2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2002 CTD- One Year Report

[mimprevento]

Took delivery one year ago today- 29,500 miles later truck has given no problems except a death wobble which I cured with a different front shock set-up. The BHAF had to go courtesy of Cummins techs who shook their fingers at me but that is all. The engine showed no abnormal wear in an oil analysis done after they discovered that a lot of dirt and sand had gotten into the turbo. Normal ( virtually no) oil consumption between changes. I now have Premium Blue Extreme Synthetic in and will extend the intervals out to 7500- I had been dumping it out at 3000-4500 miles with dino. No steering problems or other concerns and as far as I know the lift pump is fine. I like this truck and look forward to some gauges and a better stereo but that is all as I like the reliability of stock for now. I just wish the 03 wasn't so improved I get tempted.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by mimprevento



I just wish the 03 wasn't so improved I get tempted.

Good report, hope mine does as well. I also put on new shocks (Bilsteins), knowing that the OEM's are a problem.

 

[RustyJC]

15 months, 11,500 miles (most of them towing a 13,500 lb 36' 5th wheel) and 4 oil/filter changes since taking delivery on August 15, 2001. It's never been back to the dealer - no warranty problems whatsoever. The only "wrenching" I've done is for normal maintenance and to add the mods shown below.



Rusty

 

[Boondocker]

1 year old

Well mine is a December baby too, 15,000 miles. NO problems, love the truck! I do all my own maintenance and mods, got some injector install instructions, just in case My clutch seems to holding just fine behind the EZ, driven carefully.

I notice each of you have replaced the shocks, and with different brands. So I guess there is no concensus. I'm looking forward to a set of Bilsteins, having had good luck with them before. However, I can't really say there is anything wrong with the OEMs yet.



Cheers,

Neil

 

[duaneparks]

I'll speak up...



Bought mine brand new early August 2001. It had a build date of July 2000 in St. Louis (I thought that was weird too... but they made me a good deal on it). Currently she has 30,2xx miles on her.



Had the truck in the dealership service dept twice... once for a broken clockspring and once for ball joint replacement.



I've added a few things (PE Comp, ScottyII, straight pipe, ARE 1189's, 295/75/16's, Alpine head unit, Eclipse amp, Bazooka sub, replacement front and rear bumpers) and everything works as designed. I *can* slip the clutch when getting rowdy with the go pedal and the Comp on 4 or 5.



Absolutely no other problems and no complaints whatsoever with the truck. So far this is the best vehicle I've ever owned.



Duane

 

[E7mack96]

my report

bought mine on Dec 15th, 2000. - 2 Years old



I have approx 60,000 miles on the truck, mostly highway with a 10k oil change interval. Only had the truck at he dealer 2 times, once for clockspring - it broke before recall, and once for idler arm (i thought it was the trackbar).



I just replaced the shocks at 59,000 miles - went with Monroes. I replaced the clutch at 53,000 miles with a con FE- previous tst 3 damage I still have stock tires - about 1/2 worn so far, and original brakes.



Overall, I am pleased with the truck. Plan on keeping forever

 

[mimprevento]

shocks

Mine were replaced shortly after I got the truck and I sold the OEM's on the classifieds in this site. I didn't like the Edelbrocks up front and am delighted with the quad Skyjacker Hydro set-up in front. I kept the Edelbrocks in the rear and all looks good. Keeping the stock height was important to me and Skyjacker has a nice set-up to handle all the weight on our front ends. Try it out. I am still reticent about an Edge box- with more fuel goes some other issues but maybe next year if I decide to beef up the 47RE. My first Dodge product and I am pleased.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: my report

Originally posted by E7mack96





I just replaced the shocks at 59,000 miles - went with Monroes.

I bet after you replaced them you wished you would of done it 59K miles before. It was such a big difference in the ride and handling with my 2000 that when I got the 2002 I had to change them. Of course my wife thought I was crazy since it was a new truck. Women just don't understand :-{} . Oh well I got you guys, and you understand

 

[klenger]

That's OK, my wife doesn't understand you (backspace backspace backspace) me either.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've only had mine for about 6 months and 6500 miles, sure love it - but what sort of "problems" were you guys "correcting" with new shocks - maybe I fail to see any problems because the new truck is so superior in ride and handling to my '91, and my '91 still had the original shocks on after 120,000 miles and nearly 12 years - still no oil leakage, and only a somewhat softer ride - a GOOD thing on those year trucks!



But what seems to be the basic potential shock problem on the newer ones?

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q



But what seems to be the basic potential shock problem on the newer ones?

Gary, go out and spend around $120 for a pair of Bilsteins for the front end of your truck, it will be the best Bombing money you have spent so far on your rig. It makes a night and day difference in the ride and handling, It does not make it ride any rougher, it is more controled no bounce. It is better for the front suspension and tire wear. If you like the way the front feels (which you will) then you can add the rears

 

[E7mack96]

I replaced mine because the fronts died about 1,000 miles prior.



I really didn't have ride issues with the stock shocks.



I have used Monroes in the past, and figured i'd give them a try on the Dodge

 

[tarussell]

Mine is a December of 2001 truck too , it was delivered in January of 2002 and so far it is still great. Only a few problems - I am on my third lift pump and the third brake light was leaking water in the cab and soaked the insulation under the mat. I still don't trust my local dealer so I took care of these problems myself.



The truck now has just over 27,000 miles on it and it is still a blast to drive ... ... .



By the way Pit Bull is right about the factory shocks not being worth a damn. I'll be taking your advice and get a set of Bilstiens soon.



Over all the Cummins/New Venture/and Dana-Spicer part of the truck has been great ( lift pumps aside ) I just hope that the Dodge part holds up well in the years to come.



Thomas

 

[Pit Bull]

Thomas, unless you tow a lot all you need are the Bilsteins on the front. I had them on all four corners on my 2000 3500QC 4x4 and just put them on the front of my new truck. The new one rides just as good as the 2000 did. But that figures since the front of my truck weighs 4060 lbs and the back only weighs 2760. You would figure that the OEM shocks on the rear would be good enough for a daily driver.

 

[mgoncalves]

I bought mine new the first week in August 02. 11,500 miles so far. It will be going to the dealer after the first for a couple of things, 1- power steering pump is leaking and now howling, 2- rear speakers seemed to have died in some way, and finally 3- on my door panel the carpet is coming off. I am also going to try to get them to do the engine warm-up program and breather relocate kit while it is in there. This is my first new truck, I am 22 and have had 7 previous Ford trucks in all shapes and sizes from ranger to crewcab. This Dodge still impresses me with the overall quality and "beefiness" of the drivetrain and "plushness" of the interior. I just hope these problems are the only ones for a long time, because the reason I bought a new truck was because I can't stand small nagging problems associated with used and abused trucks.

 

[cgoder]

Shocks?

Where do you get those shocks? I might get a pair and try them.

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

My 02 was built in Mexico on November 26, 2001. Delivered 12/10/01. 21000 miles to date with just one trip back to the dealer - leaking front axle diff cover gasket. Might have been from when I was pulling the camper onto the beach and dragging both axles through the sand - didn't get stuck though . About 3000 miles logged pulling 7000 lb. travel trailer. Had the slow power steering problem - solved with synthetic fluid. Milage has been in the 17-19 range mixed city/highway. Wieght is 7500 lbs. normal load (cap, tools, air tank, all the other truck crap we carry around). Rides great with 285/75 BFG A/T's. Happy with power - no plans to bomb. Overall the best/most versitle/most capable truck I've ever owned. Enhancements include pyro,boost,transmission temp guages, M. E. kit(to lower exhaust temps), fastcooler for transmission, GPS, CB, 7'' 55 watt back-up lights, 30'' Grover air horn, Mopar exhaust brake, 2lo kit.