New to 3rd Gen, need advice

[CrewCabDiesel]

OK, Guys sold my 2nd gen and just bought a 2004 3500 quad cab dually with an automatic 4X4

Anything I need to look for? this is my 3rd Cummins, first automatic behind one.

Carfax clean, 2 owner high miles



Recommend bombs on a limited budget



also I have my reese 5th wheel hitch, where is a good place to get some new mounting rails for it.



by the way what does SLT ST mean?



Thanks

Kyle

 

[Missouri Mule]

ST and SLT are interior trims (plus) models . SLT would have more standard features. Wiring harness for fan clutch gets cut by fan.



Is it and early 2004 Aug to DEC or Jan and later. Wondering which engine you have 305 or HO 325 ? Or did you get the standard 325 with EGR pistons?



It seems to me that I have read that no. 4 injection line likes to crack.

 

[HBarlow]

OK, Guys sold my 2nd gen and just bought a 2004 3500 quad cab dually with an automatic 4X4
Anything I need to look for? this is my 3rd Cummins, first automatic behind one.
Carfax clean, 2 owner high miles

Recommend bombs on a limited budget

also I have my reese 5th wheel hitch, where is a good place to get some new mounting rails for it.

by the way what does SLT ST mean?

Thanks
Kyle

Be careful about "bombs. " The HPCR injectors since 2003 are somewhat fragile and do not tolerate increased rail pressure well. They are likely to eventually crack and fail possibly taking a piston and engine with them.

eTrailer.com is a good internet discounter for RV parts.

As Bill stated above, trim level. ST is the base "work truck" level with few conveniences. SLT are much better equipped with the comfort and convenience features and probably account for most units sold. I've owned three SLTs. Laramie is the top line with most of the frills and leather seating.

 

[p-Bar]

We need the build date so we can be more specific to the engine you have. Check the sticker on the door for the manf. date

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Build Date 11/03
So I take it I need upgrades for the 03/04 trucks?
I do need info on a transmission pan upgrade, best prices
Also best way for a fuel pressure gauge hook up, I prefer electronic

 

[Missouri Mule]

Fuel pressure gauge good idea! Check out Genos Garage www.genosgararage.com or look in Geno's Catalog. Because the lift pump(fuel pump) tends to go out when your out in middle of no-where.



11-03 would give you the standard engine 305 hp or the option of the HO 325 hp engine. You would need to look at engine plate on timing case driver's side of engine to see which one you have.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Just a slight correction Bill, the 305 was always an HO engine and during its model years the 325 was not an "option".



Scott

 

[rscurtis]

Correct. The standard engine was 250 HP. Hopefully you have the 305 engine, the best of the CR engines IMO.

 

[HBarlow]

Wasn't 325 hp the power level of '04 engines?

 

[JJPage]

Wasn't 325 hp the power level of '04 engines?

Not until mid year (04. 5+ trucks)



To the OP, one of the most important upgrades, if it hasn't already been completed, would be to add better fuel filtration. Leave the factory fuel filter and canister in place(7-10 micron), and add a 2 micron filter between the factory filter and the CP3 injection pump. Glacier Diesel Power makes a very nice kit that is simple to install.



I do not understand how these trucks ever left the factory with their oem filtration. The original filter was 10 microns, the upgraded filter is 7 microns, and Bosch says a 5 micron rating is required???

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

So how do I find out if I have an HO or not?

 

[p-Bar]

Sticker on side of valve cover should say. 325 HP "600" engine manf date 01/04 and later

 

[p-Bar]

Not until mid year (04. 5+ trucks)


I do not understand how these trucks ever left the factory with their oem filtration. The original filter was 10 microns, the upgraded filter is 7 microns, and Bosch says a 5 micron rating is required???

This was another blunder by Chrysler to save money and screw the truck owner later down the line with costly injector replacement and yes they have had to eat some of those too.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

OK,I check it out,
How about suggestions for exhaust, 4 or 5"?
Cold air systems, any ideas, used AFE before

 

[p-Bar]

That stock air system was one of the few things that Chrysler did right it can flow. 1000 cfm wouldn't waste my time with aftermarket air box.

 

[rscurtis]

If you want to improve its performance (a little), and its FE, go for the turbo and manifold as I did, and the Rokktech sensor is not bad either. Leave the air filter and exhaust alone. The biggest restriction in you exhaust is the stock turbo.

 

[HBarlow]

This was another blunder by Chrysler to save money and screw the truck owner later down the line with costly injector replacement and yes they have had to eat some of those too.

That's a ridiculous statement. What evidence do you have to prove it?

TDR membership is a very small percentage of overall Cummins-powered Ram ownership. Only a small percentage of the more than 40,000 TDR members have felt the desire to add aftermarket fuel filtration which is a miniscule percentage of overall owners. The trucks work fine as delivered with OEM equipment.

In 750,000 miles of ownership and driving of three Cummins Rams I've never experienced an injection pump or injector failure.

 

[RVTRKN]

That build date and probably not a California CTD, will be either 250 or 305HP. Living in California, I waited for the HO to be approved for California and bought one of the firsts to be sold here, look at sig.

 

[HBarlow]

Just like the air intake, the OEM exhaust flows as well as no exhaust pipe. The limiting factor that will always be present is the size of the turbo. You can install a 10" exhaust if you choose but it won't change anything.

 

[p-Bar]

That's a ridiculous statement. What evidence do you have to prove it?

TDR membership is a very small percentage of overall Cummins-powered Ram ownership. Only a small percentage of the more than 40,000 TDR members have felt the desire to add aftermarket fuel filtration which is a miniscule percentage of overall owners. The trucks work fine as delivered with OEM equipment.

In 750,000 miles of ownership and driving of three Cummins Rams I've never experienced an injection pump or injector failure.

HB I spoke with a rep/engineer from Bosch at the SEMA show many years ago that was up to snuff on the HPCR for the Cummins/Chrysler and they refused to lower the micron of the filtration (Bosch recommendation 5) . As you know they got them to drop it to 7 better than the 10. It's a cheap investment rather than buying new injectors at how much??? As you said "TDR membership is a very small percentage of overall Cummins-powered Ram ownership" I sure have read a lot about injector failure . Hmm . What year trucks did you own??