I have a 08 1500 Mega Cab 5.7. My question is, can someone give me a straight answer on what weight oil to use?
This is what I have come up with :
5.7 w/MDS requires 5w-20
5.7w/o MDS operating under 14000lb or greater gvwr 5w-30
5.7 w/o MDS operating under 14000lb or less gvwr 5w20

Is this information accurate? Local dealer isn't sure. Manual doesn't offer a clear answer.
I am getting ready to do oil change, but want to know what weight to use before I go out and buy the wrong oil.
Thanks guys,
Tim

 

does it really matter, your gvwr is no more than 8800 pounds, do you plan on exceeding 14,000? if so id like to see that hemi try.
buy amsoil 5 20 for mds and 30 for no mds.

 

I tow a 7000lb camp trailer, so yes I do exceed 14000lb gvwr, but will onlydo so ahandful of times each year.
5W-30 is what I am looking for then, Thank you.

 

so you dont have the MDS?
gvrw includes trailer tongue weight (amount of force applied to tongue by trailer), not the weight of the trailer.

youre thinking of GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)

 

Learn something new everyday. No I don't have MDS, It's not an option on the mega cabs, only on true 1/2 tons.
Thanks again

 

no prob, yeah dont know why they market the MC as a 1500 when its a 2500 frame. do they charge more for the 2500 MCs??

the mds is horse**** anyways, flat surface cruising (dont crank the ac from off to high) etc etc doesnt happen often.

since you are pulling a good deal with a gasser you may want to look into an electric fan instead of a clutch fan, itll give you a tad more HP, also keep your engine cooler, real helpful if its been towing at highway speeds and then you hit stop and go or if its mountain driving.
i know you said you dont trailer often but how far do you go when you go? you may also want to look into a tranny temp sensor and perhaps a deeper tranny pan and rear diff pumpkin as well. throw amsoil in the rear diff. havent used it in my tranny yet, been putting off getting its first flush.

 

They charge something like $4000-5000more for the 2500 MC, brother in-law bought one, for only 300lb payload and 1000lb towing difference, I can live with the 1500 MC. Air bags are much cheaper. I tow cross country, from jackson,WY to rochester, MN or Temecula, CA. around 2K round trip. I am suprised at how well it tows here in the mountains, we live above 6000ft and regularly get up to 8500ft. It does alot better on the flat ground in NV and CA, but I have no complaints. I am getting ready to go synthetic in my diffs, spent the last 4 months in 4x4, and T-Case. I have the built in tranny temp dummy light, but want to add a sensor soon. What size E-Fan for the hemi. I have used one on my 94 Bronco/Lightning, but dont know about the cooling needs of the hemi. Thanks, Tim

 

min 3,000 cfm, pref 4,000 cfm

 

Awesome, so I guess the MarkVIII fan that I have sitting in the basement is gonna go into the truck. They flow 4200cfm, and have the high/low capacity. Now it's time to find some info on temp on/off switches for our trucks. Anyone know what the on/off temp should be for the Hemi? It was easy enough in the lightning, but the hemi is a different animal. Thanks for the info.