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Ram Diesel TSB Upgrade
Well, I haven't done anything to my 12v besides change the throttle cable to the new coated style, and my throttle performance improved dramatically.
Since I don't have a 24v, I'm not as familaier with those two TSBs, but I'll look them up.
Since I don't have a 24v, I'm not as familaier with those two TSBs, but I'll look them up.
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Where do I find info on these TSB's?
Also, I have buddies with "powerchokes". I've heard about alot of problems with cavitation "eating" holes in the cylinder walls, so they add some kind of water treatment. Is this necessary or even a good idea with the Cummins?
Any advice on precautions with the transmission?
Thanks for any help!
Your Ram should be just fine as far as diesel performance. The TSBs in question are for trucks made before this spring (Jan 98 to about April 99).
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
The first posting in this topic mentions TSB 18-08-99. I was only aware of two TSB that I might possibly need. 18-11-99 and 18-02-99. I have a 99 Cummins w/auto & 3.54ls.
Thanks
Your build date is on your door jamn sticker. The month is written out (example 05/99), and the exact day is in code. I'll look up the code and get back to you as to which set of digits it is.
As for 18-08-99, that revised the cruise control to prevent surging in overdrive.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
Thanks in advance.
The shifts seem firmer than you may be used to because of the extremely high torque the trans is dealing with.
As for that high-pitched whine that backs off when your throttle foot does - that, my friend, is a REAL turbocharger in action!
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
There was a TSB for that whine on earlier models (94-97). It's 11-01-97, and is for a whine that can be mistaken for turbo whine at around 1400 rpm, 1900 rpm, and 2100 rpm. In this instance, the noise is actually coming from the muffler assembly. Give this info to your dealer when you bring it in.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
5'er yet... doing the hitch hook-up myself this weekend and will pull in about two weeks after the first oil change. Thanks KC.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
While attempting to install a 5th wheel hitch on my 99 Ram 2500 cummins shortbox 4x4 I discovered the positioning of the front mounting bracket stikes smack dab in the middle of the box/frame mount. The "Power Pull" 5th wheel hitch instructions state the hitch should be installed directly over the rear axle. Does anyone know how far forward of centre axle it's safe to go. Going back of centre axle will not work because the frame has an uneven "curved" vertical surface in that area which is not acceptable according to the manufacturer for installing the L brackets. If you have any experience of knowledge regarding this, I would like your comments. Thanks in advance. jack38
Where can I look up TSB's for my 97 Dodge Diesel? Also, my truck's auto transmission doesn't engage immediately when I start out on a cold morning. When I first start moving, the truck feels like it is slipping on ice for a half second and then abruptly engages. It started doing this at about 60,000 miles. I have plowed snow for two seasons in Maryland (nothing real deep). The truck is a 4x4 with snow plow prep package and heavy duty transfer case, 3.54 rear. Is this normal in cold weather? I have 5,000 miles left on my extended service contract but the weather is still warm here so the problem will be impossible to replicate. I also hear a loud crack when I initiate a full turnaround as well as steering thunks at steering wheel lock-up. Is this typical? Any suggestions on how to approach the service rep?
1) Do you know of where I can find a conversion kit for, in particular, a 93 1 ton 4WD Cummins Ram. This truck is a 5 speed w/ a Dana 70(Heavy) rear-end w/ 4.10 gears. It was purchased C&C and a a flat dump bed was installed. Anyway, I am looking for either: a company that produces a rear disc brake conversion for this truck or: a donor vehicle that the rear discs can be robbed from and installed on this truck. This is a real working truck that sometimes pulls a 30 ft. dual tandem gooseneck grossing approx. 28K (not all the time). This truck goes through the rear drums far to regularly and the extra stopping power would be very helpful
2) is ther a place on the net wher I can find the TSB's for Ram's? Once I find one, do I have to take my truck in to a dealer to have the repairs done, or can any qualified mechanic(or myself) do the repairs. Thanks for the help.
As for the TSBs, you'll want to stop by the Alldata site, enter the vehicle info requested, and you will get a current list of TSBs that may affect your Ram.
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
I'm not a mechanic, however thinking of the way that the backing plates for drum are attached, you may be better off trying to find a complete rear end designed for disk brakes. Also it seems to me that the master cylinder is different on disk brake vehicles. Disk brakes appear to have a larger diameter slave cylinders than drum brakes and require a larger volume of fluid at a higher pressure.
If you're going through drums too frequently, is it possible that your front to rear bias is too much towards the rear? Maybe your initial stopping power is applied to only the rear brakes. To screw up rear drums you really have to be cooking them on a regular basis. Have you tried stronger and larger shoe return springs? The springs should be replaced with every brake shoe change.
Good luck,
Rich
Do you know if there is any performance to be gained from removing the Silencer Ring? What is the best way to remove the retainer clip in front of the ring?
kcram
Community Leader/Smart Shopper Conference
to know if anyone has had this done and if it solved their power problems while towing. Also, I
would like to know the specs on the change (torque, hp, etc.
Thanks for your help! Hunter 21
The bulletin does not state what the upgrade does. You must have got luckly to find a Cummins dealer that would do the reflash or they where feeding me a line of !!!!. I hope this solves my problem, I do not want to go the Lawyer
route. I love the truck accept when I am pulling my 6000lb "Home in the Woods" up Mt Hood at 40hp and the Fords are blowing my doors off!!!
Wildman
Hunter21
I have the same truck with the 3.54 ratio. I tow a 6K boat/trailer through the mountains of KY at least 4 times each summer. I always tow with the O/D on because the truck can't do highway speeds with it turned off. While in O/D towing, it doesn't do that well up the mountains because the gearing is too high. In my opinion, it's a big delima! 3rd gear is too low and 4th is too high! The auto trans needs another gear in between 3rd and 4th.
I wish I had gone with the 4:10 ratio instead. That would have lower the gearing while in O/D and would have improved performance when towing.
Your truck may be fine, just geared poorly (like mine). ---or--- Maybe I have problems too!!!
Brett
Wildman
I have 3.54 ratio gears,but the problem is I have several friends who have these Dodges with 12 valve Cummins and can do 45-50 without flooring it
up the same grades, with the same gears and with
trailers that weigh about the same. I have the floor it and settle for 40 to 42. When I purchased
the truck, I was told it would have more power.
I hope this reprogram of the ECM will do the trick.
Hunter21
Good luck.
Wildman
We are also having problems with lack of power towing. We have a 98, 24 valve,3500 Cab/chassie,4x4,5 sp diesel, 3.54 end.
Pulling a 10,000 trailer should be easy, but it is not. Fuel consumption is very high as well.
Keep us informed if you find out anything. We thought it might get better with more miles on it. We have 4500 miles on it now.
Prarie towing in Alberta Canada
My understanding is 24 value engines made prior to May 99 can have the upgrade. You will have to start complaining to Dodge to create a history of a problem. I haven't had a change to tow my trailer yet up grades because of the snow. But I plan on posting the results in a few weeks when I hope to make my first trip.
It seems to me that a 3.54 is a bit steep for towing 10,000 pounds. Dodge may specify that the Ram can tow that much, but it just seems too tall of a gear set for me. I would think that 4.11 would be about right. But then, I drive a F and am probably way out in left field.
Rich
Mike B
Are you towing in over drive or is the OD locked out?
Rich
this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.
Front Porch Philosopher
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