Hello, I just recently bought an 04 dodge 6speed, from my father in law, it has 132k on it, its been used to pull trailers and he had been using a bullydog chip in it (not hotrodding it), he takes care of things very well. My question is, should I have any worry about the transmission? Are the manuals in the Dodges stronger than the autos?

From reading it seem the smarty jr is the chip to use, can the manual in this truck hold up to it, not driving hard, driving like theirs an egg shell on the pedal, but still towing a lot of weight up to about 16k lbs.

Would it be wise to change all the fluids after I get it, and if so would amsoil filters/oil be good to go with through the whole thing?

I have always owned Fords, and this will be my first dodge (looking forward to it), I had used the search function, but couldnt come up with a whole lot, on the manuals, maybe my search fu sucks.

Thanks

 

Your trans will be fine. As for filters, I use Fleetguard Stratapore (Dodge) LF16035 for oil and a Baldwin PF7977 for fuel.

For oil I use dino oil, Mobil DelVac 1300. I like to change my oil every 7500 miles so using expensive oil makes no sense for me. My used oil analysis are great.

Make sure you change the differential oils.

 

If you run the hotter tunes be careful with the clutch, unless it has been upgraded.

 

Welcome to the forum. There is a lot to read on this forum about the Dodge diesels.

Sence you are getting it from your father-in law, ask him when the oils were changed and what oils he was using. No need to waste the money if he recently changed the oils.

The NV5600 transmission requires a syncromesh oil, such as Penzoil Syncromesh. If it is a 4x4 the transfer case uses ATF+4. The diffs use GL-5 75w-90 synthetic, gaskets are re-useable, don't over torque the bolts, they break. I use 75w-140 in the rear for towing. No additive is required for limited slip. You might want to change the ATF+4 in the power steering. Coolant requires HOAT such as Zerex G-05.

I use the filters as suggested above, and I have added additional fuel filteration and water seperation. Use the 4 inch pleated paper air filter.

Some will tell you to add 2 stroke oil for additional lubrication for the injectors and the CP-3 high pressure pump. I have been adding 2/3 oz per gallon sence '06.

 

all things said above,

might take it down and have the front end checked,
at that mileage, remember dodge forgot to install grease zerks on the wear points, so there may be some items that are ready to be replaced.

you see a lot of dodges on the market at around that mileage as they are ready for some front end work.

just part of the game. better to have it checked before you ruin a good set of tires.

might also look at having the brake fluid changed as it can collect moisture, brakes may need replacing anyway. also power steering fluid change.
check all light bulbs, etc:

 

If you drive it like you should it will be good to go. I have been pulling 22.900+ with my truck That is the weight of truck and rig for over 48.000 miles and it is doing OK It has been all over CA AZ NM MO IL IN AR KY TN OK. We have pulled up to 10.000+ Ft.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I did plan on asking him when the last services were done. He did say that the bearing in the rear end might need to be greased (?) or worked on, and it would be around $1000 to do it. Since I am gonna have some money I want to get a pacbrake installed, being as its going to be ALONG time before I have the money to do it again, but will be able to save up the 1k to do the rear bearing or whatever it was he said.

I dont know much about vehicles, I am mechanically retarded, so thanks for everything

 

One more question, what would I be better off spending money on, pacbrake or gauges and tuner? Its the first or the later, cant afford both right now.