What did you do to your 3rd gen lately?

[jgillott]

I was sitting down last evening thinking back on all the things that I have done with our trucks the last few months and it turned out to be quite the list.

Replaced on the 04.5:

Power distribution center (It's awesome having lights and turn signals again)
Oil Pan
Transmission Lines
New Salt Spreader

On the '07:

Front brakes and rotors
Ball joints
Drivers seat foam
Batteries
Shocks

What all have you done with your trucks recently?

 

[mwilson]

On the '06 at 138,000 miles......

Jake Brake Vacuum Pump Diaphragm
New Shocks (1st time)
New Front Brake Pads (1st time)
New Front Axle U-joints (2nd time)

 

[Jim W]

At 81,000 miles.
I had the entire front end repaired which include both left and right tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints and the RH hub assembly, the wheel unit bearing was frozen in place. The passenger side tie rod end failed at slow speed over some very very rough railroad tracks.

At 86,000 miles.
I was traveling back from our trip to Goshen IN. from the Forest River Owners Group rally and the A/C went out 10 miles from home. The windings on the fan clutch failed on the compressor. Will I ended up having the Compressor and Accumulator and the system drain and recharged. I also asked the garage to install my new accessory belt that I was going to install since they were in there working any way.

The service garage also informed me that I needed to service the TPMS system immediately since the warning light was flashing! I respond I hope so, that the warning light was illuminated. Since the tires and wheels do not have any sensors in them, I never had the sensors installed when I had the new tires and wheel installed on the truck.

I should have listen to the dear wife when she told me to buy a new truck to pull the camper with. Instead I just purchased new wheels and tires hoping to get the 100,000 mile tags for the truck. Also I did not want to retest for my driver licensee, due to the weight GCWR of the two vehicles being over 26,001 lbs.

Jim W.

 

[mwilson]

On the '06 at 138,000 miles......

Jake Brake Vacuum Pump Diaphragm
New Shocks (1st time)
New Front Brake Pads (1st time)
New Front Axle U-joints (2nd time)

I also have ball joints on the short list. The Moogs have done ok but the memory steer is coming back. It handles better if you don't grease them..??...

The wife and I did a 400 mile round trip with it last Saturday. Also involved moving furniture and loading a trailer at the 200 mile point. We both got out of the truck at the end of the trip clutching our backs. Granted some of it was from moving but the majority of the pain comes from the crappy seats. We discussed the National Seating issue at length after that and the finance committee is now on board.......she did say that it seemed redundant to have to pour a couple grand into seating but we love the truck. It would cost a lot more than a set of seats to replace it for sure.

 

[MarkEkberg]

Did complete front brakes recently. Muffler delete. Have not towed with it yet to see how loud it is, but romping around town it is not too bad.

Put on the 22.5" bud wheels with 255 rubber. I am very pleased with them. And I really like the mpg with larger tires.

Finally got my 5er hitch on, so hopefully next time I am over 40K I can rent a 5th wheel trailer.

 

[Tuesdak]

Major:
Front hub bearings, brakes, rotors.

Two clutches ruined until a good shop found a missing dowel pin. New oil seals while we are there. FASS MT coolers added.

New tires.

Found out why they call Cummins a Cumapart.
Have the head off now, but, can blame the PO for who knows what/why. Specifically a bad repair/parts.
Not sure what else it will need at the moment.

Minor:
Shocks - and quickly re-replaced rear under warranty due to one leaking.
Seat foam driver's side.
Cab clearance lights updated to new design.
Harmonic Damper upgraded to 6.7 design due to rubber failing. Belt and tensioner also done.
New Batteries.
Rear seat belt catch

 

[GCroyle]

Lets see, uh an oil change IIRC and I think I'll check the air filter too. Needs a wash, clean interior glass and vacuum before next outing. Oh boy, just remembered rear pinion seal is marking its spot a bit. I'll check the level.

 

[BILTIT]

Picking up some excalibur step boards (with lights) and having a fusion rear bumper powder coated. Should get them on this weekend.

 

[crispyboy]

I was doing some touch up paint around the rear fender and then found a rust hole in the rocker panel while inspecting other areas........ Not sure how to go about getting this fixed. Going to talk to some body shops soon. If the bank account was flush I would just dump the truck and find a 2014 or newer.
Plan on ball joints and tires early spring of 2016.

 

[rrowdy]

Well let's see, in the past Two Months......
Purchased the truck 7-6-15 with 101K, brought home from Phoenix, After filling up, did tank vent mods and cleaned tank, changed oil and filter+ ff, pulled transmission pan and adjusted bands, made note of thread protrusion on intermediate, installed DD pan and filled with Syntec synthetic.

Removed diff cover, drained and filled with 75/140 syntec lube, installed dash cover, mud flaps, floor mats, installed new AD pump, 10u water separator, 2u filter, .500 lines to engine, drain and flush radiator, changed hoses , install new belt, new tensioner, install analog gauges, boost egt and FP. Installed new batteries.

Tightened up RF caliper that someone left loose. Painted glass tonneau cover to match truck and installed.
This has become a real work truck. Hope it's good one but after reading the 3rd gen forum I'm almost afraid to drive it.

 

[jgillott]

While I'm thinking about it, has anyone tried one of those headlight lens restoration kits? If so, which one? I've got a little discoloration starting on one and I was thinking of giving that a try.

 

[mwilson]

I use the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit. Have had great results.

I always take the headlights out and do them on a bench gently clamped in a vice.

 

[rrowdy]

While I'm thinking about it, has anyone tried one of those headlight lens restoration kits? If so, which one? I've got a little discoloration starting on one and I was thinking of giving that a try.

Yep we tried one. The wife saw one at Twilitezone for around Ten bucks. So we bought it, brought it home and long story short, we would have been better off buying Ten "scratchers" at the liquor store. It didn't work. Even after reading and following the instructions which we rarely do.

 

[crispyboy]

I used the 3M kit on the wifes Grand Cherokee and a friends BMW. The kit seemed to work as advertised.

 

[mwilson]

The first round of grit makes or breaks the results. I was a little timid the first time that I did it. Learned from that. Now I have no fear.

Took both of Hoopty's $1200.00 headlights out, clamped each one in the vise by one of the mounting tabs and had at it. Came out real nice. Any headlight restoration I have done seems to last about 2 years and then they need to be done again.

I do believe that the 3M kit gives the best results.

Our body shop gang has come up with an in house concoction of chemicals that give the same result. Haven't tried it as Parts Guys have more brain cells then Body Shop guys because we don't huff the stuff all day and probably would not get the same result........

 

[jgillott]

Thanks. I'll give it a try when I get a few moments. I want to replace the bulbs before winter so they have to come out anyway.

 

[BIGNASTY]

jgillott

Thinking about this post & reading, got me to thinking about what I've done. Shocks, U Joints, oil and fuel filtration, water pump are the main things on my 3rd gen. The truck has over 200K on it and really has been better than expected, the things I did replace were sort of expected the OEM parts are JUNK IMO. I have left it stock & resisted the use of power boosters that lead to other problems as can be seen with some of the other posts when within the same mileage as mine they are burning oil having other motor problems, transmission problems. Which reminds me my Trans has been rebuilt not out of necessity but because of some work done for a friend and he paid for the rebuild as payment. EDIT Post Front wheel bearing were added.

Lots of the problems can be avoided IMO if the trucks are left ALONE, Cummins & Dodge have some folks that are paid a pretty penny to have figured out things. Then someone needs more power and IMO that's the down fall of the trucks. If a person needs more power & get an appropriate license and buy a BIGGER TRUCK

 

[GCroyle]

I used the 3M kit on my VW, looks great, then starts all over again in a year or so. I did use a right angle drill for the buffing and polishing work, that helped me a bunch.

 

[PWong]

This is going to be a long long long thread and it will never end.
There is a similar thread on the other forum called "What did you do to your 3rd gen today?".
It's live everyday!!!

 

[mfurrh55]

Thanks. I'll give it a try when I get a few moments. I want to replace the bulbs before winter so they have to come out anyway.

I cleaned my headlights with Deep woods OFF w/ DEET, took off all the film that was looking cloudy, Came out looking pretty shiny again,Monte
As far as what i've done to my truck, , put rear air bags on it, front air shocks, can air up or down from inside cab, Amsoil BP, Jake brake, new complete rearend,new clutch ,did away with the original junk flywheel and flex plate, guages, heated leather seats,aux. fuel tank,new AC compressor and dryer,serpentine belt when i changed ac comp., and normal maintenance ,Monte