So little cost him so much.....

[Barry]

I pulled into the Flying J in Anthony, Tx tuesday evening. There was a new Dodge 3500 in front of me with a custom bed on it that I was admiring. I got to talking with the owner and he was so disgusted with DC and the Dodge truck. He was pulling this homemade fifth wheel camper that was a SSLLEEDD! He had bought a 3500 CTD auto and 3:54s. This was his second CTD and he was fit to be tied. He could not run O/D and he was having to run in 3rd gear @ 2700 and getting 8. 5 mpg. He had just filled out the DC questionaire and sent it in to DC. I began to try and help him understand where his problems were and then asked him if he had heard of the TDR? He said; ain't that the magazine thing? I told him that was part of it, but there was also a lot more. He said he had the application on his desk at home and had been thinking about it. He told me that he heard of someone over in some valley that had a "exhaust and a chip that would make them run like the dickens for $600". I tried to explain to him until he solved his spec. problem, the truck was not going to proform like he wanted. Had he been a TDR member, he could have made an informed decision as to the specs. he needed on his new truck to do the job he needed done. Instead, he traded in his 99 on a 2001. 5 and took the salesmans word that it would pull his load. He BOUGHT the truck they SOLD him, not the truck he needed. For a $35 membership, he would have had the information he needed. Now it will cost him much more to try and solve his problem. Spread the word boys and girls, CTD and TDR should be hand in hand... ... ... ... .

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s,LSD,EZ with elbow(28psi)Stage 1 injectors from Carl,Boost/Pyro Guages,4" Turbo back,BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover,Kleen Wheels,Energy Release,70 gal. fuel,20K Reese. 31,000 Miles on 03/01/01(Auto/Truck/RV Dealer)Honda GL 1500 SE Pearl White for fun.

 

[Okie-Go]

Hey Barry,I not only hear ya, I agree with you.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[danandamy]

#ad
Here's a question for ya'll. When a non diesel owner asks about getting a Cummins do you ever, well, you know, feel like they don't really DESERVE one. I mean, you know they are gonna get it then start b!tching about the noise and it doesn't drive like a gasser and so on. I absolutly LOVE my Cummins and fuss over it constantly. As a result my truck runs great and trouble free. I hate seeing some jerk drive one and not take care of it and barely do minimum maintainance and then run it down if he has a speck of trouble. Kinda like seeing someone mistreat a good dog.

Daniel

 

[R.E. Miller]

I second danandme's motion, gasser guys shall not abuse the diesel power without first obtaining a "real" engine maintenance licence #ad


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1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually 3. 5" Jardine, Swiss cheese air box
1992 W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5"BD exhaust, 16cm^2 housing, DI pyro&boost
Russell

 

[Champane Flight]

I will carry that motion. I know of a couple of cases where people have bad mouthed diesels(especialy Dodge Cummins)with ignorant statements like "there noisy"or "they stink"and my favorite"Why would anybody want a diesel?"And some of these idiots go out and buy Durastrokes,because they are V-8s!!!!!!!They wouldn't know a good truck if it bite them on the butt.

Example:Our company just purchased two 2001 Pfhord F-250s for yard trucks. These trucks are gassers. They have road noise ,ride rougher,and handle like crap. My 95 Dodge Cummins 2500 is three times the truck these new Pfords are!

I took a ride in the new Duramax. It was like driving a car!I could not believe this truck could actually pull a load. It sounded like a gasser with marbles in the crankcase!It did accelerate nicely,however after 70mph it was guttless!I could see the lack of lowend power like a wall as soon as it hit top gear.
Put this truck at 1600rpm and the Cummins at 1600rpm and see which truck dies first!

I think everybody who buys a diesel should have to go through a basic diesl mechanics course before they buy. then just maybe they would know something about diesels and trucks.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop. 72000 as of 3/1/01,not even broke in yet. Old Dodge 126000 miles and running better than new.

 

[Bigsaint]

I think everybody who buys a diesel should have to go through a basic diesl mechanics course before they buy. then just maybe they would know something about diesels and trucks.

That's why we have the TDR and what makes it so great. This is my first diesel. I literally stumbled upon the TDR while at the DC site and playing with differnt options that I wanted. When I found the TDR discussion forum and started reading I thought, hey, I could actually learn something here about the yet to be new truck. All I knew when I first started was that I really wanted to try out a diesel P/U. The TDR is like the Sally Struthers home study course for diesel owners, 'cept different and much better. Now, if I could only get that GED and gunsmithing course under my belt, I'd be set #ad
When you leave, the tool box is full and yours to keep #ad


Scott W.

 

[Max340]

Sure, TDR has a bunch of info. Problem is, a non diesel owner likely does not know the questions to ask, and this forum CERTAINLY is not giving guidance. This forum is great for owners looking to solve problems, gain ideas, etc. Unless a person already has a bit of knowledge, the TDR is next to useless.

Why? Ok, lets look at some of the questions I saw on this thread.

Why a diesel? Why indeed? Because it sounds cool? Because it will haul a heavy load? Guess what? Gasoline, or even the dreaded Dmax will do the same (for a short time).

Sure, there is an archive to sort through, but again, unless you have the correct questions, what info ARE you looking for??

Why an AT or a 5 spd, or a 6spd? No side by side list of pro and con exists on this site, that I am aware of. The only thing available is a bunch of opinion and scattered facts.

What gearing do I need? Indeed, what gearing DOES a person need? That could be discussed ad infinitum, but when all is said and done, EACH load has its individual requirements of hp and torque to move at a certain speed. No table of power requirements for each gear ration and weight range exists on this site, that I am aware of.

I also sense a bit of snobbery going on. A gasoline owner doesn't DESERVE one??? Um, correct me if I am wrong, but last I checked, most of us started out WALKING. Then we found a POS that got us through school, and by golly it burned gasoline along with oil, only it was 30w getting past the rings, or valve seals. So maybe none of us deserves one either.

Further, I like the comments talking about maintenence. I have to sit here and laugh. I am sure some of the guys who consider themselves my archnemisis on here will agree with this one... . many of you don't know the meaning of maintenence. A new vehicle is a piece of cake to maintain. Follow the chart, change the filters, wash it to keep it clean, keep a log of the stuff ya do. Ever wonder what its like trying to keep a dying machine alive despite its having lived FAR past its designed life span? THATS a maintenance course.

Lest all of you think I am only cutting on the site and its membership, I also think this site has much to offer. Its members are into finding out things about the trucks, new ideas etc. Solutions are offered for many things. But before you all go patting yourselves on the back, look at the big picture.

I didn't buy my truck to look down on others, I bought it because its a cool piece of equipment. I certainly did not buy it because it was maintenence intensive. Now, I am gonna go get my Nomex, and y'all can flame me into an early grave.



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Y2K 2500 QC Sport 4x4 LWB
72 Dart 340
89 LeBaron GTC 2. 2 TI

 

[Case500D]

Hey Max,

This is a very interesting discusion and I have to agree with you and everyone else. I have heard the normal complaints about diesels and one of the main culpurits was my father. He did help me buy my truck, but you know what? He just bought a very nice 1998 Dodge 2500 LWB 4X4 with a 24-valve Cummins in it and he absolutely loves it. This is my dad's second truck (he figures on one every 20 yrs or so). It is amazing how you can show people the advantages of diesels. He isn't the best a maintenance and service, but I agreed to help him so he can get the most out of his truck. I am really encouraged to see all of the diesels on the road because diesel is the only way to go. Those people who can't take care of an engine (gas or diesel in a truck, car, tractor, or combine) are wasting their money on repairs. Too bad for them, because that has helped pay my way through college. I think it is our job to help show people how to take care of a Cummins or a Powerstroke. Once you stop learning or sharing what you have learned your basically dead to the world.

Now I will fall off my soap box and hopefully don't hit the ground too hard. Without great guys here at TDR I would be paying money to a dealer to fix some things on my truck, but thanks to the generosity of the TDR memebers, I haver learned a lot. Thanks! I am more than willing to pass my new found knowledge on to anyone that needs it.

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Jeremy Sweeten 1992 Dodge W-250 4x4 Cummins Diesel, Intercooled,LE Package, 166K, AT, Warner Hubs, Dana 60HD 4,060 lb. front axle and Dana 70 6,084 lb. limited slip rear axle with 3. 54 gears, NPG 205 transfer case, 3. 5" Banks exhaust straight pipe, K&N air filter. Tekonsha Voyager XP electric brake controller. Una-Goose 30,000 lb. gooseneck hitch.
http://home.earthlink.net/~sweeten1/index.htm

 

[Hammer]

You would be surprised what these dealer moron salesman will do for a sale,no matter what,,Its kinda like the old camper salesman saying ,Yeh that s10 will pull your 35 footer no problem ,see it says so here in the book,,since I'm realitively new to the TDR myself,although this is my 3rd CTD,I can relate to some of this crap(i. e. =a very poor clutch choice and had I known about this site it would have been a better choice),,This site needs more broadcast from its members as it is amazing how many owners do not know about the TDR and its help,,Only problem I have now,since my ride is now on the correct path,my esteemed other half says,her Durango goes,she wants one of her own to drive and an automatic this time(seems like she does not like my 5 spd),,Its only a matter of time till she finds the correct color and another CTD in the driveway,,Guess I can blame it on the membership,she is looking forward to putting us all in our places(of course I said YEH RIGHT,and got slapped too),,As long as I keep her mail box a secret and you guys don't find an Intense Blue Quad cab laying around for sale I'm safe,,So this site to me is a great place for all my research and occasional venting,JUST DO NOT TELL HER WHERE SHE CAN FIND THAT TRUCK!!!!!!!!!

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98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!

 

[dabubba]

hold it guys- #ad
I was one of those gasser guys come over to the ctd- no dealer in my area knows anything about the tdr- only when I was having problems with my 99 did I find out about the tdr- How- well I talked to anyone driving a ctd and only 1 yes one person mentioned the tdr- #ad
I'm glad I joined. you guys restored my faith in the ctd and gave me the ammo to deal with DC for a buy back- now I'm a very happy DC ctd owner #ad
#ad
and tell everyone with a ctd about the tdr- we as members need to educate the general public about this organization so even the non-webheads can become tdr members---- so feel sorry about the next guy who is having problems with his/her ctd and is not a tdr member-- give him an education show them tdr members are a better bread of truck owner--- #ad


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*Won Ton* 01 3500 eth 6spd- ez, pacbrake,practical solutions idler,spa egt/boost guage,MBII cb mount, bombed texas ranger CB,wilson 5000 cb antenna,weathertech visors,ultra boards, pace edwards roll cover, rbw little rocker, rhino liner, NWC-TDR hitchplug,Mud flap,& More to come
*Pull Toys* y2k Cardinal 29rlb-lx, 175w solar panels,trace c40 controler, 1. 5kw trace inverter, dish net sat, colman fire pit
Member SJ Ram Runners