new truck break-in

[2K1HO]

I just bought a 2001 HO 6sp 2500. what do you guys sugest for a good break-in procedure? towing, oil changes etc. I have a 9000lb race car trailer that i will be towing, i have heard some people talk about towing during the break-in period.

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2001 Red quadcab 4X4 2500 H. O. 6sp.

 

[Pete Peterson]

Put a couple of hundred miles on the truck so you can get a feel for the motor and what it is doing. Then hook up to your trailer and go for a long drive. The Cummins motor loves to work and it will breakin real good being worked with that 9000lbs trailer.
The oil change is up to you, just read the owners manual and go from there. Alot of us do the 3500 mile change routine with a good quality oil made for the Cummins,ie. Shell Rotella T, Chevron Delo 400, Mobil delvac 1300, there are many. After you get 15 to 20 thousand on it you can switch to a synthetic if you like or just keep running a good oil for the next million miles #ad
#ad
Pete

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01. 5 Loooaded up!!!!!

 

[madams]

Pete summed it up well. The only thing I'd add is to vary the rpm's for the first 2k if you're taking it on a long trip.

If you're not gonna put it on the hwy for extended periods . . city driving will do it.

I did like Pete mentioned . . didn't baby it but used common sense for the first tank. After that I hooked up the 34' camper and out we went. Varied the rpm's a few hundred every 15 mins or so. Put about 1000 miles on the first trip with the truck.

Performed perfectly . . happy as ever with my ram.

Forget about fuel ecomomy until after 12k, you can watch it for conversation sake but you'll notice at least 2 changes. At 8-10k I got a drop of about 1. 5 - 2mpg in the city, at about 12-14k I got that back and a little. My nephew . . almost like clockwork experienced the same.

Now with 17k under my belt, about 3k of that towing . . 16. 5 is the average in the city, 19-20 hwy.

There is a good link from the TDR main page . . something about "new users tips" ?? check it out . . really helpful.

I did the first change at 3000 miles with Rotella . . after that 5k change intervals.

Best deal on oil and fuel filters are from Gino's.

I'll shut up now and let other chime in with suggestions. Don't want to be a hog. #ad


Enjoy the new ride
Michael


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00 Driftwood 2500 ST QC ISB LB 5spd 3:54 LSD Tow & Camper Groups

my photos

 

[OO]

This is also a good read. http://128. 242. 213. 121/featurearticles/RingsandBreakIn.htm

 

[Macadoo]

My 2001 had about 500 miles when I made my first trip. I pulled, from Austin, Tx to a small town in Mississippi, my 30. 5 ft RV which weights in around 11,500lbs. It pulled like a team of Clydesdales. When I returned home, I had around 2,200 miles, I changed the oil and filter. I am now at around 6,000 miles and it is a strong machine. No problems at all... . Good luck

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2001, SLT Plus,2500,4x4 LWB, camp pack, tow pack, RinoLiner, nerf bar, K&N airfilter, modified airbox.

 

[ghillie]

All good info above.

One addition. No good reason to leave initial oil in very long. I would do the first change at 500 miles. There will be alot of wear metals, and stuff in suspension, even by then, so why leave it in the motor.

Have fun.

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Reformed Powerjoke owner, 2000 model, 3500, SLT, Quad-cab, 5 speed, 4. 10, 4X4, straight piped.

N7PXH

NRA member

 

[BV]

I would suggest that you put 500 easy miles on it to seat the brake linings and other driveline stuff then hook up that trailer and head down the road but try to vary your speed and don't use the cruise control.
As with any turboed engine you will want to cool it down before shuting it off.

 

[Okie-Go]

I bought my truck new while on vacation. I couldn't worry about break in. Had 30 ft. travel trailer 10 miles from dealership. I hooked on to it and continued vacation. salesman, did recommend to vary speed every 20-30 minutes for the first 2000 miles and try not to lug the engine. I changed oil at 3,000 then every 3,000 after that. My truck is very strong.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton