Let me start of saying sorry if i ask questions that beat the dead horse. I've read a lot on here a year or two ago but haven't kept up a ton recently... So to the matter at hand, i just passed 100k with my 07 5.9 4x4. Bought the truck stock from the original owner over 2 years ago and it had 60k on it when i bought it. He took great care of it and didnt pull heavy much if at all, still had the original tires on it when i got it. I've had to replace tires (275/75/17 BFGs) and the water pump since owning and added a kore leveling kit, RH front replacement and a smarty jr. Bought a maintenance kit from genos which i just ordered a new one, as i've used my last filter last oil change. Questions:
1. What maintenance items should i be do since hitting 100k?
2. Had death wobble only a few times, mainly b/c of hitting a few bad spots in the road. What can i do to possibly strengthen the front w/o dumping money into it. I'm going to need new tires here in about 10k but i've been pretty good rotating b/c they got pretty even wear. Want to go with the 315 BFGs (i know i know).
3. Transmission... I know that having a smarty will kill the transmission but i've really babied it for the most part, trying to preserve the trans. I feel like its starting to feel the miles if you get what i mean. Anything i can do to make it last as long as possible, read something about tightening the bands?!?
4. How much will the above things run at a reputable shop and does anyone know somewhere in Dallas/Plano to get said things done. Dont have the tools or know how myself.

 

ZMG006,
I wish I could find the link, but there is a guy on here that has a great thread about 100K maintainance and things to look for (with a little looking I'm sure you can find it).
As I just rolled over 100K myself here recently, I can simply offer to you what i have done that you will want to start watching for ball joints, U-joints,...basically just keep an eye on a lot of the critical front end parts as they "tend" to start failing at that mileage.
Further, you will want to go ahead and replace fluids such as the front/ rear diffs, radiator flush, trans, transfer case, (of course this is me not knowing when these have been done in the past).
MY BEST ADVISE: DO NOT put BFG A/Ts back on your truck!!
Please don't get me wrong...I am not a BFG hater by any means (I have run the A/Ts and M/Ts on multiple trucks and they have done great). HOWEVER, I had a horrible time with DW. Thankfully, I replaced the tires on the truck with another brand and solved the problem before throwing too much money at the truck. in short, i have heard too many stories attributed to DW and BFGs....again, in my case, taking these tires off was the solution. I don't know why...but these solid front axles do not like BFGs.
As for your trans...I would simply suggest that you run your Smarty on SW1 with defaults OR you can run SW2 and be very gentle on it with a low TQ setting (but what is the fun in that?) Personally, I would run SW1 and start saving for the trans upgrade...I will tell you and I was told. "It's the best investment you will make in the truck"... IT'S TRUE!!)
*Sorry, i can't speak to adjusting the bands and whatbot...I never did. I would hear just as many people say you should adjust them as I would hear say to not mess with them. So, obviously I am not an authority on this subject.
If and when you are ready for a trans upgrade there are many options...personally, I would only consider the following:
Garmon - (This is who I went with...)
Goerend - (NEVER heard a bad thing about these guys)
Tim @ TRE - (There is a guy on here RyeThomas that is a great resource for anything you want to know about Tim and his operation)
*As for prices on these units, you will need to decide what YOU want. On average, you are looking at $4K -$6K for a solid rebuild...

Sorry, I don't know any shops in the TX area...all the maintinance that I described earlier should be able to be done by any reputable diesel shop (I would have to guess there are plenty in TX with all the diesels I see running around over there...)
As for the trans work. If you are not willing to drive the truck to one of the shops mentioned, at least reach out to them and see if they have someone they trust and partner with in your area that can do the install. They are always willing to ship thier units to "whomever"...
Hope this helps...

 

Hey thanks for that response, took a long time to type up i bet. I shall search for 100k thread.

 

No worries...
Just passing it forward. There are a lot of good guys on here that helped (continue to help) me!
Again, good luck...these trucks are no small investment!

 

What all fluids would yall recommend for the diffs/tranny/trans case and coolant?
As far as tires go i just feel like i'd get the DW with any tire in the few situations that i've gotten it. Had it happen to me again heading to the lake this weekend and really its that one spot in the road that causes it every time. Still i would like to eliminate it possibly occurring as much as possible.

 

I had 315 BFG ATs and the DW was so bad I thought the front end left. It would get very violent shakes on any pot hole or rough road / bridge seams above 50mph and would not stop until I slowed down to around 40mph.

I love the BFG Ats and had them on many trucks/suvs but never again on this 03 Ram. I too was in denial about the BFGs and tossed money into Bilstein shock, steering upgrades, you name it. Finally, I put on some Nitto E rated tires and the truck never did it again. Sold the BFGs and recouped a little bit of that money but in the end.. what a mistake. I think the DW now had made my steering box seal leak too..

Beware and be warned...

 

Ya i hear ya, i'm going with a different tire for sure. I'm leaning heavily on some procomp xtereme all terrains or a toyo all terrian both in a 35". The current bfgs i have on are 33" and are E rated but i guess its just the tire. I can almost see when the DW is gonna happen and immediately get on the brakes in case but man i'm sick of it. I could prob get another 5k miles outta my tires but i think i'm going to chunk them b/c of the wobble. Figure when i do the tires i'll just have the shop throw on a replacement bilstein steering stabilizer to help out (only like $100).

 

I also think it just has something to do with the tires being worn down b/c the truck didn't do it when they were new. Prob could also be 40k more miles worth of wear and tear on my front end too.