looked at newer trucks, I'll keep what I have as long as I can. The biggest problem I have is keeping all the road salt and other chemicals that are put onto our roadways durning the winter month's!!! Enjoy your new ride!!! Frank

 

[Mopargunguy440]

For all you manual guys out there what would you recomend for a clutch? And what could i expect power wise from just a programmer? I have a buddy who swears by luk clutches but hes a ford guy. My dads on his 3rd clutch at 204k on his 02 and hes been using southbends.

 

[Motorhead]

Post your truck in your signature. I have been real happy with my Smarty Jr running on the 70 hp setting. Everything else is stock except the turbo which I had my stock one modified with the 6.7 turbine wheel and the exhaust housing of the turbo machined to fit the turbine wheel. I also added a PDI 2 piece exhaust manifold and port matched the exhaust housing of my Holset turbo to the manifold outlet ports. I currently have a South Bend CON-OFE but I am installing a lighter 1947OK-HD.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I also have a used 03 3055/nv5600. It is a great truck.
You might check the hydro boost line between the power steering pump and master cylinder. There should be a large weight about half way up the line. My truck did not come with it and it took me a long time to find the source of a slight vibration at about 60 MPH. The line can vibrate without the weight.
Rog

Can you tell me more about the vibe?Do you just feel it through the steering wheel or through the whole truck?
I've been chasing a vibe for years at about 71 mph that will slightly blur the mirrors and I dont have the weight.

thx

Scott

 

[Bob4x4]

On top of what already has been pointed out check for outstanding recalls.

 

[Wayne M.]

Welcome to the TDR! Have you checked engine hours? Turn key on and then hold down trip reset within a second. It'll be in the odometer.

 

[K5IP]

Sounds like the vib I had, It was present in the truck, perhaps floorboard area on drivers side, not really in the
steering wheel. You can verify and even fix the condition by wrapping the two hydro boost lines in some foam
and tie wrapping them together. Make the tie point about two feet away from the master cylinder.
There was a recall for this but it was missed on my truck.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Sounds like the vib I had, It was present in the truck, perhaps floorboard area on drivers side, not really in the
steering wheel. You can verify and even fix the condition by wrapping the two hydro boost lines in some foam
and tie wrapping them together. Make the tie point about two feet away from the master cylinder.
There was a recall for this but it was missed on my truck.

Thanks for the response. I'll check it out.

Scott

 

[DaveHess]

I love my '03!