2004 5.9L cummins just hit 320,000 miles

[Aiden_400ex]

Hello all, I have a 2004 ram 2500 xlt 5.9l cummins that I inherited from my uncle that unfortunately passed away in August of last year. It just hit 320,000 miles and has no engine problems(knock on wood). Unfortunately my uncle was not the type to write down notes or save information, he just kept it all in his head so I have basically no information on any potential problems or really just any info on the truck. My aunt(his wife) knows very little about the truck in that way and she went through all of my uncles papers that he had and found almost nothing on the truck. All I really know is that he loved this truck, its was his baby, he didn't have any kids he just had this truck lol. He was always getting new trucks atleast once or twice a month but he's kept this truck since about 2012 I believe. My grandpa(my uncles father) knows a few things like he said that my uncle replaced the injectors about 4 years ago but that's about it. I'm 16 years old and this is my first truck/vehicle, I recently got my liscence and have been driving it a few times a week and I can see why my uncle loved this truck, it's got an 8-9 inch lift and 37inch tires and is a beast. As far as I know is complete stock engine wise except for the turbo silencer ring has been removed and the restrictions in the intake have been takin out aswell. Agian im 16 years old, I turn 17 in August and I'm a sophomore right now, I don't currently have a job but I have applying to a few motorsports places but haven't heard anything back yet. I don't really have any expenses other then this truck and I honestly just wanna make my uncle proud make this the most badass truck ever. And I know these are one of the most reliable engines and I hope it lasts a long time but when it eventually does have a problem im just wondering what that may be, like if there is a common weak point, like the 4 speed automatic transmissions are knows for blowing. And as far as I know it's the stock transmission. I definitely have above average knowledge of trucks/mechanical wise compared to the rest of my(weird) generation, but by no means am I gonna be doing an engine swap in my driveway. Anyways I'm wondering what kinda pricing an engine rebuild would be and what price difference it would be to build one and if building one would be worth it, thanks. (Hears a few pics i took of the truck)

 

[06 Dodge]

Keep it stock as in no engine or trans tune and trans will last a while longer, service regularly, IE oil changes with quality 15w40 diesel oil every 7500 and fuel filters every 25K unless using more then B5 then IMPO change them every 15K with a great filter like the Baldwin PF 7977 ( used the Baldwin filter 2006 5.9 for 15 years) for oil filters either the Donaldson DBL 7349 or Fleetguard Stratapore LF16035..

 

[MikeT]

There was a fellow on Youtube a while back, he was from back east (Tenn or Ky) I think. He bought a gen 3 CTD from a dealer in Utah or ID, that had about 998,000 miles on it and drove it back to his home state. It made it with no problems. It was the first million mile truck that I have heard of. The history on the truck was that it was very well taken care of, was used in the oil industry, but maintenance was 100% excellent. Do the same with your truck don't baby it but don't hot rod it either and it will treat you very well.

Mike

 

[Dean2]

Great truck you inherited. Sounds like your uncle took excellent care of it. If you don't try to power tune it, that motor will easily go another 300,000 miles with nothing more than good regular maintenance. Saw a lot of the 1994 to 2010 2500 and 3500s with the diesel and the V10 (discontinued in 2004) used in the oilfield as hotshot trucks. It was very common for both to run 500,000 miles and still have no major motor work done to them.

I gave my 1996 2500, V10 long box to my nephew 2 years ago when I bought my new vehicle. It has 160,000 miles on it, runs like it is brand new. It is Bone stock with no major repairs and still burns zero oil between 12,000 mile oil changes, always with 5w30 Mobile 1.

Take good care of it and you can drive it for decades more.

 

[miketx]

What others have said......don't be a typical teenager and try powermodding it, and it will last you a long time. If you start tweaking the engine or transmission....all bets are off.