Nick's new Ram 2500

[Wiredawg]

I've played Russian roulette with all my vehicles, making the first axle fluid changes around 20K miles . Ram or OEM axle provider(s) used to fill with axles with synthetic lube rated to manufacturers specs. Most recent change was my 2017 Ram 5500 at 30K miles, no adverse affects. Nothing wrong with changing it early, but I tend to follow the manufacturer's maintenence schedule. I have a friend who runs Royal Purple in his Ford and changes it out every 3,000 miles. I asked him if I could have the fluid he drained out.

Cheers, Ron

 

[SnoKing]

I've played Russian roulette with all my vehicles, making the first axle fluid changes around 20K miles . Ram or OEM axle provider(s) used to fill with axles with synthetic lube rated to manufacturers specs. Most recent change was my 2017 Ram 5500 at 30K miles, no adverse affects. Nothing wrong with changing it early, but I tend to follow the manufacturer's maintenence schedule. I have a friend who runs Royal Purple in his Ford and changes it out every 3,000 miles. I asked him if I could have the fluid he drained out.

Cheers, Ron

Yeah pour is through an old T-shirt and reuse it!!!!

 

[NIsaacs]

Napa has their house brand DEF on sale @ $7.95. What is in the box? Are there jugs inside or a plastic bag or what? They look clumsy.

Walmart has Supertech @ $6.95 for a 2.5 gallon jug and pour spout, seems way more user friendly?

 

[AH64ID]

Do you have a truck stop with a pump nearby? Cheaper and easier.

 

[JR]

Never bought the Napa brand. The extended pour spout is a must IMO.

A few weeks ago I picked up a 2.5 of Fram branded DEF for $8-9.

 

[bcbender]

Yeah. I made the mistake of buying it at a Speedway in the mountains... $23... I almost choked since I can get 5gal at Loves for 13$

 

[NIsaacs]

Do you have a truck stop with a pump nearby? Cheaper and easier.

I don't have one local but there is one in Showlow and Holbrook, both about 30 miles away but I do frequent both areas.

 

[Wiredawg]

While traveling recently with our MH, DEF price at the pump had gone up to $3.05/gallon and Walmart still $6.88 for 2.5/gallons. I learned my lesson about adding DEF with the slide out that's over the compartment with the DEF tank. Took a DEF bath after filler hose about 5 inches too short popped out and since I was squatting to put it in, got the shower. Live and learn.

Cheers, Ron

 

[NIsaacs]

Installed my Mopar HD mudflaps this morning. They fit nice, look nice and easy install.

While I had the rear tires off I noticed some things that I was not aware of. Most of you already know this, but for those that don't and might be on the fence about a 2500, the coil springs are not as far inboard as you might think. The frame is wide and the shocks are wide spaced. The outer part of the coil is 11" from the inside of the wheel. My '01 leaf spring truck is 6.5" from the outer edge of the leaf pack and the inner part of the wheel. Just an observation I thought I would share.

 

[bcbender]

Yeah, I did the Mopar flaps, right away.. they are great

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah, I did the Mopar flaps, right away.. they are great

Me too and they have been great... thou I did rip one off last weekend. I was backing up while cutting firewood and had a small log pinch the flap between the log and tire and pop it came off.

The new ones arrived a couple days ago but I haven't had a chance to reinstall it.

 

[HPSimpson]

I use Dura Flap order longer ones for the rear to keep small rocks from dinging the front of my boat up. I have use these on all my Ram trucks I try the Mopar ones, which weren't that good at all.

 

[NIsaacs]

The Mopar ones on my '01 were the small formed ones, they are too small and don't even cover the tire.

Like these.

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/mopar-splash-guards-82214137/front-splash-guards

 

[AH64ID]

I use Dura Flap order longer ones for the rear to keep small rocks from dinging the front of my boat up. I have use these on all my Ram trucks I try the Mopar ones, which weren't that good at all.

I had duraflaps on the 05 and didn't like them at all. Too stiff for any back road driving, which is why I went to the Mopar HD ones.

I don't like the Mopar molded ones, but the HD ones are pretty sweet.

 

[Topzide]

Walmart has Supertech @ $6.95 for a 2.5 gallon jug and pour spout, seems way more user friendly?

I've been using Supertech for almost 30k without any issues. When I get close to needing some, I keep look out at Walmart and pick up 1 or 2 if needed. No sense throwing away money that could be used on the truck!

 

[NIsaacs]

Hauled a load of cinders today, 90 degrees out and I can see my AC is just barely adequate and it is humid, my '01 is a dry cold. Not sure I like that.

Truck is an awesome highway hauler, but off highway, I have some learning to do. Miss the manual here.

With my '01 6 spd, I always use 4x4 low at the delivery site, due to speed, backing up and bucking. I didn't with this load, figured the auto was controllable and it is, but I was dumping uphill and when the weight went off the ball the truck started sliding forwardI will need the holding power of all 4, plus I could have used the traction backing up.

I really like how the exhaust brake pairs with the auto, it's like they both know what the other is thinking

 

[AH64ID]

Slow speed does take some different finessing than with a NV5600.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Hauled a load of cinders today, 90 degrees out and I can see my AC is just barely adequate and it is humid, my '01 is a dry cold. Not sure I like that.

Definitely shouldn't be like that, A/C on these newer trucks is known to work so well it'll freeze you out.
And, definitely shouldn't be humid air coming out of the vents.
I'd sure take that new truck back to the dealer for warranty service on the A/C, sounds like it is low on freon, maybe has a leak.

 

[NIsaacs]

Definitely shouldn't be like that, A/C on these newer trucks is known to work so well it'll freeze you out.
And, definitely shouldn't be humid air coming out of the vents.
I'd sure take that new truck back to the dealer for warranty service on the A/C, sounds like it is low on freon, maybe has a leak.

Thank you for the advice, I am not a good AC guy so I was stumped already. I hope that is all it is. I think I read where the 19-20 may have issues?

 

[JR]

That must of been a heck of a grade you were unloading on!

I've said from the get go the HVAC really sucks on these trucks. Sweat on a 90 degree day and freeze on a zero degree day. It's unfortunate in this day and age but I've seen it on multiple gen 4 trucks.

BD makes a 2 low kit, at least up until 20? Maybe 21. It is invaluable. I highly recommend it!