ok so i got my first diesel truck got a few questions as im picking it up wednesday

1..oil what kind is best? regular or synthetic? what name brands ?
2..oil filters...whats best?
3..with the 2 types of oil what are the recommended miles oil changes?
4..how often do you change the fuel filter?
5.. gauges to monitor everything are there some i should have that my stock truck doesnt have?
6..are all fuels created equal? do some stations have better fuel then others?

ive come across some of what im looking for but couldnt find it again so i thought i would have my own thread so im not so confused. im sure thers a manual in the glove box but the truck is 40 miles from here and im just fired up.

thanks

BB

 

1. Loaded question and you will get lots of opinions and Ill start with mine.....Regular Valvoline Premium Blue
2. Another loaded question!! I use Fleetgaurd Stratapore filters but the OEM Mopar will work just fine. Also WIX and Baldwin are very good. DO NOT use Fram.
3. I change mine every 6,000 miles. Synthetic users are usually going longer depending on who you talk to.
4. I change my FF every 10,000 miles. Some go 15k but I feel better at 10k
5. Boost, EGT (Exhaust Gas Temp) and Trans temp (for Autos) are the first to get.
6. In a way but not really. Try to get your fuel from a station that has a high turnover (popular truck stops) to get the best quality fuel.

Hope this helps!
BTW Congrats on the new to you truck and welcome to DTR.

 

hope this helps!

 

I've done some cost / benefit analysis and READ a LOT about sythetics. I like their cold flow properties, and if I lived where it snowed, I would run synthetic. Other than that, stay with a conventional oil.

I have also looked into a bypass oil filter and extended oil drains. For the most part, it does not make financial sense for these trucks. I have calculated a break even point of about 250-300k miles. By then, I'll be onto another truck.

I use ONLY fleetguard stratopore. It IS factory approved, and one of the best filters out there. Genosgarage.com has them for a good price. ANd a bunch of other toys too.

You will see an infinite number of opinions.

Mine: Factory calls for 7500 miles for 'severe' duty. That's when I change my oil. Oh, and I have had oil analysis done at 3500 miles and at 7500 miles. Both reports say I can run the oil for more miles.

Keep in mind that today's oil is of a MUCH higher quality than 15-25 years ago!

Since my truck sits a lot, I only put aqbout 7500 miles per year on it. So, I change the fuel filter annually.

See my signature.

Another loaded question. Talk the VW diesel guys and they will tell you that Chevron and Shell have the highest cetane and they get 2-3mpg better. Keep in mind they already get 45-50mpg!

Personally, I have never noticed a difference.

The bigger issue is to buy fuel that has not been sitting, nor fuel that comes from dirty tanks. The best gauge for this is fuel price. Higher priced fuel sits: lower priced fuel sells! Also, stay away from mom-n-pop / no name fuel stops, unless you really have to, then only buy enough to get you to a real fuel stop.

For the most part, learn the search tool. It helps prevent repeating info that is already out there. On the other hand, feel free to ask questions.

I too was 'excited' about buying my truck. I still have a LOT of fun just driving it around town. I REALLY enjoy dragging a load with it!

The wife does not really drive it much...she doesn't like the size. However, she will on the opne road. She has told me that, "we are NOT getting rid of this truck!" She likes it too!

Enjoy the truck, you have 85% of the details worked out already!

Tony

 

like i said i found lots of good info, just wanted my own thread (easier to find) if you dont have new questions to answer this place might get boring .

now these were great replys ! how hard is it to install the gauges ?


going to get my new truck right now L8tr BB

 

ive been changing my oil at 6000kms, thats only 3750 miles? i thought my manual said that. but the dealers up here they seem to think 10000kms. even at 6 thats roughly been every3.5-4 months. and when winter comes(nov) its time to get in some ligher oil. then same for spring. always done dads ford around 5000kms. maybe thats why its still goin strong over 250k real miles (400+kms.)

 

got my truck

 

oops forgot the pics

 

Nice looking truck!!

 

Looks good BB.
Chris

 

Nice looking truck!

Not too bad. Take your time and be careful with the wiring. If you are 'electrically' challenged, it is a HASSLE. If you understand basic electrical, you shouldn't have a problem.

Mine probably took about 12hrs total, including drilling the manifold for the pyro. Only because I pulled the manifold off the truck to be sure no shavings went through the turbo.

Tony

 

just did a quick mileage check mostly highway with a lil bit of town and i came up with 17 mpg...this sound about right?

 

Was that hand calculated or the overhead liar?

All hand calc: ~14.5 combined around town; 17-19 empty freeway; 12-14, depending on load and hills.

Tony

 

60 miles hwy 10 or so city. (hand calc) the liar I dont know what to believe at times on the hwy it would say 21 as a high and 14.5 as a low. so i guess im good.

got another question?? there is no block heater on this thing I read its a option the truck came from pennsalvania (sp?) who the heck wouldnt have a heater (probably kept in heated garage)...what will a dealer charge to putone in about ? I just noticed it tonght

 

oh yeah , Im electrically challenged night need to find a proffesional but i did notice it had gauges before there is a plugged hole in the manifold ( a brass fitting with a screw closing it off). old owner probably yanked all the goods when he got a new truck.

BB