First time owner, 1st generation

[dan brooks]

Hi all,



I just purchased a '92 Dodge CTD 3/4-ton 2WD. It has the auto/OD trans and 3. 54 gears (looks like an open diff - no LS tag but haven't checked further). I picked the truck up from the original owner, who purchased it new in Arizona, and it was used to tow a 29' 5th wheel. Best part of all: it only has 47k miles on it.



This thing is clean - the paint has very slight fading from the Arizona sun, but the interior is excellent and the bed has just a few nicks and scratces from the 5th wheel hitch... . which I also got with the truck. Underneath is extremely clean - you can still see the factory decals and markings. There is a small oil leak from the oil pan drain plug, but it looks like the washer/gasket is missing, so I'll change the oil and take a closer look at that.



I have to do a little wiring "clean-up" on it - this thing has so many lights it looks like a Christmas tree, but I guess that is to be expected if you buy from an 85-year old man. For whatever reason he bypassed the "start" position of the ignition switch and installed a push button on the dash - said he wanted to be able to start it in gear. I traced the wires and got it hooked back to the ignition switch.



Being that this is my first diesel, are there any particular things I need to check or do? I have read a lot about the KDP, and hope to do something with that - does the KDP jig work on 1st gen engines? I have lost just about all my patience for working on vehicles, so pulling the front cover off really doesn't turn me on. Anyone know of a Tucson-area shop that knows what they're doing?



I'm planning on purchasing a cabover camper - don't want anything that hangs over the bed too far because I'll be towing my Jeep, too. Is there anything I should do before loading up, other than routine maintenance (change oil/filter, ATF, rear diff fluid)?



Thanks in advance for the help.



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Pics of truck

 

[Philip]

Welcome to TDR.



On this list of items you are going to catch up on. Add doing a trans service also. It probably hasn't been done. So that is the first thing I would do.



I haven't heard of the KDP problem on the first gen's we drive. It seems to be worse on the 95/97 models years.



I wish mine was that clean.

 

[dan brooks]

Thanks for the welcome.



The previous owner did mention the trans fluid hadn't been changed "in a while," so that is definitely at the top of the list. I guess the bands are supposed to be adjusted frequently, too? What all is involved in that? All my auto transmission experience has been with Ford C-4/C-6 - I would assume the process is similar, but you know what they say about assuming.

 

[Philip]

If you are used to the C4/6 series of trans. Then working on the 518 will not be a problem. The second gear band adjustment is on the outside of the case. It is located in front of the shift linkage. The reverse (manual first) band adjustment is located inside of the pan.



Here is a thread with the way to adjust them.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=56327



With most of the items you listed you were going to check. The only thing I would add is check the front brake pads. If the other owner was like a lot of older people. The didn't set the controller to use much trailer brakes. So you might be getting low on pads.

 

[dan brooks]

Thanks again, Philip!

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Hi Dan, and WELCOME !!!



Congrats on buying a great piece of machinery !!!! I luv mine, as do most all of the 1st Genners in here.



You might want to check the steering coupler, just were it enters the steering box. That thing is notorious for getting all gummed up and leaking in and out. It collects grit and water and gets contaminated, then causes the steering to get sloppy.

You can get a new couple from DC or you can buy a permanent fix using the Borgeson shaft.



Next thing I'd do is get a can of electrical contact cleaner and tube of dielectric grease. Open the hood and spray/grease all your connections, especially the temp sensors on the intake manifold top plate.

Crawl under the truck, and check every connection, such as the speed sensor on the transmission, the ABS connector(s) on the rear. Clean up the connections on the fuel solenoid (back of the inj. pump just above were the fuel lines come out has 2 wires on it) and the KSB solenoid (side of inj. pump towards the lower front and has 1 wire on it) too.



Look closely around each injector and make sure you don't have any "damp" spots.



Pull the brake resevoir cover and use a flashlight to look down into the brake fluid. If you see what looks like pieces of soot then you need to flush the system properly. (At the mileage your quoting you should be ok on alot of this)



Make sure none of your rocker cover gaskets is leaking, especially the back couple (#5 and #6)



Every 20K or so I siphon the PS pump tank and refill with new fluid



Do a close check of ALL the hose clamps. There are some that are hidden, like under upper rad hose mount and so on. They loosen off over time.



Check all your boost fitting clamps, they loosen off too. (11mm deep socket works good)



Pull the air intake hose off at the turbo intake and look at the turbine blade. Is it nicked/chipped? Look at the inside of the turbo housing were the blade runs, do you see any signs of the blade having contacted the inner housing?



Well thats a start... . oh ya, when you've done all that give that engine a good degreasing (while cold) and let it sit for 15 then use a hose on heavy mist setting and clean her off good. That way any new leaks or problems will jump right out at you when you do an underhood inspection since you'll know it's "new" oil/water or whatever.



Best regards, Bob.

 

[dan brooks]

Hi Bob. Thanks for the welcome and all the great info.



It sounds like Dodge didn't do much with the steering shaft between 1978 and my 1992 - the coupler was junk on my old Dodge 4X4, too. You would think that 14 years would have been enough to improve the design..... I had forgotten about that being a weak spot. Oh well, I guess a Borgeson will be on the list somewhere down the road.



I actually had a chance to inspect the turbo today while I was changing the oil and oil/air filters, and everything looked and felt good..... at least as far as I could tell. Being that this is my first diesel - and first turbo of any kind - I'm far from an expert.



Thanks again,



Dan