This is my first post on this forum and I just ordered a 03 Dodge Cummins Crew Cab L.B. I bought it because I plan on doing some trailering with a squaredance group I joined. Problem is this is my first diesel and I know nothing about them. I assume the dealership should have a manual of do's and don'ts. But before it gets here is there anything I can read up on?? Thanks for any help..Dave

 

Your best bet is to poke around the FAQ section here. That should pull you into information overload <br><br>After that, feel free to ask away. You'll find some very bright guys here, and a willingness to help that you won't find on any other forum.<br><br>Welcome to the diesel world!<br><br>Rod

 

Welcome to the group. 8)<br>&quot;Once you've driven a Cummins, you'll never go back&quot;. <br><br>

 

Welcome to DTR Dansdad! Lots of good info and great guys here. Browse around and you will more than likely find answers to any question you may have. <br> Glad to have you aboard!

 

[quote author=dansdad link=board=8;threadid=7490;start=0#71809 date=1038156880]<br>This is my first post on this forum and I just ordered a 03 Dodge Cummins Crew Cab L.B. I bought it because I plan on doing some trailering with a squaredance group I joined. Problem is this is my first diesel and I know nothing about them. I assume the dealership should have a manual of do's and don'ts. But before it gets here is there anything I can read up on?? Thanks for any help..Dave<br>[/quote]<br><br>Square dance....hmmmmmmm<br>looks around...I bet Top is in that bunch ;D<br>fits with the square part <br>I am sorry Top...couldnt resist <br>I know.....bad Huey...bad<br>running to the corner now... <br><br>By the way, welcome to the site Dansdad

 

As a matter of fact I did a turn or two with a Squaredancing group calling themselves &quot;Hip Hoofing Hoedowners&quot; many years ago. perhaps the word Hip might place a possible date to this endeavor <br> <br> It was a lot of fun and everybody really seemed to enjoy it!. Hey in my military mind, anything that get's you closer than a full arms length with the Pretty ladies has got to be a worthwhile time. <br> Sure beat the heck out of crawling around in a mine field!

 

I am glad to be out of it! these new smart mines are scary stuff. Not that I ever thought the old ones were any less scarier but I don't like the idea of them thinking about when to arm themselves or not. Not even to mention the materials they construct them from are even harder to detect. :'(<br> I have a great deal of respect for the work you EOD guys do. I just don't think I will ever want to make a hobby out of it.

 

Was watching the History Channel (my fav. channel) the other day and they had a show on military weapons. Technology is just wicked. They were showing how the can disarm mine with computers, and more sensitive devices to set mines off. That is some scary stuff. But that is cool they can disarm the mines so after the war no innocent people are killed. -Anthony

 

Welcome dansdad.<br>Glad to see ya here.<br>Pay not attention to the animals on the site.

 

[quote author=Scotty link=board=8;threadid=7490;start=0#72368 date=1038268163]<br>Pay not attention to the animals on the site.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Oh no, Scotty's been watching Star Wars again...<br><br>Rod

 

[quote author=dansdad link=board=8;threadid=7490;start=0#71809 date=1038156880]
I just ordered a 03 Dodge Cummins Crew Cab L.B... before it gets here is there anything I can read up on?? Thanks for any help..Dave[/quote]
In addition to the Owners Manual check the FAQ's pages, including here and at www.cummins.com and even &quot;those other&quot; internet sites. Here's some advice that I believe will get you through your first 10k:
1) Let the engine idle before shutdown to cool the turbo. EVERY time. The owner's manual has guidelines on how long.
2) Get an EGT gauge.
3) Use Fleetguard oil, fuel, and air filters, but don't buy them from your dealer unless you're married to his daughter and expect to inherit the profits. Check Geno's Garage or one of the other internet dealers. Your local &quot;big rig&quot; truck parts counter WILL in all probability sell you something OTHER THAN the Stratapore oil filter. (It may fit, but the Stratapore is Fleetguard's best.) You spent over 5k extra for that diesel engine, don't go penny-pinching on oil filters - use the ones approved by Cummins (Fleetguard is an affiliate).
4) If you're thinking about synthetic oil, don't switch to synthetic oil until at least 10k.
5) The oils you've grown to believe in for your gassers, are most likely NOT rated for heavy duty diesels. Use Delo or Rotella for now. After break-in, continue with Delo or Rotella or switch to one of the synthetics you see discussed on this board. Your call, no &quot;one right answer&quot; exists (unless you happen to pick exactly the same oil that I picked).
5) If you've got a manual, an exhaust brake should be your next purchase after the EGT gauge.
6) BOMB'ing (modifying the engine) is a great and wonderful hobby for many, but in 95% of the cases it is likely to void your engine/drivetrain warranty. BOMB only if you are willing to be your own warranty station. With the newer, more powerful trucks, BOMB'ing is becoming less &quot;necessary&quot; and more &quot;for extra fun&quot; or if you need to one-up your Ford or Duramax driving brother-in-law (IMHO).
(and almost forgot)
7) No, it's NOT OK to leave it idling for long periods of time. It's OK with some diesels, but engine designs vary and it is NOT OK with the 24 valve Cummins engine. A high idler helps, but Cummins recommends extended idling should be done only with an exhaust brake.

 

hey you are making the right choice by going with a cummins. <br>i test drove one the other day and boy they are sweet! everything except for the new dash design. to answer your question your owners manual would be the best for starters. then if you like to save money by maintaining your vehicle yourself then this site is the best. for example ...... i was in the dealership the other day getting my emissions performed and the service manager told me that my fuel filter needed to be changed as part of my maintenance schedule. he wanted eighty bucks to do it! so i asked how much a filter was, and they wanted $42 just for the filter. so i started searching the web to see if i could do it myself and if i could find a cheaper price on a filter. good thing i came across this site! the manual doesnt tell how to perform all maintenance jobs on your vehicle. but i wouldnt doubt if this site can! you will never go back to gasoline vehicles!!!

 

[undecided]<br>Where do I find stratapore and what is egt??? Thanks, Dave

 

Strapore is Fleetguard's top-of-the-line oil filter for our trucks. Fleetguard is affiliated with Cummins. I hope this doesn't violate a posting rule, but one place to get them is http://www.genosgarage.com/<br>Order your Fleetguard fuel filters from them, and always keep a couple of spare fuel filters in the truck when on long trips. It's rare, but one load of bad fuel can quickly clog your filters, and if you're on the road you are likely to have to pay $45 from Dodge vs. about $12 to 15 from Genos.<br><br>EGT is short for Exhaust Gas Temperature. Also called a &quot;pyro&quot; by some, short for pyrometer. Unlike water temperature which rises slowly, exhaust gas temperature responds almost instantly to load; so you can see right away if downshifting is needed or if you need to back off the throttle. On unmodified trucks you &quot;shouldn't&quot; be able to hurt it, but if you add bigger injectors or a fueling box, then you really need an EGT gauge to insure you don't melt your pistons. Another big plus is that it allows you to monitor turbo cooldown. In winter, I find I usually don't have to idle at all. In summer, after hard driving, I may have to idle for 5 minutes before shutting down. Cooling the turbo before shutdown insures long life for the turbo bearings.<br><br>Trust me, it's not as complex as I make it sound. It's only one more gauge than you've already got, not an airplane with dozens of gauges!