Hello, I'm thinking on a Ram 2500 CD Quad LB and saw a post on this board regarding what to watch for when you pick out your truck. One mentioned "plugs" and also "counterweight on power steering hose". Are these real issues?

Thanks for a GREAT site!

 

I've been following this with much interest too:

Plugs instead of tape in the body/cab. I'm not sure this is a real issue, but many prefer the plugs to the tape.

There were some vibes in the steering wheel. The weight fixed some of that, and newer trucks have it. Others have different vibes around 70mph. That seems more serious, but I'm not sure it's widespread.

Exhaust smell in the cab...in the winter I think this was more of an issue.

48RE is supposed to have a thrust washer that's not up to par, according to an aftermarket rebuilder.

 

We only wish these were the real issues.

Plugs - I didn't even check. I mentioned it to my dealer and they acted like they didn't even know what I was talking about. Worst case, you buy them and stick them in yourself if you think you need them.

PS Counterweight - Mine is a March 04 build and I can't seem to find it - but everyone swears it must be there. I'm going to look again as soon as I get the chance.

The two biggest complaints, IMHO, that people are concerned with seem to be:

1) 70mph vibration - this seems to primarily affect SWB 4x4 AUTO trucks but has been observed in others. It comes on at about 70mph and carries on to 75-80mph before smoothing out again. Some have it worse than others. Some claim a front drive shaft fixes it. Others say it's a rear drive shaft. Others got a new transfer case. There's even one (Hoot) who got rid of it by changing his exhaust system, rear diff fluid and re-calibrating his ECM for larger tires.

2) Fuel mileage - unlike the 70mph vibe problem, this one strikes across the board (no particular models affected - although 6-spds are probably better than autos). Of course, there are exceptions, but I think pretty much most 325/600 owners are a little (or a lot) disappointed with the mileage. The current cost of fuel definitely amplifies the problem.

The test drive can quickly flush out the 70mph problem. But, if you ordered the truck and waited 8,10, 12 weeks to get it as some of us did, are you willing to walk away if it vibrates a bit? I guess it boils down to gambling that DC or Cummins will come up with fixes to these problems. I gambled that they will (since I seem to unluckily have both issues with mine).

As the saying goes, "You pays your money and you takes your chances".

Good luck.

Neil

 

True! Now I hear theres a full on 2006 quad cab coming out next summer.
Decisions never end and are never easy!

 

Mine is a 03/03 build. It has the tape in the rocker panels. Since some of these are removed for fitting nerf bars or sidesteps I don't see it as that big of a deal. You can always order the number of rubber plugs needed.
Only smell I get is when sitting stopped for a light or such. You can hit the recirculate air button.
The p/s weight was installed. Right side, front of engine, a 2in or so slotted metal weight on the hose.
No vibration at 2k RPM or 70MPH though as a SB, 4x4 2500 it is the most likely candidate.
Mileage is satisfactory.
No problems, no regrets.
Ed

 

Pic of underneath side of rockerpanel with tape not plugs. The tape seems to be holding fine, if it starts to peel, I'll see what the dealer says about plugs. Nat

 

Right, those don't seem like big deals at all!
Nothing compared to the Ford F250 flash that kills your mpg!
Thanks for the posts.

 

It's not a matter of IF, it's a matter of WHEN.

Will the truck fall apart with tape instead of rubber? No.

If I can get rubber plugs instead of tape just by making a fuss, would I do it? %&#$ YES, why NOT??

It should have been done right from the factory. I don't want those holes full of sand, mud, rocks, water, or anything else besides AIR, and I want it to stay that way thank you very much.

 

Angry are we? Me neither. I don't want sand and mud inside the rocker panels either. At the bottom, they're holes for the water to drain out and some sand is gonna find its way inside anyway. Sure I plan to ask the dealership for plugs, until then I will keep an eye on the tape edges that's all I'm saying. And while we're making a wish list of things the factory should have provided, be sure to include rear fender liners, and under hood insulation. Nat

 

The holes aren't for water to drain out, or else they wouldn't have taped them shut. They're sealed pretty good with that tape for now, but i want them to STAY sealed. Sure, some stuff is going to get in there by other means, which is why I want RESEALABLE access to those holes, so I can blast them out with the pressure washer and cover them back up. You'd have a hard time making that tape stick again if you tried that. As for the rear wheel well liners, I'm with you there, that's another penny pinching move. The under hood insulation, however, is a good example of what happens when enough people complain about the "little stuff"... as they're included now in the '04's. Hopefully they'll still be putting them in the '05s... heck, maybe the rear wheel well liners will be standard in the '05s!?? I'm not holding my breath on that one, though. The thing is, enough people DON'T notice these little penny saving omissions that DC's saves a lot of money leaving them out. If only more people had the expectation that a nearly $50,000 truck should be built like a $50,000 truck, they couldn't get away with that.

 

thejeepdude, mine has drain holes between the welds at the bottom. I wasn't referring to the tape areas. Good post and Amen.

 

Actually, it's on the left side. The "sides" of an engine or vehicle are determined by sitting the vehicle facing forward. The "left" side is on your left, the "right" is on your right. It does not change if you get out of the vehicle and walk around the front to face the vehicle. At that point , the trucks "Left" is on your right. Same idea as the Port and Starboard of a boat.

 

Thanks Greg, I'll keep that in mind.
Can't speak for all of them, but my 2004.5 has insulation under the hood.
Ed

 

Do the later builds (mine is 03/04) have the donut weight from the factory or did they solve the problem another way? The more I drive mine, I swear mine is as much 2000rpm related as it is 70mph related (confusing since they happen at the same time in OD). I don't notice it as much in other gears but I do feel most of it in the steering wheel, which I understand could be the PS weight fix. But mine should have this already . . . right??? I gotta look under there again - driver's side, correct? I thought there was a picture someone posted about this. Maybe I can find it.

Neil

 

Neil,
My truck's build date is March 3, 2004 and has the weight. Driver's side of the engine near the front. Up top, two fair size hoses with one having the weight. The hoses come from the firewall parallel with the brake master cyl. The weight is on the upper of the two. On mine the negative cable from the battery(driver's side) touches the weight. Hope this helps.
Ed