03 Cummins

[sdpsd99]

Tomarrow I become the owner of a 3500 Cummins Dodge SLT Quadcab. Now I will have a cummins and a psd in the stable. Traded in the f250 with the rusting oil pan. The 550 has is not showing any signs of the rusting oil pan syndrome.

[wyldman]

Congrats,and welcome to the club. ;)

Post some pics when you can.

[sdpsd99]

Thanks Wyldman. Actually I am returning I used to have a 97 2500 cummins.

[wyldman]

Thanks Wyldman. Actually I am returning I used to have a 97 2500 cummins.

And you got rid of it ! omg

They were one of the best years.Good ol 12 Valve motor.

[John DiMartino]

Congratulations! Welcome to the Cummins club

[PSDF350]

not to hijack tread. but do you guys happen to know the horse power of the 86 cummins 6bt. it is in a log skidder I am getting.

[wyldman]

It could be just about anything Dave.Look on the front rating plate (just in front of the pump,on the timing case),it should list HP and the CPL number.

[PSDF350]

thanks Chris I knew you would either know or know how I can find out. again thank you.

[sdpsd99]

3500 pic's

[wyldman]

Nice truck,I love the color. :D

Should pull that loaded trailer no problem.

[sdpsd99]

more 3500 pic's

[sdpsd99]

wyldman The trailer loaded with my machine wieghs in at about 9500lbs. The truck has 3.73 gears. Hope fully it will pull it as well as the 550 with the 4.88 gears. Have you heard of a kit for Dodges know as a 2 Lo Kit?? Which keeps the front axel from locking in so you can have 2 wheel drive lo range. 2Lo is nice for backing trailers up a grade seem to reduce stress on the transmission.

[William B.]

Thats a nice looking Dodge. What type of plow are you going to hang on the front? Congrats on the new ride.

William

[PSDF350]

if you have manual hubs all you need to do is nothing. just put in 4 low and go. if not put manual hubs in. for one it will make your hubs stronger. two I would imagine cheaper.

[wyldman]

wyldman The trailer loaded with my machine wieghs in at about 9500lbs. The truck has 3.73 gears. Hope fully it will pull it as well as the 550 with the 4.88 gears. Have you heard of a kit for Dodges know as a 2 Lo Kit?? Which keeps the front axel from locking in so you can have 2 wheel drive lo range. 2Lo is nice for backing trailers up a grade seem to reduce stress on the transmission.

The 2LO kits basically just block the vacuum to the CAD motor,so it doesn't lock the front axle.You can easily make one with an electric vacuum solenoid (found on Hondas,or most imports),or even a manual version using an aquarium pump shutoff valve (at most pet stores).

[CT Rob]

sdpsd,does the Dodge have a spray liner or plastic.Reason I ask is the cap on the tailgate a plastic stick on I am looking for 1 just like the 1 on your truck.Nice truck Mine is an 05 red/silver.Rob. :D

[John DiMartino]

Dodge discontinued the CAD front axle in 2002. The 03/04s use a different axle,but no CAD system,the front end turns all the time on the 03's,so no you cannot make a 2wd lo kit for an 03.
As for pulling as well as an F550,I'm sure it will do fine, BUT I hope your not expecting a fairly short wheelbase 1ton SRW with 3.73 to pull as well as a 2 ton truck with 19.5" tires and 4.88's,it just isnt going to happen.

[T-Zab]

Sweet truck and trailer. I really like the set up.. One quick ? though, how the heck do you guys keep your back windows clean with the mesh protector on the rear rack ? I have a back rack and have a heck of a time keeping the rear window clean at times.. Next truck will have rear defrost for sure.
Todd

[sdpsd99]

Dodge discontinued the CAD front axle in 2002. The 03/04s use a different axle,but no CAD system,the front end turns all the time on the 03's,so no you cannot make a 2wd lo kit for an 03.
As for pulling as well as an F550,I'm sure it will do fine, BUT I hope your not expecting a fairly short wheelbase 1ton SRW with 3.73 to pull as well as a 2 ton truck with 19.5" tires and 4.88's,it just isnt going to happen.


John thanks for the info on the 2Lo kit. I know it won't pull like the 550. As for the wheel base diffrence. There is only a half inch in wheel base. The 3500 is 140.5" and the 550 is 141". It is just the piece of mind that the 3500 will get the job done if the 550 is OOS.

TZap If it gets bad enough it takes 10min to take the rack off. My rack is Backrack's Safety Rack model.

[T-Zab]

I here ya on pulling it, I have back ups and my strobes up there on mine so I cannot pull mine during plow season. Allthough for summer my cap goes back on my truck.

[sdpsd99]

sdpsd,does the Dodge have a spray liner or plastic.Reason I ask is the cap on the tailgate a plastic stick on I am looking for 1 just like the 1 on your truck.Nice truck Mine is an 05 red/silver.Rob. :D

Rob. The truck came with Rhino Liner. The caps on the tailgate and bed rails are a heavy duty plactic.

Thanks all for the comments on the 3500 they are appericated. The truck is a pleasure to drive. There is a big diffrence in ride quality of the ride vs the 250.

I installed the trailer brake controller today. Mounted it in the storage area under the heater controls. Now to find a location to mount my scanner and rechargeable flash light. Towed the trailer today loaded with an 86 S10 blazer for some FD. extrication training. 3500 pulled it very well I was impressed.