New owner - Please advise

[BSteffens]

Hello all,



I am the new proud owner of a 2004. 5 Ram 2500 QC LB, 4x4, NV5600, Manual transfer case, 3. 73's with limited slip in the rear, stock tires & rims, 75,000 miles and it is COMPLETELY STOCK. I lucked into finding the truck of my dreams. I have driven it for 15,000 miles and have cared for it as best that I can.



Being the first diesel I have owned, I am very pleased with the power delivery and the manners of this truck. The transmission took some getting used to, you have to mean it when you want to shift gears. The quad cab allows me to haul the family quite handily and the long bed lets me put my dirtbikes in there without leaving the tailgate down. I haul a heavy old 22ft travel trailer with it and it pulls it along just fine.



I change oil every 5000 with Rotella T and Napa Gold filters. I changed air and fuel filters at 60k and will do so again soon .



Now that I have it, I would like to know what you all think are really good additions, if any to an already amazing truck. I am primarily looking at reliability and durability - efficiency is always good, but I don't want to sacrifice anything to get it.



I defer to you all, the experts, to give me your advice.



Bear

 

[pullya]

The FIRST thing I would install is a good set of gauges. At least a EGT and boost gauge. They can be found in the Geno's Garage catalog at a fair price. Once you have that done then it's really up to you, depending on what type of performance you want. Others on here will have various opinions on what they believe is the best thing for you but remember it's your truck and you know what your needs are. There is plenty of information available on this site to help you determine what you need or want. Happy hunting!

Jay

 

[Motorhead]

First of all welcome to the best web site for the Dodge-Cummins powered pickup! The "additions" are practically infinate for these wonderful trucks. I personally prefered to go "light" on the power mods using only a Smartyjr. It has 40-70-100hp settings with various torque settings. My truck, simular to yours but an '07, with the late G56 trans is the best truck I have ever owned. You need to change your fuel filter about every 15,000mi. You can get Cummins recommended, Fleetguard filters from Genos cheaper than NAPA.

 

[BSteffens]

I have thought about gauges - I looked at a few and dipricol, autometer and westach stood out as possibles. What would you guys consider the most important to monitor?



As far as changing the fuel filter, I had heard that it is very important and will be doing that on a 15k interval.



I have ordered a few odds and ends from Geno's with great results. I will use them again.



I am headed to Ohio in a year and I figured I better get my truck prepared for the weather over there. I looked for a plug-in block heater but found none. I looked on Geno's and found a cold kit that offers battery warmers in addition to block heater. Is that worth getting?

 

[BSteffens]

Thanks for the replies earlier. The two questions I had about gauges and block heater have been answered on other posts from today. You guys happen to be reading my thoughts!

 

[HBarlow]

An exhaust brake is a great feature to add for anyone towing a trailer. After you tow with an exhaust brake you will wonder how you ever drove a tow vehicle without one.

 

[WCPoe]

I believe if I was going cross country with a trailer I would be tempted to purchased an extra lift pump from Geno's as well. My 2004. 5 and yours have the pump mounted to the back of the filter housing and have been known to go out. Dodge doesn't carry that pump and their fix is installing the in the tank pump which is a big expense and you'll have more downtime. Just my 2 cents.



REPLACEMENT FUEL TRANSFER PUMP ('03-'04. 5) DODGE-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage