Things I need to do (cost?)
 

I need to"

-change fuel filter
-change coolant & coolant hoses
-New thermostat
-Change front and rear differential fluid

What should I expect to pay for all this? Can I get everything I need at one place?

Is changing differential fluid as simple as dropping covers, letting drain, reinstall covers and fill? Do I need a new special gasket for the differential covers?

Thanks!

why change hoses unless they need them?

do fuel filter yourself. its easy

t-stat giving you issues?

diffs are just that, drain and fill. they have a reusable gasket. another do it yourself item and save money.

hoses need it and T-stat needs it also

I would buy the Tstat from Cummins, they are about about 40 dollars, I would look on like for the hose, if you need a OEM look at place like dodgeparts.com

all of what you listed is very easy to do yourself. save coin :)

Forgot to mention change tranny fluid.

I don't know what exact kind of fluid is in the tranny or differentials.

What should I go with in both of these? I bought the truck with 192K miles and now it has 216K miles. It was serviced regularly and the tranny fluid still looks new and clear so I guess it's synthetic? I have no idea whats in the differentials.

If you have not already or if you do not know when it was last done, if I were you I would drop the tranny pan, replace the filter, pump old fluid out the return line, keep adding new fluid until the return fluid that you are capturing is clear. From memory I think it took me 20 quarts total to remove all old and refill tranny.

Also, take that K&N and throw it out the window. I run K&N on normally aspirated engines but not an engine with a turbo simply due to the amount of suction they can produce. Run a good paper filter - it has been proven time and time again that special air intakes do not do anything for you. Just my 2 cents.

I threw out the K&N when I bought it but thanks for tip because you are so right.

1. I'm not sure if you tow / haul very often, but other options for you is :
- add a tranny temp gauge (since you dropped the pan)
- add a tranny fluid drain plug (i.e. like an oil drain plug)

2. Coolant / hoses / t-stat.
If it's that bad, consider "flushing" the old coolant out. There is actually 7.4 gal of coolant in your system. You will have to fill/drain several times to get the old coolant out. (there are other threads on how to do this)

3. Also, check your water pump and see if coolant is leaking out the weep hole. With all your other "cooling system" issues / changes, look at the WP carefully.

4. Change your S-belt.

Since it sounds like you're new to doing your own work (if you decide to), get a torque wrench - everything should be tighten to spec.

These are just maintenance items that I am listing out, which are all do-able by you. If you have a manual, go through the major service interval. Have a safe, maintained truck.

I saw the K&N in your signature

For the tranny plug - yes, buy a standard drain plug and weld in a bung - very useful.

For the water pump, mine recently went out. I was actually surprised how reasonable a new pump is - around $60 took about 1.5 hrs. Change the belt, keep the old one as a spare, may also want to consider changing the tensioner

Is there a one stop place to get all these parts & fluids?

The only coolant to use is HOAT. Zerex G-05 is the only after market coolant and cheaper. NAPA will have in stock or have it the next day. Use distilled water to mix 50/50. Do not mix with any other coolant.

If you replace the thermostat, fill the engine with coolant to the thermostat level, install the thermostat and then top off the coolant. This will prevent an air pocket in the engine. If you do not repalace the thermostat remove the plug just behind the thermostat in the head and fill with coolant to that level and then repace the plug and finish filling.

Get the thermostat at Cummins. Only one to use.

NAPA should also have the hoses if you want to replace them. Don't forget the heater hoses. Mine are still good and I will replace as needed.

Both differentals us GL-5 synthetic 75W-90. I use 75W-140 in the rear because I tow heavy. There are many brands available.

Your auto trans uses ATF+4. Wal-Mart will have MOPAR and a cheaper equalivant. While you are working with ATF+4, if you have 4WD change the oil in the transfer case, uses ATF+4. Empty the power steering reservoir. Use a turkey baster or loosen the return line and drain the power steering and refill with ATF+4.

I also recommend changing the belt and keep the old for a spare.

I've already changed power steering hoses and changed power steering fluid.
I do have 4WD and don't know how to change oil in the transfer case?

Xfer case is a drain plug and you fill through the fill plug (sounds obvious, and if you look at the side of the transfer case facing the rear of the truck, it should be fairly obvious which is which). I will see if I have a picture I can post from the service manual... It doesn't take much, IIRC it's ~2.5qts ATF+4 that goes in it, with 15-25ftlbs on the plugs.

-J