Hi all,
Just joined this forum a few days ago while I was searching for a diesel truck. I presently have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 2WD with a 5.2L. I pull a 24' hybrid camper that weighs around 5000lbs loaded. The 5.2 did ok when I had a popup but the hybrid with its wind resistance killed my fuel economy, between 6-8 mpg highway on a trip to FL last April.

I just bought a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 2WD with the CTD, automatic and 3.54 rear diff. I will be picking it up in Catskills NY this weekend. I have been reading some of the boards and getting some good info. I guess what surprised me the most so far was how the diesels don't heat very well.

I have always run full synthetic in my gas truck for oil, tranny and rear diff. I am definately going to run it in this one in at least the tranny and rear diff. At 11 qts per change I am not to sure about the engine oil. Any thoughts?

Hope to learn a lot here.

Charlie

 

Welcome to the site. Synthetics seem to be a popular choice for the tranny and differential. I use Rotella T for the engine oil, some people use Mobil Delvac, but that will start a whole different war.
This oils question may be better answered in the 24 valve forums.... Enjoy your truck.

 

I have posted the same questions. The replies I have received, have indicated staying with the synthetic that comes in the trans., and probably changing to 75-90W syn. in the differential. When to make the change is another item. I am doing it every 50,000. The book calls for changing it sooner, but thy aren't talking syn. It's about even on reg. oil or syn. for the engine. I guess if the difference in cost doesn't bother you, go with syn. A lot of replies came in about several hundred thousands of miles with reg. oil. I even contacted Cummins, and they said that syn. was OK, but you should wait two oil changes before going to it. The book doesn't state anything about changing the manual trans. fluid, but a mechanic friend of mine, specializing in Dodge diesels, says he would also change it about every 50,000, even though it comes with syn. Hope this helps.

 

Rotella makes a sort-of Synthetic diesel oil. It's available at Walmart for a good price, about $12.xx/gal. I run Mobil 1 in my car but I'm considering switching to the Rotella syn in it also. It would be nice if Mobil 1 were available for diesels. (Maybe it is but not at Walmart.)