I am currently out and about shopping around for an 05-06 Dodge 2500 with a 5.9L Cummins. And I was just getting curious as to what i'm getting myself into. This will be my first diesel I have owned and I work around big rigs all day. So i'm not too sure if the fluids and what not are the same. I was just curious to see what helpful and useful information you guys can supply me before I get one. Some of the things I wanted to know is the oil capacity and type. What oils are best for this truck ( engine oils, diff oils, trans oils) It will be an automatic for sure and it will tow. Also I was curious as to know the fuel tank capacity.

Also another question I have is I always see advertisements for increase MPG's with upgrades such and Banks Six Gun kits with front mount charge air coolers and intakes, has anyone really seen gains with such upgrades?

As i've stated early and information that you can supply would be grateful.

Thanks again.

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No one?

 

well as far as i know the auto will take atf 4 the engine will take a synthetic oil it will use a synthetic 75 140 in the rear diff
as far as the programmers im not sure becuase i have a 12v so maybe someone will chime in with the right info

 

First off, I think that you need to know WHY you are thinking about a diesel. You should know going in that costs will be higher on almost everything. They hold more oil, and need it changed regularly. They produce more power and are heavier, so they eat tires faster. They require good fuel (from stations that pump a lot of quantity) and that fuel always costs more than gasoline. Miles per gallon may be a toss-up depending on the particular trucks you are checking.

They use similar products to gasoline trucks, save that the engine oil is a diesel formulation. There are lots of options, and the price per quart is not always more than it is for a gas motor, but you will use a lot more per change. There are also additional filters that need changing.

All that being said, there are things that diesel trucks do better than gasoline trucks (for the most part) that make them worth the effort. Towing, fuel mileage, power output, longevity while working hard, are all selling points of diesel trucks. The sky is the limit as far as available power production on a diesel -- the question is, "what is your credit card limit? -- making power is easy, but it costs money, and you often have to make drivetrain upgrades (especially transmission mods) to handle the power. Generally, the more efficient you make a diesel engine, the more power it makes and with that power, often, comes increased fuel economy. There is, of course, a line that can be crossed to where you are burning fuel for just the sake of making black smoke. That costs money.

It is not outside the realm of possibility to see 450+ hp and close to 1000 pounds/feet of torque from the truck you suggest with the proper mods. It could also produce over 20 mpg at that level if everything is balanced and you can keep your foot light on the pedal. You should be able to tow over 15,000 pounds, and you will drive away from many other vehicles that are towing on the highway while under load.

So, back to the in ital issue... Make sure you know why you want a diesel, then take baby steps, one thing at a time, in the proper order (gauges, transmission mods, more air, then more fuel) and take the truck to wherever you need it to go. And, conversely, if the thought of doing a lot of tinkering, spending more for fueling at every stop, worrying about the fact that you'll pour in 2-3 gallons of oil at every change, etc., bothers you, stick with a gasser.

 

The only difference as far as fluids is concerned is diesel rated engine oil, current spec being API CJ - HDEO (heavy duty engine oil). This is primarily for soot handling capability. The rest are pretty much optional or follow other standards for similiar equipmet in various gasser applications.

Diesels are more expensive to operate, maintain and repair, generally speaking. They are OTOH, more reliable and durable when properly maintained. Something of a catch-22, if you will. Get a good one, take care of it and keep it for more than a few years and it could end up costing less in the long run. Get a lemon or carelessly bomb it and abuse it and you'll have a money pit on your hands.

 

I want a diesel mostly for towing. I'm not looking to make it a race truck. But the extra added horsepower and torque without suffering drastic fuel economy changes is a plus. Dependent on the race season will determine how far we will be traveling and I want something I can count on. Also I want something that is 4x4 for the winters here. But i'm pretty set on a diesel I work around big rigs all day and seeing the power of diesel is just astounding to me. There is a lot of tinkering that can be done and keep me busy in the garage. But as far as the maintenance costs are I am prepared to pay for 3-4 gallons of oil compared to my 5 quarts now. I know oil filters, fuel filters have to be replaced I dont know if they run coolant filters or any other filters besides the air filters. I want to give this truck the best and nothing but the best to extend the longevity of it. As far as oil change intervals any one know what the interval is on the 06 Ram 5.9L cummins? Basically what i'm looking to get is a interval book that you get with the car but for something that will be 100k+.

The things I want to get done for sure is change out the oil, trans fluid, diff fluid, perhaps a coolant flush. And whatever you guys think I should do on top of that.

 

as far as banks products you were talking about they are good for certain types of people. if your intersted in a little more power than stock but nothing too much banks is good for that. they make good conservitive tunes that wont destroy truck but there expensive because your paying for the banks name.

yes those intercoolers and programs will let you gain mpgs if you dont put your foot into it too much. most people dont like banks because they pretty much bad mouth every other big diesel company in there adversiments and they make false claims like all other products except theres are inferior. like i said before if you just want a little more power and mpg banks is good for you if you wamt to pay the price.

 

What other programers are out there that people have had success with? I see advertisements for all different kinds on the market but I haven't the slightest clue about programers for diesels..

 

go to the cummins common rail section of this site and tell them what you want in terms of power and mpgs and what your budget is and they will lead you in the right direction. i know a lot of people like the smarty programmer though.

 

Yah from what i've been reading around on here I have been seeing Smarty all over the place. So i'm assuming it has to be good but I will ask more in detail in the cummins section.

 

Bear in mind that the largest advertising budget does not always mean the best company...

Pennzoil and Fram, for instance, are probably the best known oil and filters on the market, but performance enthusiasts will agree almost unanimously that their products are not top tier (I'm playing nice... I wouldn't run their stuff if it meant walking!)

Don't get fooled into replacing an intake manifold when experience proves that the stock piece is good for 400+ hp. Banks loves to sell their intakes... Nothing wrong with them, they are great pieces if you have the $$$, but otherwise, you could spend money in other places that will make a bigger difference. Same goes for their programmers, etc.