Finally took the plunge.

[FParlee]

I've been driving Fords for years but I have had injector problems with this last 99' F250 with the 7. 3, needed a new turbo and injectors in Cody WY this summer.



Side note: the Cody Ford dealer is also the Cody Dodge dealer, and they were great. Had my truck back in 24 hrs under warranty.



The new Ford 6. 0 liter diesel finally drove me off. So now that I have a new Dodge on order, can some of you CTD old hands answer some questions for me?



1. The dealership says it left the Mexico factory on 1-7-04, took a train to the coast, got on a boat to Baltimore MD, then will be trucked to the southeast PA dealership and delivered on 2-5-04. Does it really take a whole month to ship these trucks????



2. Pre-oilers - I live very close to the place in Pottstown PA that makes them, and could probably get a factory tour as I am a local electrical controls rep in the area. The idea sounds great, but I worry about scavaging oil from the drain plug area. If there are any problems, there goes your oil. I have also read here at TDR that the pump motors don't last long. Thoughts?



3. All of my ford 4x4s, and the 3500 I test drove, are low in the front. When I put my 14K fifth wheel in the bed, it goes level and the headlights are in the sky. In one of these threads, I saw a front airbag suspension by "Felderman". Can I get the 2 to 3 inches of lift to level the truck when unloaded, (which just plain looks cool), and adjust the headlights to that stance, and use the airbags to bring the front down to level when the trailer is in the bed? What do ya thing people? Will it work?



4. Does anyone know the guy in Elverson PA that is listed in the TDR travel companion? Elverson is on my way to and from work, and I would be glad to buy a cup of coffee and a donut for someone who's brain I could pick on the subject of CTD.



Thanks for listening everybody!



2004 1/2 3500 "600" Cummins auto, ClubCab, 4x4, 3. 73



(From reading the TDR, I think I screwed up on the "auto". )

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

1. Yes it can take a month or more.

2. The engine lasts a million miles without a pre-oiler or bypass filter. Either can fail, leak, and the latter takes away pressurized oil from where it is really needed.

3. Try stock first. Kelderman may be the company you are referencing. No matter what suspension you use, you have to expect a change in attitude with 1000 or 2000 pounds added to the bed.

4. Who is he?

5. above are just my opinions.

Best wishes. You will love the new truck. If you approach it neutrally (or better, positively) you will probably agree with the opinions I expressed in my article, accessible from the headline on this forum.

 

[FParlee]

I want my truck!

Hey JD, thanks for the feedback!



1. Bummer!!!!!!!!!!!!!



2. You make a great point, I didn't think of it that way. Thanks.

Scratch that idea.



3. You are right, it was Kelderman. I do expect attitude change with load, but was wondering if the air system could nullify the attitude change through adjustability.



4. The TDR travel companion doesn't list the persons name, just the telephone number. I will give them a call this week.



5. I do appeciate your opinions, that's how we learn, I am really glad I took the plunge and signed up for the TDR. The good information available is staggering!



Thanks again.

 

[SmokinU]

Hey,



I’m not too far away from ya. I’m in Lebanon. Your welcome to join us locals at our dyno day in Dillsburg, PA. Keep an eye on the "Northeast" chapter for more info.



Brandon

 

[FParlee]

Hey Brandon

Not that I know where Dillsburg is, but if its near Lebanon, it can't be more than 1 1/2 to 2 hours away. I would love to see how that works. If ya do it on a weekend, I"ll be there!



Thanks

 

[swexlin]

I’m not too far away from ya. I’m in Lebanon. Your welcome to join us locals at our dyno day in Dillsburg, PA. Keep an eye on the "Northeast" chapter for more info

I did that last year (in April) with my Ford, I'll be back this year with my new DODGE (assuming it's in by then).



FParlee - I'm in West Chester, so we're practically neighbors. When did you order your truck, and what dealer? I ordered Monday from D'Ambrosio's in Downingtown.

 

[SmokinU]

Wow,



That’s interesting, my truck was originally ordered at D’Ambrosio Dodge as well. I’ve heard alot of good things about that dealership.



Brandon

 

[FParlee]

Location, location, location!!!!!!!!!

Gentlemen,



I live in Collegeville, squeeze is in West Chester. If ya ever want to talk trucks, let me know. This is my first DC/CTD and I have a lot to learn.



I ordered from D'ambrosio because there is a guy there named Pen, (first name), that really knows the product and the DC system. He was the only one to give me the straight scoop on the new motor. So I ordered from him. I ordered in early December, he got the order in on the first day of the opening of the new order cycle, (he showed me the e-mails from DC), and it was built on 1/7. apparently those of us on the northeast seaboard get ours by boat to baltimore which adds time to delivery. They promised I would have the truck for a trip to Florida on 2/5.....

The date has creeped up to delivery to the dealership on 2/7. I will have to take the Ford to Florida, even with the injection problems. Oh well, I just hope they don't test drive the stink out of it until I get back and lay claim to the poor girl!



Please give me more details on the event at Dillsburg, date/location.



2004 1/2 3500 SLT 4 door 4x4 LWB CTD "600" auto 3. 73