Hey guys,


I just wanted to say whats up i am new to the forums as well as pickup truck world. I just bought a 1997 Ram 2500 with 200k on the clock and 100 on motor and trans. I bought it as a plow truck and something to haul my quads around. I already have a 8' western Mark IIIa. The truck has a cherry bomb exhaust, skyjacker struts and bfg AT. The truck needs some work but with a little tlc makes a great project. Now i have a few questions.

Have any of you guys used the ebay headers, I am wondering how they are or if they are even worth the money there like 175 i think. Also what weight oil do you guys use and do you change it up for summer and winter, i think i am going with 5w30 jus wanted some of your guys input.

Thanks and looking foward to being a new memeber of the boards
Anthony

 

Welcome to DF!!!

i really dont know about the ebay headers, mostly because i've never ordered them. some people dont like them, some do. i personally have the summit shorty headers(basically pacesetters, sold under summit racing inc.) they have been wonderful, and weren't that expensive(i think about the same price range as the ebay ones, maybe cheaper).

as for the oil...i think the majority runs 10w30...i run it year round. i guess it depends on where you live and what you do with the truck. if you're plowing, i would think a heavier weight oil would be better, but i could be wrong. i'm sure someone else will chime in eventually.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Headers: Im running gibson shorties ceramic coated. I cant really give an input on the ebay ones but tryin postin a link to what your looking at so we can have an idea. I will say this though: if your getting headers, shorties or LT you should invest in ceramic coated. Pay it once and dont worry about having to replace them in 2 or 3 years (or sooner if theyre crap). My shorties look like they did when they came out of box.

Oil: I also run 10w30 around the clock. But it really depends on where you live, and yeah if your plowing like you said the heavier weight couldnt hurt. Oh haha just looked, your in NJ id go with 10w30.

 

Thanks guys I am going to go with something good like said and ceramic coated. Spend a little more now for a little less later, also yeaa I was going to get the case of 10w30 of shell at costco but I waited to see, I should be fine i will just change my oil more when during the winter if i am plowing. Any good oil recommendations?

 

i use Mobil 1 Synthetic 10w30 and i replace a quart with Lucus Oil Stabilizer, and use a Mobil 1 Filter, Its expensive, but its worth it. i took off my valve covers to change the gaskets, and it was dirty in there. ive gone through 3 Mobil 1 oil changes now, and i checked under the VC's again, and its WAY cleaner in there. Deffinatly worth the money.


I took a class on how oils work for my job. and its proven that the Mobil1 cleans out the motor, ( pretty much the best oil out there), and i wanted to find out if its true. and it was.

It has a solution inside the oil that wraps around sludge, and when you drain it, it takes the sludge out with it.


as for headers, i would go wth what wjxavier said. go to summit, they have good prices.

 

Is it ok to use synthetic now the truck has like 125k of not using it?

 

Yes you can go over to synthetic, even with the mileage on the odometer. Just a note as a former 2500 4x4 with a plow owner. Install a trans fluid cooler if one hasn't been already installed, and a trans temp gauge. Especially while plowing you want to keep an eye on that.

 

ihave 193K and use synthetic, but remeber when you go to synthetic, you have to stay with synthetic, or it can cause engine damage if you go back to conventional.

 

I've been using Wal-Mart supertech 10w-30 full syn for 300,000. Main thing is keep it changed whatever you use.

 

Oh!!! welcome Jersey Anthony. This is a great site.