Good bye to diesel

[redram]

Reminds me of the children's nursery story about a little chicken... "The sky is falling, the sky is falling".



Don't worry... . be happy!

 

[Cummins4Life]

To each his own:

I've only had mine for about a year, and havent had any troubles. The lift pump saga does have my attention but I'm not that worried. The trucks build and performance impressed me since I test drove it, even though I wish I could get a little more mileage out of it, but that is more driver related. But whatever you buy do the research and realize that they all have their problems.

 

[cullyguy]

Worry is interest paid on something that may never happen.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I hate my Dodge too. It's one of those things you just love to hate.



I hate how I get to change the oil, and get black stuff running down my arm and imbedded under my nails.



I hate how it splashes fuel out, while I'm filling the truck and gets on my shoes, so I can track it around with me all day, smelling the auroma.



I hate how my tires wear, whenever I get a hair up my ...



I hate how my neighbor female dogs at me for making so much noise.



I hate it when I get dirty looks from cute babes, who happened to stop next to my truck, with their convertible top down.



Yes. . there are plenty of good reasons to hate something you love.



Doc



Cobra - Even if the truck sucks, you couldn't find a cooler bunch of guys to hang with. Sometime having something that sucks is good.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Cobra, You have a nice truck. I would hate to see you get rid of it because of a few minor problems. I felt the same way sometimes with mine. Now, I have a new 02 on order. Can't wait to get it. I'll be over at Andy's garage on Sat. If you are not doing anything stop over. I'll be working on my truck. Jeff

 

[azgearpro]

12v

yep I agree with illflem, your problem is you bought a over valve

illflem

 

[Cobra]

good bye diesel

Guys,

This really is a GREAT forum. I never really expected so many replies to a grumppy type post.



I have to tell you guys, I guess I was just in one of those moods and had to vent. Now that thats over, I love my truck. Always have, I just get down sometimes.



I really have to keep it for two more years anyway and I'm sure I'll have it for a long time past that.



I LOVE MY CUMMINS



Bill Kute

 

[Ram4Sam]

Better keep the Dodge

Bill, If you are that stressed out over the few problems you had, take it from me, an ex PSD owner, don't ever buy a Ford. I don't think you have what it takes to own a Ford



Sam

 

[shendren]

have to say i will keep mine cause i think the cummins will hold out and i don't like buying vehicles... .



on the other hand, i am suprised that i have had to deal with and pay for... . intermediate steering shaft, brake rotors, ctd timing set wrong at the factory, dowel pin falling out, loose air heater solenoid bolts, upper steering column falling apart, RUSTED window seals, tire cutting into brake line,... . and the list goes on..... definetly will not buy another dodge. i can see the difference in my hondas and my dodge at the same mileage in hondas favor.....



good luck with whatever you chose.



scott.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: good bye diesel

Originally posted by Cobra

Guys,

This really is a GREAT forum. I never really expected so many replies to a grumppy type post.



I have to tell you guys, I guess I was just in one of those moods and had to vent. Now that thats over, I love my truck. Always have, I just get down sometimes.



I really have to keep it for two more years anyway and I'm sure I'll have it for a long time past that.



I LOVE MY CUMMINS



Bill Kute

Bill

I'm glad to hear that. I hope that I scared you with my earlier post on the "perfect Toyota Tundra" and the Tundra Solutions web site where all they talk about is what air freshner to put in their trucks. Real men drive Big Dodge Cummins diesels that sometimes have problems but the other guys help them figure out the problem and they go on.

 

[Cobra]

good bye diesel

BRIAN HOPPER,

Thankkkks. You really brought me back to the reality of life regarding the pleasures and the problems.



No my 93 doesn't leak oil but all my previous ones did, and I have had many Harleys over the past 40 years. And you know what, I didn't care about the leaks or the failures because I enjoyed my Harleys and just lived with the problems.



That says it all. When a man built machine provides that much enjoyment then one must live with the deficiencies that come with it, make the most of it. But isn't it nice to complain and have so many understanding people identify with your problems and help you come back. Life is good.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Richr, Cobra,

I use mine for a car most of the time too, but when I need to load it down I forget about all the little things that bug me when its in grocery getter mode.



load it to max GCVWR a couple of times and you'll love it



I was so happy I took pictures ... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&albumid=79

In the pictures the back axle is sitting at 6200lb. . rode like a dream. Try that in a tundra. I'd just live to watch my Dad's powerstroke choke on it too



To spite the fact that they hot rod well and look great they really are made to WORK and they do it like no other can.



I wish you both well. There's nothing like being depressed about a HUGE truck payment. . I consider mine worth it.

 

[CharlieMiller]

Why did I join TDR? It was to get all the info I could about a wehicle I was interested in. I have always tried to investigate things before I purchase them but it seems like you never find about the problems until after you already own it. In some instances had I know about things I probably wouldn't have purchased it. I can honestly say I know about the problems with the Ram/Cummins combination and I can live with that. I also know where I can go to get help if I do have a problem - right here. I have had problem with other manufacturers also and I can say some I will not purchase a vehicle from. I can't live with the problems I have had or the way they have been handled from the manufacturer. No vehicle is perfect and I expect to have problems but don't give me the run around and act like I'm asking for somethjing that they can't deliver on - which is a vehicle that runs. Cobra if you decide to get rid of your truck i'm sure you will have no problem getting any takers.

Charlie

 

[forr]

Cobra



I'm sorry to hear your story, but its so close to what I've been thinking, I thought I'd share mine. Ahh - the surging idle blues. Well, I've been feeling kind of 'fed-up' with mine lately -- to the point of looking at new gasers on the truck lots. Since I haven't been using mine for any heavy towing since September, I must have forgotten what it felt like to hook up to 10k and drag it around. Well, I looked at my payment book, looked at the new trucks, and went back to the payment book... ... ... hmmm.



Decided I'd just run it like I stole it, and low and behold I love my truck again. It's really a trip to dust a coworker in a V-8 Firebird! And the smoke at WOT is the bonus!!(Thought I'd at least try to win you back over)



But seriously - two things I've learned about trucks - own what makes you happy & sell what doesn't. If you're truly unhappy with the CTD - best of luck on your next truck!





Just my 2cents. ,

 

[RonaldLarson]

It is my...

humble but abject opinion, that some few people buy some things so that they can complain about them. Kind of a martyr syndrome thing. Cobra, if you think the miniscule amount of trouble you have had is reason to dump the best truck on the road, then do so! Just spare us the phony negative advertising!

You just got flamed!

Ron

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Not everyone deserves a Cummins powered Ram



I have had mine for over 5 years and 100K miles. Not perfect but it is the best truck I have ever owned. So what if it needs some improvements, like more power, 5th gear, more power, dowel pin, more power, clutch, more power, bigger turbo, more power. . .



I never owned a gasser pickup, in trim worthy of hunting, towing, trips, and commuting, that made half the power or lasted half as long as the Cummins.



Get a gasser and then JUST TRY to increase its power. Per dollar, nothing is easier to make power than our beloved Cummins. And with 1. 5 to 2 x the mpg of a gasser.



Here's a challenge. Put on injectors and a box, maybe a turbo. Get that 400 hp + that you really DESERVE. Then test drive a gasser pickup, any brand, any year. You'll sing a different tune. The Cobra will have found his Mongoose/Ram

 

[Rogue Ram]

....I'm in a quandry as well......

This post really caught my attention, as I've been considering dumping mine as well. The good and the bad of it?



Let's start with the bad: This thing isn't worth what I paid for it given the limited amount I use it. It sits in the driveway 5 days a week (I have a take home ride) and depreciates. My fault... . I wanted a nice toy, shoulda thought about it more.



POWER: When I first got this thing it got 13mpg hwy and was totally gutless. Then, 18-11-99 came out, and it got way better, but still way more gutless than my 95 Powerstroke. Both dealerships referred to later say there ain't s--- wrong with it. Stuck a VA box on it... VOILA... 20-22 mpg hwy, and now it pulls like it I expected it should from the factory. So why did I have to pay big money to make it work right?



The dips--- dealership I bought it from has no one capable of working on it. When they did try, they thought they'd do me a favor and wash, BUFF, and wax it... ... it was only a month old... and they ruined the clear coat..... now it looks like a 3d baseball card. The other dealership I've used (and one who hosts the TDR every year) banned me from the dealership because I filled out a negative customer comment card, this after complaining because they refused to replace a $2. 00 gooseneck coolant gasket that had sprayed the engine compartment with coolant---I'm still blacklisted in their computer over filling out a negative comment card.



Now my rig has the infamous stumble/shudder no one knows anything about.



All I wanted was an extra set of wheels for my mud tires... ... . and (as of last year, when I went thru this) no one makes factory spec size wheels with factory "backspacing" or "offset"... . everything stuck out from the side like Ted Kopels ears.



The quad cab hinges have creaked/moaned/groaned since day 1. You guessed it, dealers can't figure it out.



And, like Cobra, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop... . the brake pull, the worthless lift pumps, the worthless VP44, etc.



I don't have the tools nor the money for tools, nor the space to work on this if it breaks.



THE GOOD: It turns on a dime!



I can't get it stuck to save my life.



It gets MPG on the highway that most of you have a hard time believing (don't ask me why, I'm clueless, and make calcs adjusted for tire size).



With the VA box, it does pull like I expected a FACTORY rig to---truck/trailer weigh 11,000 and I can do 60 up a 4% grade... . still expected this to be better, but maybe I'm nuts.



Other than the freakin' stumble, no mechanical issues at all... ... my PS leaked like a sieve, this thing has not one single oil leak anywhere.



Why dump it?

Besides hating the 3d look of my paint, I'm debating getting either a much less expensive gasser, or, if I could find one, a nice older 12v... ..... something that has already depreciated significantly. I don't know..... just in a quandry.



Sorry for the novel.



Rogue

 

[Briar Hopper]

Cobra, glad to hear it ! If ever I can be of any help, let me know. Of course, though, you've got Andy and Doug right there in PA with you, it hardly gets any better than that !

I get grumpy about my truck too but I've had worse, so I just remember the bad ones, cuss a little bit, and get right back to enjoying the truck. It sure is maintenance-intensive. But that's where a lot of the fun of it is...

 

[illflem]

Rogue, trading up for a 12 valve is, coining someone else's phase, is "A better idea... "

 

[BigMike]

I've had my truck for 2 1/2 years and haven't had one single problem yet. I'm at 40k miles. Maybe you need to read the Lemon Law section of your manual.