Right on dealseeker. <br><br>I got on the chat line at the DC web site and ask them the question about the exhaust brake and the 48RE and they referred me to the dealer for the answer. The dealer certainly does not know. At this time, it appears no one knows.<br><br>You are also correct about all the 5-stars around. The only 5-stars around that deserve it are the senior members of the forums. They have more knowledge of the vehicles then DC has.<br><br>By the way, isn't this just the greatest forum. We are all sharing ideas, helping others, gaining knowledge and having the best times of our life doing it. At least for me that is true.

 

Ken &amp; Deal,<br> Just for the record, it is possible for a dealership to lose its 5-star rating. I was lucky enough to order my truck from one that lost their 5-star after I ordered the truck. They are also the one's who put 10W30 in my truck &gt; <br> Also for the record, I am VERY happy with my truck even with its rusty drive shaft ;D. If I had it to over again, I would buy the exact same truck again but just from a different dealer.<br><br>The Boss Hog<br>still looking for a knowledgeable dealer

 

KENR<br><br>Add to your list the overhead computer shows -- from time to time. :

 

;D Cummins clear coats the engines before they are shipped to Chrysler. That's why you don't see reust on the block. In earlier years they were painted black, but for 2003 Chrysler wanted the clear coat instead. Actually, I like the looks of the clear coated engines.

 

I wondered the same thing about the rusty transmission and driveshaft when I took delivery of mine. It amazed me how it could be built and arrive at the dealership in less than a month and already have the rusty parts. Could this be the rainy season in Mexico and are they storing the drive train parts outside? :

 

Any unpainted metal will rust in a heartbeat. I threw on a couple of cans of rustoleum and now it looks fine. Jeff

 

back to the rust topic....<br><br>I looked under my '03 today to see what it looked like. I've had it about 1.5 mo. now &amp; it still looks like it came from the factory, all shiny, no rust on the drive shaft or trans. or anything else.<br><br><br>I guess it has to do with the fact that we haven't had any moisture on the roads since I got it except for the 2 weeks we were out of town. That 10% humidity really keeps even cast iron from rusting very fast. I'm sure those of you along the costal parts of the US really get hammered with surface rust.<br><br>I think I will clean everything off and do a quick spray job with high temp clear to at least the drive shaft &amp; trans. to keep it that way.<br><br>Kris

 

KenR question?? Why do you think a boxed and hydroformed frame is weaker than last years??????????????<br>IMHO a boxed frame is much better than a open frame and hydro forming is not a cheap process and is a better method of frame bending than using a hydraulic press. I really believe that you got bad info on this.

 

Hi BYURAM. <br>I never said it was weaker. This is what I said.<br><br>&quot;The frame durability issue is an unknown factor to me. None of us know what is down the road concerning this new frame. Dodge says it is stronger. I say it is cheaper to build that is the reason for them selecting it. How do you straighten it in an accident? There is just a lot we don't know&quot;.<br><br>My big concern with it is, I don't understand why the big problem exist that prevents drilling the frame on the top and bottom and this is what clouds the issue in my mind.<br><br>My mind is not closed to learning more about it. 8)

 

Frames are made to perform at a spec. for load factors.<br>If you drill holes you have made changes to that spec.<br>Hole drilling can also cause damage :'( to the frame and let cracks form. :'( You and I both know that no one ever overloads there trucks-Right ???<br>Holes can be drilled if it is done properly. ;D

 

KenR You are avoiding my question. You said it was cheaper for DC to build this frame. On what basis do you make this claim?? What is your fabrication background to make such unfounded statements.<br>Drilling holes is a separate issue. You can see the same disclaimer on any 18 wheel tractor frame.<br>I am sorry but I strongily feel that you are making a false statement about cheap frames.

 

Ken,<br><br>You need to look at the engineering aspect of a frame. The major stress is on the top and bottom of the frame. The deeper the frame, the stronger, but don't drill the top or bottom. Simple stress problem. Hydro frames are repaired in accidents by replacement of sections. The cost of the equipment to hydro form a frame is quite expensive, but produces a stronger frame yet lighter in weight. The best of both worlds.<br><br>Bob

 

[quote author=KenR link=board=20;threadid=9756;start=15#95231 date=1043280889]My big concern with it is, I don't understand why the big problem exist that prevents drilling the frame on the top and bottom and this is what clouds the issue in my mind.[/quote]

You should never drill or weld to the flanges on a frame rail, even on a class 8 truck with 110,000 psi frame rails. On a truck frame the flanges (top and bottom) are either in tension or compression so anything that would alter the composition of the metal (holes or temper changes caused by the heat of welding) would be bad. This is by no means exclusive to Dodge or hydroformed frames. This is especially true of any frame whose primary member is an open shape like I beam or C channel. There are specifications that allow drilling and welding to the web.

Cheers

 

[quote author=BYURAM link=board=20;threadid=9756;start=15#95328 date=1043290235]<br>KenR You are avoiding my question. You said it was cheaper for DC to build this frame. On what basis do you make this claim?? What is your fabrication background to make such unfounded statements.<br>Drilling holes is a separate issue. You can see the same disclaimer on any 18 wheel tractor frame.<br>I am sorry but I strongily feel that you are making a false statement about cheap frames.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Hi again BYRAM<br><br>I certainly have not avoided anything. Your originally question was &quot;Why do I think the frame is weaker, etc.&quot;. My answer was &quot;The durability issue is an unknown issue to me, etc. and never did I say it was weaker&quot;.<br><br>Your second question was &quot;I said it was cheaper for DC to build this frame&quot;. What is wrong with that statement. Never have I said that the frame is weak or cheap. I think that companies look for ways to increase their bottom line.&quot;. If they didn't they would not remain in business very long. That's my opinion. Frequently, companies charge extra for items that were included the previous year. One example that comes to mind is the Upgrade interior seats. I was told by my dealer that the flat-floor was included last year and now it is $100 extra. Last years LE model becomes a CE and the LE becomes the XLE. <br><br>You are saying that the building process of this frame is not a cheap process. I will respect your statement. Your last statement in the first paragraph was not called for. As I said earlier &quot;My mind is not closed to learning more about it&quot;. Enough said.<br><br>FIVER BOB, BRDIESEL and Nevada. I hope I did not leave anyone out.<br><br>So noted. Thanks for your input. I am still open to learning.<br><br>The checklist was really started as a joke by me after the rust was reported. My early on statement was &quot;Also keep in mind that I am also just having fun at the same time chasing this thing&quot;. I certainly don't have any intentions of ruffle any feathers.. <br><br> ;D 8)

 

Hi KenR:<br><br>As a fellow gulf coasty, have you done anything to your rig to combat rust? I'd hate for my truck to rust away from the engine.