Some Good News !!!

[Greenleaf]

I've been reading a number of topics concerning trouble shooting various components such as; rear diff, auto trans, inj. pump, TPS, cruise control, steering gear, etc,etc,etc, many of which lean toward costly failure. Although informative, it can become disheartening to hear of said problems. I could be compelled to drive the wife's car What was I thinking

At any rate... ... ..... I would like to hear some positive news as to how these 1st generation love affairs are STILL performing With that said; My 168K+ '92 is performing quite well, thus far!!! Perhaps it was well cared for over the years??? Any hoot, to the best of my knowledge, everything is still OEM parts; transmission, fuel transfer pump, rear diff, inj pump,etc. Drove 800+ mile this week with NO difficulties during my annual Memorial Day outing. The old girl does well climbing the Appalachian Mountains. [my truck's just now broken in].

Lets hear some GOOD news! Keep 'em between the ditches

scott

 

[Philip]

Mine has some rust in it.



Mine needs a paint job.



It is slow compared to the newer trucks.



It is rough riding compared to the newer trucks.



"BUT"



I still like mine. I liked this body style when it came out in 72. The cummins just made it a good overall driving/pulling package.

it can become disheartening to hear of said problems

Yes it is. But these trucks aren't getting any younger so those types of post will get more common. The parts will will be harder to find once Dodge drys up on parts. Which a lot of parts are going N/A each month now.

 

[Greenleaf]

Do I hear a hit???

Philip,

Add a touch of Country Western to that and I believe you may just have a top ten!



Believe you may want to add some bit about how the wife left, took the dog and how much you miss her... ... ... ... ... ... . [the dog]



On a serious note, the best method to combat the dreaded "no longer available" parts is to join a club such as this. We can pool our resource's. A perfect example is the TWO-CYLINDER CLUB. The dealer won't always have parts available so we go to a club [network if you will] to locate obsolete parts. Folks make stuff. Folks have access to things you may not. There is a lot to be said about a good club.



The dealer said that the shock absorber is NLA for my '56 John Deere, So I'm off to NAPA to measure one up! I now have the part no. to share with fellow club members. Kinda how it works.



Scott

 

[JFitzgerald]

At 147K now and love the truck. Here's a list of what has needed replacement by me or the previous owner, not including normal wear items like brakes, tires, etc. : drag link, PS pump, u-joints, king pin bushings, a wheel bearing, and the radio. The truck has always had good maintenance and I'd say she's doing quite well.



I drive it basically empty every day and give it a workout towing something on most weekends. Here's a pic from last weekend.

 

[dan brooks]

I bought my truck last September, and have put about 13k miles on it since then. This is my second Dodge truck (had a '78 Power Wagon years ago) and first diesel, and I have to say this is the best truck I've ever owned.



I just came back from a 3400-mile trip to Oregon. With my camper (Palomino "pop-up" style) fully loaded and with full tank of fuel - not to mention my fat butt - the truck tipped the scales at 7650 lbs. I averaged 15. 2 MPG for the entire trip, which is better than I got with my F150... empty. The worst tank was 12. 9 (65-70 MPH, long climbs and strong headwinds) and the best just over 18 MPG (lots of downhill driving). Heck, I get better mileage when I tow my Jeep to the trails than I do if I drive the Jeep.



I have had a couple issues to deal with (spun rear carrier bearing and wiped out a couple shims, expensive and PITA brake job), and really could use more power, but I'm really happy with my truck. I kinda wish I would have bought a 4X4, but figured I had a Jeep and didn't need it..... until I hit a lot of snow on vacation. I'd really like an exhaust brake, too, but without a lockup converter I guess that just isn't possible.



This is also my daily driver - 21 miles each way to work..... sure beats buying a rice burner.

 

[Greenleaf]

Great Pic!

I realy like the color scheme!! Have hopes to paint my ride but have yet to decide on a particular scheme. I seem to be leaning towards keeping the silver and swapping gray for blue or maroon. Really like the black lower panels. That would make rust repairs simple to blend in.

A question about my tailgate; it has a dark red plastic? strip across the top section. Do all models incorporate this? Are they all dark red? Can I paint this to match a new color? And another thing, how do I go about removing the black rubber trim runs all the length of the body?

Any how, what I wanted to say was the former owner of my rig replaced the TPS and, now that I think 'boutit, he replaced the ps pump. The truck was used to move new aluminum horse trailers to Fl. Probably easy duty I suppose. I just drive the thang

 

[JFitzgerald]

If I ever paint my truck, it'll end up one color - the same blue that's on it now. I just prefer a single color. I'm guessing all the LE models had that red reflector strip on the aluminum trim across the tailgate. Mine has it too. Those black trim strips are probably attached with double sided tape. You could pull them off and remove the remains with solvent and/or heat gun. Fun job.

 

[AlK]

I don't mean to bore anyone but I posted the following previously and it was also printed in the last TDR issue.



I purchased my 92 CTD, 4x4, 5spd, Reg Cab, LE, in 1992 and now has 108,215km (67. 256 miles) on the odometer. Other than a few light bulbs, oil, lube, air & fuel filters the following items have needed attention over the last 11 years.

1 set of tires

1 battery

2 rear axle seals

1 steering box

1 borgerson steering shaft

1 rwal valve

1 valve adjustment

1 replace rear seal on transfer case

1 replace of rear brake shoes and turning drums front pads still have 60% lining remaining

1 serpentine belt



I must admit I was a bit apprehensive when I first purchased the truck, first because it was a Dodge and secondly it was my first diesel. Any reservations that I had about the truck vanished very quickly. The first time I took it for a drive through the mountains pulling the boat, even before any bombing, I knew I had a keeper. I was impressed with both the towing capabilities of the truck and the excellent mileage. This truck has never let me down and has started in the bush after sitting for a couple of days when the temperature was -29 F. Just thought I would share my experience with my First Gen Truck over the last 11 years - you bet I am happy with my CTD.

 

[RGT]

I had wanted one of these since they came out, I had been telling freinds that I would get one when they had 10 years and 100k miles as that was when I would be able to afford one... . They finally came down in price enough for me to afford with twice the mileage I had expected... I have only owned for six months and 15k miles but like it more every time I get in it, it looks great, goes great, and gets good mileage to boot

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I bought mine new in '93 and aside from normal preventetive maintenance I have had no major on minor problems. It "ain't" the same truck I bought and I wouldn't have it any other way . They say if it ain't broke keep working on it until it is then start all over again . I've been trying to break it but it just keeps on running - 164,300 miles right now.

Bob

 

[KBalzuweit]

Look at it this way, if this site was about GM turbo diesels or powerstrokes think about how many more problem's would be listed. We all have (some more than others) a bunch of miles on our trucks and for the amount of problems we have I think we have nothing to complain about. I would drive my 227k truck anywhere and tow about anything. We have the best diesel trucks on the market!! You do not see Dodge guys putting ford or chevy engines in there truck! This is my third one and I will own many more!!

 

["Mad Max"]

Probably won't ever own newer truck

I've always liked and driven the Power Wagons, and the addition of a CTD just made the venerable old iron Dodges that much better. I like the new trucks, but they seem to be more like cars than trucks nowadays. I am not afraid to beat on my rig at all, not afraid to break something and won't be furious if I dent a fender, because I know it can be fixed without the need for a software upgrade or supercomputer, not to mention an incredible amount of $$$. I can't imagine the repair bill for a dent on an '04 anything. I like rigs I can physically see and tune. Under the hood of the 70 Challenger I'm restoring will be a nice warm upgraded 360 - there's an air cleaner, set of valve covers, water pump, the usual stuff. Very simple, and no searching for where the spark plugs go. Open the hood, there's an engine, not a wiring harness or expensive plastic valve cover cover. Gimme a break - These old Cummins rigs are the same way - simple, reliable, and virtually indestructable. And, if something brakes, I can dig in and fix it myself. Engines, transmission's, diffs, and brakes can always be rebuilt, but imagine how mad you'd be if you had to repair an electrical switch deep inside the wiring harness for the control module in the conduit for the trans brake controller solenoid isolator valve harness ..... no way. . I'll keep my old girl!

My school is the old school.

- S

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

We bought our 93 in the fall of that year. It has been virtually trouble free since we drove it home...

The only "problem" we can call notable would be the re-shimming and bearing job on the rear diff, all under warranty, no hassle.

We started slowly at first, adding a mandrel bent system from BD.

About 3 years later the muffler needed replacement ($100).



Replaced the seats with a 40/20/40 bucket seat for the front and a small bench for that back. That was because I had a hard time reaching the peddles..... hey, no jokes eh... .



Then of course came the tweaks/mods. To date, aside from you basic "fluids,belts, hoses etc. we've had zero problems worth even mentioning...

Without a doubt, this has been not only the most reliable but also the most fun vehicle I've ever had. It's a piece of cake to work on, its relatively basic in that department so roadside repairs are a snap for most things (none so far).



The only real gripe I would have is the open diff. who in their right mind would order this thing with an open diff???? dumb bunny to be sure. (not us)

OH, one last complaint though... . what knob was responsible for those wussy lame butt horns on these things... . I mean GET REAL!!

Well, that's it. I hope that for vehicles of this vintage it keeps on being so trouble free... for all of us. .

 

[Greenleaf]

In Reply

Some good stuff here guys. I can relate to more power. The old girl does well climbing mountains, however, while traveling 75mph and suddenly push the pedal through the floor, she climbes slowly to 85 and runs outta steam on the long pulls. Have high hopes to remedy that.

I'd also like a 4x4, but not in my stars. I managed to locate the extended cab and auto trans part. Would rather be walking than to drive rice.

My first encounter with the DODGE/CTD was in 92. A fellow college classmate drove a new D350. Was most impressed with the sound [no muffler!]

Knew then and there I had to get me one of those. Eleven years later

I made it happen. It's the best body style by far. And the most fun, by far, by far [did I say that?]

Prior to ownership, I had heard many great things about DODGE/CTD. To my knowledge the 5. 9 CTD was used in ag tractors. Don't recall which one. I recognized this match-up had to be something special.

Just an observation... if the 5. 9 can make 300HP then I would guess that one could swap out an open diff for one of thees that ain't so open[?] Or is there more to it than that? Just my observation.

Dido on the old school The old truck are best

Can't reach the peddles???

I keep on fixen and it still ain't busted. Must not be doing something right, or was it wrong?



between the ditches guys,Scott

 

[Bluebird]

Good stuff..

I've been a happy owner since 1/2/03. I've driven just about 7,000 miles in that time. Changed oil twice, fuel filter, and air filter once, one left rear axle seal, sealed front windshield, four light bulbs (two-marker, two-license plate), add fuel additive every third tankful. I'm a strong 19mpg mostly city some freeway driving. I'm am a consumer of simple, strong, useful transportation- I feel I have found that in this truck. I do light loads per week, and plan one getting a 5th wheel in a year to eighteen months (I already purchased a RV campground membership just need a trailer ). I'll buy two-front tires this month, and would like to put a stright-through muffler with a 4" exhaust, and gauges in the future. Thank you every on at TDR, could not have done it with out you'all

Patrick.

 

[dpuckett]

My early 91 has 250K on it (or will by the weekend). I am the third owner. first owner used it to pul a 40' or so flatbed hauling tractors cross country. The guy I got it from pulled a 4 horse GN trailer. So far, it is on the original fuel system, though it needs injectors; original clutch and Getrag; original engine internals; stock exhaust, original diff; pump turned up by Cummins sometime when newish.

SO FAR... ... I have put into it-

1 diff bearing and spider kit

1 alternator

1 steering box reseal

1 throwout bearing

2 guages- ISSPRO pyro and boost

done some minor pump tweaks- took out nylon washer from AFC cone and turned to 75%.

1 PDR HX35; kept original 18 hsg. Peak EGT dropped 100* to 1300; peak boost is now 28-29 psi. Plumbing that thing without an intercooler took some backwoods enigneering, but no leaks and it runs well.

Overall, it is my favorite of the 6 I have owned. With 4. 10s, going 65 mph, I still top 20 mpg driving 25 mi from home to the Springs and in town. Outran a ricer boy last week, kind of a aggravated look on his face at the next light. When I hit 4th, I left him behind, with him dropping a gear. IMO there is no reason AT ALL for these pickups to not get 18+ on a regular basis empty, 20 for 4x2s and RC 4x4s. THat is unless you have your foot to the floor off every line, then maybe drop to 17. My father was happy with the 16 his got- 92 W350 Xcab. Didnt have the heart to tell him the with a bad pump and 4. 10s, my identical 93 got 18-19 regularly.



Daniel

 

[TSuter]

My first CTD was a '90 with a 5-spd Getrag, I bought with a 150k on it and sold it with @ 300k (speedo broke for a couple of months). Never had any problems except the above, it was also bone stock. My "new" one will hopefully last even longer and be just as reliable, although this one is not staying stock for long



Tom