What would you do for reliability/durability mods? 06 HPCR, 6spd manual 4x4

[GM Guy]

Hi, my dad's one friend currently has a 2006 Dodge 2500 Mega cab (short bed, of course) cummins 6 speed manual 4x4. It is a really nice truck, and is low on miles (40K miles).

He is contemplating getting rid of it because it is requiring maintenance, (oil changes, tire changes, etc) and he does not want to mess anything up by doing it himself, so he has the dealer do it, and they are trying to constantly pull the wool over his eyes. (offering a fuel line flush from the filter to the injectors for only 250 dollars , differential oil change for 400 bucks, etc.)

I am trying to convince him to keep it and just put some upgrades on it, rather than get a 6.7L afterburner. He also likes the truck, but doesn't like having to do maintenance. He has the means to get a new truck, but I feel he needs to keep what he has.

He uses it as a daily driver and a pulling truck (14K max GTW)

What would everyone recommend for durabilty/reliability upgrades for this truck?

He already smoked the clutch, and luckily he was sent to a shop that carried South Bend, so it has a South Bend unit in there.

I think he needs Amsoil in all the boxes, and let him still take the truck in still for engine oil changes,
mag hytec diff cover for the rear,
and a tracking bar/steering box stabilizer upgrade (not sure of which mfg to go with on this)
bilstein shocks,
A good brake controller such as a Tekonsha prodigy or P3 (not even sure if he has one)

Anything else, such as any dodge/cummins essentials that i am forgetting?

He is satisfied with the power, and doesn't want to spend too much on it, so likely no programmers will be on the list.

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

 

[Cumminalong]

OMG!

Tell him to stay the hell away from that dealer.

On 2006 with a manual trans, there isn't a damn thing he needs to do reliablity wise on it. He already took care of the clutch, and assuming it was the G56, that's the only weak spot is that dual mass flywheel.

Oil changes - 7500 miles with 15W40. Rotella is just fine.
Diff's - 30K with 75W90
Fuel filter - 10K with a Fleetguard Stratapore

Other than that, there's nothing major.

Fuel line flush?....PUNCH THOSE 'TARDS IN THE FACE.

Please, have him call me if he has any questions.

If he's looking for some DIY stuff, here's some things he can look at:

http://www.doghousediesel.com/id13.html

If he's wants to browse around and see my recommendations on mods or other things, have him look here:

http://www.doghousediesel.com/id8.html

My phone number is at the bottom of all those pages, so PLEASE have him give me a call if they pull that crap on him. I'll gladly get on the phone with the dealer and tell them what a bunch of sorry bastards they are.

 

[GM Guy]

Since you know your stuff, i would like to know two quick dodge things.

1) on that 06 truck, what are the red and green lights about on the rearview (inside cab) mirror? I figured it was auto dim, is this correct?

2) is there a mega cab on the newest dodge? the guy with the 06 needs to know.

 

[Cumminalong]

Since you know your stuff, i would like to know two quick dodge things.

1) on that 06 truck, what are the red and green lights about on the rearview (inside cab) mirror? I figured it was auto dim, is this correct?

2) is there a mega cab on the newest dodge? the guy with the 06 needs to know.

If he has the electronic rearview mirror, then yes, that's the auto dim feature.

As for the Mega Cab, are you talking about the new 2010 trucks? If so, yes, they still offer the MC.

The did away with the Quad Cab and have a slightly larger Crew Cab now. Th Crew Cab is basically a Mega cab without the extra 8 inches behind the door.

If you can get me the VIN number, I can give you the build sheet and all the details on the truck.

:thumbsup:

 

[dieseljunkie]

Honestly, if he wants something he's not going to have to worry about, I'd have him do a baypass oil filtration setup, and a synthetic oil.. Talk to Wrecker here (The Oil Geek). He is an Amsoil dealer, and can get him setup with the bypass system, and synthetic oil. I run my 15w40 HD Diesel and Marine Amsoil motor oil 20k between changes. It comes back as useable every time I have it analyzed, but I change it at 20k for my own comfort. The kicker is, I don't use a bypass system. I simply put an Amsoil filter in the OEM location, and run the HD Diesel and Marine motor oil, and its treated me great. From the sounds of it, "The Oil Geek" can hook ya up!
Scott