I'm the proud new owner of a 2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab long bed with the Cummins 600 and 6-speed manual. Yay! I'm happy! I pick up my truck new week from my friendly Dodge dealer in Dallas, Texas (nice long break-in drive back to Indiana). I can't wait to get it and start using it to its full potential.

While I plan on leaving the engine (and the truck, really) completely stock since it rips plenty as-is, I do want to do modifications that will improve long-term reliability. The first thing I can think of in this department is a turbo timer. Has anyone installed one on their truck and do any of you have any specific suggestions for which turbo timer to use? Thanks!

Congratulations! Boy what a difference in truck going from a 6.5TD GM diesel to this one.

I don't see any use for a turbo timer unless you really work it a lot and then need to cool it down. The manual calls for a little cool down after towing to none under normal driving.

First thing I did was install a Mag-hytec rear cover and changed the front and rear diff lubes after 500 miles with new Red Line full synthetic.

I also bought some spray on "Extend" rust converter and went over the underside of the truck including the axles, spraying any visible rust. They don't do a very good job painting the axles from the factory. A day or so later after the Extend did it's thing I painted the axles with Duplicolor black bed paint.It matches the factory paint perfectly. Got the Extend at Home Depot and the Duplicolor at Pep Boys.

I ordered the 4/2/1 maintenance kit from Genos garage. You get four stratopore oil filters, two Fleetguard fule filters and Mopar air cleaner. They do have a variety of kits so you have to look. Sure makes stocking those things easy.
genos (http://216.167.41.9/CoastalData/showdetl.cfm?&DID=30&Product_ID=1180&CATID=1)

Thanks for the congrats! Yes, a huge difference indeed (at least from the test drive... haven't picked up the truck much yet).

I DO work the truck a lot and then need to cool it down. The vast majority of the miles I drive are jump in it and drive 800+ miles, most of the time with a car trailer with a car on the trailer. The 6.5 didn't like doing this very much. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif I also tend to go about 80 or so while doing this, so it's a workout on the motor. I know the Cummins will do it without breaking a sweat, but still the turbo needs some time to cool down. The manual may call for a little cool down, but also keep in mind that the factories these days have been making an effort to make diesels (and turbocharged cars) that they want you to treat like normal cars. Every factory turbocharged car I've driven says that you don't need to let it cool down, but it's common knowledge among turbo guys. Sorry, I don't mean to be lecturing, just going on what I know from other vehicles I've dealt with. I also tend to drive kinda hard, so I know the turbo will be getting a workout.

Mag-Hytec rear cover for the differential or what? Sorry, not familiar with that. Probably should do the diff service after a few hundred miles as well. I have the manual tranny, has anyone done a break-in fluid change on that?

I was planning on painting POR 15 on the entire undercarriage to prevent it from rusting. I haven't heard of the Extend. I've dealt with POR 15 and I know it's great stuff, but the Extend sounds easier to apply as a spray-on.

If they sell the filters in a 4/2/1 package I'm assuming that means they suggest changing the fuel filter every 2 oil changes and the air filter every 4? Would rather go on what owners say as I find that factory intervals aren't always optimal.

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to my new Cummins!

The filter package is just a convenient way to buy and cheaper. Change things by your preference. With the new Cummins it calls for 15000 interval oil change in normal usage, 7500 under working conditions. You should do the 7500.

Fuel filter every 10-15000 miles. Air filter when dirty and restrictive. I inspect mine every 5000 miles or so.

The Mag-hytec rear differential cover is a stout, well made replacement cover that adds a few quarts of capacity and is aluminum, with cooling fins, dipstick, gauge port, drain plug. Differentials get a lot hotter than you think and a good extra capacity finned cover helps. Look through some of the stuff in my signature.

I use the Extend on the frame as a spot touchup. On the axles where it's rusty. Then I sprayed the axles entirely with the paint but not the frame.

I agree... you should have a cooldown timer based on your driving description.Edited by: hoot