I inherited my dad's 2004 5.9L Cummins

[Irish_Texan]

Hi everybody.. I'm new here. My dad passed away 6 years ago and I just found out I inherited his 2004 Ram 2500 HD with 5.9 Cummins. Forgive the lengthy post...

It's been sitting under an open carport for the last 6 years and apparently only started and driven a couple of times (early on).

So long story short, they said the batteries were dead (of course), so when I went to get it I brought two new batteries. I was told the truck ran very well and I knew my dad took very good care of his vehicles, so I decided to start it up (after, of course, checking all the fluid levels...which were all normal). With the new batteries, it fired right up. I let it idle for about 20 minutes or so, checking for any leaks and watching the gauges. No problems so I drove it home.

I forgot to mention, this truck is 20 years old and only has 117k miles on it. It drove like a champ for the trip home, which is an hour away.

I plan to do a complete flush and fill on coolant, oil/filter, transmission fluid, brake fluid, air filter, fuel filter. I learned how to check for blow-by (I think that's what it was called) and the oil fill cap just sat there with no dancing. Anything else I should be considering? Even thought it seems to be running good, would y'all recommend a go ahead and replace fuel pump and/or water pump just as a precaution?

Here's some pics of the engine bay area. I've never owned a diesel and don't know much, but I'm starting to learn. Does anything jump out at anyone indicating a problem just from the pics?

Thanks in advance for any help! Really appreciate it!

 

[BossHogg]

Much sought-after truck, and even more so if it is a manual, at least in my area of the country.

I would not replace anything that isn't broken. I think your plan of changing all the fluids, and axles also, is all that is needed.

 

[Irish_Texan]

even more so if it is a manual

I wish it was a manual, but it's got the 4 speed automatic.

 

[RamDiver]

to Ram Forum

How about showing more pics of your new ride?

.

 

[Irish_Texan]

View attachment 537035 to Ram Forum

How about showing more pics of your new ride?

.

I sure will!! I'll take some today.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Change the trans fluid, don't flush it. Brake system flush is actually a very good idea. Everything else sounds great, leave the hard parts alone unless they indicate failure. It's a stock diesel, you might kill anything else on that truck but it won't be the engine lol. A pressure washer to the engine bay definitely wouldn't hurt.

 

[Irish_Texan]

Change the trans fluid, don't flush it.

That's actually what I meant, oops.

pressure washer to the engine bay definitely wouldn't hurt.

Oh for sure!!! Lol. Gotta clean this thing up.

 

[mtnrider]

I would just do the fluids, save the other stuff for a "as-needed" basis if they fail.

.

 

[andymax]

I'd have a good look at the tires...

 

[Irish_Texan]

For sure.. I didn't mention that, but all 4 need replaced. The front 2 have lots of tread but the DOT date code indicates they're 7 years old.

I'd have a good look at the tires...

 

[Irish_Texan]

View attachment 537035 to Ram Forum

How about showing more pics of your new ride?

.

As requested...

 

[06 Dodge]

Only thing I would not have done is drove it for an hour home with 6 year old oil in it

 

[HemiLonestar]

Turning radius of a battleship lol.

 

[RamDiver]

Turning radius of a battleship lol.

But think of the party you can have on that massive box.

.

 

[HemiLonestar]

But think of the party you can have on that massive box.

.

That's what she said
Big enough tarp + water = portable redneck pool

 

[Irish_Texan]

Turning radius of a battleship lol.

No kidding!!! HA!

 

[David James]

Hi everybody.. I'm new here. My dad passed away 6 years ago and I just found out I inherited his 2004 Ram 2500 HD with 5.9 Cummins. Forgive the lengthy post...

It's been sitting under an open carport for the last 6 years and apparently only started and driven a couple of times (early on).

So long story short, they said the batteries were dead (of course), so when I went to get it I brought two new batteries. I was told the truck ran very well and I knew my dad took very good care of his vehicles, so I decided to start it up (after, of course, checking all the fluid levels...which were all normal). With the new batteries, it fired right up. I let it idle for about 20 minutes or so, checking for any leaks and watching the gauges. No problems so I drove it home.

I forgot to mention, this truck is 20 years old and only has 117k miles on it. It drove like a champ for the trip home, which is an hour away.

I plan to do a complete flush and fill on coolant, oil/filter, transmission fluid, brake fluid, air filter, fuel filter. I learned how to check for blow-by (I think that's what it was called) and the oil fill cap just sat there with no dancing. Anything else I should be considering? Even thought it seems to be running good, would y'all recommend a go ahead and replace fuel pump and/or water pump just as a precaution?

Here's some pics of the engine bay area. I've never owned a diesel and don't know much, but I'm starting to learn. Does anything jump out at anyone indicating a problem just from the pics?

Thanks in advance for any help! Really appreciate it!

Condolences on loss of your dad. Just run new fluids in it to include fuel, coolant and brakes. Fuel filter most definitely need replacement, and watch for debris build up from setting up. Check for brittle or damaged rubber or seals. I’d not replace water pump etc as long as you proceed with getting the old out and new in. Drive it easily for awhile - let it rest on cardboard or paper to look for drips or seeps. New tires are in order. Your dad did you right. Take care of his legacy.

 

[Irish_Texan]

Condolences on loss of your dad. Just run new fluids in it to include fuel, coolant and brakes. Fuel filter most definitely need replacement, and watch for debris build up from setting up. Check for brittle or damaged rubber or seals. I’d not replace water pump etc as long as you proceed with getting the old out and new in. Drive it easily for awhile - let it rest on cardboard or paper to look for drips or seeps. New tires are in order. Your dad did you right. Take care of his legacy.

Thanks so much! Yessir, replacing every fluid and every filter it has. I'm actually gonna have it towed to my mechanic and he's gonna drop the fuel tank and check for any sludge; he's also gonna check all the rubber stuff on the suspension, etc. And of course getting new tires as well since the newest of the tires are 7 years old (even though they probably only have a few hundred miles on em). Appreciate the reply and info!

 

[Donald Parker]

Great truck, mechanical 24Vs are seriously in demand, best of the best and bullet proof! All prior recs are good ones except I would definitely insist on all synthetic liquids in every orifice. The achilles heal on these is the 48RE transmission, so you can either look at aftermarket options to tune or bolster with a shift kit upgrade (https://us.bddiesel.com/products/bu...stage-3-heavy-duty-kit?variant=30073763070016). But I would drive it until you see even the slightest issues and then look at options. Also, these are particularly sensitive to particulates in the fuel, so use really good fuel filters

 

[Irish_Texan]

Great truck, mechanical 24Vs are seriously in demand, best of the best and bullet proof! All prior recs are good ones except I would definitely insist on all synthetic liquids in every orifice. The achilles heal on these is the 48RE transmission, so you can either look at aftermarket options to tune or bolster with a shift kit upgrade (https://us.bddiesel.com/products/bu...stage-3-heavy-duty-kit?variant=30073763070016). But I would drive it until you see even the slightest issues and then look at options. Also, these are particularly sensitive to particulates in the fuel, so use really good fuel filters

Got it, thanks!!