Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I recently purchased a 2012 ram 2500. It's an auto with nearing 200k. The truck has a full service record and is mechanically sound. It was an old farm truck and has a body to prove it but that's not a concern to me. It has normal wear for the mileage, and I'm sure some upcoming service items that I may not expect but I'm pretty alright with it.
I'm not going to blow smoke I don't haul much that a typical 1500 wouldn't work for, but it's something I wanted, my ego is pretty heavy, and I enjoy wasting money so it's a daily driver/toy/project.
Im pretty new to owning a diesel and have some basic, possibly very stupid questions some of you might feel are not brainers. This forum was recommended to me as the place to go for answers. So here I am.
A lot of folks recommend deleting the dpf and egr especially if you don't typically maintain high egt. The one now is the OE should I expect any side effects good or bad of a proper delete with tune. Also, are their exhausts that sound good but don't blow your ears out?
When tuning I see a lot of people claim huge gains in power at the wheels and what seems like unrealistic mpg gains of 5+. Is this just the nature of diesel performance? Are these people lying to themselves? My experience in other performance vehicles power goes up, mpg goes down. If it's the nature of it can someone explain why? I understand economy tunes, but saving fuel on a power tune seems counter intuitive to me.
With tuning I'm sure the auto is the weak point from what I've read. If I do decide to go with a tune should I go ahead and rebuild the transmission then considering it's got 200k miles of towing horses or if I'm keeping it mild just not worry?
I've also read varying information about fuel filters and injector issues. I believe the newer trucks have 2 filters and a water separator. Should I go ahead and install a similar kit or is it not as much of an issue as it was on the 5.9.
Should I be driving around with my exhaust brake on? It works great but I can't coast very well with it on. Most resources say yes, dealership said it doesn't matter.
Any information on finding interior stuff? I found replacement seat foam from Geno's garage but I also need the upholstery for the driver's seat.
Thanks in advance.
I'm not going to blow smoke I don't haul much that a typical 1500 wouldn't work for, but it's something I wanted, my ego is pretty heavy, and I enjoy wasting money so it's a daily driver/toy/project.
Im pretty new to owning a diesel and have some basic, possibly very stupid questions some of you might feel are not brainers. This forum was recommended to me as the place to go for answers. So here I am.
A lot of folks recommend deleting the dpf and egr especially if you don't typically maintain high egt. The one now is the OE should I expect any side effects good or bad of a proper delete with tune. Also, are their exhausts that sound good but don't blow your ears out?
When tuning I see a lot of people claim huge gains in power at the wheels and what seems like unrealistic mpg gains of 5+. Is this just the nature of diesel performance? Are these people lying to themselves? My experience in other performance vehicles power goes up, mpg goes down. If it's the nature of it can someone explain why? I understand economy tunes, but saving fuel on a power tune seems counter intuitive to me.
With tuning I'm sure the auto is the weak point from what I've read. If I do decide to go with a tune should I go ahead and rebuild the transmission then considering it's got 200k miles of towing horses or if I'm keeping it mild just not worry?
I've also read varying information about fuel filters and injector issues. I believe the newer trucks have 2 filters and a water separator. Should I go ahead and install a similar kit or is it not as much of an issue as it was on the 5.9.
Should I be driving around with my exhaust brake on? It works great but I can't coast very well with it on. Most resources say yes, dealership said it doesn't matter.
Any information on finding interior stuff? I found replacement seat foam from Geno's garage but I also need the upholstery for the driver's seat.
Thanks in advance.
