Do I need guages if I do not tow???

[tschwab]

Oh, so now I'm not an enthusiast because I don't have gauges? Thats ridiculous. I'm too stupid to know when to shut the motor down because I don't have gauges? Ridiculous as well. Maybe I ought to go buy gauges for my Honda Accord so I don't harm the motor when I drive it.



You guys are missing PJ's entire point.



Lightman and others, IF it makes you feel better, gives you a better sense of security or makes you think your truck will last longer, or better yet, makes you an enthusiast or an authority on the subject, go put gauages in a stock truck, its your $$.

 

[PJ]

Talk about an empty mind... ... . PJ you moaned and groaned about your other Ram and now you moan and groan about your present. To compound the problem you let your Service Manager dump whats left in his empty mind into yours and value it as good information. IColeman the young buck 20 year old has posted the most intelligent factual post on this topic which I guess blows the old adage older and wiser completely out of the water.

The reason manufacturers don't put additional gauges in our trucks in the first place is all about $$$. Just because they don't put them there doesn't mean they are not needed. Just the pain and hassle of dealing with DC over a warranty item and being out my truck for the period of time it costs to fix it is reason enough for me to monitor the overall health of my powertrain. If you really don't care about the health of your truck then why do you subscribe to the TDR? If it's just to whine well then I for one could do without it.

Excues me but... . I "moaned and groaned" about my 04 because it was in fact a POS. Ball joints, tires, alignments. I solved the problem by trading it off on the truck I have now. I love this truck. The only issue Ive had is the white smoke that appeared after the TSB was done. I just returned from the local dealer and they "reflashed" my truck and said give it a try. As far as fuel and mileage, the 600 isnt the mileage maker that the 555 was. With that in mind, if you can afford the truck, you can afford the fuel! If its mileage you want, drive a Geo! If its powre you want , Drive a Cummins, If its room inside the cab you are looking for, try Chevy and Ford! I myself, like the Cummins and my dog isnt complaining about the room in the back seat!

I mentioned to the Service Manager about the replies I got from his quote "too much information" He laughed and stated that some guys just have nothing better to do than throw money at their trucks. With my truck, with what I use it for, pulling a 10k trailer, gauges are not required. Like I stated before, if they were needed to be on the truck, they would have installed them at the factory. Under the specs of what they claim this truck can pull or tow, there are no gauges needed what-so-ever. Now, If I was paranoid and had to know what every part of what is under the hood was doing at all times, then I would opt to throw a few tousand bucks and add every gauge that Genos sells and freak out if I happen to go up 10 degrees when I climb my 1/2 mile driveway. I am thinking of "bombing" my stereo system as I would like a 10 disc changer with remote! Anyone think I need an amp meter to make sure Im not overloading my charging system???? :-laf :-laf :-laf I just feel sorry for the poor newbe that started this thread and has had to look at all the back stabing opinions from all that seem to know what is so much better about how to over do his or her truck. I might add that if you pull into some dealerships and your dash has every gauge that mankind can think of, that will in fact send up a flag that you have chipped or somehow messed with something that WILL void the factory warranty and make your truck very special. The special part will be that YOU will be your own warranty station! That my friends comes right from Chrysler. I suggest to the new guy to check with his or her dealer before any mod gets installed. Its to the point that some situations, changing from the stock air cleaner and going to a higher flow after market could in fact effect your warranty. I see that each dealer Ive dealt with has their own rules when it comes to some of these situations.

Am I going to get flamed again??? Im just repeating what I just found out first hand this morning at the local dealer so DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!

This website is for these sort of things and getting rude and nasty between fellow members is uncool. Weather someone hits the wrong key on the laptop and God forbid misspells a word, that is no reason to flame, nor is it cool to blast someone for paying cash or financing their truck. That seems to be an issue a few posts back. In my opinion, who cares what someones ability is in the financial department. What matters is that we all drive a CTD and enjoy the heck out of it. We are here to help, suggest, and share what we know. Not put down or degrade someones ability to type, spell or pay for their truck.

Im now off my soap box. Can we all be nice now?????

 

[chef]

Its to the point that some situations, changing from the stock air cleaner and going to a higher flow after market could in fact effect your warranty.

yass, if it falls apart and stuffs into the turbo and causes damage. .

 

[ceaman]

I have a 2004 (2500) quad cab short bed 4x4 and it has an Automatic do I need gauges too?

I have a Meyers snow plow for it and that is it.

I traded in my 2001 (1500) quad cab short bed 4x4 because it sucked up to much gas on the highway.

I don't tow anything right now but my fuel milage has gotten better with this truck on the highway I am doing 20 to 23 miles per gallon!

This is my first diesel.

Get a trans temp guage quick so you can see when that plow is working hard on the heavy snow! you will be amazed how hot how quick!

 

[Fred Swanson]

I was wondering if I need to get guages if I do not tow? I may a couple of times a year but not like a 5th wheel or horse trailer. I am planning on getting a performance chip, exhaust, and cold air intake if that changes whether or not I should get the guages..... If the general concensus is that I should does anyone know if a clean looking set that go onto the pillar.



I appreciate the feedback.



Dave

Dave, since you are planning on doing some performance mods, you will want to get gauges. Which ones depends on whether you have an auto or a manual. On the pillar you can put a single, dual or triple pod. The Autometer Phantoms are white face, and look very nice with the factory white face gauges. Look in my Readers' Rigs for a snapshot of how they look in a 3rd gen.

 

[RJOL]

... I also agree that it is too much info, just one more thing to take your attention off the road. I've had gauges in my 12V and it is a much more enjoyable drive/tow when you can give your full attention to the road instead of monitoring your gauges...

I've had pillar gauges for almost 4 years now and I don't agree with your opinion that they take too much attention from driving. I just glance up at mine and, by now, I know when they are "in the green. " If you modifiy you truck, you better have the information. If you keep it stock, it's your choice as to what information you want... Must be a slow day on the TDR...

 

[tschwab]

Must be a slow day on the TDR...

Yep, it must be. To all those who have gauges and enjoy them, I'm happy for you. Jeez, PJ was trying to make a point and a good one at that and a lot of you ganged up on a fellow TDR member and bashed him and myself and others who disagree, this site is getting about as bad as the ford site. Chill out and go enjoy your gauges. I'm done posting to this thread.

 

[PJ]

Amen Brother! Im finished also

 

[rbattelle]

I just want my dash to look like this:



#ad




Because I think it's



-Ryan

P. S. To each his own!!

 

[Crunch]

You guys crack me up that brag about blindly operating your trucks and think you're special because you're covered under the warranty blanket

Hey! I think I am special because of my waranty. Once it expires I won't even be able to get my mama to pay for my truck repairs. So for the next 30,000 miles DC loves me, and that means I'm special--not short bus special, mind you. But special nevertheless... :-laf

 

[CRuth]

I won't argue the economics of trading a vehicle in frequently, but thats not me or ever will be. I keep my vehicles a long time. Because of that I like to take real good care and guages help me do that. Btw, I don't plan on doing any engine modifications. As far as distracting? Not to me. Distracting is talk radio or a dumb*** passenger. To each his own.

 

[JHardwick]

I wasn't going to post in this thread, but my opinion is yes.



Some say "it's stock let D/C eat it"



Others say " it's bombed can I get D/C to eat it"



Gauge the dayum thing and keep it out of the shop!!!!



Stock or not, if your towing heavy on a long pull in the right atmospheric conditions, you can melt it!



Saying its stock, let D/C eat it after abusing it is as bad as the other camp who says, it's bombed but bombing had nothing to do with it!

 

[PJ]

If you have it stock and tow 10k, there still is no reason to say you are abusing it. Read the owners book. Unless you have your foot to the wood, you wont hurt it. If you do, then I say let D/C fix it. They are the ones that wrote the rules and claim what these trucks should be able to do!

 

[Jeff Clark]

Dang! Nobody responded to the comment about watching the DVD while on long drives???? What color is that truck: I want to be on the lookout for it when I'm driving. Naw, what's the use? If he does it, others do - that made up my mind - it's time to give up my motorcycles... . first cell phones, and now DVD watchers!!!! Sheeeeeeshhh!!!!

Mine's red. Look out for it in North Texas.

 

[JHardwick]

If you have it stock and tow 10k, there still is no reason to say you are abusing it. Read the owners book. Unless you have your foot to the wood, you wont hurt it. If you do, then I say let D/C fix it. They are the ones that wrote the rules and claim what these trucks should be able to do!

Have you gotten enough attention yet? :-laf

 

[rbattelle]

If an F-15C or F-16 pilot can fly the plane, dodge bullets and missiles, track targets, and generally keep fighting despite all the radio noise, computer yelling at you, lights flashing, alarms ringing, and straining under 7 G's of acceleration then I think I can monitor all my gauges, listen to my radio and my passengers and still keep the vehicle on the road safely.



-Ryan

 

[JHardwick]

If an F-15C or F-16 pilot can fly the plane, dodge bullets and missiles, track targets, and generally keep fighting despite all the radio noise, computer yelling at you, lights flashing, alarms ringing, and straining under 7 G's of acceleration then I think I can monitor all my gauges, listen to my radio and my passengers and still keep the vehicle on the road safely.



-Ryan

:-laf



have to consider the source sometimes Ryan

 

[CumminsBu]

If an F-15C or F-16 pilot can fly the plane, dodge bullets and missiles, track targets, and generally keep fighting despite all the radio noise, computer yelling at you, lights flashing, alarms ringing, and straining under 7 G's of acceleration then I think I can monitor all my gauges, listen to my radio and my passengers and still keep the vehicle on the road safely.



-Ryan

[SIZE=4]THAT RIGHT!!! AMEN BROTHER!!![/SIZE]

 

[CumminsBu]

If an F-15C or F-16 pilot can fly the plane, dodge bullets and missiles, track targets, and generally keep fighting despite all the radio noise, computer yelling at you, lights flashing, alarms ringing, and straining under 7 G's of acceleration then I think I can monitor all my gauges, listen to my radio and my passengers and still keep the vehicle on the road safely.



-Ryan

THAT RIGHT!!! AMEN BROTHER!!!

 

[DieselMinded]

IF your stock and your staying stock and you have free lift pumps and injector pumps and turbos for life along with hassel free installation then gauges could be lived with out.



The thing is you WILL NOT stAY stock if your reading this. if you took a poll Im sure the # of active tdr members who are bone stock would be in the teens.



Thats why everyone preaches the gauges as the first thing to do . . I wish they were mine so I could see what each mod has done instead of flying blind. ABOUT 35+psi??? of boost on factory housing and not knowing really how much boost you getting ... . thats scary... ... warentee or not.



DM