Is there a place on Dodge's website to download the maint. schedule for my future 04 Ram 2500? I would like to compare it to Ford and figure out what I need to save money for before I invest in the Ram next week.

 

Ron I don't know of a website right off with it but I can get you pretty close.

Since you plan on a lot of highway miles without towing I would say it puts you in the "easy" category (schedule A):

Engine oil change every 15,000 miles. Severe (normal) usage is 7500 miles. 10,000 is a happy medium. I suggest Chevron Delo 400 15W40 or Shell Rotella T 15W40. Use Fleetguard Stratapore filters if you want the best, about $13 each, available through Geno's garage www.genosgarage.com
Fuel Filter: I suggest every 10-15K miles. Once again, use Fleetguard available via Geno's, about $12.
Air Filter: If you stick with stock replace it when the filter minder begins to show restriction, however the filter gets pretty caked by the time the filter minder moves (check it once in awhile and just replace it). Geno's has 'em, about $24. AFE and Amsoil make a great reusable drop-in filter, and there are aftermarket air filter kits too such as AFE or ScottyIII.

I suggest changing rear lube out after 5-10K miles because the stock stuff gets pretty nasty from the break-in process. Go with a good 75W90 synthetic gear lube such as Mobil or Amsoil.

Well that will get you going. One thing for sure. . . maintenance items are significantly cheaper than on the Ford PowerStrokes:

Air Filter: $55
Fuel Filter: $30 (comes in package of 2 for $60).
Oil Filter: $23

Enjoy your new rig

 

Thanks Vaughn,

How do you drain the rear diff? Can it be siphoned from the fill plug? Does the front diff also need the same attention?

 

Ron I removed my cover and then reused the gasket, haven't had any problems with it leaking. Guys have been reusing it quite successfully, it's a good piece. If you had a good suction pump you could probably get it out pretty well through the fill hole but I've never tried it.

Vaughn

 

Cummins recomends changing the anti-freeze every other year regaurdless of mileage.