Dhorn33

I just picked up my first CTD truck yesterday - it is a 97 2500 xcab long box with an auto. It has 265/75/16 tires on it - but the door sticker says it came with 245/65/16's. I checked MPH with GPS and it is pretty close so I assume that someone has already corrected the speedo. I have several questions:

At 70 mph the truck is at approx. 2200 rpm. Does this mean I have 4.10 gears? The previous owner thought it had 3.73 but that doesn't seemt even be an option on these trucks and based on the RPM's I don't think it has 3.55's.

Do these trucks have TQ (torque converter) lockup once you reach cruising speed? On my old GM's you could sort of test for it by holding the throttle steady and tapping the brakes - and it the tranny RPM's would go up a few hundred RPM's because the brake switch would take the tranny out of TQ lockup. This does not happen on my new Dodge - should it?

I filled the tank yesterday and drove almost 70 miles before filling up again this morning with 5.5 gallons of gas. That is less than 13 mpg! I am really, really hoping that maybe I put more gas in today than yesterday because I was really hoping for at least 15 - but more like 17-18 mpg with this truck (or more!) What should I check for?

The truck is basically stock with a K&N filter. I read somewhere that I should remove the K&N immediately - why? What should I run instead?

This truck was originally purchased and driven in CA - would there be anything different on it since it is from CA?

Finally - I bought this truck for 9800 - it has 118k miles, auto, 4x4, excab, long box, SLT Laramie, no rust but a few dings, firestone airbags, 5th wheel plate, WVO fuel setup with aux tank, heated lines, etc and was freshly Ziebart undercoated because it was brought from CA to MN in the last year. Was this a fair deal?

John Faughn

I would say yes on all , the K&N , they may have a better filter now , but a few yrs. ago , they would let more dirt / wear through .
There are many opp. , my choice was the New Amsoil Eaa filter , comes in many styles for what ever you want .
With fuel prices going up , if you keep the truck for long , it may be worth regearing to 3:55 .
I am not a fan of not processing the gliserin out of the vegi oil , I am of the opinoin that in the long run that the gliserin leaves deposits/gums .

Dhorn33

I just got my build option from Dodge and have verified that the truck has the 4.10's, anti-slip, lockup torque converter and CA emissions.

Dhorn33

So anyone know if there would be a benefit to moving to an even larger tire - like 285's or 305's, etc?

Anyone here in MN want to trade for some 3.55's?!

Box5

2200 is about right for 70mph with the 4.10's and a auto. I get 19mpg average, so u should see alot better than ur getting. Replace u fuel filter, and pre filter, and do a oil change, and a new intake and let us know if it helps. Also try to stay below 2100 rpm to get alot better milage.

ratsun

If I had 4:10s I would run 315s minimum

Box5

what kind of lift do u need to run 315's? also does that equal 33's or 35's?

Dhorn33

315's - ugg. The reason I bought this truck is to tow my Jeep TJ that is on 35's and get the best mileage possible while doing it. It already sits up really high so I really don't want huge tires on it.

Dhorn33

Can someone point me in the right direction on the fuel filter and pre-filter, etc please. Thanks!

Box5

You should use fleetguard filters. Geno's garage (search google for his site) has all the filters if u want to buy online, otherwise just check ur local truck shops or check the phone book for one so u can have someone local to get filters from. It's probably alot more expensive to put a lift and bigger tires on then it would be to just swap in the 3.55 gears, maybe u'll find someone who wants to just swap straight over. The 4.10's are great for under 65 driving, it's just the highway that kinda gets annoying.