Nick's new Ram 2500

[NIsaacs]

Still trying to learn how to drive this automatic off highway. Hauled a load of cinders up about a mile long, rough, steep grade and everything got pretty warm. Engine oil, coolant and transmission temp hit 210-212. I couldn't go fast enough to lock 2nd. The '01 pulls this same hill in 2nd without issue. I thought about dropping it to 1st but I knew it would for sure be unlocked. That would have been better but pretty sure it would still get hot. I guess I expected too much out of an automatic that is designed to use a converter. I don't think the truck liked it at all. I am thinking 4x4 low next time in about 3rd or 4th locked.

 

[JR]

I feel your pain. Thats why I bought the 2 low kit, to be able to utilize the gear reduction without stressing the front end components. Even out in the fields things get too "grippy" for my comfort when its dry and locked in 4 low....especially when I get into tight areas and have to jack the trailers around to get pointed in the other direction.

 

[Wiredawg]

Still trying to learn how to drive this automatic off highway. Hauled a load of cinders up about a mile long, rough, steep grade and everything got pretty warm. Engine oil, coolant and transmission temp hit 210-212. I couldn't go fast enough to lock 2nd. The '01 pulls this same hill in 2nd without issue. I thought about dropping it to 1st but I knew it would for sure be unlocked. That would have been better but pretty sure it would still get hot. I guess I expected too much out of an automatic that is designed to use a converter. I don't think the truck liked it at all. I am thinking 4x4 low next time in about 3rd or 4th locked.

View attachment 130831

What were outside temps? I know I've compared former trucks to my new one, but they are different. Unless the terrain is loose, I wouldn't go to 4wd. I'm not sure the temps you saw are hot... just working the truck at low speed.

Anyhoo, you'll get 'er figured out.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

212 IMHO is not HOT. It simply will shorten your ATF life some. If you did this everyday it may be an issue but occasionally I would not worry about it.

 

[NIsaacs]

What were outside temps?

Early morning so it was cool out, maybe 70F. It is rare, so far, to need unlock so I think I was a little spooked. I was really watching the temps climb. Glad the hill ended when it did. I use 4x4 a lot and usually I need the traction plus the low range. Like JR, jacking around to back up is the part I don't like. Going straight I don't mind at all. I need it every single time I pull out of the pit. Short hill but really steep and loose.

Thanks for the reassurance guys. Sure do miss the manual at times like this. On the big highway, gimmie the auto 7k miles now and not a single glitch in a couple of months. Rotated the tires awhile back, they are looking fine. My son's 5500 tires (front) look horrible, very few miles on them. I need to get my tape and help him check the toe, pretty sure it is off.

 

[gsbrockman]

Still trying to learn how to drive this automatic off highway. Hauled a load of cinders up about a mile long, rough, steep grade and everything got pretty warm. Engine oil, coolant and transmission temp hit 210-212.

The above is not really hot.....nor is this.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Tough getting the AISIN hot isn’t it.

 

[JR]

Especially when the converter is locked

 

[NIsaacs]

The above is not really hot.....nor is this.
View attachment 130845

Dang! Look at the miles already, you need to start looking for a new truck

It was my transmission temp that spooked me, 210F, it went up quick for only about a mile climb. Normal is 168F. I have heard it said, "these new trucks can't hurt themselves". I am glad it wasn't a two mile climb.

I think I have said this before, way back in the day before I was a proud owner of a new truck But, a 4x2 hauling heavy in the log woods would not work out very well. Using my old Ford F-350 as an example, 13 years as a gasser and 7 years as a diesel w/manual transmissions, hauling loads like this.....

 

[JR]

At least you had a worthy recovery rig

 

[gsbrockman]

Dang! Look at the miles already, you need to start looking for a new truck

I’m at 384k as of tonight.....

 

[Cummins12V98]

GS maybe time to get one of them new Ford 10 speeds ordered like a recent fellow Hauler did.

 

[gsbrockman]

GS maybe time to get one of them new Ford 10 speeds ordered like a recent fellow Hauler did.

I don’t think the 10 speed transmission would last long behind a Cummins........


Oh, wait.......you meant buy an entire FoMoCo truck!?!?!?!?

 

[AH64ID]

Holding it in 1st will greatly reduce the trans temps over unlocked TC in 2nd, but sometimes 4Lo is needed even though the TC still won’t lock below 20 mph.

I have to do this a couple times a year on some of my hunting trips.

 

[NIsaacs]

Installed a set of Air Lift 5k bags today. This little flimsy 2500 won't hold up a load With the truck parked on my shop slab, I measured the wheel well gap. With the slab higher than the ground, the empty dump was loading it down pretty good, the front axle of the dump was off the ground. LF 8 1/4", LR 8", RF 8 3/4", RR 8 3/4". Left side to start with is 20# and right side is 10#, that changes the LR to 9" and RR 9 1/4" will try that for now.

The kit was a direct bolt on, no issues at all. Looks factory. The bottom clamp is slightly too small to fit the larger rear axle tube. I assume the kit was made for the '14-'18 models and they haven't caught on yet.

Amazon product ASIN B00KIJ1VGA

 

[AH64ID]

Being outboard of the OEM springs it should reduce vehicle roll too.

 

[NIsaacs]

Made an excuse to drive the truck, 408 mile round trip today, 620 miles now so gonna load'er up soon.

408 miles, 19.6 gallons is 20.8 mpg doing the math, the display said 21.2 so it is pretty close. That's as good as my worn out '01. I didn't expect that. It was a slower secondary road mostly, only 20 miles of freeway.

Just made this exact same trip today, 11.3k on the clock, trip was 411 miles. Tire wear? Last time it was 408. Display said 23.7, math was 22.8. That surprised me, winter fuel, loaded heavier and some extra accessories. Sure do like this truck

 

[slowmover]

Just made this exact same trip today, 11.3k on the clock, trip was 411 miles. Tire wear? Last time it was 408. Display said 23.7, math was 22.8. That surprised me, winter fuel, loaded heavier and some extra accessories. Sure do like this truck

Average MPH will provide context.

 

[NIsaacs]

Average MPH will provide context.

About 54.8 mph. This is not counting my time spent at my destination for some purchases and lunch stop. It does count my time spent fueling (twice) and all my old man pee stops.

The next time I make this trip I am going to stay out of tow/haul mode. I think it will help. I always use tow/haul because I can't stand lugging along at 1000-1200 rpm traveling through the small towns on the way.

This is with an 8500lbs empty pickup truck. I just do this for fun, fuel mileage is not a priority for me. The truck is a work truck, always has a dump trailer attached, that weighs 7300 lbs empty and 26k+ loaded (gcw). I idle a lot, loading and unloading, helps keep the batteries charged in the dump trailer. Then to blow the idle soot out I don't let no grass grow at every stop/start. I average about 10-11 mpg round trip in the winter and about 12 in the summer, lots of off highway. If I get on a longer haul, I get about 12.5 mpg in the summer.

A 4x2 will not work in my application. I use 4x4 at some point, almost every single trip.

 

[slowmover]

MPG — like tire & brake wear — are real-time gauges of both correct vehicle spec and operator use. Against engine hours.

I thought you understood this.

Engine life is finite. A limited number of gallons per design.

A 350k B50 is 20k gallons on older CTD. (Average Annual MPG needed to be 17+).
Not many CTD exceed 200k in best shape as the gallon limit is already reached.

The guys who exceed it have VERY high Average MPH (commercial hauling); or, low hours versus miles.

The rest of us need to have reality checks. 27-MPH is barely acceptable.
Below it is abusive. 30-35/MPH is ballpark. Haulers are at 40+

The average over a year is the standard to improve or upkeep.

.