Questions about new 2005 2500 Diesel

[BOdil]

Hey guys,



I will be receiving my new 2005 2500 Quad cab 4x2 6-speed manual 373 gear Diesel in January 2005 (the wait is gonna kill me). This will be my first diesel truck and I have a lot of questions. I have done a lot of reading in the forums and there are still a lot of debates on certain issues.



First - I have heard that you have to buy a special tool to get the oil filter off - is this true?



Second - There is a lot of debate about oil change intervals and oil type. I will probably change every 5,000 miles. I know you aren't supposed to switch to synthectic oil until around 15k miles but what kind of dino 15w40 oil should I use until I get to 15k miles? Is Rotella good or should I go with another? Once I do switch to synthetic should I go with the Amsoil 15w40 or go with the HD marine? Also, should I go with the Fleetgaurd oil filters?



Third - I have heard that the rear pumpkin fluid is now recommended to be changed every 15,000 miles - isn't that a little too frequent? I am getting the anti-spin differential with it and I don't plan on towing that much with it. I have heard a lot of debate about using Redline and others in the differential but not sure which one to use? Also, how many quarts go in the differential and do I just need to buy a new gasket or use gasket sealer and re-use the old one?



Fourth - There was mention of draining the water out of the diesel every time you fill up - what is this about?



Fifth - How often should I change the manual transmission fluid? What type of fluid/filter should I use and how many quarts?



Sixth - I was also told I should change all of the fluids after about 1000 miles to get all the new shavings and debris out. Should I change everything at this point: oil, transmission, and differential.



Seventh - Are there any other fluid/filter/part changes I need to take care of?



Eighth - I want to get the mudflaps for paint protection but have read that the dealer flaps will rub off the paint unless you use Clear bra. What is clear bra? Is it better to go with another aftermarket brand?



Ninth - I plan to keep the truck stock but hear a lot of talk about gauges. Do I really need the gauges?



I have more questions but these are the important ones for now. I want to say that these forums are a wealth of information and am really grateful for it. Thanks for any help!

 

[gonzo2]

1- You don't "need" the tool, it's just easier. I use a strap wrench, works good

2- Rotella is fine. Fleetguard are the best. Can only guess on the syn.

3- 15K is for heavy use only. I went 15k for the first and will go 30 on the second unless visual inspection changes my mind.

4- The filter works as a water seperator, there is a manual valve on the side of the canister to drain water. Every fill-up is probably too often, though one bad tank of fuel would probably need attention.

5- There is no service interval for the six speed. You can change it after 10k or so if you want, then it is probably good for 50 after. There is no filter and it takes a synthetic. I can't remember the spec right now.

6- You won't hurt anything doing it. Entirely optional.

7- Not for a couple of years.

8- I've always had good luck with Mopar moulded mudflaps. Clear bra is just protective tape (3M) I think.

9- You don't need guages stock.

10- What no ten?



You are going to love your new truck

 

[DieselMinded]

FIRST WELCOME TO TDR

THIS IS MY OPINION USE YOUR OWN BEST JUDGEMENT



1- YES - Strap Wrench avalible @ GENOS -(THIS IS ON MY 2ND GEN 3RD GENS MAY BE DIFFRENT)

2- 5,000 miles is good I stared with rotella and went to a better oil same price MOBIL DELVAC its endorced by CUMMINS what more could ya' ask for--Avalible @ WAL-MART

3- I didnt know that was an issue I have 40,000 miles on mine and I havent touched it

4- theres a drain valve on bottom of the fuel filter ... . the fuel filter acks as a water seperator also ..... its reccomened you drain at every fill up... I only drain mine at fuel filter changes every other oil change is my schedule.

5- I have an AUTO ---DONT KNOW

6- I never changed anything but the breakin MOTOR OIL

7- ITS NEW ------REMEMBER YOU"LL GET AN OWNERS MANUAL

8- I have molded mud flaps mine dont flap not an issue with me

9-""""""""I plan to keep the truck stock""""""""



#ad




YEAH RIGHT



WE ALL SAID THAT MY FRIEND



DM

 

[rbattelle]

5. Specification is Mopar manual transmission fluid specification MS-9224. Mopar part number 4761526. 9. 5 pints. You may choose to buy straight from the dealer (and get gouged) or buy Pennzoil that meets the spec. Read about it at Klenger's fine website.



9. Read this thread.



-Ryan

 

[BOdil]

Thanks guys for all the info so far. It has really come in handy. Now if you all could just do something about getting the truck here quicker!!! Hopefully the crew in Mexico will do a good job putting it together for me!



Brandon

 

[PJ]

Before you accept your truck, Check the quality of or should I say lack of PAINT on the truck. The darker the color, the worse it looks. My atlantic blue looks alot better than Patriot blue did.

 

[Kirwin]

6 speed lubricant

The 6 speed which is commonly reffered to as the NV 5600 uses the same oil as the NV 3500. (NOTE: Dodge is going to a different 6 speed transmission somtime during the 05 model year so make sure this info applies to your truck. ) The Mopar bottles state that the oil is for the NV 3500. Be careful as some dealers think the NV4500 (5 speed) which uses a different oil is also used in the NV 5600 6 speed. The manual transmission doesn't require oil changes for either the heavy duty of normal duty service schedules. Some of us change it as a precaution. A filter kit is avaliable form Geno's for the manual transmission trucks.



As far as the differentials, the 03 and later HD trucks us AAM axles. They require a 75W-90 Synthetic Oil. I was supriised on my truck at 22K miles how much "stuff" was entrained in the oil. I tow heavy (within the trucks limits though) about 80% of the time. If you want to reads my thread its titled "I changed my rear differential oil and... ".



Buy a service manual form Dodge. It is full of this type of info and you can learn alot about your truck while you are waiting for it to come. Hope this helps. Ken Irwin

 

[JeffJackson]

The '05 owner's manual does list a maintenance schedule on the G56. Funny it doesn't list anything on the NV5600s that are in the trucks already built. I don't have the manual handy, but I think it said to change the oil every 30k.

 

[BOdil]

I am not sure which transmission will be put into my truck - the nv5600 or the getrag. I know that the nv5600 is a great transmission but does anyone know anything about the new getrag they are introducing. Is it superior or inferior to the nv5600?

 

[rbattelle]

I know that the nv5600 is a great transmission but does anyone know anything about the new getrag they are introducing. Is it superior or inferior to the nv5600?

I think it's too early to tell. I'm sure it'll be a quality unit, but the "fleet" has to get some miles on them before we'll know how good it is.



-Ryan

 

[Kirwin]

NV 5600 Vs G56

The NV 5600 is being replaced by a Daimler Chrysler (Mercedes) G56 transmission not a Getrag. This was confirmed by Tommygun. Check out his post, he has the Dodge truck manual attached in it that explains all about the new transmission. If I could figure out how to do it I'd create a link but I'm not that smart! Ken Irwin

 

[BOdil]

I figured out a tenth question!!! I know it is probably in the owner's manual but how often does everyone change the fuel filter and what type does everyone use? Is there a web page or a good illustration that shows how to change them. I drive a F550 at work and it is a snap to change the fuel filter - just unscrew the old one and screw in the new one. I have heard that changing the dodge fuel filters can be a little bit of a bear. :-{}

 

[mberry]

10-15K miles for the fuel filter. Most of us change it every other oil change depending on your schedule.

 

[NMansfield]

Ditto what PJ said I've got an 04. 5 patriot blue metallic pearl coat that had RAIL DUST in the paint, one repaint job, one finish sanding job, and now who knows what they are doing to it... yep its been back 3 times but I have to look on the bright side I've made two payments on the truck and the whole time i've been driving a stratos :{

 

[rbattelle]

I'm working on finding an interval based on engine hours for fuel filter changes. So far I've tried 200, 250, and 300. All of these have been too early. I'll go to 350 on the next change.



It is my personal belief (hopefully an educated one) that you don't want to change filters too often, because a new filter doesn't filter as good as a used one, or too late. Ideally filters would be changed right when the restriction across the filter shows a sudden increase. These are just my opinions (based on some research)... please feel free to disagree with me and point out any stupidity about it...



-Ryan

 

[ceaman]

I use fleetguard fuel and oil filters (stratopore if you got em).