Need advice

[anderson750]

My V10 Dodge just is not doing the job of pulling my 5th wheel toy hauler and I have been looking for a used diesel. I have come across a 2006 Dodge 3500 with aroudn 160K miles on it. It has been a fleet vehicle and I have been able to look over the maintenance records. Here is what I can tell:

*oil has been changed ever 5K miles
*transmission was replaced at 127K miles (by Larry H. Miller Ford)
*draglink and tie rods were replaced around 145K
*brakes were done around 145K

They are asking around 16K for the truck. From what I can tell by looking at KSL and a few other places is that this price is not out of line. My ideal is to find a 6 speed manual but this fits into the budget I have for a truck since I will be mainly using it to tow my toy hauler and jeep. What are some of the things to watch out for with this year and model of truck?

 

[LT.]

Front end issues will be about the only thing to really worry about. Ball joints, tie rod ends, track bar, that kind of thing. The stock tranny is fine for stock power and towing if it is done within the limits of the truck. Front end issues will be more apparent with leveling kits and suspension lifts.

LT.

 

[anderson750]

Front end issues will be about the only thing to really worry about. Ball joints, tie rod ends, track bar, that kind of thing. The stock tranny is fine for stock power and towing if it is done within the limits of the truck. Front end issues will be more apparent with leveling kits and suspension lifts.

LT.

Thats good to know. What are the limits of auto transmissions in these trucks? I would like to eventually do some mild modifications like cold air intake, exhaust and mild programmer to make it run better. Not looking to add tons of HP and torque, just make it a little stronger for towing.

 

[Rot Box]

If you keep the trailer weight within the factory tow rating you should be just fine with the auto. I would personally install a large aftermarket trans cooler, trans temp gauge and a larger (Mag-Hytec or similar) pan. Also follow the recommended schedule for replacing the ATF--a lot of people neglect this one.

The 48RE needs at least 1800rpm's or higher to hold sufficient line pressure so keep that in mind when you have a load on and sometimes you will have to shift it manually to keep it there. Also get familiar with the lock up torque converters function and design. When locked up you will not build nearly as much heat--a controller and some chips will tell you if it is locked or unlocked but usually you can tell just by driving it if you know what to watch out for.

I would really consider forking out the extra cash for a manual trans. If you plan on keeping the truck for a long time and if your trailer weighs 10k or more you may find yourself saving in the long run. Just my .02 hope this helps.

 

[Shawn]

I have a 2005 dually with about 40k on it. I only use this truck for pulling/hauling. It has the auto and an Edge programmer. When I'm just driving I keep the setting on 3 and towing on setting 2, setting 4 & 5 are not going to happen until I build up the tranny.

My heaviest tow is my fifthwheel with my enclosed 21 foot snowmobile trailer on the back about 14k I also typically load another 1k in the bed with extra water, gas and fire wood. I can still pull Parley's at 45mph and 60mph with the fifthwheel and boat about 12k. These weights don't include the truck weight of about 9k.

Now, EGT's are important and I'm glad my Edge has a turbo cool down timer. However, I just replaced my exhaust manifold last week because it warped on me. These trucks are prone to weak exhaust manifolds, just an FYI and they are not cheep.

Great truck, it will pull a house if you need it to.

Out,

 

[anderson750]

I would personally install a large aftermarket trans cooler, trans temp gauge and a larger (Mag-Hytec or similar) pan. Also follow the recommended schedule for replacing the ATF--a lot of people neglect this one.

I picked it up today and I will put these as first to do on the list.

The 48RE needs at least 1800rpm's or higher to hold sufficient line pressure so keep that in mind when you have a load on and sometimes you will have to shift it manually to keep it there. Also get familiar with the lock up torque converters function and design. When locked up you will not build nearly as much heat--a controller and some chips will tell you if it is locked or unlocked but usually you can tell just by driving it if you know what to watch out for.

What do you watch for to tell if it is locked?
[/QUOTE]

Now, EGT's are important and I'm glad my Edge has a turbo cool down timer. However, I just replaced my exhaust manifold last week because it warped on me. These trucks are prone to weak exhaust manifolds, just an FYI and they are not cheep.

Great truck, it will pull a house if you need it to.

Out,

Which model of edge do you have? What are some other good programmers?

 

[Shawn]

Edge Juice with Attitude.

 

[Rot Box]

Dodge started placing torque converter lockups in their automatic transmission in their diesel trucks back in 1994 and for good reason. Once locked the torque converter becomes a direct link between the engine and transmission--similar to a clutch. However the torque converter must unlock at X amount of RPM's/engine load so the engine can speed up (while accelerating/downshifting/up shifting) or so the engine won't kill (when stopping at a traffic light etc.).

When accelerating the tc is unlocked and you are building heat and the larger the load the more heat it will build. Once up to speed and cruising your tc will lock up and once it does this the friction/load on the tc will be reduced immensely. Typically if you keep you engine at 1800ish rpms or higher you will have enough line pressure that it won't matter. In the long run you do not want to "lug" your engine while pulling or your transmission will build too much heat and cook itself. Anyway on the newer trucks its sometimes hard to tell when the tc locks up, but it will do it. I made a controller in my old 95 GM turbo diesel where I could actually override the lockup and toggle it manually. This is overkill for most people, but I found it really came in handy for me. Some chips come with them or you can buy them seperate. http://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/product/6019002284 Unless you are over 10k lbs trailer weight I honestly wouldn't worry about it... I hope this helps and good luck with your new purchase. I have no doubt that the Cummins will make you forget you ever owned a V10

 

[ricsrx]

I picked up my 04 w/185K for $15k, it has the Edge Juice with Attitude and 6spd manual, strait piped and upgraded fuel pump. took it in for an alignment and 1 ball joint was bad so replaced all 4, it had a recall on the drag link, the dealer checked it and said it had been upgraded,use it mostly for towing and have the setting at 1 until i tow, then set it to 2. and yes.. it will pull a house.

 

[anderson750]

What is the average interval for injector replacement. I know this is going to be something that I am going to have to do since I don't believe it has been done ( I need to look at the maintenance record again). When it is time, what do you suggest.........factory injectors, aftermarket, etc.