Soon to be Cummins owner

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 10, 2015

So I'll be picking up a New 2014 Ram 2500 Tradesman. Going to be trading in my 2013 1500 Sport. Been doing some ranch work and towing a bit beyond what my 1500 is capable of

Wish me luck. These posts of problems with these trucks have me a bit worried but hope it goes well for me!

Will be driving up to Austin, TX then Houston and finally back to McAllen TX. Interested in what MPG this 2500 will give me.

I'd like to upgrade the wheels and tires to a more aggressive set up. Will be looking into that and will be asking for suggestions and fitment. :favorites13:

Power247 · Feb 11, 2015

Congrats man! Hope you love your Cummins as much as I do.

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 11, 2015

So far so good. Saw 18.8 MPG calculated on the truck from Austin to Houston, TX going good 70-75mph . I forgot to reset the trip meter to calculate it manually on my next fill up.

My 1500 would see 18mpg with the mods I had. On this trip in Stock form, I couldn't see the computer get past 17.2mpg.

The seats are a bit stiffer than my sport seats. And no lumbar support? Kinda sucks. Other than that, pleasantly surprised with its power!

Power247 · Feb 12, 2015

Yeah, the new scr/def system seems to help with the fuel milage over trucks like mine that only have the DPF.

I imagine the Tradesman seats are less plush than the Sport seats you are used to but maybe they won't be that bad once the breaks in a little. Make sure you throw up a pic when you get a chance.

SWJewellTN · Feb 12, 2015

If you're worried about fuel economy then why do you want more aggressive tires?

I traded in my 2013 Outdoorsman 1500 4x2 in for my 2014 2500 Big Horn 4x4 w/Cummins and get better fuel economy in both towing and DD use. I have not taken it on a decent trip on the Interstate to see what it gets there but I expect better than the 1500 did.

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 12, 2015

^ well, by more aggressive I mean a nice all terrain. No more m/t tires for me. But going toward my ranch I do see some muddy trails. The stock tires on my 1500 had me slipping and sliding all over the place.

I'll post some pics of it in a bit. Didn't realize how much taller the 2500 was until I parked next to it.

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 12, 2015

I'll post some more later.
Oh, also hope someone can give me some info if there's factory remote start available for my truck?

SWJewellTN · Feb 12, 2015

Arctic-Rodz said:
^ well, by more aggressive I mean a nice all terrain. No more m/t tires for me. But going toward my ranch I do see some muddy trails. The stock tires on my 1500 had me slipping and sliding all over the place.

I'll post some pics of it in a bit. Didn't realize how much taller the 2500 was until I parked next to it.

I can relate to that. I helped my daughter move last saturday and tried to back up in the yard to her front door. It didn't take much to get the stock tires slipping, and the slope wasn't that bad at all.

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 13, 2015

Ok, so after hand calculating the MPG. I averaged 17.6 from Baytown, TX (off North side I-10) to Mcallen, Texas. The Truck said it was 20.2MPG, a bit exaggerated? lol

I put it to work immediately! I was finishing off filling my ranch driveway with Caliche. Did 3 trips with about 11k lb loads with no issues. The exhaust brake works awesome slowing the weight down.

I have NFAB wheel to wheel nerf bars on order and the rear bumper step to help me get up on the truck bed. Its pretty tall. Also, bed liner (of course) Thats about it for now.
Ideas and suggestions welcome.

I got a drop hitch because it was too tall even with the load the trailer was tilted to the rear.

Oh! and i realized that the trailer light hook up isnt working. The trailer lights work with blinkers and brake light but they dont turn on (and stay on) when i have the parking/headlights on the truck.
Looks like there's my first dealer visit.

Power247 · Feb 14, 2015

That's what I'm talking about!!! Putting your Cummins to work!!

As for mods... Cab roof lights once you get the nerve to cut holes in the roof. I don't know why they don't come on every HD.

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 24, 2015

I would like to upgrade my wheels to a 20"
Still debating on looking for some OEM Laramie wheels or going aftermarket.

I'd like to level out my truck and put some 35" tires but since I tow, I don't know how I feel about needing airbags to level out my truck after its loaded and loosing some gear ratio going with a tire that's 2" taller.

Would 295/60R20 Nitto Terra Grappler or Toyo AT fit on my truck with the OEM Laramie 20" wheels without being level? Or an aftermarket wheel with a similar sized tire, what offset should I be looking at?

Any suggestions and help pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated

Power247 · Feb 24, 2015

You should be able to fit those on factory 20s without any issue. I have 305/70/17s (same height and a 1\2 inch narrower) and they barely rub the passenger control arm at full lock and full articulation.

Power247 · Feb 24, 2015

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 24, 2015

The OEM 20's are 20x8?

If I were to go with aftermarket wheels they would be 20x9.

I don't think I'd go with a taller tire than that 295/60. Since my truck has 3.42 not too sure how much I'd give up going taller

Considering the TS Stryker module too

Power247 · Feb 24, 2015

I am not sure of the width of the factory 20s. I know my polished alum are 17x8. The biggest problem with aftermarket rims is finding some that are close to the factory back spacing. I mean, they are out there but you have to hunt for them. I agree that any taller and you will probably want to change gears. I am not that familiar with the Stryker but I am seeing a bunch of them and Edge programmers up for sale now that EFI Live has tuning for the new Cummins.

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 24, 2015

Yea I know what you mean. That TS Stryker has me interested because it doesn't modify the computer so they claim it won't void the warranty because it's removable and technically doesn't download anything to the pcm
Would be nice since I'm going to add a taller tire to get some added power back. Any MPG gains would be a plus

regularcab2500 · Feb 24, 2015

Factory 20s are 20x8. Congrats on the new truck man! I have 275/65 duratracs on them which is 34x11" basically. Still have a ton of clearance.

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 25, 2015

^ is that on a 20" wheel? OEM?

I'll be on the look out for some Laramie 20" wheels.
I think that 295/60r20 would look really good

I got the Nfab wheel to wheel steps, bumper step and bedliner done last week.

Getting on this truck without steps sucked! I had a little wooden stool for my wife until I got the steps lol

regularcab2500 · Feb 25, 2015

Lol people always struggle to climb up in mine. Many of my friends have to literally jump to get in lol.

But yes those are factory laramie rims. Not sure why the dealership threw them in but i didnt pay the upgrade price for them :naughty:

Arctic-Rodz · Feb 25, 2015

regularcab2500 said:
Lol people always struggle to climb up in mine. Many of my friends have to literally jump to get in lol.

But yes those are factory laramie rims. Not sure why the dealership threw them in but i didnt pay the upgrade price for them View attachment 45627

Yea, those wheels. Looks good. Id consider the black ones too. Browsing craigslist :naughty:

Soon to be Cummins owner

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