I just purchased my 03 2500 CTD in December and already have 31,200 miles on her. About 98% of the miles have been highway miles without a load. A lot of trips to Wyoming and Oklahoma. I do all the maintanence per manual and I change the oil/filter at 3000 mi on the dot. How many miles can I expect to get out of this truck?? <br>Trips across the plains states can get a little on the dull side after the first 8 hours so I like to pick up the speed a little bit and cruise around 80 mph to make good time. At 80mph I'm running about 2500 RPM's and the redline is 3200 RPM. Is that too high of an RPM to be running for long periods at a time? I plan on keeping it for a while so I don't want to do anything that will hurt it in the long run.<br>Thanks for the help guys.

 

DTR member Bigblackdodge has over 340k on his, and he uses it commercially for towing. Your cruise RPM is not excessive, diesels are designed to be run all day at max governed RPM all day with no problems. I know you didn't ask, but I can't control myself: with the type of driving you're doing, you don't need to be changing the oil at 3k. As long as you're using a decent oil (Delvac, Delo, Rotella, etc.), go with the mileage in the owners manual for regular service (not severe). 3k is a waste of good oil and your time, IMO.

 

wannadiesel,<br>I was thinking that every 3k is overkill but it makes me sleep well at night. Since I've had the truck I've been changing the oil/filter every 2-3 weeks and it's getting to be a pain. I want to keep this truck for 10 years that's why I change it so often. So 2500 rpm's with no load isn't too high??<br>Thanks for the help.

 

If the 03 is anything like the 02 you will be just fine. When I was running hotshot that poor old 40ft goose I pulled took a beating. There were many times I pulled it 90-100mph and one time coming home I hooked up with a big truck and we ran 90-100 all the way thru New Mexico and I had a small bobcat chained down on the trailer. When I was empty with all gear and full of fuel I tipped the scale at around 18k, and the bobcat was somewere around 7k. So 25k and she just bull dozed thru New Mexico, Thank God for CB's radios ;D. But anyway I have about 72k miles on mine now and would not hesitate at all to push it again like that.<br><br>So put the pedal down, Just might want to invest in a good CB radio so you know were them bears are hideing

 

I agree that you are changing the oil way too often. Put a good synthetic in it and don't worry.<br><br>I run Amsoil with a by-pass filter system. Don't think I will have to change the oil for 50k or so. I do change the filters at around 12k.<br>

 

Calvin-<br> No, 2500 rpm isn't too high. As I said before, diesels are designed to run all day at max governed RPM, which in your case would be 3200 RPM. The tires probably wouldn't like it, your fuel economy would go down the toilet, and you'd probably lose your license, but the Cummins would do fine. ;D Medium duty trucks with Cummins 5.9 engines get run like this every day. The company I drive for has a 24,000 pound Ford with a Cummins that hits the governor at 62 mph, so that's how it gets driven - wide open at all times. It's got around 120k on it now, runs fine (with oil changes at 7500 miles, BTW). These engines are not being stressed at all pulling an empty pickup down the highway. Keep doin' what you're doin', you're not hurting anything.

 

wannadiesel,<br>Thanks for the info, now I love this truck even more!!<br><br>Now I have another question, since most of my miles are easy highway miles at 30,000, when should I change the tranny (auto) fluid/filter, front and rear diff. fluids, and transfer case?? <br>Thanks again for the help.<br><br>Hey buckboarddriver,<br> Are you serious about going 50k between oil changes!!

 

If you run a Bypass oil filter system, and then a good synthetic you don't really have to ever change it. But you do change the filters and send in a oil sample to be tested every 10,000 or so. That way if you do get contamination you will know and can address the problem.<br><br>I can send you a Oil Sample kit for free then you just ship a small sample to one of several different testing labs and they Mail and / or E mail you the results. They will even call if the find a problem like Antifreeze leaking into the oil. <br><br>Oil sampling is a great way to know how your engine is wearing. And gives you the confidence to keep the same oil in for 50,000-100,000 Miles. This is how the large truck fleets manage their trucks and often get well over 100,000,000 miles between overhauls.<br><br>On my 2001 I am still just running Rotella and the Fleet Gaurd Strata Pore filters. Even with 15,000 miles of Hard Pulling with oversize injectors the OIL Samples test out great. But the regular oil filters do not filter out the small 2-4 micron contaminats that would cause wear. <br><br>The Bypass system uses Two filters - One is normal sized filtration and all your OIL flows thru it every pass thru the engine/Oil Pump...The other &quot;ByPass&quot; Filter filters only a portion of oil every Pass thru the oil pump but it is 2 micron (I think?) and gets out the smallest dirt and contaminats. Then with the oil sample testing You know if the Acids, Coolants, Silicones (Dirt) Etc are present. If they are... you fix where they are coming from and then change the OIL.<br><br>To be honest I am going to install a Oil Filter Bypass system and then run Regular Rotella until it shows signs of breaking down. I bet it will be fine for more than 25,000 miles or more. Kurt

 

Kurt,<br>Thanks for the info, very interesting. That sounds like some thing I need to do. Can I install the bypass system or does it have to be done professionally done?? Where can I get more info about this??<br>Thanks again for the help.

 

Funny: My manual shows the short term maintenance interval to be 3750 miles - 750 equates to another 2 weeks for me. Comments? Am I missing something?

 

Calvin You can get a few differnet brands of oil by pass filters. I have a Oil Guard by pass filter on my truck now. Some people have the Amsoil dual remote filter set up. Amsoil has a single by pass filter also. Do a search on by pass oil filters in your favorite search engine, You will find a ton of stuff ;D I will give you the web site for the Oil Guard filter. Oil Guard If you want more details where i mounted mine i will post it if you want it

 

<br><br>I'd go with whatever the manual says for normal service. It doesn't sound to me like you're working the truck hard.

 

I have the Amsoil dual by-pass filter system. Had to build a bracket and mounted it off of the passenger side battery bracket. Worked out real slick. Easy to change the filters.<br><br>I must admit that I was struggling with the bracket until the wife came out and looked at it. She said 'hey stupid, why don't you just do this'. Of course, it worked great. Boy did I feel dumb. : :

 

[quote author=BuckBoardDriver link=board=4;threadid=16872;start=0#158661 date=1057891746]<br>I have the Amsoil dual by-pass filter system. Had to build a bracket and mounted it off of the passenger side battery bracket. Worked out real slick. Easy to change the filters.<br><br>I must admit that I was struggling with the bracket until the wife came out and looked at it. She said 'hey stupid, why don't you just do this'. Of course, it worked great. Boy did I feel dumb. : :<br>[/quote]<br><br>BuckBoard, Just curious??? Does your wife give Ya good suggestions in Bed too or just let Ya struggle along and Fumble like mine does??<br><br>Calvin, It not real difficult installing most bypass systems. But You may have to build a bracket or two!?<br><br>I can get you the system if you need. Then if you have problems during the install just call &quot;BuckBoards&quot; wife for help!! LOL Just Kidding..... Ofcourse you should be able to call whomever sells you the system for help with installations....<br><br>Kurt 505-534-0434