Hey there, I just bought my truck about two months ago and it has been safetied and now is in the paint shop. What should I all do to this newly bought truck as far as fluids, lubrication, cleaning, inspecting or replacing? I usually go overkill on maintenance on my bikes and ATVs so I dont mind putting alot of work into this first service.

 

Most definately an oil & filter change along with the fuel filter. Grease all your zerks. Check the anti-freeze, front & rear diffs, transfer case, power steering, brake fluid. If you have an auto, change the filter and adjust the bands. Tire pressure, and don't forget new horn fluid & muffler bearing too.
Just what I came up with off the top

 

IMO, I would do all fluids and filters. Costs a little up front, but then you know where you are with everything, and everything has the fluids you want in them. It also gives you a chance to eyeball everything and see that it looks right.

 

Well I plan on replacing all fluids and filters. What all is there for fluids and filters on my truck? Also what are the best fluids to use?

 

You can find filter numbers and specs for your truck here-
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/94specs.html

For the maintenance schedule and the how tos on many of the items go here-
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/maint/2nd_Gen-12v.htm

 

Good quality diesel rated oil - Chevron delo 400 15w-40 is mine

Appropriate Redline in the gearboxes.

 

My dad used Shell Rotella T 15W 40 in all of his diesels now he switched over to Kendall 15W40. He says its just as good. He also uses Power Up Oil additive though. I want to go synthetic but he doesnt think I should. But that discussion is somewhere on here....

 

"But that discussion is somewhere on here...."


HAHA you are sure right it is, try a search for synthetic and after hrs of reading, you can make up your own mind. Good luck.

 

Ya there was a couple hours of a reading on the subject of fluids on here, from what I have read which is most, I dont want to start a war, but I think that I am going all synthetic, but still deciding whether or not on the motor oil. Here is what I think Im going to use


Engine - Mobil Delvac 1 or Mobil 1 Truck & SUV with Fleetguard Stratpore
Power Steering- Royal Purple Max-EZ PS Fluid
Differentials- Royal Purple or Amsoil 85W-140
Tranny Fluid- Amsoil Synthetic ATF or Royal Purple Synthetic ATF

If I dont go synthetic for the motor oil I will probably use what we have here which is Kendall Super D3 15W40.
Do these fluids sound good to everybody? Also does anybody know where I can purchase the Fleetguard filters in Canada, do you think NAPA will have them or Canadian Tire?

 

i dont think napa has them,genos garage may ship them to you up there.

 

www.genosgarage.com

Low price and shipped right to your door.


P.S.
I like your choice of fluids. I think a top quality engine oil is the important thing. I use synthetic mainly for its properties in cold temperatures. My truck sits outside in the winter. I use Valvoline Blue Extreme 5-40 year round (recommended and sold by Cummins).

 

What is the difference with this Fleetguard Stratopore Filter, I see they dont have one for the 12V Engines, is there an adapter kit to get one on the 12V if it is a really good filter?

 

SUPPOSEDLY, I have heard that you can use the Stratapore on the 12V with no problems. I would confirm this with a Cummins dealer (they also sell Fleetguard) before I switched though.

I also found this discussion about the differences between Stratapore and Microglass:


I just talked with a tech rep (Russel) at Fleetguard and asked him to educate me on the differences between the 3552 (microglass element) and the 3894 (Stratopore element).

The Stratopore element is a little better than the microglass. It has multiple layers that are consistant and that lets the oil flow a little more freely..as in a cold morning start-up it will get thru the filter faster.
The microglass is a single sheet with somewhat random sized openings.
The filtering efficiency of the stratopore is slightly better :approx 100% at 30 microns and 60% at 10 microns.

Bottom line is that the stratopore is slightly better, but the microglass is a good filter too. Both blow the standard cellulose element out of the water.

Hope this helps clarify things.