Turbo Diesel Register

Y’know, I really gotta tell you that I think it’s a great magazine. I’ve been reading Car and Driver, and Road and Track, pretty religiously for a long time. Almost all of their articles are just BS fluff. The BMWCCA rag is 100% BS fluff.

TDR is a real contrast to the pap that is served by most of the other car mags. Sadly, TDR is a bad fit for me because I can’t afford a Cummins.

Hmm.....I’m finding that this is hard to articulate. The focus of most car magazines seems to be cool pics and trying not to use the same metaphor or intro too often. There’s no technical depth to the articles, so there’s nothing to really grab a person’s interest. All too often the articles have glaring technical flaws, like giving credit to “big brakes” for stopping distances instead of sticky tires. Maybe they can’t do any better, or maybe it’s forced upon them because of their target audience. I don’t recall that I’ve ever read an article in a BMWCCA magazine and “learned something interesting”. But that’s how I react to most of the articles in TDR. You have people that know what they are talking about and they’re teaching the community. And that’s cool because learning is good.

Scott Gress
www.Gress.org

Have enjoyed the magazine for years. Information that is unavailable anywhere else.

I look forward each and every quarter to the day when my Turbo Diesel Register shows up in my mailbox. The articles have undoubtedly saved me both time and $$ with their how to stories, easy explanations and member feedback. The informative articles on new products, history of Cummins, new model years and product installations are fun to read and inspiring at the same time. Please keep this valuable resource coming for years to come...

Mike Vigo

I recieved my first TDR in 1997 at that time I had a used 1997 dodge 2500 5.9 5 speed and as most of them did the 5th gear nut came loose, found the fix before it happened in the TDR, I have had 6 new/used Dodge/Rams since then, my most recent a 2014 ram 3500 with 212000 miles on it, I always read the TDR cover to cover as soon as it arrives and always find new "fixes" and it keeps me ahead of the game. I love reading all the contributors to the TDR and always learn something, Looking forward to next years May Madness if it happens and the Cummins Plant Tour, already signed up and paid, Thanks Again, Scott Robinson , White 06

I have been a TDR member for over 15 years and have gained numerous benefits as a result. Not only has the magazine educated me about my 3 Dodge diesel trucks, it has saved me a lot of money by making parts/accessories available that are hard to get, and also many that enhance the use and appearance of them.
What is really interesting is my communications with service writers at the local dealership when I have told them about a problem/issue I learned about via the TDR, they had no knowledge of. It has been interesting, as they tend to believe they know everything and didn't even want to look at the magazine to see what I had learned.
I anxiously await each new issue to see what else I needed to know. Keep up the great work.

My truck is a "dedicated use vehicle" -- meaning I primarily use it to haul my daughter's horse (or horses) to a rodeo or competition event. The truck, which is a 2007½ 3500 Mega Cab has run consistently and dependably since new. Your magazine has helped with being aware of what some of the pitfalls might be. Fortunately, none have shown up. I had one major concern early in this vehicle's life, thanks to an improper flash update done by one of the local Lancaster County, PA, Dodge dealers. Another Dodge dealer in our area discovered the issue - the fuel pump kept recycling the fuel through the filter while the engine was off. This ran down the batteries - the truck was 'dead.' The problem was realized when a tech walked behind my parked vehicle. It had been in their lot for a few days. He heard the pump whining. They reflashed the system -- no problems ever since.
Your magazine is a great resource and I enjoy reading everything you cover.
Speaking of which, a couple issues ago you were featuring the Amelia Island Concourse and there was a picture of a Pontiac Trans Am, like the one in 'Smokey and the Bandit.' Robert Patton mentioned the show in his opening article. He may have seen another black Trans Am at that show, as my first cousin also had his car at that same show. It was another 'Bandit'-style car. I was looking for the feature in the following issue of TDR to see if the second Trans Am might be shown, but didn't see anything. Maybe you'll have space in an upcoming issue or somewhere on the website. Being here in the land of Hershey, I appreciated the classic car images as well!
Keep up the good work!
Joe Gagliardi

I do read the TDR Magazine. I can't say that it has saved me money,but I learn a lot about my truck.
I have a 2004 with 263,000 miles and almost everything under the hood is original. This truck has been an outstanding truck. The price of the new ones are just crazy. I live in Southern California.

I bought my first Ram Diesel from Cherry Point Motors in Havelock NC back in 1999 and drove it back to Dallas. I joined TDR shortly afterwards. I kept the 1999 for 4 years, the transmission had to be rebuilt at about 125,000 miles, and about 190,000 miles started shifting abnormally so I traded it for a 2003. The 2003 started shifting abnormally at about 150,000 miles so I traded it for a 2010. The 2010 was in trouble from day one. It was in the shop too many times to count, computer flashes, DPF cracked, EGR failed, etc... After only 125,000 miles I traded it for a 2014. So far the 2014 has been pretty good, several computer flashes and catalytic convertor replaced. I have added aftermarket tow mirrors, Mopar front and rear mud flaps, BW turnover hitch, and Amp Research running boards. Currently I pull a 30 foot Forest River Grey Wolfe, and at 60 MPH consistently get about 14 MPG. All lubricants have been replaced with Amsoil.

One thing the 99, 03, and 10 had in common was that the OEM Michelin tires lasted more than 90,000 miles. My 2014 only has 88,000 miles on it and is on its third set of tires. The OEM Firestones were replaced at 41852 miles with Michelin Defender LTX M/S LT285/60 R20 125R E1 BSW. Those had to be replaced at 79646 with only 37794 miles on them. I am not a fan of the requirement to run 80 pounds in the rear tires when not towing. I believe that the excessive air pressure is what causes the premature tire wear. In all my previous trucks I ran 55 in front and 45 in the rear when unloaded. Truck rides better and tires last much longer.

I look forward each quarter to receiving the TDR. I always read it cover to cover. When I do have problems, my first stop is the online forums.

Because of the TDR, my '95 Ram 3500 dually has been outsourced for air conditioning work only. All the typical repairs that ail this truck are repaired myself. My first reward with reading the TDR was knowledge of the federal tax rebate for buying a diesel back when (about 22 yrs. ago)? Since then, a fuel plate was installed, OEM fuel line replaced that is located too close to the exhaust manifold, rear transmission seal replaced, exhaust brake installed along with stronger exhaust valve springs, starter motor contacts upgrade, frame under-coating work, centra-matic tire balancing, clutch slave cylinder replacement, and rear axle seals; all completed with "how to" and advertised products found in the TDR. No need for a new truck as this one is trouble free (146M miles). GPoe

A well worth subscription.

long time subscriber.Saved me a lot of money and a huge amount of time

I have subscribed to TDR for years. It is a wealth of information.