2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Good Bye TDR.

[Crazy Horse]

Hello Everyone that's still here,
It's been almost 14 years here and the excitement is gone. I don't look forward to my quarterly magazines like I did especially up to about 2004. There is less and less 2nd generation information/conversation in the publication like the old days. It used to be fun pushing the envelope for easy power upgrades when we had real diesel fuel we could burn. Now it takes a chemist to mix some high power fuel that has lubricity. They don't even make a Dodge trucks anymore, and these "Rams" are so choked down with over burners, high EGTs, and an exhaust system that looks and has so much crap on it, it looks like it weighs as much as a kia. Haven't even mentioned the importation of a fiat motor???? or the necessity to fill up an auxiliary tank with DEF??? >>>HEAD SHAKE<<<!

Anyways it's been a fun ride and Robin & Robert have been great people and all the good old acquaintances, it been fun. I still will order from Geno's but I'm stocked up pretty good. My shop is finally built and finished and I'll be spending all of my spare time at working on my CJ-5's out in the shop.And at the CJ-5 forms at JeepForm.Com The 2002 2500 is still just like new, not one door ding. Maybe gets driven once every month or two, does not leak one drop of oil on the pavement and is hooked up to the dual "Battery Tender". The ATS Triple Lock, VB, and Controller still works like new after only 74,000 miles and the truck still runs like a rapped ape running a constant 15lbs of fuel through the Walbro. Maybe we will cross paths some day.

Best Regards to all,
Phil Dufault (Crazy Horse)
Cherokee County, SC

PS: You are welcome to keep for educational purposes all of my new style photos and the old original photo albums.

 

[RVTRKN]

Sorry to see you go, but good luck with your CJ's. I was thinking about buying a new Jeep, but I don't trust American cars anymore. And the prices are just ridiculous, even for a CTD. Thanks for any advise you have given me since I joined in 05.

 

[Hootguy]

i can relate CrazyHorse,,,i have an 2007 3500 Megacab dually 4X4 that only use occasionally,,,the new Rams are such junk compared to the pre 98 trucks,,my 96 never skipped a bit and is still going strong about 500,000 km's,,while the stuff on the 07 keeps breaking are still in top shape on my 96 dually 3500,,,sure wish Dodge made a great ruck like they did pre 2001,,,you will never be able to beat an 12valve truck,,,all these newer trucks will be in the scapyard well before any older ones,,,my new truck might be nice to look at and a bit more comfortable,,,but you you want reliable,,,FORGET IT,,,i keep the new truck strictly to drive the kids around,,,my 96 is the one i drive all the time,,,

 

[SnoKing]

Phil, I feel a bit the same at times with my 2001.5, then I need to research something. The mag does not get read much anymore and they have for the last couple years talked about an internet only account, which would be good for many of us. The world is going away from printer media, come on TDR finish that project, and give us a reduced cost internet only option.

Chris

 

[DavidC]

35.00 a year is really a drop in the bucket compared to a lot of other things these days. Yes I have a 99 and it has 81k on the clock but there is still a vast amount of knowledge still around on this forum. Only you can decide if you want/need the accessibility to this knowledge.

Dave

 

[HHhuntitall]

Wellll, as most here, your presence will be missed... I, personally, like to keep up with the newer trucks. I don't want to be left behind in the storm of technology... perhaps that's age. Could be that I just like to work on 'em... I don't know. I certainly agree on how much more dependable the older trucks are. I have a fleet of 2nd and 3rd gens, and one 1st gen left in the list.... it just won't die!! But the more crap that comes on the 3rd gens makes me remember how much I like that old '93... the A/C still works, I replaced the Gutbag again, but used an NV4500 this time, so it's ready for another couple hundred thousand.... The old 97s all need paint, the '95's cab is coming apart, and the '98 is getting pretty loose around the door hinges, but there is no doubt they'll start in the morning if I need one of them.... My '03? Well, it'll start I'm sure.... IF the electric fuel pump keeps running, and IF an electrical failure in the ECM or dash hasn't drained the batteries.... There's no roll starting that puppy!! And the newer trucks!!?!???? Now way!! I can't run 'em off road without catching on fire!! I don't know what I'll do in a few years when I can't find any more early 2nd gens.... eventually I'll run out of parts, and at that point, I guess I'll go back to a gas engine and turbo the dang thing.... That's stinkin' stupid!! The reason I went to diesels in the first place is the reason I'll be going back to a gas engine!!!!!! But there goes Nero..... time for me to pass my soap box...

Good luck! God speed!

 

[TDRGuy]

Phil, good luck with the CJ projects and thank you for you long time support of the TDR. If there is something you find that we should adopt from the other hobby-sites that you frequent , please let us know.

Regards, Robert Patton

 

[jgillott]

As I've mentioned to others who have left or have considered leaving TDR, your input is more vital than it ever was. Looking back over the last 20+ years of my personal Dodge/Cummins ownership, I realize that I've learned most of what I know from someone who has been there and done that already either locally or on the site. There are less and less around here that have been involved for years and own or have owned the older trucks. For the new members that may be coming in, that knowledge and presence can't be replaced. For that reason, I hope you reconsider and stick around a while longer.

 

[JMcCoy]

Good luck with your new endeavors. As for keeping the TDR informative and entertaining, it doesn't help when a new person comes in, asks a question, and is told to do a search. It discourages fresh threads. Yes, a search is a valuable tool, but good luck coming up with new topics on theses 20 year old trucks. Most topics and issues have been covered. {slowly stepping off my soap box} Besides the one of the main reasons I am a member of the TDR is for the camaraderie. I believe that is the reason most of you are here as well.

 

[BDaugherty]

Every year when it comes time to renew my subscription, I just think about all the money the TDR has saved me over the years...I've got a long way to go just to pay it back.

 

[Ram4Sam]

The TDR used to save me a lot of money, way more than the 35 bucks a year. But recently, the TDR cost me a fortune.....started hangin' around the 4th gen forum, reading how nice they are.....blah, blah, blah. Thanks TDR, now I own a 4th gen.(and loving it!)Oo.

Sam

 

[RVTRKN]

Looking over the almost 10 years I have been here on TDR, the only member I ever had an issue with, was with HB*****, and I almost left because of him. I managed to get through the insults, the accusations, and even his meddling in my business at one point, but I remained here and learned a lot and enjoyed sharing my stories and the little knowledge that I have on these trucks when I can or asked too.

Ram4Sam, I feel your pain, I mean excitement :-laf, TDR cost me close to $60K when the C&C's were reintroduced back in 06, and TDR member RustyJC posted a thread about what he would buy if he could, and it was the new C&C with a B&W bed.

 

[Wayne M.]

RV, is that one yours?

 

[JLandry]

...recently, the TDR cost me a fortune.....started hangin' around the 4th gen forum

Amen Sam!

John L.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Some diseases are very expensive to treat. It only cost me $50k to treat my case of new truck disease.

 

[Wayne M.]

Crazy horse, I know how you feel. I really felt it in 2003, and in 04 I succumbed to the allure of the 04.5 package. I'm starting to feel it again. However, my station in life now will not permit another buy, unless they introduced a 4 door Eco diesel Ramcharger that my wife can drive (HINT).
I believe the TDR subscription as it stands is an ok deal. I can afford it, I think the content value us good.
I'd hate to see you leave, as you've contributed greatly, with the construction of your shop. I'd like to keep up with your jeep endeavors. I'm sure they would be welcome in the other sections here.

Regards.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Every year when it comes time to renew my subscription, I just think about all the money the TDR has saved me over the years...I've got a long way to go just to pay it back.

Same here!

 

[seafish]

Originally Posted by BDaugherty

Every year when it comes time to renew my subscription, I just think about all the money the TDR has saved me over the years...I've got a long way to go just to pay it back.

Same here!

Obviously I still enjoy reading TDR mag and participating in this forum,but I cannot say that it has necessarily has saved me money over the years for the simple reason that while I HAVE occassionally saved some money over the years by accessing accurate and insightful information regarding the few problems I have experienced with my truck (knock wood), on the whole, it has inspired me to spend MUCH more money on my truck by providing me with ALL the info I need to build an exceptional truck. Awesome forum, YES...exceptional money saver, NO way!!! LOL

 

[RVTRKN]

RV, is that one yours?

Yes it is, look at my sig for the info. The truck was ordered because you couldn't find a C&C in the SLT trim in 06. Thanks to RustyJC's thread here in TDR, it started me looking at the all new C&C with the B&W Elite flat bed that he posted with a pic in 06.

 

[bboxall]

I personally can't imagine trying to keep my truck on the road without a resource like the TDR. Yes, it could be done, sitting in my shop scratching my head and figuring it out the hard (and expensive) way. It is much easier when some issue arises to find an article on how to fix it and then gain insight on the repair before performing the repair.

I DO agree that the trucks' quality is dubious at best but the concept of the truck, what it could have been if it had been designed for maximum reliability, is good.