Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Been reading the site for the past 3 weeks or so... . great site, similiar to ThumperTalk.com for 4Stroke Dirtbikes... . Never owned a diesel, been looking for the following answers / opinions:
Facts:
Truck: 2005 QC, 4x4, ShortBed, Auto, 3. 73, Completely Stock, Built
11/01/05 (Does not need the White Smoke/Mileage TSB)
Tires: 265's (BFG Rugged Terain) @ 50PSI
Current Mileage: 2000 miles
Daily Drive:
9 miles (3 City Stop and go, 6 Highway (75mph))...
Truck gets completely warm (mid temp indicator) about half way to
work.
Other:
Std Diesel #2
45-60 Degrees (SoCal)
Computer is pegged at 13. 5 miles per gallon and that's about right
based upon hand calc (limited sample set).
No Smoke of any kind
Questions:
1. Does 13. 5 miles per gallon sound about right based upon the driving
pattern? Also, I know mileage can creap up over time (based upon break-
in), but is this a low starting point for 2k miles?
2. Some people say idle to warm it up, others say dont let it idle when
it's new? Any opinions? I've been letting it idle/warm up for about 3
minutes (to get the heater grid to complete the cycle, based on volt
readout)... and then I just cruise for about 2 miles (under 50mph, low
revs), when she's past 140 I get on the freeway to work (dont haul until
it reaches operating temp).
3. Thinking of taking it in for the first oil change (2,000 miles), should i have
them look at anything else? Is this too soon or late for the first change?
Any recommended mechanics or Dodge Dealers in Southern California?
This site's awsome Oo. , really like the truck... getting used to the diesel powerband... it short shifts like my CRF450 :-laf ... did the overrail line-x and a bed buddy dirtbike rack, dodge ruberized floor mats... and that's it... . would love to go ape on adding aftermarket goodies, but I find if you cant do it yourself or dont have a friend / relative that can help, your better off not doing it (unless you have endless money... and mine goes to keeping the 9 dirtbikes in operation).
My philosophy on Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge? Get what you want based upon your needs. I personally wanted a dodge for the following reasons...
1. Not a land yacht like the ford, nor the interior of a chevy (wife has one)
2. Looks like a 4wheel drive, not a 33' honda accord
3. Not critical to spend 4k on a lift and bigger tires (although I will move up
to 33's when the current rubber is done)... truck looks good with the
stock setup and tires (BFG's) (Not perfect, but good)
4. Last truck was a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport CC, 4x4, 3" lift, 33's... . used to jump it, go wheeling all the time, pull a 7k boat and put 140k miles on it and the only problem i had was the gibson exhaust used to eat the cat converters... loved the truck!
A lot of people are brand loyal to a fault, I get what I like and what appears to be the best for my requirements... In the dirtbike world i have 2 Yamaha's, 1 KTM, 3 Hondas, 1 Kawi, 1 Suzuki... and something else
Sorry for the long winded post, been reading this site for weeks and needed to vent. Have a good day!
Facts:
Truck: 2005 QC, 4x4, ShortBed, Auto, 3. 73, Completely Stock, Built
11/01/05 (Does not need the White Smoke/Mileage TSB)
Tires: 265's (BFG Rugged Terain) @ 50PSI
Current Mileage: 2000 miles
Daily Drive:
9 miles (3 City Stop and go, 6 Highway (75mph))...
Truck gets completely warm (mid temp indicator) about half way to
work.
Other:
Std Diesel #2
45-60 Degrees (SoCal)
Computer is pegged at 13. 5 miles per gallon and that's about right
based upon hand calc (limited sample set).
No Smoke of any kind
Questions:
1. Does 13. 5 miles per gallon sound about right based upon the driving
pattern? Also, I know mileage can creap up over time (based upon break-
in), but is this a low starting point for 2k miles?
2. Some people say idle to warm it up, others say dont let it idle when
it's new? Any opinions? I've been letting it idle/warm up for about 3
minutes (to get the heater grid to complete the cycle, based on volt
readout)... and then I just cruise for about 2 miles (under 50mph, low
revs), when she's past 140 I get on the freeway to work (dont haul until
it reaches operating temp).
3. Thinking of taking it in for the first oil change (2,000 miles), should i have
them look at anything else? Is this too soon or late for the first change?
Any recommended mechanics or Dodge Dealers in Southern California?
This site's awsome Oo. , really like the truck... getting used to the diesel powerband... it short shifts like my CRF450 :-laf ... did the overrail line-x and a bed buddy dirtbike rack, dodge ruberized floor mats... and that's it... . would love to go ape on adding aftermarket goodies, but I find if you cant do it yourself or dont have a friend / relative that can help, your better off not doing it (unless you have endless money... and mine goes to keeping the 9 dirtbikes in operation).
My philosophy on Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge? Get what you want based upon your needs. I personally wanted a dodge for the following reasons...
1. Not a land yacht like the ford, nor the interior of a chevy (wife has one)
2. Looks like a 4wheel drive, not a 33' honda accord
3. Not critical to spend 4k on a lift and bigger tires (although I will move up
to 33's when the current rubber is done)... truck looks good with the
stock setup and tires (BFG's) (Not perfect, but good)
4. Last truck was a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport CC, 4x4, 3" lift, 33's... . used to jump it, go wheeling all the time, pull a 7k boat and put 140k miles on it and the only problem i had was the gibson exhaust used to eat the cat converters... loved the truck!
A lot of people are brand loyal to a fault, I get what I like and what appears to be the best for my requirements... In the dirtbike world i have 2 Yamaha's, 1 KTM, 3 Hondas, 1 Kawi, 1 Suzuki... and something else
Sorry for the long winded post, been reading this site for weeks and needed to vent. Have a good day!
