550 dodge

   / 550 dodge #1  

rdbrumfield

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2002
Messages
1,075
Location
Western Washington
Tractor
5300 JD 4X4
A bit off the tractor forum, but I bit off a new truck. An 08, but new cab and chassis. I am in the build mode now. Putting a flatbed with hoist on it. Second day on the build, will finish the welding tomorrow. Then the paint and wiring. Hope to have it on the road by next week. Always the little finishing work that takes the time.
 
   / 550 dodge #2  
Sounds like fun, you are going to post pictures right? :D We all love pictures.

Aaron Z
 
   / 550 dodge #3  
I assume you mean the RAM 5500...?

If so, nice choice! :thumbsup:
Did you get the Aisin transmission or manual shift? And did you get the exhaust brake?
3D6WC76A68G250693-2c.jpg
 
   / 550 dodge
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Yes, that is the one. It does have the auto 6sp. I was surprised to see two overdrive gears. I am a gear guy, but that is what was on the lot and it is a nice driver.
It has the exhaust brake, air, dvd, cruise, intermittant, most things except carpet and cloth seats or power widow or locks. There are quite a few goodies standard on even the basic model.
One thing I do wish it had is the pto set up. I guess it is something that is done at the factory. It automatically picks up the idle speed when engaged.
I was nicely surprised to see that it is prewired for towing. Just have to hook up the plug. There is another bundle of wires for other uses, will have to get into the manual and check it out. Anyway, I think Dodge really went out of the way to build a truck that is ready to work without having to do too much after market changes.
I did pick up a couple of 3ft tool boxes to hang on each side. One other must is a stepping bar for getting in. I am over 6ft and it is still quite a hop to get in. I am sure the outside edge of the drivers seat would be damaged before too long.
One area that I am concerned about is the radiators up front. They are totally exposed when opening the hood. the cooling vanes are so tender you dare not lean on them when checking the engine. The one right in front might be the air or tranny cooler. I am going too put some kind of screen in front of it. Taking it to Ak will fill it with bugs. I figure a window screen will do. At least catch some of them and be able to clean it daily.

I do have some picks I will put up soon. Day by day accomplishments.
 
   / 550 dodge #5  
Very nice! That Aisin auto tranny and exhaust brake should make towing a breeze.
Dodge has been pre-wiring their trucks for quite some time now, it's certainly a time saver. My 03 Ram 1500 came with the tow package and already had the 4-pin connector but when I bought a travel trailer, all I had to do was purchase the 7-pin connector and connect it to the wire harness at the rear. The brake controller plug was right under the dash already and all the fuses were in place. Definitely post pics when you can! :thumbsup:
My truck has 5 radiators in the front that are unprotected when you open the hood but in 5 yrs and 100k miles, I have never damaged one. They sit back far enough that I can stand on the front bumper and lean against the hood latch support without hitting them. A screen protector certainly wouldn't hurt though.
 
   / 550 dodge
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Here you are fellows. I just have a few things to finish tomorrow, mud flaps, reciever, and paint.

day one
 

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   / 550 dodge #9  
Look on the Dodge web page for the 'builder' links. They may use another term as well (upfitter I think). You will find detailed info on how and where the pto wiring is, and some detail on how to wire it up. I think it is better written than the GM pages. Never looked at the Ford's, so didn't look up there upfitter pages.

Like that bed! And wished I had one on my old F250.
 
   / 550 dodge #10  
Looks Great! Nice work on the bed. :thumbsup:
Here is a link to the "builders guide" for more info on the PTO installation and other options of the cab/chassis.
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2008/docs/dcdm/dcdmpto.pdf

Also, you mentioned the high idle feature for PTO work. Did you know that you can use the cruise control for a high idle on the Cummins diesel. With the vehicle in Park, press and release the cruise control ON button then press and release the SET button. Now you can raise or lower the idle by using the ACCEL (idle up) or COAST (idle down) buttons. Then just hit CANCEL, OFF, hit the brakes, or shift into gear to disable it.

It's all explained in the PDF file link above.
 

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