Planning on getting gauges. But, before I get them.Question. Will my truck (06 3500 CTD) give me any warning that the EGT's, trans temp ect. are too high while running hard with a load? Or will the truck melt itself down if given a chance?

 

Yes you can melt it down without guages I personally noticed that my water temp went up(over usual by 20 or so degrees) while pulling a grade with the trailer on. I wisely backed out of the juice. Needless to say the extra deep trans pan and guages went on within a week after that. Now I know what is going on!

Rick

 

As long as STOCK I would not worry. Once you have gauges you wonder how you did without.

 

If you are running your truck stock, and are not towing way more than the truck is rated for, you will not melt down. I've towed with Dodge/Cummins diesel trucks since 1996, have never installed any aftermarket gauges, and have never had a problem. My current truck is a '06, and I tow a 14,000+ 5th wheel trailer with it. It tows the trailer just fine in 90+ degree heat. The EGT's on a stock truck should not be an issue.

 

My truck is stock except mbrp duals. In Tom 282 sig you mention High idle enabled. Whats that mean? Mine will start to idle higher when the weather is cold after a few minutes. Is that the same thing?

 

There is a high temp transmision idiot light on the "06" not sure what year they added that. I've towed lots of heavy loads and have never had a problem without guages.

NVmike
The high idle feature allow you to control the idle rpm in park through the crusie control. Auto feature only. Some manual guys have made it work also.

 

Your sig does not show any mods. . .yet. . . so I would worry much about cooking that motor just yet. . .I have spent a few summers in Texas towing a loaded toy hauler 10K max, boats, Deer lease stuff etc. and even on hills at 110deg. We don't have any temp issues to deal with. . . .

Mind you I would not say this if I still had an auto instead of the 6 speed. I did like sooooo many others get to enjoy a $2200 tranny rebuild on my first Dodge at 75K miles.

 

IMHO, it would be better to get the gauges and know exactly what the temps are.
I v got an 05 and it has the tranny temp idiot light. I dont trust it. Next gauge going in is tranny temp.

 

As long as you are stock, and don't lug the engine on long, heavy pulls you will be OK. Don't be hesitant to down shift and let the engine rev. up.

 

I agree with Sbishop....i have pulled with stock CTD's for years, both my current third gens are stock and have gauges, the 04.5 sees 30k goosnecks regularly and ALMOST never gets above 900* unless you lug it for a long time (WOT at ~ 1600rpms for 5-10min) then you can see the egt's start to creep....but running above 2000 rpms WOT you will be fine!!!

 

One other additional note, when backing up the temperatures really climb. My drive raises roughly 7' in 50' length of driveway. In the summer by the time I get the boat (#6500) up the drive, temperature will climb 20*-30* easly. (Normally when I get home the transmission temperature is 140-160* summer towing). I understand this happens because the reverse in an automatic is not efficient so it creates heat. I just put on the parking brake and idle the truck in neutral while I get a few things out, this cools the transmission a little. Just a heads up for you, enjoy.

 

My power is stock, but I will tell you this....anytime I want to with a 14k lb. load that I tote often, I can hit 1400 degrees. Thats going thru the gears hard from a take-off.

 

I tow a 29' tt (5500) about 5-7 times a year, sometimes 2-300 miles, always
at least 100- 150 miles; 70 mph w/ 48re @ 2000rpm. I have NO gauges. Quad std. 100 hp box.

I have had the quad box over a year now. I tow on 30hp setting. I have had nothing happen. If you go heavy (10-15k) I would recommend gauges. If you must drive like a bat out of hell at every other stoplight, peel out, & wonder how much smoke you can make come out of your tailpipe, I would DEFINATELY get gauges.

If you drive 70-75 mph on the freeway, only accelerate hard to pass, and don't feel "You have to pass the powerjoke to show him who's boss" you'll
be fine, IMHO. Its called normal driving.

Theres a million do-dads to get your money on every vehicle ever made.

I think gauges are way overblown & .

I've talked to quite a few high-perf shop guys & quad himself,describing my
driving style as I have just done here. They have confirmed my feelings.

If I got any gauge I would get a fuel pressure gauge for the lift pressure.
I have read more stuff about zero pressure situations than anything.

I do my share of fun driving. I peel out every now & then. I like hitting the
enterance ramp hard & heavy to get up to speed. Thats what the 100 setting is for. I just don't drive like that constantly.

 

Once you have gauges doing with out is like driving blind.Even stock I'd have a Egt and Boost gauge.Should be standard equipment on any diesel used for pulling/hauling big loads.Those two gauges tell you a lot about fueling,incoming air(air filter) how hard the engine/truck is working,how efficent its working etc.Could not imagine using a 30/60/100 h.p. box without them.