New-to-me 2018 Ram 2500 CTD

[JohnM45]

Hi folks,

Another "new guy" post here. I've been a Ford truck owner since 1996. I've been driving a 2006 F150 for close to 12 years and was getting the itch for a new truck. For quite some time, I've wanted a single-cab, long-bed truck and I always thought Ram had the best looking truck out there in that configuration.

I found this 2018 "used" with 2550 miles on the odometer and it was exactly what I was looking for. After a few weeks of him-hawing around about whether to buy it, I finally pulled the trigger. I swore I'd never own a modern diesel engine once they added the complexity of DPF and DEF to the already buggy EGR systems. After lots of research it seems that, if treated correctly, the modern trucks are mostly doing well. I'm probably one of the few people out there who plans to keep the engine stock. I'm just looking for a solid truck to take me through the next 15 years. Heck, at 43 years old, maybe I'll be able to run it for the next 25 years. Aim high, right?

Seems like a really great forum with people interested in more than just "tuning" their truck to roll coal. I'm looking forward to great discussions and contributing in any way I can!

Oh, a quick edit: this truck has that strange 3rd pedal next to the brake...I think they call it a clutch?

A few accessories I've added: Husky floor liners, Husky mud flaps (not in this pic), AMP Bed Step, Rugged Cover folding tonneau and side window tint. I am scheduled to have a Line-X liner done on the 29th.

 

[jgillott]

Welcome to TDR and congratulations on you "new" Ram. Hopefully it will provide years of reliable service to you.

 

[Wiredawg]

Nice Truck! Welcome to the TDR. You might want to click your name on upper righthand of screen and establish your signature and update your information. Want to get you into the TDR right.

Cheers, Ron

 

[dieselshadow]

Ha! I know you! It’s about time you joined up to the TDR. This is by far the best resource for Ram Cummins Turbo Diesels.

Did you subscribe? The TDR is the best magazine going.

 

[JohnM45]

Ha! I know you! It’s about time you joined up to the TDR. This is by far the best resource for Ram Cummins Turbo Diesels.

Did you subscribe? The TDR is the best magazine going.

Ha! Small "world", ain't? I saw your name and figured you had to be the same fella. Yeah, several other forums around, but wading through the crap seemed really difficult. Then, I stumbled into here through Geno's and realized this is a much better place to hang around. I plan on subscribing - looks like a great magazine. I've been reading through a lot of articles from Geno's links....so much information here!!! Feels like I'm drinking from a firehose at the moment.

 

[dieselshadow]

John, it just means you have great taste in trucks and tractors!

 

[Jim W]

Nice looking truck and enjoy this forum one of the best on the internet. A lot of great people on this site who will help you out if needed.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Beautiful truck, when I was looking at used trucks that color was my 2nd or 3rd choice, after True Blue/Maximum Metallic

 

[JohnM45]

Beautiful truck, when I was looking at used trucks that color was my 2nd or 3rd choice, after True Blue/Maximum Metallic

You know, it's a funny thing...I actually don't like red. I've always been a fan of blue or grey. That being said, my first motorcyle was red; my third, fifth and eighth motorcycles were all red; my F150 was burgundy/dark red and here I am, living in a red house, with a red barn and red pole barn. I can't escape the color red!! When I saw this truck outfitted how I wanted it in brand new condition, my wife said, "Well....that color just follows you around, you might as well embrace it."

Truth be told, I love it. I really, really wanted something in Granite Crystal or Maximum Steel. In the end, I really do like the Delmonico Red. Seems I can't get away, so I'm taking my wife's advice.

 

[dieselshadow]

I’m not a fan of red either, but those Delmonico Red trucks do look really good. I had to look twice at them myself.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Love single cabs.

Welcome aboard

 

[Michaelsloft]

Hi folks,

Another "new guy" post here. I've been a Ford truck owner since 1996. I've been driving a 2006 F150 for close to 12 years and was getting the itch for a new truck. For quite some time, I've wanted a single-cab, long-bed truck and I always thought Ram had the best looking truck out there in that configuration.

I found this 2018 "used" with 2550 miles on the odometer and it was exactly what I was looking for. After a few weeks of him-hawing around about whether to buy it, I finally pulled the trigger. I swore I'd never own a modern diesel engine once they added the complexity of DPF and DEF to the already buggy EGR systems. After lots of research it seems that, if treated correctly, the modern trucks are mostly doing well. I'm probably one of the few people out there who plans to keep the engine stock. I'm just looking for a solid truck to take me through the next 15 years. Heck, at 43 years old, maybe I'll be able to run it for the next 25 years. Aim high, right?

Seems like a really great forum with people interested in more than just "tuning" their truck to roll coal. I'm looking forward to great discussions and contributing in any way I can!

Oh, a quick edit: this truck has that strange 3rd pedal next to the brake...I think they call it a clutch?

A few accessories I've added: Husky floor liners, Husky mud flaps (not in this pic), AMP Bed Step, Rugged Cover folding tonneau and side window tint. I am scheduled to have a Line-X liner done on the 29th.

View attachment 114148

Hello John, a stock engine along with the 3rd pedal will serve you well for as many years as you want to drive your new truck. The Delmonico Red looks great and will age well too.
I have had the truck in the signature below since new more than 20 years now! The third pedal is original, still works and the engine is stock with almost 264,000 miles and continues to serve me well whether driving unloaded or towing!
Color and paint is the original PR4 Flame Red.
Many safe miles and looking forward to seeing you on the forum.

Michael

 

[JohnM45]

Thanks, Michael! Glad to hear your truck has been serving you well for so many years! I'm sure you realize you're sitting on a gold mine with your truck! The place I bought my truck had one from your truck's era...might have been a '98, can't remember exactly now. Anyway, it was in very good to excellent condition and no rust (which is very unusual here in PA). I think around 120k miles on the clock and he was asking $22,500 for that truck. It was sold within a week....they go FAST!

I can't help but wonder if in about 10 or 15 years if my truck will have a good following of people willing to pay silly money. Because mine is an emissions vehicle, probably not...but, I sort of think the G56, RC and LB will make it far less common. But, I didn't buy it to be a show piece...it'll be well taken care of, but used for "truck" things now and then.

 

[Michaelsloft]

Thanks, Michael! Glad to hear your truck has been serving you well for so many years! I'm sure you realize you're sitting on a gold mine with your truck! The place I bought my truck had one from your truck's era...might have been a '98, can't remember exactly now. Anyway, it was in very good to excellent condition and no rust (which is very unusual here in PA). I think around 120k miles on the clock and he was asking $22,500 for that truck. It was sold within a week....they go FAST!

I can't help but wonder if in about 10 or 15 years if my truck will have a good following of people willing to pay silly money. Because mine is an emissions vehicle, probably not...but, I sort of think the G56, RC and LB will make it far less common. But, I didn't buy it to be a show piece...it'll be well taken care of, but used for "truck" things now and then.

John, enjoy taking care of your truck and using it for truck things too! It is going to last and have good resale value.
My plan was to keep the 1999 for 20 years and or 400,000 miles. Whichever came first. But it has been so reliable, useful and fun to drive I'm planning on keeping it well into the future. Not knowing what the future holds - enjoy every mile in the meantime.
The TDR Forum has been most valuable to me to learn about repairs, maintenance tips & ideas and recently was given helpful advise from several members to replace a rear main brake line. Will be updating Post soon. Just one example!
Enjoy the TDR and meeting new friends along the way.

Michael

 

[12LaramieHO]

Congratulations on your beautiful Delmonico Red CTD and Welcome to the Turbo Diesel Register! (I have always loved that color!)
Congratulations on buying the best (IMHO) Turbo Diesel truck on the market and encourage you to join (if you haven't already) the best Cummins Diesel Forum out there, period.
You will find the TDR family welcoming, helpful and having an unbelievable amount of expertise and knowledge that they are willing to share to help out a fellow CTD owner anytime a fellow owner is in need. Once again, I encourage you to join the TDR if you haven't already. From my own experience, I learned more from the TDR Forum and quarterly magazine in the first few month's of being a Member, than I had in the previous 3 years of owning my CTD. I previously owned a 2000 Ford 7.3 PSD that I put 300K on, so I wasn't a cherry to the diesel truck world when I purchased the CTD.
Also you will find many, many CTD owners here that are not interested in "Power Adders", chip installs or deletes, myself included. More are interested in reliable performance, longevity and solid maintenance and suspension/drivetrain practices.
Again, WELCOME ABOARD JOHN and Enjoy your new truck! You are in the right place.
~Chad

 

[SnoKing]

We had a single cab for 14 years and put something like 112k on it. It went back and forth to Arizona many times towing a 5th wheel, plus two fall season of extended Western States trips with the trailer.

Spent a lot of money on it bombing it and custom transmission ect.

New truck is deep cherry red crystal pearl clear coat over silver,and will remove stock. Hopefully it is out last truck and will last many years.

 

[Cummins12V98]

NICE truck!!!

You are rating HIGH IMHO right out of the gate, you filled in your public info on your truck and posted a "FULL IMAGE".

You are a shining example for others to follow!

 

[AH64ID]

and posted a "FULL IMAGE".

Ok.... I’ll bite, what’s the hard part about clicking on a thumbnail?

 

[SnoKing]

Ok.... I’ll bite, what’s the hard part about clicking on a thumbnail?

Don't go there!!!

 

[Cummins12V98]

Ok.... I’ll bite, what’s the hard part about clicking on a thumbnail?

One person has the option to choose small or large. I think it’s courteous to choose full so everyone gets to see without having to click image then go back.

But hey do what you want.