Do s and Don´t s

[hErEsy]

Hi y´all,
just got me a 5th Gen. While I had a few Durangos, this would be my first Truck. Currently still in honeymoon phase
So, I was wondering.
Maybe you guys (and gals of course) could throw me a few Donts and Dos on this type of truck. In the vicinity of "dont drive your truck in Aero Mode all the time because it´ll fry brakelights" ... or something in that sense. Those typical things that brake and cost a lot of dough while taking care before hand would have kept it in shape forever .... (and please dont say: do your tune up ... ROFL).

I am looking for stuff like (pretty sure the Hemi on the Durango is the same on the RAM) check every 50K mls the header screws and /or change em).
Any input is welcome, since I would like to stay on honeymoon for as long as I can . And maybe we can assemble a short list with Issue, Symptom, Cause and Preventationmeasures?

Y´all have a fantastic day !!!!

 

[scottmoyer]

I was thinking about starting a thread for just that. I've fixed many issues myself and know others are still experiencing issues and this site's search function isn't as good as other's I've been on. A single thread to list the issue and fixes would be good.

 

[boogielander]

I probably gonna get a lot of flames for some of the following things, but here goes:

Maintenance:

• Do change your oil and filter regularly. I recommend every 5K but others swear by going with the meter.
• Do follow the book for driveline and transmission, though it's ok to do them earlier if you drive the truck hard, offroad hard/ often, or tow heavy.
• Do use thicker oil (5W-30) than what the book/ cap says. 0W-20 printed on the cap is just way too thin for these engines. (I put 0-40 when I could find them, and 5-40 other times. 5-30 when we run out of the other two at the shop)

Mods (my professional opinions here, though there will be many people doing the opposite and swear off their personal experience saying it's fine):

• Do go with quality parts, even though they may cost more
• Do go with American made parts, even though they do cost more compared to the cheaper Chinese equivalent
  • Things like lights, switches, etc. Two brands that I, as a professional builder, trust: Switch Pros and Baja Designs.
  • Things like bumpers, definitely NOT the cheaper Chinese ones (no DV8, no Amazon, no Ebay)
• Do use real suspension parts, if you want to upgrade
  • Bilstein 5100s are the bare minimum
• Do NOT buy parts from Amazon or ebay unless you know what you're looking at
  • Those sources are often stuff made in China or Chinese branded stuff
• Do NOT use spacers/ pucks for lifts.

Driving habit:

• Do NOT let the engine sit and idle too much. Idling doesn't produce enough oil pressure to lubricate the engine, which would is not good.