Buck. A return to pre-emissions diesel life...

[Regcabguy]

Similar deal here with businesses. Indeed you need a good tax person. My friend has a mobile diesel polishing biz and has to file quarterly along with EPA approved absorbent cloths,disposal etc. He charges $700/day for an eight hr. job so he's doing well. One drop in the bay here though spreads and the Harbor baywatch guys are on him.

 

[redthies]

I had a couple of phone calls in to Superchips to see if they could unlock the tuner I got with the truck. I figured I’d have to pay a $100 or more, but nope. They unlocked it via the intrawebz, and updated it too for free. That’s good CS in my mind! So I loaded up the “performance” tune today, which seemed to have done not a ton more than produce a small puff of black smoke. I didn’t feel much extra power. It did allow me to adjust the speedo for tire size, so there is that!

I’ve also ordered up a bunch of wiring bits and pieces to install a double din CD receiver with built in back up camera. I like to keep a rear facing camera on a switch so I can watch the car or boat trailers with the camper on.

Got my oil samples back too. I had engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant tested. All came back as “good” or “excellent”. I was a bit unsure due to the higher mileage, but it seems all is good under the hood. A new steering box, balljoints and multifunction switch going in soon. Then it will hopefully be good to go for a shakedown cruise or three.

 

[Boz]

I had a couple of phone calls in to Superchips to see if they could unlock the tuner I got with the truck. I figured I’d have to pay a $100 or more, but nope. They unlocked it via the intrawebz, and updated it too for free. That’s good CS in my mind! So I loaded up the “performance” tune today, which seemed to have done not a ton more than produce a small puff of black smoke. I didn’t feel much extra power. It did allow me to adjust the speedo for tire size, so there is that!

I’ve also ordered up a bunch of wiring bits and pieces to install a double din CD receiver with built in back up camera. I like to keep a rear facing camera on a switch so I can watch the car or boat trailers with the camper on.

Got my oil samples back too. I had engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant tested. All came back as “good” or “excellent”. I was a bit unsure due to the higher mileage, but it seems all is good under the hood. A new steering box, balljoints and multifunction switch going in soon. Then it will hopefully be good to go for a shakedown cruise or three.

Its an expensive option but I've been extremely happy with my Mopar "big box" upgrade. I didn't update the pump until a few years later though and wished I'd done it at the same time because it really made the box shine and turning these 37's is effortless. http://www.cjcoffroad.com/Mopar-68170214AA-Steering-Box-Upgrade-Dodge-Ram-p/68170214aa.htm

Get either the dynatrac balljoints or the Carli ones. Don't mess around with anything else. Ive been running the dynatracs for almost 8yrs and they are still tight.

 

[redthies]

I’ve got a set of XRF balljoints that came with the truck, so I’m going to give them a whirl. I’ll start saving coin for Dynatrac or Carli while the freebies are wearing out. Too many other jobs to do right now to splash that cash out. And I discussed the 5500 box with my steering guy (all he does is rebuild and upgrade boxes and shafts) and he said no matter what box you go with, the Dodge front end will kill them in about 1/3 their normal lifespan. He does internals that last a lot longer. I’ve also been watching another thread on Cummins Forum where a regular poster there did the 5500 swap, and he has gone through THREE brand new ones as the 5 year old Chinese kid that assembled them has had some issues getting it right.

My main focus here is to see how reliable this truck proves to be before I spend bigger money on front end and suspension. The seller gave me a bunch of parts (front end linkages and BJs etc) and I’ll use them up first. If all goes well, an ‘08+ steering set up, and premo BJs will come. As will better suspension. This thing is about to roll over 540,000 kms (325,000 miles) and I’d really like to break 1,000,000 on it just to say it could do it.

 

[Boz]

I’ve got a set of XRF balljoints that came with the truck, so I’m going to give them a whirl. I’ll start saving coin for Dynatrac or Carli while the freebies are wearing out. Too many other jobs to do right now to splash that cash out. And I discussed the 5500 box with my steering guy (all he does is rebuild and upgrade boxes and shafts) and he said no matter what box you go with, the Dodge front end will kill them in about 1/3 their normal lifespan. He does internals that last a lot longer. I’ve also been watching another thread on Cummins Forum where a regular poster there did the 5500 swap, and he has gone through THREE brand new ones as the 5 year old Chinese kid that assembled them has had some issues getting it right.

My main focus here is to see how reliable this truck proves to be before I spend bigger money on front end and suspension. The seller gave me a bunch of parts (front end linkages and BJs etc) and I’ll use them up first. If all goes well, an ‘08+ steering set up, and premo BJs will come. As will better suspension. This thing is about to roll over 540,000 kms (325,000 miles) and I’d really like to break 1,000,000 on it just to say it could do it.

Sounds like a Ford guy Seriously though, my Mopar box is running strong after 7-8 yrs and 100k+ miles (knock on wood). It doesn't whine or groan and I can turn the wheel on concrete with minimal effort. The truck has been on 37's since it was 6 months old. I also have Thuren's track bar and his full HD steering linkage setup. I haven't had the truck on an alignment rack in probably 12yrs cause I do it myself. Just my personal experience, maybe he's dealing with people who are way harder on their stuff than I am ?‍♂️

I have no experience with the XRF joints but free is free and I'd run em till they died.

 

[redthies]

If you’ve had the box 7-8 years, it’s probably not made in China like the current ones. Although those ones probably aren’t being made right now either! I’ll definitely check and see what the rebuilder is driving. You’re probably right about the dang Ford!

 

[Regcabguy]

I'll get a Redhead when the time comes.

 

[redthies]

I'll get a Redhead when the time comes.

I prefer brunettes... The new box is in. Fantastic is the word I’d use. I’m actually getting a bit of bump steer which is weird given that I don’t have much lift. Oh well, at least it isn’t scary to drive anymore. I ended up doing balljoints and brakes while it was on the hoist. Now I just have to do my camper related stuff. Airbags, tiedown brackets, wiring, etc etc. It’s never ending!

 

[Regcabguy]

Sounds like a Ford guy Seriously though, my Mopar box is running strong after 7-8 yrs and 100k+ miles (knock on wood). It doesn't whine or groan and I can turn the wheel on concrete with minimal effort. The truck has been on 37's since it was 6 months old. I also have Thuren's track bar and his full HD steering linkage setup. I haven't had the truck on an alignment rack in probably 12yrs cause I do it myself. Just my personal experience, maybe he's dealing with people who are way harder on their stuff than I am ?‍♂️

I have no experience with the XRF joints but free is free and I'd run em till they died.

So you have a pretty tall lift I assume? The shop I use had one in with a 6" lift and Don's HD steering. He said it steered fantastic.
I've driven my friend's '05 with the big box and standard pump. Nice and tight but I don't know if it's the new design or just new? Steering effort is slightly harder. Same 35's as mine.

 

[redthies]

The steering guy has a Tacoma. Desert sand access cab with a stick. Done up for adventure. I’d have pegged him as a Chevy guy (Old, grey haired and into hotrods), but nope.

I’m still experiencing a clunking noise in the front end when going over bumps. It’s kind of bugging me. I’ve done coils, shocks, trackbar, swaybar, balljoints, steering box, and all the steering linkage. Control arm bushings were good. I can hear a clunk in both the front and rear. I’m thinking maybe body mounts? Is that a thing on these Dodges? The only time I had a 3rd Gen before, it was brand new and I only had it two years so no issues showed up. Any thoughts?

 

[Boz]

So you have a pretty tall lift I assume? The shop I use had one in with a 6" lift and Don's HD steering. He said it steered fantastic.
I've driven my friend's '05 with the big box and standard pump. Nice and tight but I don't know if it's the new design or just new? Steering effort is slightly harder. Same 35's as mine.

Don's 6" coils and 2.5" Kings. Carli Deaver's in the rear. 37x13.5 Toyo M/T's and its pretty darn easy to steer.

The steering guy has a Tacoma. Desert sand access cab with a stick. Done up for adventure. I’d have pegged him as a Chevy guy (Old, grey haired and into hotrods), but nope.

I’m still experiencing a clunking noise in the front end when going over bumps. It’s kind of bugging me. I’ve done coils, shocks, trackbar, swaybar, balljoints, steering box, and all the steering linkage. Control arm bushings were good. I can hear a clunk in both the front and rear. I’m thinking maybe body mounts? Is that a thing on these Dodges? The only time I had a 3rd Gen before, it was brand new and I only had it two years so no issues showed up. Any thoughts?

I think the frame side track bar bolt takes something like 250ft/lbs of torque. Get it there, and then keep going. Those things will move. Id also say check the cam bolts on the control arms and make sure they haven't moved. Wait you said front and rear? Im not sure there. Maybe something in the rear spring hanger. I haven't heard of any issues with the body mounts but anything's possible, especially with 300k+ miles.

 

[redthies]

Ok. I’ll lean on the trackbar bolt some. Cam bolts are tight/haven’t moved.

If I were more into pain, I might change the control arm and leaf/shackle bushings.

 

[redthies]

I hope to have done away with my P1222 code (high fuel return flow rate) with an investment in Bosch. Put new injectors in him. Buck runs so much better now, as you’d hope for the money invested. No more black smoke either. You can see some of the tips look pretty manky on the old ones. We also finally used the Isspro EV2 pyrometer that my friend who is an engineer there gave me to “test”. Not sure if I’ll bother with the oil pressure gauge yet.

I’m going to load up the camper today after I finish a few projects and then we are headed out for turkey before the spring season closes on Friday. It’s a bit late this year, but at least we will get a few days in the woods.

 

[redthies]

I loaded up the camper and did a 600 mile mountain trip chasing turkeys. The truck performed amazingly well. I just need to get some airbags now to level it out with the camper on. Found some great new camp spots and saw tons of wildlife though, so overall a successful trip.

 

[redthies]

It sucks that every time I try to upload a photo lately it says the file is too large. ExPo needs to buy some more bandwidth.