New To The D-max World

MarkD · March 6, 2010

Oil?

Oil Change Intervals?

Fuel Additives?

Modifications?

Tuners?

Suspension?

Tires?

Anything else?

Mark

r1byker · March 6, 2010

I just bought my first oil burner in December. Before I even took delivery, I subscribed to Diesel Power magazine. It's got more than you'll ever want to know about most of the questions you've asked. Plus, they've got tons of ads for vendors.

Having said that, next, check your owner's manual for oil and oil change interval. I've got the oil life monitoring system, so I'll just follow that, only change it at about 30% just to be on the safe side. Same with the fuel filter.

The thing about diesel motors is, they'll last forever but ONLY if the maintenance schedule is followed closely. I've heard about a lot of Ford Powerstroke owners having breakdowns; one of the causes has been traced to not doing scheduled oil changes. There's a lot of soot produced by diesels and a portion of it collects in the oil. I guess that's one of the reasons the oil capacity is greater. I drive a big rig and the motor on my truck takes 40 quarts. Yep, 10 gallons. And it's changed every 3 months. I'm glad the company's paying for that.

Have fun!

MarkD · March 7, 2010

Thanks for the reply Dale.

I subscribed to Diesel Power and Diesel World about a year ago. They are big on Toyo 20's that's for sure.

I am looking for advice from people I know aren't getting kickbacks (ie magazines).

Also, the dealership has "misplaced" my owner pack (used vehicle) containing my 2nd key/fob and my owners manuals. I am trying to give them adequate time to "find" the "pack" and send it to me before I order new ones. This is killing me, because I usually read the manuals early in my ownership of a new-to-me vehicle.

I too have heard of the Powerstrokes having problems due to maintenance failures. The 7.3 and 6.0 use crankcase oil/pressure to activate the fuel injectors. Not such a bad idea on a tractor, doesn't sound smart on a modern truck.

Thanks for the feedback.

I noticed a couple of things in your sig:

1st what do you think about your Transfer Flow tank? What price range was it? Did you install yourself? Complications?

2nd...what about the Firestone Ride Rite air bags? What setup did you go with? Did you install? Pics?

What oil do you use? Delo? or Rotella? or Amsoil?

Shaners · March 7, 2010

Mark I change my oil once a year which is roughly 5k miles. The oil moniter says it is still ok but a year is a long time. I change the fuel filter every other year (10k miles) and once again the moniter says it is still ok. I believe there is a sensor that will tell you on your dash if you happen to pick up water in your fuel (bad thing).

I have my truck slightly tuned but not enough to require an exhaust system or extra gauges.

These trucks are animals and you will love every minute of it. (However they are pigs when it is cold outside and they aren't warm)

r1byker · March 7, 2010

Thanks for the reply Dale.

I subscribed to Diesel Power and Diesel World about a year ago. They are big on Toyo 20's that's for sure.

I am looking for advice from people I know aren't getting kickbacks (ie magazines).

Also, the dealership has "misplaced" my owner pack (used vehicle) containing my 2nd key/fob and my owners manuals. I am trying to give them adequate time to "find" the "pack" and send it to me before I order new ones. This is killing me, because I usually read the manuals early in my ownership of a new-to-me vehicle.

I too have heard of the Powerstrokes having problems due to maintenance failures. The 7.3 and 6.0 use crankcase oil/pressure to activate the fuel injectors. Not such a bad idea on a tractor, doesn't sound smart on a modern truck.

Thanks for the feedback.

I noticed a couple of things in your sig:

1st what do you think about your Transfer Flow tank? What price range was it? Did you install yourself? Complications?

2nd...what about the Firestone Ride Rite air bags? What setup did you go with? Did you install? Pics?

What oil do you use? Delo? or Rotella? or Amsoil?

I love the Transfer Flow tank. I go down to Mexico a lot and it's harder to find diesel down there and I don't trust that they'll have Ultra Low Sulfur. With the extra capacity, I can fill up in San Diego, go down to Mexico for the week and do all my running around, and not have to fill up until I get back across the border. I didn't want to have to mess with carrying several five-gallon jugs of diesel in my trailer. I live in the San Francisco bay area, and Transfer Flow is in Chico, which is a three hour drive, so I had it installed there. It cost just over $900 installed, which was $500 less than if I had it done around my place. I think they had a special and charged me something like $50 for the installation. Plus, they gave me $50 worth of fuel for free. Not a bad deal. No complications except that the fuel range on the DIC is incorrect since it's calibrated for a 26 gal. tank. No big deal.

I installed the Ride Rite air bags myself; took me about half a day. I could've done it a lot faster, but I spent most of my time just cranking the wrench; if I could've found my attachment to use my drill, it would've taken me an hour less. Not sure what you mean by which "setup"; the Ride Rite is different than the Sport Rite, Coil Rite, and Level Rite. I did use just one filler valve since I would never have the issue of uneven load. They do provide two separate valves; one for each air bag for when the truck is loaded unevenly. I had to order the T-fitting as an extra to go with the single valve setup.

I just bought a bunch of Chevron's diesel oil from Costco; price was right.

I do love towing with this thing; 660 ft. lbs. of torque is a wondrous experience, especially with the Allison 6-speed.

MarkD · March 7, 2010

The range issue is killing me! My truck has a 20 gallon tank! At least that is what the DIC says, My low fuel light comes on at 18 gallons used.

Right now, we are doing more remodels than new constructions, so my towing is below 10k pounds. Before I start pulling heavier loads, I plan on air bags, just trying to research nuances. Do you leave your bags pumped? What pressure? Or do you just pump them up depending on the load.

Samsclub carries the Delo and Rotella for about the same price ($10/gal). The dealership changed my oil at purchase, but I am ready to change it out with oil I "know".

I too am amazed at what an unholy amount of torque will do to facial muscles (grin).

r1byker · March 7, 2010

If yours is like mine, it has a 26 gal. tank. Towing, I get 14 mpg. on the highway with a 6 x 12 box trailer weighing around 4,000 lbs. total.

When empty, I have the air bags at around 7-8 lbs. The instructions say to have them pumped to at least 5 lbs. when unloaded. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the truck rode a little better with the air bags. To determine how much pressure to put in with the trailer hooked up, I measured the distance from the ground to the top of the rear wheel well when empty, then matched that distance with air pressure when the trailer was hooked up.

wpgmachoman · March 7, 2010

try the website dieselplace.com...the best source on the net for anything relating to the d-maxes...from basic maintenance to upgrades performance, towing etc

MarkD · March 7, 2010

Any idea why I am showing empty at 20 gallons? Was a 20 gal tank available in 08?

Prokopchuk_9 · March 7, 2010

dont use any tunes over 80hp gain, youll fry the ally pretty quick. they can handle 500 horse tunes but not for long. youll burn clutches...just be VERY careful with a tune. you can fry the tranny REALLY easy, the motor is tried tested and true to about 600 horse...put a DPF delete turbo-back pipe and youll gain a bunch of power and MPG also...duramaxes can be alot of fun just be careful not to get too crazy or it can cost you alot of pennies....