Advice

[HWigand]

I guess I may be one of the few ladies out there lusting for the big ride and my guy said the CTD was the way to go. Now ordered and waiting and planning what I want to do with it. It'll be an everywhere truck I average about 30K+ per year just with work, lots of highway no towing. Any suggestions? I mean with fuel injection pump or exhaust, etc. Am looking for decent mpg and would luv to lift it, though he doesn't think it's "appropriate". Suggestions anyone? Ya'll have been very insightful and luv the pics of your rigs!



Trying to wait patiently, but not working well. :{

 

[GFritsch]

First off welcome to the TDR and (hopefully soon) to the CTD experience!



My advice would be to drive it stock for a while. It is AWESOME right from the factory. If you decide to modify to gain power remember that it could case warranty issues.



Enjoy your new truck--The patriot blue is beautifull

 

[1leg]

So what did you order?

2500 or 3500?

4x2 or 4x4?

6spd or auto?

Single rear wheel(SRW) or Dually(DRW)?



Keep it stock mostly, add some gauges, maybe cat back system. If it's a 4x4 maybe a lift kit. don't let the old man tell you what to do, your making the payment right.

 

[HWigand]

0n order 2004. 5 2500 QC 4 x 2 auto patriot blue.



What kind of gauges? Other than some of those plain white things? Obviously I'm missing something. While i have to get his mechanical approval the showmanship is all me. Trust me, I want the whole mini-bigfoot experience.

 

[gds3076]

You can get a TST plate. it does not void warrenties, and an AFE air filter, that would not void any warrnaties. The list of things to do is never ending but that is a good place to start. If you do alot of high way driving you might want to look into the MagHytech deep pan tranmission pan and the rear diff cover just as preventive maintiance to keep things nice and cool. here are some links to check out:



1. ) http://www.piersdiesel.com/DodgeProducts.htm



2. ) http://www.dieselmanor.com/gauges/gauge_kits_dodge.asp (this place has great prices on gauges)



3. )http://www.genosgarage.com/



I hope this help and welcome to the TDR great bunch of guys around here. I've learned alot from them. I hope you enjoy your new CTD and watch out When the BOMB bug bites it doesn't let go.



Greg

 

[Joe G.]

It's an '04. A TST plate only works on '94 thru early '98.



The forum to ask about stuff for the '04 is the 3rd Gen forum.

 

[gds3076]

Ooops sorry about that. Didn't put two and two together.

 

[Warwagon]

Not to crowd in but what type of gauges and why? This is from another first CTD owner.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Hope you ordered the highway gear axle ratio. 3. 54 or less. I don't know the options. 3. 08 ratio would be great on miles/gallon but a little soft on pulling power.

 

[dpuckett]

gauges

Pyrometer, boost, and if you have an auto, transmission (or oil) temp. These are absolutely critical if you intend to tow or just want to keep an eye on things.



Pyrometer measures exhaust gas temp (EGT); boost gauge measures boost pressure in the air intake from the turbo. Takes fuel to make heat and to drive the turbo to make boost. WHile I think of it, boost pressure is more load related than a belt driven blower some of you may be used to. I can rev up to the governor in neutral, and make only 5psi boost; I can hit 25psi boost by 2200RPM, and 35 by the governor under a hard load.



THe pyrometer also lets you monitor EGTs and helps you prevent a meltdown, esp when towing in the mountains or hills. I once hit 1350 in a STOCK 1993 (160hp) Ram driving empty up Vail Pass. Water temp was ok, no unusual noise from the engine, but EGT was in the danger zone. Read up on drivin gwith gauges here: www.dieselinjection.net and click on the B & C series booklet.



Axle ratio options on the 3rd Gen are 3. 73 and 4. 10. 3. 07 was on the early nonIC 89-91s with the 3 spd auto so you could go 60 and not be up agains the governor.



Daniel