What if the CTD was in another brand truck?

[FATCAT]

If there was a F550 Crew Cab Chassie/Cab with a 5. 9l Cummins and reliable 6-speed manual ... I'd be driving it down to the upfitters tomorrow.



I'm sick and tired of waiting for Dodge to bring out a 4500/5500 ... they could have owned the Municipality, Highway dept, emergency, and contractor/landscaper business if they had one 6 or 7 years ago.

 

[bzingre]

Since were dreaming... . how about a 6. 7 straight 6 CAT or CTD in a a Chevy with solid front axle?

I like the idea of a Cat in a GM with a straight front axle. Needs to sit a little higher too. I would buy one.

 

[cwbyinjeep]

When it comes to sheet metal durability the Toyotas are the worst!!! We have had a couple toyota work trucks from 1gen T100 to Tundra and a Tacoma and all have major body warpage in the bed within a couple of months. The Dodge is better, the tailgate rocks. However my past Fords take the cake for toughest exterior for sure. Now if they only had a Cummins I'd be driving one. I came very very close to converting my 00 Excursion to a 6spd NV5600 with CTD. I would have drove the Exc into the ground had I just gotten up the cajones to do that conversion, although it sucked to have to hook up a trailer to haul anything real.

 

[amsoilman]

Personally, I am a DODGE fan, and have been for many years, over 60 in fact! I have had many Dodge trucks, first being a 1941! Since tyhe intro of the Cummins engine in 98', Ive owned 3 of the CTD's, and each and every year they just got better and better, but then so have the other guys. I will still own a Dodge if and when the 03' gives up, or until I give up!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[BTighe]

mega cab has to much room in back :-laf

a crew cab long bed would be nice. for the money, they could have worked a little harder on the interior of this truck but it is a work truck so thats not priority. id drive anything with a ctd Oo.

 

[ARedmon]

I've owned Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Mazda, and Isuzu. My brother has owned a Toyota as well as Ford and Chevy. Currently have an '05 Dodge Cummins 2500 6-spd G56. This is by far the best truck I've ever owned. My brother is convinced now and plans to buy a Dodge next. My Fords were next best. Chevys I've owned were barely passable as trucks. My Isuzu P'up pickup (bought new) was the worst vehicle I've ever owned by far. Numerous problems with engine and transmission/transfer case (they were built as one unit). Because of Duramax/Isuzu connection, I would NEVER own one. (Burnt really bad by that P'up). Over the years, I've heard only good things about IH powertrains so I'm really surprised by the Powerstroke's problems, but that's what kept me from buying the Ford last year when I went shopping for something to pull my 5th wheel camper. But over a year later, I'm glad I went with the Dodge. No problems of any kind so far. It pulls the camper as if it WANTS to pull the camper! My brother's Toyota was bought at the same time that I bought a similarly equipped Ford. His Toyota was returned to the dealer several times for problems, mostly with electrical/gauges and once for cold start pecking noise which they told him was "normal. " My Ford never needed any service other than routine oil/filter changes. So I'm not impressed with the much bally-hooed Toyota quality! Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.



Amsoilman, I'm off the subject now but have a question for you. I'm thinking about switching to synthetic oil and was wondering if using synthetics would make any difference in the "idle before shutdown" time. My wife doesn't drive the truck much but when she does, she has a problem with remembering to idle the truck some before shutting the engine off. With the synthetic oil's ability to withstand heat better, would it be less likely to "coke" around the turbo bearings if the idle time was cut short? Just wondering.

 

[amsoilman]

Amsoilman, I'm off the subject now but have a question for you. I'm thinking about switching to synthetic oil and was wondering if using synthetics would make any difference in the "idle before shutdown" time. My wife doesn't drive the truck much but when she does, she has a problem with remembering to idle the truck some before shutting the engine off. With the synthetic oil's ability to withstand heat better, would it be less likely to "coke" around the turbo bearings if the idle time was cut short? Just wondering.

Have PM'd you so this thresd does not go off topic.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[troll3193]

While Gharman has the wish list out, I wish you oculd get a 2 speed rear end. .



I know it would be an issue with 4x4, but sine a lot of the 4x4 shifters are going electronic, add its control into the mix. .



So when you are in 2wd, you could have a 3. 73 or 4. 10 ratio for towing, and a 3. 54 for unloaded...



Bryan

 

[Wiredawg]

Dodge First; Cummins Second

I've been a dodge fan long before they ever offered the Cummins. I've owned Toyota, Chevy and Ford, but always came back to Mopar.



happy Trails, Wiredawg

 

[mwhals]

So far, this thread is showing how everyone LOVES their Dodge. It also clearly shows that not many people would want a Chevy.



Mark H

 

[JMalone]

I do like my Dodge, don't get me wrong, but I thing Ford's Super Duty body is much, much hotter -- not to mention a Ford has a lot nicer interior... That's just my opinion... . I had to dare to be different...

 

[GHarman]

A Real Truck. PS

How about using no plastic in radiators and intercoolers. A redesigned air intake system (eliminate turbulence and restrictions) from the filter box through the turbo to the intercooler and the intake horn. HORN? A very abrupt double 90 degree path for combustion air that has the restriction and turbulence of many feet (length dependent on interior finish) of similar sized straight tube. Properly sized exhaust to match output with no restrictions at the bends. No fake oversized exhaust terminis.

 

[MA2LA]

Well it was the CTD that got my atention back in the late 80s when dodge started it and the dodge started making some great looking trucks( i do like the 1st gen style but not asmuch as the newer ones) I wish dodge has the brake controler and a 4500 option but hopefully that will come. and a better slush box, on my 99 and on my 06 it drives me crazy the way it shifts but the 01 f450 shifted the same way. and i wish the interior was a little better but its a work truck so i shouldn't complain too much.

 

[Diesel Power]

if i had a choice it would be a chevy------they ride so smooth and comfortable

 

[HCR552]

Where in Alaska

I live in Eagle River Have 2003 CTD

 

[Diesel Dually]

If Ford had the CTD and a decent manual transmission I'd be driving one. I like the frame, interior, GVWR, and GCWR better than the Dodge. I also like the option of manual locking hubs, though the stock units on the Ford are cheap. I do like the exterior of the Dodge better, and the seats in my '05 are far better then the seats ever were in my '96. I would also rather give my money to a US company, all things being equal.

 

[TAbbott]

After having my Dodge CTD powered truck for 1. 5 years now, I am a Mopar believer. My family had a few Cherokees & Grand Cherokees that gave me a bad taste about Chrysler products. I was driving a 1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 PreRunner with the 2. 7L 4-Cyl with over 118K on the dial when I traded it. That truck was a good a good truck, never gave me any issues other than brakes every 28K miles or so, but it had squeaks and rattles and little trim pieces would break or fall off this truck with very light abuse. My '05 Diesel has been driven harder and more aggressive than any other vehicle I've owned, it's also my "work truck" I have 38K miles on it today and the chassis, body and drivetrain are as tight as the day I took delivery with 40 miles on it. No squeaks, No rattles, No discolored trim, worn out seats or any of the things that bugged me about my Toyota even when that truck had just 20K miles on it. To answer the thread posters original question, I like the Dodge/ Cummins marriage and have to say I was some what drawn to the trucks handsome looks and aggressive stance. I also like the higher ride highth, solid front axle and fully boxed hydroformed frame rails. The only things I don't care for is how "bland" even the fully loaded Laramie CTD's look compared to a fully dressed "King Ranch" or even the XLT "FX-4" Super Duty. Also the interior of my '05 although has held up well, looks like it belongs in a 1970's era pickup truck when compared to the other Big-3 trucks. Overall I've learned this is a no B. S. truck the CTD Ram, and it was designed to do it's job well.



Ford: Is for Yuppies and those who keep up with the "Jones"



GM Trucks: Are for the retired 5er crowed that want a Caddy ride in a pickup and, never going to go off-road or use for serious work.



Dodge Ideal for the Contractor, working class, small business owner, Hunter; high ground clearance and straight axle great for fire roads & trails, forest service and fire depts etc...



-Ryan

I think Ryan stated my position very well. When buying a new truck, if I could have gotten a Ford 450 or 550 (whichever has the straight frame behind the cab) with a CTD and a 6 speed Allison behind it, that's what I would have bought. Having said that, I like the Dodge solid front axle and the fact that on equivalent wheelbase trucks, the Dodge will turn inside either the Ford or the Chevy. The last time I drove a Ford Powerstroke extended cab long bed, I think it was a 2000 or so, I couldn't believe what a barge it was when trying to maneuver it in close quarters. My new QC Long Bed is a sports car by comparison.



I'm still trying to make my Dodge ride the way I think it can at the rear axle. Maybe the Bilsteins I have on order will cure the "tramp" the rear end has on wash boards. I'd also like to see some better fuel mileage --- maybe reduce the size of the 3rd injection event by 50% or so. Maybe the 06 Smarty will have that feature --- balloon the 2nd event and cut the 3rd by half along w/ a little timing advance at light throttle and what I wouldn't give for another gear in that G56. Drop the rpm by about 400 at cruise and I think the mileage could be greatly improved. Easily over 20 compared to the 17 or so I get now featherfooting it.

 

[Blakers]

I used to think I would want a Ford with a CTD, but after driving our company's 06 Super Duty every day, I am glad I don't have one. The Ford is not a bad truck, but it just doesn't ride as well, handle the road as well, or look near as good. I really think the Super Duty is one of the ugliest trucks made.



Now a CTD in a 77 F-350 would be nice.



Blake

 

[MHorne]

I hate chevy cause they are a cheap truck and everybody makes them sound like the GOD of trucks. Drives me insane. Chevy this, chevy that, blah blah blah. Got news for you, chevys are not that great. They come in third place compared to dodge and ford. I would own a toyota truck before a chevy truck. But i would own a dodge before all.



Fords are not a bad truck. If cummins went with them i might go to them but then again i just might stick with dodge if they go with a mercedes. Anyway, i don't like the way ford handles. The steering is very loose and sluggish in my opinion. I love the way you can feel the road in my dodge.



Toyota is foreign and well, i'm american so american i will stick with.

 

[Matt400]

Toyota is foreign and well, i'm american so american i will stick with.

Funny you would say that with so many Toyota's built in the US while the big Dodge comes from Mexico.