Noob with noob questions
 

Hi guys, I just bought my first Dodge and my first diesel - a 2019 Ram 2500. Been wanting one for a long time but finally pulled the trigger. Of course now I have questions and I'm sure most have been asked a million times but I searched for my first question (exhaust brake) and didn't find much discussion on it.

I'm surprised to see that the exhaust brake doesn't stay on the chosen setting after you shut off and restart the truck. I figured the added braking force would help take some of the wear/tear off the brakes, so it seems logical to leave it on the 'automatic' setting. But if Dodge designed it to shut off each time, maybe it's not good for the engine and therefore not advised to use on a regular basis. Any ideas on that?

Next question is on a leveling kit. I see there are many options out there - some more expensive than others, just like anything else. Are the cheaper ones still good or is it worth the extra money to buy a more expensive ones. I'm guessing the difference is in the shocks - what's the consensus on which one is best?

Thanks!

I can't answer about the plethora of leveling kits on the market, but I do have some advise about the diesel exhaust brake. I agree that FCA should have made the brake stay in whatever mode the operator leaves it, but they didn't ask my opinion. DO run with the E brake on whether towing or not because this helps keep the shutters in the turbo freer of soot and carbon. Soot buildup is what is detrimental to the VGT turbos and by running this brake the shutters are constantly moving when speeding up or slowing down. I try to remember to engage the E brake whenever I start my truck, and usually I do, and I agree that it will help extend brake pad life as an added benefit.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m also curious about the DPF and the regen process. I’ve driven my truck about 2,000 miles so far (it had 11k when I bought it) and I’ve never seen anything that would indicate it’s even done one regen cycle. I’ve been watching the DPF gauge and it always reads 0% so I don’t know if it’s just burning really clean, or what. I have driven a few Power Strokes that did regen all the time so I was under the impression the Cummins would do the same. My DEF consumption seems to be normal, despite no indication of doing regen.

Anything to worry about?

Forget about the regen system, run the EB and don't baby it after it is up to operating temp. The truck will let you know if it is having problems. I think the later generation of 6.7 Cummins have a way better operating system than my 11 did when it was stock, and if I had your truck I would just drive it instead of tuning and deleting. Good Luck and have fun with it!