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slowmover · 12-13-2010, 08:10 PM

I think the stock gearing is 3.54. You might investigate over on Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum and Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource - Cummins - Home as well as Turbo Diesel Register as to stock tire height and gearing to see what others have done with your gear/tire rolling height question.

Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage plus Dodge Ram Information are good for searching out TSB's and some basics about the truck: the "killer dowel pin problem", the VP-44 fuel pump, etc, that ought to be higher on the list than new gears. Genos is a reliable aftermarket supplier as well. You ought to find the biodiesel questions there as well.

I find that on mine (2004, NV-5600 trans) that the 3.73 gears really is a perfect blend of power and economy. Once a trailer hits 7k the truck would struggle with taller gears while in the hills, I think, and I prefer to keep my options open towards maximum trailer weight and truck bed payload. I disagree about bypassing first gear (Chrysler and NV both say all gears all the time) as it gets the truck rolling so easily, smoothly and staying away from engine stall. I know others skip first, but I recommend trying it. (I've been a CDL driver in a few incarnations).

As to an LRR tire, the MICHELIN LTX A/S is rated as such. I'm not the only one averaging 120,000 per set when pressures are set according to scaled weight. I'd be tempted about he 16" XPS as it can be retreaded. BILSTEIN shocks are also a no-brainer, and a THUREN steering brace (as I had on my last truck) is also recommended. (SAFETY LANE in Garland is the best alignment/FE shop in D-FW).

I found that CASTROL purple cleaner was great on cleaning the nasty stuff when presented with a 750k mile Freightliner. Mix a bottle 50/50 and one full strength.

As to oil & filter I find that T6 Rotella 5W-40 allows easy turnover, and that the BALDWIN Venturi filter can be found for a good price online (or the FLEETGUARD version at FLEET PRIDE or other locally. Stewart & Stevenson off I-30 for DONALDSON ELF7349).
http://www.baldwinfilter.com/literat...ts/form331.pdf

We use the BALDWIN P7977 2-micron filter on the third gen. There ought to be cross-ref for something similar on the second. Same for the new 4" factory pleated air filter. I change oil, fuel & air filters at every oil change 6-mos/6000.

Got a picture of "the dashboard" for us? If you go to digging thru boneyards, see about the Sport model headlight DIY upgrade RIK-RAM http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html (great guy to deal with over the years; read thru his site).

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/94...onversion.html

I like Big Dave's comment elsewhere that it boils down to gearing and aero. Put it on a certified scale with full fuel and driver to see where it starts! (Down on I-20, CAT Scale). I moved out of Dallas after 50 years, that pic above looks like our neighborhood near White Rock.

While a TDI would be nice, a CTD sure is practical!!

.

12-13-2010, 08:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
slowmover Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 2,442 2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT Team Cummins 90 day: 19.36 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,422 Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts	I think the stock gearing is 3.54. You might investigate over on Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum and Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource - Cummins - Home as well as Turbo Diesel Register as to stock tire height and gearing to see what others have done with your gear/tire rolling height question. Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage plus Dodge Ram Information are good for searching out TSB's and some basics about the truck: the "killer dowel pin problem", the VP-44 fuel pump, etc, that ought to be higher on the list than new gears. Genos is a reliable aftermarket supplier as well. You ought to find the biodiesel questions there as well. I find that on mine (2004, NV-5600 trans) that the 3.73 gears really is a perfect blend of power and economy. Once a trailer hits 7k the truck would struggle with taller gears while in the hills, I think, and I prefer to keep my options open towards maximum trailer weight and truck bed payload. I disagree about bypassing first gear (Chrysler and NV both say all gears all the time) as it gets the truck rolling so easily, smoothly and staying away from engine stall. I know others skip first, but I recommend trying it. (I've been a CDL driver in a few incarnations). As to an LRR tire, the MICHELIN LTX A/S is rated as such. I'm not the only one averaging 120,000 per set when pressures are set according to scaled weight. I'd be tempted about he 16" XPS as it can be retreaded. BILSTEIN shocks are also a no-brainer, and a THUREN steering brace (as I had on my last truck) is also recommended. (SAFETY LANE in Garland is the best alignment/FE shop in D-FW). I found that CASTROL purple cleaner was great on cleaning the nasty stuff when presented with a 750k mile Freightliner. Mix a bottle 50/50 and one full strength. As to oil & filter I find that T6 Rotella 5W-40 allows easy turnover, and that the BALDWIN Venturi filter can be found for a good price online (or the FLEETGUARD version at FLEET PRIDE or other locally. Stewart & Stevenson off I-30 for DONALDSON ELF7349). http://www.baldwinfilter.com/literat...ts/form331.pdf We use the BALDWIN P7977 2-micron filter on the third gen. There ought to be cross-ref for something similar on the second. Same for the new 4" factory pleated air filter. I change oil, fuel & air filters at every oil change 6-mos/6000. Got a picture of "the dashboard" for us? If you go to digging thru boneyards, see about the Sport model headlight DIY upgrade RIK-RAM http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html (great guy to deal with over the years; read thru his site). http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/94...onversion.html I like Big Dave's comment elsewhere that it boils down to gearing and aero. Put it on a certified scale with full fuel and driver to see where it starts! (Down on I-20, CAT Scale). I moved out of Dallas after 50 years, that pic above looks like our neighborhood near White Rock. While a TDI would be nice, a CTD sure is practical!! . Last edited by slowmover; 12-13-2010 at 08:57 PM..