New truck for etk

[etk300ex]

Avg 6 mpg.  Handled great but could use 200 more HP.  Transmission doesn't seem to be operating optimally.  When climbing steep it hunts for gears badly and doesn't like to stay in 3rd, which is optimal for most situations.  Continuous pattern of 2900 right to 5500, then down to 3rd for about10 seconds (3500), then to forth and then right back to 2nd.  Column shifter only has options for D, 2, 1 + OD lockout button.  Most hills I just put it in 2nd manually and kept it between 4-4500, 50-55 mph.  Trans has always shifted oddly but not really a problem with the truck camper.  I'll have to look into it.

[mr.mindless]

sounds pretty terrible.

that's an electronic throttle on a 5.7 HEMI, isn't it?
if it were a couple years older with cables, I'd say you need to adjust the TV cable for just barely less aggressive downshifting.

[etk300ex]

Yes.  Hemi Magnum!

[etk300ex]

Just noticed my mud flap is melted almost in half by the exhaust

[etk300ex]

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[mr.mindless]

solid work truck look. I like it

[etk300ex]

I like it, glad I went with black.  I took the wheels to The Sandman to get blasted and coated.  Got some new mud flaps on.  Cut the exhaust bend off so it dumps down instead of toward the mud flap.  Painted the exhaust.  Got a full set of Weather Tech floor mats.


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[etk300ex]

Executed the above windshield holder-upper reseal.  It was dried out and there is literally a scoop right below it for hvac intake.  It seems unlikely that enough rain could go through that little hole to soak the carpet but, we'll see.  Then again, I couldn't believe the amount of water coming in from the cab lights. 

Dry as can be after yesterdays 8 hour monsoon.  I can't belive this was it...

[etk300ex]

Steering wander is a lot more noticable with the new tires.  It's always had a hard pull to the left if you slam on the brakes.  It looks to me that all the slop is in the steering box, so I think I'll start there.  Any recommendations replacement reman vs oem vs aftermarket? 

Should I do the steering box brace while I'm there?  Looking at how the box is mounted, I really have a hard time accepting that there could be any significant amount of flex there... 

Just had the pump replaced.  All the joints look tight. 

[M4wdFab]

what do you have the toe set at?

[mr.mindless]

Link bushing wear can cause a pull or dive to one side on braking as worn link bushings compress at different rates.

[M4wdFab]

Link bushing wear can cause a pull or dive to one side on braking as worn link bushings compress at different rates.

i forgot my 01 ram 2500 did this like crazy, Tom and i found it one night, lower control arm bushing at frame had like 1/2" play front to back lol 

[mr.mindless]

Pretty sure Bret's did the same too. Not sure if the newer trucks get the same thing or not, I don't think I've done links on mine, that's over 100k of my miles on a 460k truck

[M4wdFab]

my uncles 06 2500 cummins truck folded the lower front control arms during a panic stop lol 

[etk300ex]

what do you have the toe set at?

As purchased