Brace Yerselves, Another Newbie Here

[ladyjaine]

I ordered my 2500 4X4 ETH/DEE on 11-08. It's BX right now... I can hardly wait. When she arrives in January, there will be a party! Oo.



I'm new to diesels and really looking forward to owning one. I'm reading through the forum and finding lots of great information in here. First on the list is a cap and running boards, then I want a couple of gauges to track fuel pressure and EGT... These trucks are dangerous to the bank account!



I've made arrangements with my dealer, Manassas Dodge, to read through the owner's manual tonight. I'll have lots of questions tomorrow.



Jean

On Order- '03 2500 4X4, ETH/DEE, Laramie with leather, heated seats, tow mirrors, limited slip, dark garnet red

 

[kaptn]

Welcome aboard! Yes the trucks are expensive,but they increase in value when you add a torque convertor or clutch plate,fueling box,injectors,bigger turbo,and on and on and on. Once you find out how much power you can get out of a little old 6 cylinder you might step over to the "Dark Side".

 

[Pit Bull]

Welcome to the TDR. I have never ordered a vehicle, alway bought off the lot. I bet the wait is a killer :{

 

[HC]

you're on the right track with those gauges. Cool that turbo before shutdown (especially in summer!)



Since you got a manual, go ahead and call your dealer - tell him you want the exhaust brake installed before delivery, with an "on the shifter" switch. Saves your brakes in hill country, warms your truck faster in winter, makes it more fun to drive. (trust me, you'll thank me later!)



Oh yeah, one more thing. Delo 400 Iso-Syn 15W-40 oil until after break in; Fleetguard filters (oil and fuel). Big Bucks saved if you buy them from Geno's instead of your dealer, even if you don't put them on yourself. You'll hear a lot of other opinions on oil and filters, but I'm right, they're all wrong.



You're gonna LOVE it!

 

[JWhitcomb]

Be careful about asking the dealer to install a e brake, when I picked up mine they said $1200. Then they asked me why I kept laughing. You are going to love the truck.

 

[ladyjaine]

I didn't think I could get an exhaust brake on a 2500. I sorta wanted one, just for kewlness sake, I didn't realize they were also a temp management tool. It doesn't get all that cold in the winter here so I am not too worried about heating it up. It's keeping cool that I want to pay attention to. Getting stuck in traffic in a heat wave is nasty.



Jean

 

[JWhitcomb]

As long as it is a diesel and has a manual an e brake will work without any transmission mods. These trucks should come standard with a Jacobs if it is a manual. Get it, you won't regret it.

You should pay no more than $800 installed. Also recommend a switch on the shifter.

 

[Hammer]

Jean. .

I am not sure where you are at in Northern VA but,we have several members of our TDR chapter in and around the area. Kep your eyes open for our Mason-Dixon TDR gatherings in the event forums and come on out and join us. Plenty of guys in the group that can and will answer any question you have,even if you think it is silly. If you have any questions about our local chapter drop me,Rammin On or Jstyer a note and we can tell you more.



Welcome to the TDR and congratulations on the new truck,it will be worth the wait... ... ... Andy

 

[Straight6Jeff]

You're gonna love it. And the Mason-Dixon gatherings... the food, hospitality and the beer wagon (aka-Oasis3) is top notch.



The Dark side awaits... .

 

[tntway]

welcome aboard....

your gona LOVE it. just put a pac-brake on my 2001 2500. warms up in about half the time too.



speaking of newbies... ... who is this jeff guy??? lol... ... j/k



good to see ya again jeff. Tim

 

[dcasselberry]

Jean:



Welcome to this forum, and congratulations on ordering your first CTD. This place is a goldmine for getting questions answered.



And what everyone said about Mason-Dixon TDR is on the mark. I attended their dyno day at Kaufmann's Motorsports a few months back and had a blast. You'll probably never meet a nicer bunch of folks who go out of their way to help you with your truck. That whole day was pure fun, great food, and pleasure. I signed up for membership ASAP.



Must be hard waiting for the new truck to arrive, but sounds like you'll be ready for it when it does.



Participation here and in the M-DTDR started a new love affair with my 96' CTD. I never fully realized the potential of what I had until I started this new addiction. Like all addictions, it can get expensive. I find myself strategizing every day, figuring out what new modification I can afford to do next.



Let us know when the new "baby" arrives, and good luck with it!



Dan

 

[OL RATLR]

welcome

Welcome! Now you have done it.

 

[raf2000]

Until 2 years ago, I lived in Herndon, worked in Chantilly. Took my Diesel to Manassas Dodge 5 times. They did not know my 2000 CTD at all. They, like lots of suburban dealers do not know their a$$ from a diesel rig. Again, that was two years ago but I doubt much has changed there. I put my 25 years in that area and left because I only know how to speak ENGLISH I would keep any performance mods to myself around them as well. They changed out my steering box instead of changing a bad steering stablizer, which I fixed myself after they pi$$ed me off, made a complete mess of my engine bay with PS fluid. Then they changed out my stereo instead of fixing the bad left front speaker/amp assy. They did not even test it. I went to get my truck, got in and turned on the radio, still NO left front. WTF? Again, I fixed it myself @ 8K MILES! Try REED BROTHERS in Rockville for service. ONLY dealer that seems to have a diesel clue around there. My 02 cents

 

[Phil Stuart]

Welcome and Merry Christmas to ya!

Jean,



I used to live up near that area two years ago in Fairfax Co.

Manassas Chrysler Plymouth is where I bought my first Cummins powered Dodge. It was a 1995 2500 auto,standard cab, used with 63,000 on the clock. The salesmans name was Neil Giles if that rings a bell. Not sure if you stopped over there to see what they had. Now I'm on my third one and this one's a keeper



Phil

 

[DBVZ]

Originally posted by ladyjaine

I didn't think I could get an exhaust brake on a 2500. I sorta wanted one, just for kewlness sake, I didn't realize they were also a temp management tool. It doesn't get all that cold in the winter here so I am not too worried about heating it up. It's keeping cool that I want to pay attention to. Getting stuck in traffic in a heat wave is nasty.



Jean

FYI: The price of the Jacobs Brake went up big time for the 2003 models. They don't have a vacuum pump, so to run the Jake they need to add one for an extra $500 or so. Earlier models you could get the Jake for $799 with a $500 commercial use rebate for a net cost of $299 if added at delivery. Now add $500 for a net cost of $800 after rebate if you have a commercial use for the truck, or about $1300 of you don't.



I looked into the Jake because the information on the new 48re said it was "exhaust brake compatable". So far the dealers are being told not to but it on any automatic, or it will void the warranty. That could change once the 48re has been on the street a while. It made me feel better about getting the new automatic, that they considered it Jake compatable, even if I don't ever add it.

 

[DBVZ]

PS: The Jake is a dealer addition to the CTD, and it does not matter what model truck it is on.

 

[DBVZ]

In case you missed it in the 3rd Generation forum, here is an option for an exhaust brake powered by compressed air instead of vacuum. This may also provide an air source for filling tires, etc. About the same price as the Jake, for what is reported here:



jelag

Pacific Clutch and Brake



Registered: Dec 2002

Location: Spokane WA

Posts: 6

New PacBrake's for 03's





I have received our first PacBrake Exhaust brake for the 03's with a stick shift..... The PacBrake Part number is C14030..... with this first unit which is sold, we have set our selling price at $ 895. 00 which I assume from watching this board is lower than the other competive exhaust brakes... ... This price includes a 10% discout to TDR members.....



I can only assume that my stock order is just around the corner after the first of the year... ... .



The housing is much larger than I expected which accounts for the increased flow required for the higher HP of this new engine design... . It is a direct mount design for mounting direct to the Turbo like the previous models... ...



The exhaust brake is powered by an air compressor which supplies air to an 1 1/2" air cylinder... . this system is the same air compressor and related parts that is used on some of the Cat and IH engines that have exhaust brakes available for them... . Because of the larger cylinder and valve the compressor is larger as well... ... The compressor is designed to mount to the firewall in holes that are pre-existing... .



It wires into the ECM and will be contolled by the ECM..... It also uses a clutch interlock switch so that the exhaust brake turns off during clutch operation... .....



An optional gear shift lever switch is available which carries a part number of C18042 for the 16. 5MM diameter gear shift lever.....



In addition to the new exhaust brake, PacBrake has introduced a new Lube for all exhaust brakes... ... Its a Synthetic Lube for maintenance of the valve and moving parts where the exhaust brake is left off part of the season or for RV or Motorhome use where the vehicle sits for extended periods of time..... It carries a part number of C18037 and is suggested for any exhaust brake... .



If you have any questions please let me know... .



Have a great day... .





__________________

Jim / Pacific Clutch & Brake / a PacBrake distributor







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