Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
TDRComm
Staff Member
Ram FOMO?
Cummins FOMO?
TDR FOMO?
Wait, what’s FOMO? (Fear of missing out.)
As an assignment I had one of the staff (Connie Baylor, aka Nancy Newbie) that valiantly proofreads our magazine, review our magazine for content. The TDR isn’t just a nuts-and-bolts publication. What could “Nancy” learn? Here is the summary of what you are missing.
NANCY NEWBIE'S NEWFOUND KNOWLEDGE
“A person who won’t read has no advantage over a person who can’t read.” – Mark Twain
The editor-dude called with a request, “Can you comment on what an outsider to our world of Turbo Diesel pickup trucks might learn from the TDR?” My response was, “Sure, that’s easy: Read the Turbo Diesel Register and you’ll find its pages full of all things related to Cummins Ram, as well as travel, towing, and tools and tips for maintenance. Facts, advice, DIY instructions, information, and commentary—it’s all here. ‘The TDR, saving you time and money…’ and that’s always a good thing. Plus, we get to see the editor eat crow in every edition. I don’t know about you, but I find that entertaining!”
Great, that is the big picture stuff. Further, I decided to make some detailed notes about what I learned as I read the TDR. Drum roll please, presenting…Nancy Newbie’s Newfound Knowledge.
ISSUE 120 REVIEW
Turn to pages 4-6. In “Backfire” we learned automotive icon Bob Lutz’s take on Elon Musk. Once highly critical of him for “betting the company rather than offering a more measured approach to expansion” he appears to admire him for having “singlehandedly taken automotive technology leadership and put it back in the United States.” Additionally, he established a premium brand of vehicles. Meanwhile, what has happened to the premium brands of Lincoln, Cadillac, Chrysler?
Page 8: I found the mention of stick shift driving interesting, as I learned to drive a stick shift when I was 16 and loved it. I felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing I had learned a level of driving skill that many of my peers did not possess. But, like the editor, I digress.
Race car driver Johannes van Overbeek wanted his son to learn to drive in a vehicle with a manual transmission so it wouldn’t have distracting electronic displays and because “the amount of thought and coordination that is required to drive this car on a hilly terrain keeps him completely consumed and focused on the road ahead.”
And, just like my husband and I and our teenagers after us, both van Overbeek’s sons understand that they are part of “a shrinking club—the club of people who can operate a manual vehicle.”
MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS
Oh…don’t miss the t-shirt pictured on page 8; it made me laugh out loud.
CALL A PROFESSIONAL
In the past two issues of the TDR we’ve been advised to “call a professional for windshield replacement or star crack repair.” After reading about the process and the expense to replace a windshield, especially nowadays with the added features incorporated in them, I think it’s sound advice to “get a star crack repaired as quickly as possible. The crack will not get smaller or go away.” I also learned that new windshields are thinner and thus more susceptible to cracking. Sounds like nanoShield as tried by Scott Dalgleish might be an option to help prevent cracks. Time will tell.
In “Member 2 Member” the difference between laminated and tempered glass and their history was discussed. Laminated glass is used for windshields for good reason. It’s “two layers of glass sandwich an interlayer of polymer material that keeps the outer bonded layers from breaking away from the polymer material when there is an impact.”
I was in a collision with a garbage truck decades ago, and the laminated windshield, though shattered, held together, protecting me from severe injuries, which is what French scientist Edouard Benedictus had in mind. Laminated glass might have been inspired by a laboratory accident, but Benedictus filed a patent for it in 1909 “after hearing about a car accident where two women were severely injured by glass debris. In 1911, he fabricated a glass-plastic composite to reduce injuries in car accidents….” I also learned: “Tempered glass is widely used in car doors and windows” and the rear windscreen and are “designed to break into small pieces in an impact, rather than shatter into deadly shards.”
“Your Story”: I’ll be anxiously awaiting an update from the editor-dude about his 2020 Turbo Diesel and his “Houston, we have a problem” problem he uncovered when having his oil analyzed. Too much fuel dilution; I’m hopeful it is an easy problem to fix, but I’m betting the answer is complicated.
RELEVANT ARTICLES FROM 2003
In “10 Back,” I learned truck sales dropped drastically in 2008 and so did TDR subscriptions. Ram/Cummins sales recovered in 2011; TDR subscriptions did not. However, TDR is “still a viable print publication and website due to TDR member participation,” [because] TDR members ARE the number one Dodge/Ram/Cummins information resource.” As I read the TDR, I see that is true. Your participation helps new and even seasoned Diesel owners learn useful information.
I’ve learned more about brakes and the invaluable resources available to TDR members—the Turbo Diesel Buyer’s Guide and the TDR’s Perfect Collection. They are filled with useful information, so check them out!
In the “10 Back” column (a review of happenings 10 years ago) I learned “your brakes do not stop your truck. The traction available between the road and the tire’s four contact patches—where the rubber meets the road, so to speak—is the limiting factor when everything comes to a halt.” Find out more in the article and in the Turbo Diesel Buyer’s Guide and the TDR’s Perfect Collection.
Also, in “10 Back” there was a detailed look at the new-for-2013 Cummins engine, “evolutionary” as Cummins and Ram moved to the selective catalyst reduction (SCR), also known as urea injection, and associated exhaust aftertreatment to control NOx emissions. Oil change intervals were increased to 15,000 miles between oil changes. I learned that the change to the oil change interval goes hand-in-hand with the exhaust aftertreatment change (NOx catalyst to SCR system). DEF (diesel exhaust fluid), which this newbie had never heard of before learning about it in TDR, was also covered.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Living in Columbus, Indiana, I am always interested in anything related to Cummins, so the “Cummins’ Column” on page 19 piqued my interest. Who knew the importance of air filters? No one more than the 1952 Cummins-powered race car crew (the Cummins Diesel Special #28) after its car failed at the 150-mile interval because of a bad turbocharger that ingested too much debris (no air filter).
In the “Technical Topics” article I learned the importance of checking connectors, as there is a recall due to fire risk caused by an electrical connector or a short therein. Evidently the folks at FCA (Stellantis) are taking it seriously because not only is there a recall, but they have also issued a “Stop Sale” order for the 2021-2023 vehicles involved. (Editor’s note: the stop sale was lifted in early April.)
Did you know that the TDR editor is prone to going off on tangents? I often find them to be entertaining and informative. Read the TDR and you’ll see what I mean.
CHEATING ANYONE?
“TDReview”: Wow…who knew cheating was so prevalent in the auto industry? Not this naïve newbie; but after reading “TDReview” I sure know it! Seems like just about every major manufacturer of engines has done something less than above board to deal with the ever changing, restrictive emission standards. I learned a lot about tactics used in “TDReview” and that the fines, which seemed huge at the time were, as the editor says, “a mere slap on the hand.”
The “First Generation” column, page 32, brings the story of a well-loved and well-maintained 1992 Dodge Ram Club Cab being handed down from grandfather to grandson; however, Grandpa Bill Downs climbed behind the wheel again as it hit 300,000 miles. These stories are always refreshing to read.
Next up were the ‘Best of the Forums’ at the TDR’s Website.
INDUSTRY NEWS
I’ve learned the writers and readers of TDR are a fountain of wisdom and that it pays to ask other Cummins Ram owners about issues you’re having with your own truck. Got a problem? Ask about it in the forums. But, the technical jargon was a bit over my head…
In “Blowin’ in the Wind,” a look at diesel industry news, it says we can look to Europe to see what’s coming down the pike for the US regarding emission standards and sustainable fuels. Are the criteria the government is demanding even possible? Cummins and Ram engineers will be working tirelessly to try to meet it, I’m sure.
Sounds like the Ram 1500 Revolution Concept Truck was revolutionary. Unfortunately, the innovation in the concept vehicle turned into “a subtle version of the existing Ram 1500” when it came to the real thing. Guess it fits the adage: Everything old is new again. Or maybe in this case it’s everything new is old again?
Evidently there’s a new marketing term going around: Range Extender. I learned it’s basically extending the drivable range of your electric vehicle using a small gasoline-powered engine to run a generator to recharge the batteries. You’ll learn all about it on pages 47-49.
The EPA did not appreciate the diesel performance vendors thumbing their noses at the emissions regulations it had handed down, so it went after them. TDR has an interesting read about what appeared to be some heavy fines against the vendors.
Car & Driver’s 10 Best Truck and SUV list has only one petrol-powered full-size truck, and it’s the Ram.
TRAVEL STORIES
“Motor Minded” and “Ready to Travel” highlighted some great places to visit: The BMW Zentrum Museum in Greer, South Carolina, and various sites in Detroit. I would have never thought of vacationing in Detroit, but TDR has changed my mind. Now I’m ready to drive to Motor City and check out the attractions highlighted by the two Roberts. Sounds like The Henry Ford is a must see!
Americana on display at The Henry Ford. This is the 1952 Wienermobile that was built on a Dodge chassis.
John Holmes’ “Ranch Dressing” shared with us a glaring government oversight, California wanting everyone to own electric vehicles but then not having the power grid capabilities to handle such a thing. Surprise, surprise. Also mentioned was Ford halting “its production of Electric F-150 Trucks because they can’t get enough batteries at their Detroit-area factory.” Surprise, surprise.
It looks like manufacturers are having to design special tires for electric vehicles. Even so, the tires are still having to be replaced more frequently. Governments and environmentalists might want us to all go green, but it seems like the biggest thing about “going green” is the huge pile of green bills it’s going to cost.
NUTS AND BOLTS
Did you know that charger/maintainers can extend battery life? Or that when you do need to replace batteries, you might want to read the TDR for suggestions on what products to buy? It is the same thing with replacement headlights. The info in TDR can save you time and money and often comes with DIY instructions. “Back in the Saddle” mentions loose connections, as was nanoShield, and “Still Plays with Trucks” covered replacement batteries, and the “Long Haul” covered headlights.
In “The Way We Were” I learned that “Ethanol fuel survives only because it is cheaper to produce than gasoline” (and I bet there are lobbyists involved too). I learned that algae, beef tallow, waste cooking oil, and other items can be used to make biodiesel and show some promise to do so. Who knew? Certainly not this newbie. And the technical look at Biodiesel shows that it does have favorable exhaust emissions numbers.
Finally, did you know that the TDR editor is prone to going off on tangents? I often find them to be entertaining and informative. Read the TDR and you’ll see what I mean. This newbie sure found this issue to be informative and entertaining. Hope you do too!
Conclusion
That’s my summary. And remember, I didn’t even elaborate on the nuts-n-bolts/technical information.
Please consider a subscription to the TDR. I can guarantee that not only will it “save you time and money in the maintenance of your Turbo Diesel truck,” but give you insight that it takes three pages to summarize.
Connie (Nancy Newbie) Baylor
TDR Writer
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