1980240D

Hi All,

Just got my truck. 2003 2500 4X2 6spd with 160,000 miles. Picked it up in OR and drove it down to Cali on Sat. The thing ran great! Ran it at about 68-72 all the way (2000-2100 RMP). The hand calculated MPG was 24.2.

The truck is super clean, and you would never know it had so many miles. The previous owner was very specific, and it looks like everything was done right.

I have a couple of questions:

1) Any recommendations on the shift points. Right now I am running it up to about 2K each gear. Wow, you are into 3rd pretty quick!!
2) 1st and 2nd have some gear noise. I do not know what the official term for the noise it, but I hear it all of the time on FedEx like trucks. I attribute this to the fact that the NV5600 is a truck tranny. It shifts fine - difficult at times to get into 1st - otherwise.
3) The clutch pedal is really hard to depress. Is this typical. If so, is there something to do to soften it up? It looks like the hydrolics have been changed to the SB setup. I am assuming this because there is an SB on the cap. I have no idea what clutch is in there.
4) Only problem I noticed was after about 8 hours, a chime started to go off randomly. I am assuming there is something up with the driver side door switch. Anybody have a similar issue? If so, what was it.

Anyone out there running Biodiesel in their common rail systems? If so, how is it running? What % do you run? Any problems besides the clogged filters and gelling in the winter?

Thanks all for the great information on this site! You really helped me become a more informed buyer!

soulezoo

Where in Nor Cal are you?

I have auto, so can't really answer your questions-- but you made a good buy it sounds like and welcome to the forum. I have not been here a really long time myself but the info is terrific.

Nate-03 D

The chime you heard wouldn't happen to be a "lamp out" chime would it? It could be something as simple as a bulb going out.

Just curious, did you buy the truck in Oregon due to California emmisions(SO engines)?

Welcome to the fourms.

1980240D

Nate,

The reason I ended up in Oregon was this was the first truck I could find that had everything I was looking for. The Non California configuration did not even cross my mind.

Nate-03 D

I see, well atleast you ended up with a HO.

Where in Nor*Cal are you at? I just left Sacramento a little over a year ago.

triplenickel

There was a bulliten for a reflash that came out years ago for intermittant false "check gauges light". Mine does it every now and again, I haven't had the flash yet, scared of what else might be in the flash. In my case it's really a non issue. Check this site out, it's TSB 08-004-03, under the electrical.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003-index.htm

rip 112

Shifting at 2k is fine, about your average. Depends on how fast you need to go. 3100-3200rpm is about your governed redline. Your clutch may have been changed, or may need to. Could be slave cyl. problems or could be a heavy clutch. nv5600s are known to be a little knotchy getting into gear, and clutch rattle will be heard in the down low rpms, that's pretty normal. Hope this helps, and happy driving!