How Have You Improved or Fixed Your Truck From Being A TDR Member?

[rrausch]

I started thinking about all the fixes I've learned to do from this site and I became curious how many other guys have had similar experiences.



What have you learned to do on your truck from this site?



Here is a list of the things I've done to my truck from being a TDR member over the last 2 years:



KDP Fix

R&R'd Throttle Cable

Brake Job & Bleeders

Got my ATS Transmission

Fixed My Ignition/Tilt Wheel Wires

Installed an Aux. Fuel Tank W/ Filter, Pump, Valve & Remote Switch

R&R'd All 4 Axle Seals

Oiled My K&N

Did Trans. Oil & Filter Changes

Engine Oil & Filter Changes

Fuel Filter Changes

Changed My Engine Hoses & Replaced Antifreeze

R&R'd The Water Pump & Serp. Belt

Got Driveshaft Balanced

Fixed Peeling Paint on Cab Roof

Installed Cab Clearance Lights

And probably some more I can't think of right now.

 

[John Berger]

Installed pre-turbo EGT probe

Bypassed fog light cut off with hi beams

Thorough get all the old out, anti-freeze changes

Fast coolers

Brake system flushes

Hadley installation - in progress

Towing tips - do's and dont's

Injector installation

Humor - in ways I would never have imagined

 

[bighammer]

On my own, I probably wouldn't have gotten into BOMBing



I probably NEVER would've hooked up with Peter and South Bend Clutch. (worth the price of membership right there)



Probably never would've heard of Piers and his shared wisdom. No GSK? Can't imagine. :{



The KDP jig fix (thank you CPFF) I wouldn't have even known about the KDP problem



BHAF Oo. Never would've been able to share the Moparguy wisdom.



I probably would have bought a brand new starter (bend over) instead of just the contacts. Might have even fried something else while I crapped my pants trying to figure out WTF was happening. Thanks to you guys, I knew. Thanks to Danandme, I got the parts and instructions.



I probably would've lugged my 5th off its shaft a few times and paid for another inadequate dealer fix multiple times.



I wouldn't have upgraded to a 4" exhaust or even tried straight-piped (well, OK maybe )



Most of all, I feel like I have made some friends here. (Sure, some of them are FREAKS--You know who you are )



The get together at the Macomb Community College was really awesome. Meeting Cooker, Doc Tinker, TStetson and his dad, CrewCabDiesel, 83Crewcab, SteveK, Steve St. Laurent, etc. (I know I'm missing a bunch, the names escape me at the moment) was really cool. (Yes, Doc seems normal when you meet him)

Unfortunately, I have missed some great events this summer, and will miss at least one more in a couple of weeks (UP Trail Tour) I know there will be more.



It's just great to be a part of this thing. (Thank you Robert Patton and all that make this happen) Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Rob Thomas]

I joined in February of this year, and before that I had no idea about any BOMBIN' that could be done on our trucks, I had an Cummins HO and I was king as it was, so I thought.



Since Feb. I've BOMBED the hell outta' my ride, and the light at the end of the tunnel is'nt in veiw yet, any probobly won't be for quite some time.



I've also learned about the dreaded lift-pump, and how important a fuel pressure gauge is. Fact is, I've proobly learned more here in the last few months, than I did in all of grade school, and learnin' more every day.



My first thought when I heard was, "why the hell would anybody want to drag-race a 7500# 4x4 diesel truck?", now of course I think I invented it. The same for sled-pullin', I never would have known.



The freinds I've made here I'm sure will last a lifetime, even with the handfull of events I've attended, I have met quite a few people, and will meet more in the future. I'm still shocked at how many people are this interested in the same thing as me, its great!



I dig the vast knowledge available here, and I share mine when I can. Thanks everyone, for dontating what you know to this site, I for one appreciate it. Thanks to the Pattons for makin' it happen in the first place, and to the moderators for keepin' it goin'.



Later, Rob

 

[Proram]

Mods

I'll make it simple... Everything i have Done to my truck

Has been based on or learned from the TDR

Joining the TDR was the best thing i have done for

my truck. I appluad All who are involved in the info and

know how put out there for us to abbsorb!!!



Thanks to all

Proram (Scott)

 

[Extreme1]

All the engine mods I've done. Like most, I never had any idea what to do or how to do it.



As for BOMB's in general, I've been doing that all my life!

 

[B KIRK]

When I read a thread that has some new or useful info in it, I'll print it before it goes to the second page on that forum. I put it on a shelf in the garage. When I have some free time to work on the truck, I'll get these out and do some. Easy to forget some of the simple and easy to do threads. Put in another pile when done. Needless to say, I have a stack about 2" thick. Thanks to everyone who makes this possible.



Brad

 

[me4osu]

Lots

Fleetguard filters

Pre turbo EGT

Boost gauge

FP gauge

Seat cushion fix

Optima batteries

LarryB's Starter Relay Contacts



Thanks Guys. BTW I DONT think that this site is going downhill.

 

[sdalton]

Fleetguard instead of Fram

BHAF

Extended Oil vapor hose away from the engine

Use Delo 400 now

Helped with a transmission slippage problem when cold

Helped fix a leak in third brake light

Helped get several flashes for free

Helped with knowing about TSB's and using them at the dealer

Obtained a 60 gallon aux tank/tool box from a member, with all kinds of help installing it.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

SHUCKS - I might not have even BOUGHT my new truck, if info gained here hadn't steered me towards what I seriously think MAY be the last of the "true" Cummins diesels in these trucks!



Info viewed here informed me that the HO/6-speed manual transmission is probably the best, most trouble free and powerful setup available - at least for '02. I've learned what to watch out for in regards to lift pumps - and how best to deal with potential LP problems - as well as safeguarding the VP44 injector pump.



I've learned where dino vs synthetics work best FOR ME - and which dino oil seems best - and the adviseability of using the BEST oil filters obtainable from Cummins - and how much additional value there is in my Frantz bypass oil filter - proven by several oil analysis results.



I've learned how to tweak the injector pump on my old '91 - and that a Comp power box for $600 will do more for my new truck than $3000 worth of mechanical add-ons on the old truck. I've learned it's a good idea to keep an eye on fuel pressure, along with boost and EGT as I had already been doing.



Yeah, there's lots more - most importantly, the FACT I know without a doubt, that HERE is the best available knowledge resource for me and my truck - a GREAT board, and an equally great bunch of moderators, administrator, and membership that can be counted upon for rapid help anytime it's asked for!



Thanks guys - YOU make it happen!

 

[rrausch]

You know, I bought my truck because of the Cummins, but I didn't know a thing about them. I bought the truck from an old guy who had just been having a lot of chemo-therapy, and could not remember ANYTHING about the truck, except that he wanted to sell it. His wife didn't know anything about it either, except that she wanted top dollar for it. I paid it too! And was glad of it!



I got it in after I bought it and thought, "Gee what's that little 3-way mini switch next to the O. D. Off button for? That certainly is a mystery!"



Luckily my truck came with 4 back issues of the TDR and I devoured them for about 2 weeks until I figured out what that mysterious little switch was for!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I learned just about everything from the TDR Mag & Website. Also have literally spent thousands on products I saw in the mag or here.

 

[Bigsaint]

Love/Hate

Love what I've learned here, hate what it did to my wallet.



Scott W.

 

[emarsh]

Well, first I got to say I bought my truck because of this site.

Then,

BHAF, shift knob, gauges, 4 inch exhaust, edge EZ, Optima battery's, under hood blanket, rear inner fenders, valve cover insulation, BW turn over ball, radiator tool tray, genos drain plug & rear 3rd brake lite flasher, banjo fittings, bed mat, roll & lock bed cover, grover air horns next week!

Boy this site saves me so much money I need to sell my ram!

 

[Got Smoke?]

Well before I ever came upon this site I had my CTD, but with strict plans of "NEVER" doing any mod's to the motor.



I didn't want to "tear it up. " Well now that I know that is a big joke I have more plans than $$$.



So far the TDR taught me I needed... .

A boost and pyro gauge

To fix my KDP

and reset the timing!





Now what I have planned is a whole other story... ... .

24" Grover (going in in just a couple of days! )

33" BFG AT/KO's

3K GSK

AFE Mega Cannon

South Bend Con O clutch

# 10 TST plate

370 injectors

and Dual 5" Bull Hauler Stacks!



OMG my wallet just had a heart attack!:--)

 

[RCapehart]

I have been a subscriber to the TDR Mag since early 95 when I bought my first CTD. I just got around to getting on this board in 7/02. I enjoy reading the TDR Mag and have every issue and now I am spending quite a bit of time on this site!



-I did a 5th gear fix with a press fit gear and new nut.



-Added fast coolers.



-did a complete EGR front brake job



-front axle seals and axle u-joints



-triple pillar gauges



-more to come as money allows



I saved a bunch of money on labor and got to buy some new tools!! And I am having fun while doing it!!



Ron

 

[WadePatton]

Nothing

I mean I do nothing to my truck without checking out the TDR first.



I joined four weeks before I bought my CTD. I just don't understand the Cummins drivers out there who don't sign up.



My DDUFM is on the UPS truck in Phoenix!!!Oo.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Re: Nothing

Originally posted by WadePatton



I just don't understand the Cummins drivers out there who don't sign up.





My DDUFM is on the UPS truck in Phoenix!!!Oo.

I don't understand 'em either Wade.







Oh and I'm serious about that ride once you get that UFM installed! Oo.

 

[wcaldwell]

Secret start button. I had been rolling this one around in my mind for quite some time. One of our members placed an additional button on the side of his power seat with all of the other buttons down there so it wouldn't be noticed. I don't have the power seats and didn't want a floor-mount headlight dimmer switch since everyone knows those aren't put in newer cars or trucks any more. This past weekend, I went out and spent about an hour looking for a good place to put a button I would have to push to start the truck when I turned the key and, lo and behold, there's a perfect place where the button cannot be seen. Send me a pm and I'll let you know. I don't want to post it here because of others who may be lurking around here who may not have honorable intentions.



Wayne

 

[WadePatton]

Secret schmecret. My old F150 has a push-to-start-button right on the dashboard. Only car cranks and farmers can figure out how to start it.



Speaking of security, my dad's truck has a big red "PTO" knob. Can't tell you what it's for, but it stopped me from getting his truck into action one day.



Okay you twisted my arm, it replaced the automatic fuel cut-off. Manual on/off kinda like a tractor.