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Some Random Questions

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heyitsseant

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Hi all! I'm thinking about buying myself a new 3500 Cummins in the coming months, and I'm just wondering about a few things that I'd like to eventually do to the truck.

1) Is there a sort of "you should do this right after purchase" list?

2) I'm fairly confident in this already, but just to confirm: 35x12.50 or similar sizes fit on the trucks (4x4) without any further modifications, correct?

3) Does anyone offer anything in regards to aftermarket exhaust systems? Not straight piping, just to change the tone a bit.

4) Does anyone offer light mounting bars that are not bull bars or similar? I like having auxiliary lighting, but don't want anything too massive hanging off the front of the truck.

5) Is there a go to brand of oil and filter, for all, that people like? I worked in the automotive aftermarket for 14 years and sold Fram heavily. I know many people vilify the company, but I never had any issues selling or using, though I'd like other opinions.

6) Are there any maintenance, like, additives I should be utilizing, or anything like that?

Thank you for any and all answers. Should this post require an edit and some of the questions moved to a different forum, please let me know and I'd be happy to.
 
20240606_162246.jpg

You can add a 20inch light bar in the lower grill. Baja designs sells brackets are you can build your own. This light is very bright. 18k lumens
 

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^ as stated above you can block off your air to air cooler with a lightbar. Or there are some better solutions as some have put a 30” (cant remember the exact length) lightbar on to of the bumper in front of the grill (lightbar only covers the plastic of the grill not blocking the RAD)


No aftermarket exhaust since there is no muffler on the stock system so without deleting it you cant change the sound.


FRAM is junk use the Donaldson its the best oil filter on the market for these trucks and OEM for fuel filters. I use Amsoil but Shell Rotella t6 it perfectly acceptable

No additives needed just the cheapest DEF you can get.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
^ as stated above you can block off your air to air cooler with a lightbar. Or there are some better solutions as some have put a 30” (cant remember the exact length) lightbar on to of the bumper in front of the grill (lightbar only covers the plastic of the grill not blocking the RAD)


No aftermarket exhaust since there is no muffler on the stock system so without deleting it you cant change the sound.


FRAM is junk use the Donaldson its the best oil filter on the market for these trucks and OEM for fuel filters. I use Amsoil but Shell Rotella t6 it perfectly acceptable

No additives needed just the cheapest DEF you can get.
Click to expand...
Yep…30”
KC makes a plenty good one, lifetime warranty.
 
I have a light bar that is clear or amber depending on how you turn it on it’s made by M & R led lighting.
 

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H3LZSN1P3R said:
^ as stated above you can block off your air to air cooler with a lightbar. Or there are some better solutions as some have put a 30” (cant remember the exact length) lightbar on to of the bumper in front of the grill (lightbar only covers the plastic of the grill not blocking the RAD)


No aftermarket exhaust since there is no muffler on the stock system so without deleting it you cant change the sound.


FRAM is junk use the Donaldson its the best oil filter on the market for these trucks and OEM for fuel filters. I use Amsoil but Shell Rotella t6 it perfectly acceptable

No additives needed just the cheapest DEF you can get.
Click to expand...
Where I live, up to 20" are available in street legal formats and they give off tons of light, so that's where I'd be stopping. Good to know it can be mounted on the bumper.

That explains why I haven't been able to find anything exhaust related.
 
You have a few options for lights, depending on your budget.

1. LED light bar that can be mounted in various positions in the front, including behind the grill as some have done.
2. Randy Ellis bar that mounts to the tow hook mounting point.
3. Baja Designs LED pods that connect together and mount to the bumper. Made specifically for the new RAMs.
4. Make custom mounts like I did and mount them to the bumper.
Details are in my build thread. I just finished the build.
I did 4 6" lights. But you can do any combo you want from 2 up to 5. 6 may fit but I didn't measure for 6.

Good luck.
 
5) Is there a go to brand of oil and filter, for all, that people like? I worked in the automotive aftermarket for 14 years and sold Fram heavily. I know many people vilify the company, but I never had any issues selling or using, though I'd like other opinions.

In no particular order:

Rotella T6​
Valvoline Premium Blue​
AMSOIL Signature Series 10W-30 100% Synthetic Max-Duty Diesel Oil​

OEM fuel filters from Genos or one of the other 2 known suppliers (have to search) - avoid docs diesel and anything from Amazon.


#1 is the Blue Donaldson
#2 is the Fleetguard stratapore

Donaldson DBL7349 20um @ 100%, 15um @ 98.7%, 7um @ 59.97% Nanofiber Synthetic​

FLEETGUARD - STRATAPORE ('89-'24, 6.7L & 5.9L) - LF16035​


Donaldson P558615 40um @ 98.7%, 20 @ 50% Cellulose

Mopar/Fleetguard LF3972 30um @ 95% (35 @ 98.7% older info) Cellulose

Wix 57620 30um @ 95%, 20um @ 50% Cellulose

Wix 57620XE 25um @ 95%, 14um @ 50% Glass Enhanced Cellulose

Baldwin BT7349 30um @ 98.7%, 12um @ 50% Synthetic blend

aka CAT 396-4596 = Baldwin BT7349 30um @ 98.7%, 12um @ 50% Synthetic blend

Fleetguard LF16035 30um @ 100% (25um @ 98.7% older info) Stratapore Synthetic

Purolator L45335 20um @ 97.5% Cellulose

Purolator PL45335 20um @ 99.9% Synthetic

Amsoil EaO80 20um @ 99% Synthetic (now reported to be a lesser filter)

Fleetguard LF9028 aka Baldwin BD7317 " 5 Nominal; 20 Absolute"
Carrier 30-00463-00; Fleetguard LF9028 30 MICRON EFFICIENCY @100%
 
6. Additives. The only one that i have seen that seems beneficial to some is Archoil. On several members trucks it helps them go much longer between exhaust regenerations.
 
Brutal_HO said:
You didn't ask:

7) Air filter?

Use only the Mopar 53034051AB or the (only the US made ones) Fleetguard AF27684
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In my case this is the best advice possible. I installed an S&B intake right after I bought mine not realizing the impact it would have on regen frequency.

With S&B I was lucky to get 250 miles or so between soot based regens - after switching back to factory air box with that specific AB filter I only get the 24hr time based regens.

Sure do miss that turbo whistle from the S&B though...
 
heyitsseant said:
Where I live, up to 20" are available in street legal formats and they give off tons of light, so that's where I'd be stopping. Good to know it can be mounted on the bumper.

That explains why I haven't been able to find anything exhaust related.
Click to expand...
Banks actually has a 5" Exhaust that is from dpf back. They also have boost tubes, cold air intake, etc
 
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