Shifting question - Taking the Forums for a "test drive"

[KatDiesel]

I was sent an email asking me to post a question for an outside user. Hopefully the replies he will recieve on this question will convince him he needs to join and share in the fun we have. Thanks!



Hello,

I just got a Dodge Cummins 2001 Quad cab 2WD with a 5-speed manual. In

an effort to learn more about this truck in particular, I searched the

internet and found turbodieselregister.com. I am seriously considering a

subscription to the magazine/website. I am currently a diesel equipment

technology student at Texas State Technical College and believe the site

would be a valuable resource and also a place to share and expand my ever

increasing technical knowledge realted to diesels. There have already

been several threads which I wish I could have offered different points

of view. I have been reading the forums and would like to know if it

would be at all possible for you to post a question for me since I do not

have a subsciption yet.



I was surprised to find that the owner's manual did not indicate a shift

RPMs. While I have no problem shifting, I wondered why this was and what

the best RPMs to shift at would be. If it makes a difference, the tires

are 265s and the rear end is a 3. 55.



Would I be able to have this posted on the Cummins forums so I can take

the boards for a "test drive?"



Thanks in advance in you are able to do so,

Frank

 

[klenger]

Frank:



The answer to many of these types on questions can be found on "Fritz's web site" at http://dodgeram.org. Note that there is not a www after http://. The answer you are looking for at at http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/axle/5sp_vs_6sp.htm



I encourage you to join the TDR so that you can personally ask your questions, and get the timely answers you need, and also so that you can share your knowledge with the rest of us. Here is an example of a thread of what I consider a timely response: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27733



Good luck and stay away from the bombers. They are not terrorists, but ... well maybe they are now that I think about it.



Good luck.



Eric: Thanks for posting Franks question.

 

[MCummings]

Why are you still out there??

Come on in,, the weather is fine here @ TDR.



I see you are in Texas (I would assume).

We had a nice Rally in Kervville not to long ago. I picked up some extra ponies and a few pounds.



When to shift,, Just keep the RPM above 1,600RPM and below, well, below 3,500 That's what I do, actually after 3,100 RPM there is no more "Push You in the seat 380HP" anymore.



Around, and below 1,600 RPM if you are heavy on the throttle,, High, (Not dangerous), EGT's are possible, and the 6-Cylinder Cummins sets up some slightly damaging (in the long run, 200K miles) vibrations through the drivetrain.



As for 5th gear,, try to stay above 1,900 RPM,, the 5th gear nut is very susceptable to the vibrations, and has been known to back off and turn 5th gear inoperatable till fixed. Come join, and do a search to find out TONS more info on this 5th gear prob.



I haven't had this 5th gear nut problem others have.





MerickNJr

 

[KatDiesel]

Ya join, then we'll show ya how to get a lil more power out of the lil 6 cylinder



And no I didn't send a reply to his question in my email back, A)I don't have an standard, B)I wanted him to look at the answers he can expect to get when he can post on his own.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Run, Frank,Run!!!!

Quick Frank, run! Soon these guy's will be telling you that your stock truck is not enough. They will talk of the merits of bombing and you will soon have EWS(empty wallet syndrome). There is no known cure for the bombing bug.



Poney up the 35 bucks, as it will save you an enormous amount of time and money. This is the best 35 bucks you can spend. After a short time reading and posting here, you will probably know more than your instructors and you can amaze you friends and family with your vast knowledge of diesels.



Sam

 

[redneckdr]

yeah, join

even as a student, you will enjoy the 35 bucks more than 17. 5 Big Macs, if you join!!

klenger, the guys here may not be terrorists, but i'll garondarnteeyou, they terrorize my wife. in fact, she gets terrorized every time i sign on now... ..... let's see gauges, then a comp, then injectors,oops forgot the transmission upgrade, then a fan upgrade, then 2 low, then, then, then... ... ... .

 

[Archive]

EWS... hehee... I like that one... I just thought it was the Norm... U mean you're suppose to carry something other than plastic in there??? hahaa. .



MCummins... I think. . (so I have been told) that they fixed the 5th gear nut problem for the 2001 trucks...



Frank... I know U can't reply, I dont know which TSTC school you are at. . but if in Waco. . there are member here. . and everywhere that are willing to help you... hehee. . help U spend your money. . haha... but seriously... A great group of people, willing to help you in any way...

Good Luck... and Join...

Bryan

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by TractorNut

MCummins... I think. . (so I have been told) that they fixed the 5th gear nut problem for the 2001 trucks...

Good Luck... and Join...

Bryan

Then that's great.



One more thing that I learned here. .



Shift using the clutch, even though we have a big rig motor, we still have a light-duty transmission (not a bad thing) the synchronizers won't handle to much clutchless shifting.



There was a nicely sized discussion here about this.



General audience said, to go into gear using the clutch, and it was ok to pull out of gear without the clutch,, assuming the RPM is matched to gear speed to allow the shifter to slide out of gear instead of having to be pulled (with force) out of gear.



MerrickNJr

 

[lschultz]

Frank don't stand on the outside looking in. Come on in. Theres lots to learn in here. Best $35 you can spend and you get way more than that back. You already took that first step-you got the Dodge/Cummins. And now you know what the second step is.

 

[JGort]

Frank,



You've been warned, I joined last week and the "BOMB Bug" has got me already. Just added the Edge EZ, adding EGT, Boost, and transmission temp gauges next week, then the VB & TC (need help on which one to get 89,91 or 93), then Mag-Hytec pans, then exhaust, then injectors. That $35. 00 turned into $3500. 00 + in a hurry!!!!

 

[MikeR]

I shift at 2500rpm in 1st gear and 2300 during the other gears,then at 2100rpm when going into overdrive gear (6th for me).



-Mike

 

[mike r]

35 Bucks is a good Friday night out to give up and don't shift till you got a fender ahead of the competition.

 

[tntway]

good money spent

frank--i've spent about, well let's just say a few grand on my baby and the best was the $35 for the TDR. i shift lower than some of the guys posting earlier, but i still hammer it at least once a day.