2003 Ram 2500 CCLB

[etk300ex]

Using RPM calculator, it doesn't make sense.

https://www.crawlpedia.com/rpm_gear_calculator.htm

[etk300ex]

Picked up a brush guard off FBM for $50. 1sqft of 1/4" steel for $38.  Made some brackets, cleaned it up and painted with some farm implement paint.  It's not the greatest looking, they should have made the center section taller to match the lines of the hood. But the price was right, it'll do the job.   

[M]

M4WD Fabrications can make a center section for that easily.

[etk300ex]

That’s not necessary lol

[etk300ex]

I got these badges over winter.  They’re off of an 80 Dodge.




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[etk300ex]

Picked up this little shovel at the Avon flea market, perfect fit.




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[etk300ex]

Took this in for inspection and had them look at the cruise.  He came to the same conclusion I did which is there is nothing blocking the cruise from setting.  He said last stitch effort would be to change the ECM.  To my surprise, it was pretty cheap.  I got one from Flashmasters programmed to VIN and shipped for 200.

Cruise now "works", it takes about 5 tries to set after startup, then it seems to work for the remainder.  So, we'll see, not super confident given the irregularity of the issue.  Otherwise, it definitely runs better.  Starts right up, no smoke.  Cold start it used to chug a lug for about 30 seconds with black smoke.  Often when coming to a hard stop the RPMs would get low, like 500, sometimes it would stall.  Haven't seen these symptoms at all.   

[mr.mindless]

did you get to keep the old computer? Would be mildly interesting to compare software revisions between them. I wouldn't expect any of those things to change with an ECU from supposedly factory tune to another.

[mr.mindless]

Damn, 1700-1800 for my ECU from them

[etk300ex]

I have the original, it was $12 core charge.  The new ECU went through a approximately 15 min learning cycle.  It idled high 2200 rpm for 5 min, rev'd up and down for 5 min, then idled 1500 rpm for 5 min, then normal idle.  The original one never did that, I take the battery out for the duration of winter so should be full reset.  Unless its programmed to only do that at first connection to vehicle or something?     

[M4wdFab]

my ZJ i thought the cruise never worked and then i held the set button for 8-10 seconds and it works then ha


its has been like this for years and still works. 

[etk300ex]

Adk trip, hit 170k.

I have a new noise that is concerning.  It's a mix between a squeal and a grind.  The best comparison I can give you is when a cat growls lol.  Very intermittent, very short, I only notice when traveling less than 20 mph.  It does not relate to engine RPM, speed, gear, 2hi, 4hi, 4lo, no slippage of power, or steering, or charging.  Sounds like its coming from underneath me. 

No issues 500 miles highway. 

[mr.mindless]

but nothing makes noise that isn't related to some speed of something lol.

did you check for actual angry felines?

[etk300ex]

I did and I didn't find any

[M4wdFab]

thats quite the assumed elimination of systems relation

i would eliminate clutch fan (long shot)  and also look at all ujoints / wheel bearings. 

ujoints can play games with intermittent noise when gone dry