2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2nd Gen 24valve

[monkeyman]

I bought my 2002 in May of that year, so its a late one. I have 180,000 miles on it and have no plans to trade up. Why would I start all over again!

Rick

 

[Chief USA]

I bought my truck new. I plan on keeping it for MANY years and told the wife to bury me in it when the time comes. Now that I have the truck mod'd the way I like it, I think it is a fantastic truck. The wife likes hers as well. I new truck would cost nearly double what I paid for this one and I am not sure the newer trucks would be to my liking.

 

[MartinT]

Got mine in Oct 2000. Rebuilt front end and done a few mods. 105000 on the clock, still running great. Hope to have it along time yet.

 

[Wooter]

2nd Generation 98.5

Ord in febuary and delivered in april of 98 - 138,988 miles and about 50k of that pulling a heavy 5th wheel travel trailer. 5th set of tires, 2 pwr steering pumps, 4 trac bars (current h/d moog), 10 th set of front brake pads and constantly wears out left front pads first. Replaced rear drums and brake linings at 102k, also went to larger brake cylinders then. Front end of truck has been largest problem. Have had the death wobble experience and pretty well followed every recomended fix - still think it will do it again. Since new, have had a had extremely hard time keeping front tires balanced, and usually soon after a balance, the left front seems to start acting like tire is out of balance again and starts to bounce. This happens at 60 mph + and usually 62 mph!

Most of winters spent out of snow so not a rust problem yet. Starter points replaced 9/09, and numerous other small parts.



Have always used 15w40 oil and that for the most has been Rotella - Have also used IH/Case 15w40 premium oil. Usually Cummins oil filters and fuel filters both have been usually bought at Geno's.

Most recent trip to south and 1100 miles - Mileage has been pretty constant 10 mpg pulling and have never gotten better than 16. 9 empty and that is hwy mileage at between 55 and 65 mph, and have a pretty hard time believing claims of 20 mpg+ (????)



Did install power puck at approx. 115k. That did increase pulling pwr and overall performance quite a bit but did not increase mpg when pulling or empty!!



Thats my story for now.

 

[Ken Bultman]

Took it home March 2001. Looks and drives better now then it did then. Just turned over 50 thou.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Ordered mine in Dec of 01 and picked it up at the end of Jan 02. Not one of the better trucks i've owned. I have 119k on it. Its had 3 vp's 5 lp's clutch slave cylinder replaced & just had oil leaks fixed at the tune of $1600. 00. Should of bought the 03 back then. If I was in the position I would be getting a new 2010... . Jeff



I also had to replace the dash and had to have the rear pinion seal replaced and front driveshaft u-joint at axle.

 

[JMetzger]

Got mine Sept 02. Has been a pretty good truck. We use it mostly to pull our 32ft RV. It has 89,000 miles & had to replace VP44 at 31,000 because of crappy lift pumps, Warranty. Replaced total of 5 lift pumps & finally put on a HPFP 95 Fass,even still has same batterys but I think that I am going to have to replace after Christmas. Outside of the crappy fuel system no other problems. I had no problems with my 92 at all.

 

[jeepit]

Purdchased my truck in July 2002. No regrets... plan to keep it for many years to come...

 

[dresslered]

Thumbs up for Grins, thumbs down for quality

I specially ordered mine from the dealer with every option except snow plow and auto and received it in March, 2000. In fact, it was Nowel Thomas (HVAC) that broke me into the diesel bug and got me to join the local Ram Runner's club. This truck has given me more grins over the last 132k miles than any other vehicle that I have ever owned.



That being said, it is plagued with poor workmanship, and owning a Durango as well, I can honestly say that I would never buy another Chrysler product in my life! The Chrysler Care is a sham, and the dealers that I have personally done business with (count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) have all been unknowledgeable, overpriced crooks! They truly portray the image of the parent company. I have replaced both front ends (converted to Moog) on both vehicles, replaced four (4) lift pumps on the RAM and still lost a VP44, rebuilt the Dana 80 rear-end, as well as numerous other little items (currently chasing CAN bus generated errors). I meticulously maintain both vehicles but it is a real effort to keep up with all the plastic parts that keep breaking off.



I originally bought the truck for the Cummins (came wrapped in a Dodge) and I’ll most likely own it for the rest of my life, but if something terrible should happen to it, I’ll definitely be looking at that 2010 F450 with a pickup bed.



P. S. I forgot to mention that when I initially picked up the truck from the dealer, I wrote him a $40k check, went on my happy way, and the truck broke down with only 7-miles on the clock. I drove back to the dealer in limp mode. It then sat at the dealer for 2-weeks while we waited for a new cam angle sensor to be ordered... . off to a bad start from the very beginning.

 

[ChrisOlson]

99 2nd gen

Hello
purchased Barney used 19000 miles in 2001. I have 113000 miles now This truck is used for road trips mostly I would estimate that 3/4 of the miles were on road trips in the lower 48 states. I really would like a dually for a larger cabover camper. but the economic downturn prohibits that right now. I love the power and comfort of my truck but like another poster I had a durango that was plauged with problems just like my 99 the continous little things. I thank my lucky stars for TDR makes my life very easy in trouble shooting the little things that cause us grief.

6 LP pumps, now big line kit frame rail relocation longest lasting pump so far.
1 front end rebuild, steering box, borgensen shaft, DSS, lukes links.
3 sets of front end brakes pads and rotors,
2 sets of ball joints
1 APPS from our fellow tdr member.
1 noise suppressor for TC issues
1 Transmission upgrade Tripple disc, Billet in, billet out,
4 inch Exhaust
1 set of front wheel bearings and seals
1 BHAF
2 sets of batteries
1 AC compressor
1 Evaporator
probally more just cant remember right now.

will have to soon!
KDP. Front axel u joints, I see a VP soon based on others here, radiator and intercooler internal and external cleaning, Draw straw, Brake upgrade of some sort, and some sort of towing turbo or twins set up,

I take meticlus care of my truck the truck has never left me broken down on the side of the road, and has Always started, There is no sound sweeter than the mighty cummins under load and pulling the fiver. The torque distribution is awesome, at a low rpm. I am even considering some type of a dually conversion because I love this truck so much. OK i will stop now

chris

 

[Tomscreek]

Purchased my 01 new in March of 2000. Currently 106,000 miles. It's been pretty babied and looks new.

1. Emergency brake assembly

2. oil pressure sensor

3. camshaft position sensor

4. wiring harness

5. driver door speaker

6. headlight switch

7. hazard flasher

8. rear pinion seal

9. power steering pump

10. fan clutch pulley

11. one lift pump

12. alternator

13. #4 injector bad, replace

Thats all.

 

[tarnett]

Bought a 94 standard cab CTD used in 98 then sold it and bought our new 2002 QC for the additional room. A few months before the second gen was available for sale I saw two white ones north bound on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles. Thought then, and still feel, that it was/is the best looking pickup I have seen. It's just the way I want it now and do not plan on selling it. 74,000 miles, about 25k towing, and have had the VP44 and LP replaced under warranty. The cracked dash pad was replaced as a good will gesture for $200 total. Trans started slipping when towing shortly after installing the Edge EZ at app. 68k miles so replaced that on my dime. Very happy with the way everything works on it now.

 

[Ramtuf1]

Ordered my 2001 which I had built in March of 2000 and picked up in May 2000. My signature below describes my upgrades. I have 119,000 miles on it and because of northern weather and rust, have had work done on driver and passenger side doors. Quad doors still untouched but need some attention. Other parts on truck need replacing and just had new steel transmission lines replaced due to leakage from rust. Still a great runner and with the money I have into it, plan on keeping it around. Need to work on front end now which I'm saving up for all the replacement parts.



Love my truck as my wife refers to it as "The Other Woman".

 

[David_VT]

In fact, it was Nowel Thomas (HVAC) that broke me into the diesel bug and got me to join the local Ram Runner's club.

I bought the green monster in May of 99 in Vermont after moving here from Puyallup Wa. in my California powered suburban. I was passed going up snohomish (sp?) pass by a CTD pulling a massive camper as if I was standing still. I spend the next week dreaming of a new CTD.



I don't regret the decision to buy it. I bought for all weather commuting around New England and thus went with the highway gears. My work travels flew me to Silicon Valley quite often. Thanks to TDR and the internet I had the pleasure of hooking up with Nowel and his fellow diesel heads out there. I've tried to stay in touch with a few of the guys since Nowel left us for a greater drag strip!



My 99 has suffered through Vermont winters with no garage thanks to zoning idiots. It served as a EMS and FIRE volunteer responder vehicle (cold starts, hard driving and being put away wet). It also suffered through some bad decisions on my part: (NEVER DELAY ON RESOLVING A STEERING FLUID LEAK UNTIL IT SEIZES THE PUMP AND TAKES OUT THE SHAFT DRIVEN VACUUM PUMP... . ouch$$$$)

It has put up with my midlife crisis horsepower thirst. (see the sig).



It always started at -40F on the times I found it that cold and had forgotten to plug in.



After the first time the gas gauge got stuck on full after topping off the tank, I never topped it again. The problem never came back.



I never run 5th below 50mph.



I had the low temp / 3 cyl idle upgrade done years ago. That is FANTASTIC!! What a difference it makes. I think buying a smarty will give you that feature if you did not get it from Dodge. (verify before buying)



I still get great mileage. 1290 mile trip last week round trip to WV and it did great!



I want to install a stack(s) because the cab stinks of exhaust if I let the truck idle on cold mornings.



Except for self induced issues, the CTD has never let me down. The lift pumps are dodge, right?



Steering pump (vacuum pump)

Front end several times and needs it again

Intake heater relays (wow, scary issue when those freeze on)

At least two lift pumps

Clutch upsized a bit after meeting 'HVAC'

Recently a string of 3 clutch hydraulic slave assy

3rd gear syncro gone (self induced HP issue)

Body rusting out quickly

I suspect the heater core is going. I have to keep the radiator blocked in any kind of cold weather if I want heat. It is not the tstat, replaced already.

ESPAR furnace long since failed from exposed corroding harness wiring

White Knight backup lights were great but long since failed from corroding wiring

About to install my 3rd set of batteries. The 2nd set did me well and were from Wallmart of all places. Naturally they don't have that battery any more.

Oh, and the darn volume control on the OEM radio is going south.



I am looking for a clean 2nd gen to replace this one soon... . I still have a parts 24v CTD on a pallet in the driveway (less a vacuum and steering pump)

 

[dresslered]

David,

Now there's a name from the earlier days. How's it going? I remember when you were first installing that ESPAR.

The lift pumps are dodge, right?

The lift pumps are Carter which were designated to be installed in the wrong location by Dodge.

 

[David_VT]

It is going well, thx for asking. The semiconductor industry sent me packing just after 9/11 along with thousands of others. I am finally back on my feet in another industry. 53' Mobile Surgical units are paying the bills for me now!

 

[Jefff929]

Bought Dec '00, made a few adjustments.

2001½ (just say no to drums) Quad cab, auto, 4x4, short bed
135k+ original VP44
RIP's 4" down pipe to the back
BHAF with heat sheild
FASS full meal deal
Jammer DD2 sticks
Smarty REV0 loaded :-laf
TST J-Hook
Billet TC w/shift kit
DSS from Rip at Source Automotive, no steering wander!
Dyna Beads from Innovative Balancing, no wheel weights
Hawk front pads, Geno's
Mr. Bob's Silicon hoses Cummins blue under the hood.
No stinking badges!

Now better than when I bought it.

 

[dresslered]

David,

I too have a lot of friends that changed career paths after 9/11. My company as well was heading out of business until the morning of 9/11. Sadly, that opened up a lot of work in the reconnaissance business so we are now doing very well. Not sure what a 53' Mobile Surgical unit is, but it sounds cool!

 

[Corriher]

24 valve

Bought mine new 11-98 and it has 167. 902 miles on it and the only thing that did not come from the factory on mine are the front brakes, shocks and batteries and tires. It's going into the shop in the morning for the very first time on a fuel leak at the fuel filter. Use it everyday and is the best truck I have owned

 

[wlowe]

I purchased my truck new in July of '01, it now has 76,000 miles on it. I feel the truck is pretty special because it was one of the first trucks with rear disc brakes, and one of the last rucks with CAD front axle, which means this configuration was only made for one year. I was also lucky not to lose many of the items that were discontinued on the early '02 models, like grab handle, rear cup holder, under hood insulation, wheel well liners, etc.



I've replaced a steering columb under warranty, a VP44 out of my pocket, one lift pump and one ABS sensor wire.



I plan on keeping this truck for a long time and my only regret is that I didn't buy two of them new. (The other one would have been a one ton six speed. )