Quote:
Originally Posted by EdBoyle
I own a '08 Dodge 2500 Cummins with 205,000 miles. I want to drive from the East Coast to Yellowstone in Sept of 2022. What advice do you have for preparing the truck for the trip? (We own a Forest River Vibe, with an EW around 7,100 lbs.) The truck AC is broken. The electronic fuel injector light is illuminated. Truck still has the original tranny. We've replaced some rusted brake lines and redone the whole front end and replaced the water pump summer of '20. I don't want to break down on this trip. What suggestions would you give for preparation of this truck for a cross country trip pulling the Vibe?
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Are you able to work on a lot of vehicle stuff? As said previously do you/can you get a scan tool and scan for the codes?
There are many items that need inspected and the fluids and filters in the tranny , rear end, front end, power steering, and transfer case need servicing. If the tranny fluid has decent color and doesn’t smell real burned you’ll be ok changing it but if it’s dark and burnt it will be trouble.
The injector light? Not knowing the code it would be a hard diagnosis. But usually on the 6.7 an injector or 2 will have high resistance, stick or partly clogged causing a timing/delivery issue the computer doesn’t like. Also the wiring harness is in the the valve cover gasket and a bad wire or connection on the injector could cause the issue. I changed all 6 injectors on a 2008 Dodge Ram along with the wire harness. Paying for the work would have been really high. The scan tool will tell you which injector circuit/s has a problem.
Hoses, belts, idler pulleys, water pumps, brake lines, fuel lines, trans coolers and lines, intercooler and lines, radiator, brakes, wheel bearings and seals, power steering pump and hoses, fuel filters, air filters, tires, wipers and alternators, battery and cables all need to be inspected and can go bad during a trip. Sounds like a lot and it is but once it’s been inspected, items service and or fixed you’ll be good to go. The new trucks do not impress me at all. Way over engineered and the darn Def systems are a night mare. Oh also I’d start a month earlier on the trip to give you a better weather outlook. It can get slippery in September if the right front comes in.