I inherited my dad's 2004 5.9L Cummins

[Treburkulosis]

That is one big clean truck!

 

[Irish_Texan]

That is one big clean truck!

Just noticed you're in Haslet...howdy neighbor! I'm in FW!

 

[Treburkulosis]

Just noticed you're in Haslet...howdy neighbor! I'm in FW!

Howdy. Where about in Fort Worth are you? NSEW?

 

[Irish_Texan]

Howdy. Where about in Fort Worth are you? NSEW?

I work in downtown FW. Live in Mansfield.

 

[Treburkulosis]

Nice. I grew up in Kennedale. I know Mansfield well.

 

[Marshall]

That truck looks new, I had a 05, but it was a 1500, 5.7.

 

[Irish_Texan]

That truck looks new, I had a 05, but it was a 1500, 5.7.

When I went to the tax office to switch the registration, the title indicated he bought it in 2005 and it had 37k miles on it. 1 year, 37k miles. Then he drove it for 13 years and got it to 117k. Then it sat dormant for the last 6 years. I plan on keeping it and probably pass it on to one of my sons.

 

[2Tallguy]

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!

If it's a 49 state HO federal truck you've got a gem. Change all the fluids,check the brakes etc. the TDR forum is great along with Cummins Forum. The TDR has a section entitled what to do with a recently acquired Cummins or something like that. OH get new quality tires.

 

[Irish_Texan]

a 49 state HO federal truck

I'm not sure what you mean by this... How do I find out?

 

[Irish_Texan]

Little update... Had it towed to my mechanic today. Gonna have the fuel tank dropped and make sure there's no diesel "goo" that'll damage the injectors. Also changing every fluid and filter and new tires. When I get the thumbs up that it's GTG and road worthy, this'll become my new daily driver and I'll be selling my Tacoma.

 

[Lindmanoskar]

As requested...

 

[ppine]

People like those trucks, just keep it. It was Dad's truck. Good for you.
My Dad is about to turn 100. He encouraged me to buy a new Ram two years ago. Thanks Dad. I am selling my car because driving a Ram is like having a space ship.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Hang on to that thing forever. Arguably, the best diesel engine in history. Bullet proof and will last many, many years with just basic maintenance. Maintenance is pretty easy. Just learn how and do it yourself. You will save a ton of money.

I had a heavily modified 2006 MegaCab that was destroyed in an accident caused by someone turning right in front of me causing me to t-bone them. 8K lbs doesn’t stop quick at 50-60 mph. I couldn’t swing the crazy $80K for a new diesel and I didn’t want the new crap that is out now. Too many restrictions and regulations. I would give just about anything to have it back. Man, I really miss that truck.

 

[Irish_Texan]

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely keeping her! I forgot I hadn't put an update on here... turns out my dad apparently used Sta-bil in the tank, so the diesel in there was still good to go. Everything looked good on it.

So far I've replaced all 4 shocks, all 4 brakes/rotors, in addition to the initial fluid/filter replacements. I've already taken it on a couple of road trips from Fort Worth to San Antonio and back. Getting about 18-19mpg [calculated, not relying on the computer which shows me I'm getting 21.5mpg!] on highway [as long a I keep it at 65mph! lol]

I'm not a big chrome fan [like my dad was], so I updated the chrome badging [pics attached], just to freshen it up some. I got a kit for some front leveling spacers which I'm installing this weekend. While I'm in there, I might have to replace the UCA and tie rods and whatnot cause it looks like the 20 year-old bushings are pretty much rotted away. I've already got that kit on hand so it'll be the time to do it since I'll be working on that stuff anyway.

 

[ppine]

Excellent. Keep thinking long term. Keep up with everything.
I drove a Ford 7.3 for 20 years. But now the new Ram makes the old truck seem loud and slow.

 

[AlaRama]

A little late to the thread but I have an 04.5 2wd with the HO engine and automatic. It’s been mostly trouble free except for I had to swap out the governor solenoid for the improved version because of erratic shifting under light load.

Yours looks like a 2wd as well. Since it’s been sitting so long, the front wheel bearings could have dried up grease. It happened to mine. Jack it up and see if the wheel rotates freely by hand. Mine would only spin 1/4 turn. I put a set of Spicers on mine.

Also check the front jounce bumpers to see if they are busted or show signs of heavy contact. If so, you could need new front springs. I can’t tell for sure from the pic, but it looks raked forward a little bit, thats a sign of weak springs as well. These Cummins engines are heavy. I replaced my springs with OEM at 100k. Hopefully they hold up longer.

They also go through lower ball joints so have them checked at an alignment shop. I replaced mine with Moog.

Hope none of this is going on with your truck, just giving you some things I have experienced that you can look for. Good luck!

 

[Irish_Texan]

A little late to the thread but I have an 04.5 2wd with the HO engine and automatic. It’s been mostly trouble free except for I had to swap out the governor solenoid for the improved version because of erratic shifting under light load.

Yours looks like a 2wd as well. Since it’s been sitting so long, the front wheel bearings could have dried up grease. It happened to mine. Jack it up and see if the wheel rotates freely by hand. Mine would only spin 1/4 turn. I put a set of Spicers on mine.

Also check the front jounce bumpers to see if they are busted or show signs of heavy contact. If so, you could need new front springs. I can’t tell for sure from the pic, but it looks raked forward a little bit, thats a sign of weak springs as well. These Cummins engines are heavy. I replaced my springs with OEM at 100k. Hopefully they hold up longer.

They also go through lower ball joints so have them checked at an alignment shop. I replaced mine with Moog.

Hope none of this is going on with your truck, just giving you some things I have experienced that you can look for. Good luck!

Thanks for the info! Yeah, when I installed the leveling spacers, I also installed New Lower Ball Joints, Outer Tie Rods, Sway Bar Links, Steering Rack & Pinion Bellows, Inner Tie Rods, Upper Control Arms with Ball Joints. Also, as you mentioned, the little bump stops were completely deteriorated and crumbling from being 20 years old. I replaced those as well.