Bought used CTD. What maint items to do?

[TimBrunett]

Hey guys,



My first Dodge Cummins!! Oo. I just bought it. Its a 2001 2500 Sport, CTD, QC, short box, AT, with 118k miles for $14k and tax.



What PM items would yall suggest that I do 1st, 2nd, etc to get me up to date on maintenance? The previous owner gave me only verbal records but it looks in great shape. I do know that the lift pump has never been serviced nor the trans bands been adjusted, and probably nothing besides the engine oil changes, trans fluid changes (but I don’t know when) and maybe other small things.



I would change all the fluids and filters including: rear end, trans, engine oil and radiator. What other things? And any mechanical stuff that NEEDS to be done?? Where should be the first money I spend on it?



Any suggestions would be appreciated.



Thanks



TBrunett

Pround new owner

 

[JoshPeters]

Congrats and Welcome! You have a good plan already. The other things I would look at are... . If it has rear drums (I believe the 01. 5's went to disc) Adjust the rear drums. The self adjusters... like any drum system... work terrible.



I'd check out the front end. Ball joints, tie rods and the Track Bar. The track bar if it's worn will give you the Death Wobble. Believe me... there is no way to explain it... but when it happens... you think your gonna die! The truck shakes violently till you slow down enough or hit the proper bump for it to go away.

If you need front end parts... dont' buy new crap... . get Lukes Links. Do a search on them and you'll find out TONS of info. Great product. I unfortunately didn't get them my first time... . My cost, through the dealer I worked at was $300. Lukes links are less than that... and wont' wear out. They get loose, you retorque them.



Fuel filter, air filter, diff fluid changes, t-case fluid change, ATF, adjust the bands in the transmission. Adjust the valve lash.



If you plan on modifying your truck, start saving for a good transmission. There are a few companies out there that have Great products. Read up and make a choice. You won't be dissappointed with any of them.



Josh

 

[JKinney]

The first thing I would do is get a fuel presure guage, and just order a new lift pump, It must need it...

 

[BKenny]

Congrats like they said gauges are good to have to protect your investment. My lift pump was just replaced at 43,000 and the truck showed no signes of it going bad. I have an auto and i would im not adding power like boxs/injectors or bigger turbo until i get the trany upgraded these tranys in stock form don,t handle extra power well.

 

[TimBrunett]

I had the fuel pressure checked today and sure enough the lift pump was very weak. 10 psi at idle and 4 at WOT. Needs changing.



Thanks for the replies and to TDR for the wealth of info availavle here. If I had not read a few posts on lift pumps I would have never known to have it checked. Now I basically have been saved from a VP44 replacement costing $2200+. That money will be spent of lots and lots of gauges.



Oo. When someone up and saves me $2200+ it certainly makes me feel good. Cant express the feeling. $2200+!!!!!





Thanks again

 

[McCRam]

Welcome!!

I have a paranoia about auto trans. I have cooked to many of them. So I always put a transmission temp gauge in to monitor its health. My other advise is to keep reading. I have found an incredible amount of info on here. It has saved me a ton of money as well.