Here I am

Brand new 2500 owner

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What year 3500 to buy?

Questions by and for newbies

I just took delivery last Friday of a new 2005 quad cab 2500 4x4 with the Cummins diesel. I have to admit I really didn't realize just how incredible these engines were until I started reading these forums. I have had my head buried in the computer all week getting educated. I have to say I enjoy the debate here, it appears there are a lot of guys on here that really know these trucks and it is great to have that resource.



The reason I bought the diesel was mileage. I had an '03 1500 Hemi and was very happy with it, but it just didn't have enough suspention to pull what I needed to pull. (I was also tired of borrowing dad's powerstroke). I was actually shopping for a 2500 gasser, but the price difference was minimal and I was blown away when I took the CTD test drive. The only other diesel p/u I have any experience with is my dad's late 90's powerstroke and it is a slug at best. I was just amazed at my new truck's throttle response, power, and how quiet it is. I think it would blow away my Hemi 1500 I had, and the ride is smoother (those 20" wheels were not forgiving)! With all of the dealing the dealer was doing I actually paid less for the CTD with an slt package than I did the Laramie package 1500 in 2003!



I plan on keeping this truck for many years and will probably see a few hundred thousand miles. Any tips or tricks will be appreciated. I will be pulling a load of about 8k once or twice a week and about 11k 2 or 3 times a month during the summer and just commuting the rest of the time.



I don't know that I will start with mods until after the warranty period, but man have you guys got the wheels turning!!!
 
Welcome aboard Jason. TDR is a good source, but only believe half of what you read. There is good advice here and a lot of back stabbing and mud slinging too. Oo.
 
Welcome to the TDR.



If you're looking for reliability out of that engine, one of the first mods I would make is gauges. They let you know what your engine's doing and can help diagnose problems long before they become major and everything should be fine with the warranty.



Other than that, change the fluids on schedule. Some guys swear by fuel additives, others don't. You'll have to make up your mind on that one.
 
Like you, I'm a first time diesal owner and all I can say is WOW! These engines are tougher then anything I've ever owned, and are fairly simple to do the routine maintenance on. I just did the 2nd oil change and also a fuel filter change (9980 on the odom) My old '95 360 CID gasser would barely get from here to Buffalo (425 miles)on a tank and this thing will take me to NH (575 miles) on a single tank (with fuel left over). Even the Wife likes it Oo. That and the smaller cars tend to get out of the way :-laf Enjoy your new ride and welcome. You'll soon learn to love the truck more then any other vehicle you have ever owned!
 
Enjoy your new ride and welcome. You'll soon learn to love the truck more then any other vehicle you have ever owned![/QUOTE]



Alot of truth to that statement. Many of us are on our 2nd, & 3rd CTD :D
 
Howdy from Dallas! Just bought a leftover 2004 2500 QC and joined the site (both at the recommendation of my brother's experiences with his 93 2500 CTD and 2000 2500 CTD). One thing has me curious, though, and I can't seem to find the key. I see a lot of people make a distinction between '04 and '04. 5. Why is that, and what would be the cutoff dates for that? Maybe then I'll know what mine is. BTW, I've been dreaming of getting this truck a lonnng time and now that I have it, it's better than I hoped for!
 
The cutoff date is basically Jan 1 '04, this is due to the emmission restrictions put on the manufacturers go by calander year not by model year. Check the tag on the passenger side of your valve cover, if it says 325 hp then it is a 4. 5. The early 04's are generally 305hp except for trucks certain markets like California were even less. The '07 trucks will probably get changed mid (model) year as well.



Enjoy your trucks! :)
 
Thanks, Gonzo! I checked, it does say 325 (on the driver side, tho), and I do remember seeing paperwork that said it was built Jan 20.
 
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