I am just about to begin looking for an 05-06 4x4 quad cab 2500, any advice for a first timer, I am able to do most anything mechanical and would like some pointers if you can help save me some problems
Thanks, Mike

 

check the oil!!

 

Stay up on the maintence and they will serve you right.

 

*****, as far as checking the oil do you mean level, appearence, oil lab analysis ? not to start an oil thread but what is the general change interval and favorite brand for Fla. temps and light/med. towing and commuting ?
Thanks, Mike

 

open the hood and look for clean spots,velcro strips on the fuse cover and surronding,this would indicate it would have been chipped. Look under the dash(to the left on the lip) at the ODB II connector to see if it has wear,chances are that that truck had a programmer. Look at the rear bumper and the rear quarter panel to see if it is stained black,overfueling would indicate this. Ask lots of question on the truck like oil brand,intervals,fuel filter changes,if the owner anwsers the question with some knowledge the person probably cared for it

 

That was kind if a joke, I was being a smart a**....I'd say get an oil analysis done, and cut open the oil filter too just to see whats in there, I know i'm curious when I change my oil. I used to use rotella but switched to amsoil synthetic. I know the amsoil helped me in the cold temps for sure.(-40)

 

I like synthetic too, but local service rep. told me that cummins discorages use of full synthetics, said it has been found to cause ring roll over and high oil cunsumption. but in my experience it helped in fuel consumption

 

Thanks guys I will look the prospects over and see if I can find the one.
Mike

 

I had a 2007 Ram it was gasser and I sold it and bought a 2005 Cummins. The first thing that struck me as odd was how much nicer the interior was in the 05' compared to the new style 07'.

It almost seems as if the trucks interiors were decontented from 05 to 06. I'm still undecided on the old style headlights vs' the 06 and up though....When I had my 07' I was always seceretly jealous of the previous styling as mine looked like a Dakota or Durango to me. Now that I have the old style headlights they look almost...Outdated?
Old style 03-05...



New style 06-08...



I suppose it all depends on the deal you can get and your personal preferences....

 

HUH??

I guess all I can provide is my own experience... While I am not trying to convince anyone to change their oil, I will tell you that I have 125k on the engine and using Schaeffers 9000, it doesn't use a drop of oil over the course of 20k miles before I change it.

Don't know about ring rollover either.

 

Actually my rear quarter gets a little black and I hit mine once a week with the power washer at the car wash. Truck is stock.

 

check to see if it has a plastic intercooler. early 05's did, and they were prone to cracking.

 

If it does, I got an all metal one from my '05... I traded up to the Banks high flow intercooler... Now the original is just sitting in the garage...

 

I have never heard of the Synthetic oil claim that it causes any problems. After 10-15,000 you can switch to Synthetic w/o any problems.