What the TDR Admin needs to hear from us. .

[GIT-R-DONE]

I figured I would start a thread that lets us First Genners ask/tell the TDR Admin. what it is that we need to see in the magazine that would help us all out. Maybe they can take it from the website or maybe from what other members have come up with on their own.



I would like to see:



Injector pump rebuild

Explaining more about injectors and how they work

Ring n pinion how to's R&R and set up

Where to find some of the discontinued parts that are no longer availiable from DC

Get more involved in the rebuilds of auto and (for me) the Getrags, maybe do in a series in the magazine.



Chime in here guys as to what it is you would like to see in the magazine that could help us all out.



Now, personally, I do realize that some people would also like just an internet subscription, such as myslef. I have so many TDR magaiznes on the shelf. . . . from years gone by, most of the first ones out dealt with our trucks. Now our trucks are not really featured with much useful information, it appears IMO that its mainly the newer stuff. I could do without the magazine, but would want to stay online as a member.



Sounds like a poll question.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Best value by a longshot.

 

[PToombs]

I enjoy reading some of the technical stuff. Not all, but most.

I understand some people don't have time to read the mag, like my buddy the truck driver. He has 'net access on the road though.

 

[Don Tanklage]

the mag goes to the same place the digger (national dragster magazine) does



the shop bathroom



could i live w/o it - you bet



would it be more valuable with more first gen stuff in it - you bet



but you know how this stuff works - the advertisers are paying for adds for their new products which are almost all for the newer trucks. and the newer truck owners probably make up 95% of tdr's customers. i wouldnt expect the mag to cater to 1st gen's. wouldnt be good business...



there is always 1stgen.org - its free!

 

[Whiskey]

I like it just the way it is,even though I don't get a lot of time to read the magazine.



whiskey

 

[rlyons]

The only way i would want the magizine is if it could include more first gen info.

 

[CochranD]

So-So

Well, Im a second gen-er, and I like the way it is now. But the mag mostly now its all about late 5. 9(HPCR comp. control) and the new diesel. Wish there was more 12v articles, Its a little thin.

 

[tom sweeney]

... . 1st Gen owners are MORE than welcome to SUBMIT articles and /or experiences with the editors so they may include it in the magazine... . its only natural for the topics to focus on the newer trucks,progression i guess. There are sections within each magazine focusing entirely on each generation though..... i don't think its a question of fairness or not,maybe just a lack of INPUT????I would imagine SOMEDAY most 1st gen owners will upgrade to a 2nd or 3rd gen truck... . perhaps not... surely someone out there has experience rebuilding 1st gen pumps or whatever these owners would like to see,they simply need to step forward. IMHO... ... tom;

P. S. i seem to rcall the Editor pleading for material of ALL sorts on numerous occassions..... nows the time!!!

 

[DValentine]

I agree the mag is short on stuff for us... . like copying what is discussed here. But I do understand that our market is not the largest. I do like the mag for some of the writing; like Kevin Cameron's. I buy other mags that print his stuff. I don't get into detail on the newer trucks but have been reading with interest the saga of the 6. 7 engine. My vote will be for a choice if the Admin can handle such a thing.

Cheers...
PS... . what would be a fair cost for just an internet subscription?
DV

 

[WJones]

i abstain from voting, as id like a third option like, opt out of the physical magazine however publish the articles on the website including the older stuff since theres appears to be alot of first gen info in the older issues.

 

[Furthur]

The option of having it either way might be nice... but just the oil article in the last two issues was worth the price... there's always something in it good. More 1st gen would be better, of course.



John

 

[Bluebird]

I would like the opportunity to access early issue articles (an online archive)online related to 1st Generation CTD. The First Gen section in print seems to just reprint what has been posted on the forum. Detailed articles in rebuilding the VE pump with good pictures and step by step instruction is the great place to start. Then, rebuilding of all other components, plus an engine overhaul with the same details/pictures. I like to do it myself!



$. 02 from Patrick.

 

[KOG]

I'd prefer the option of having it either way as well. I'll keep the magazine, others might prefer not to.

 

[TSuter]

I like the idea of having the magazine archived so we can access the old articles on the first Gen, and/or placing the mag articles on the internet also.



Tom

 

[Featherman]

Love the Mag and love the Website.....BUT

I would love to see the occasional 1st gen make an appearance on the front cover... ... ... maybe rotating, 1st gen, 2nd gen and 3rd gen trucks could be considered. Not that I've been a member a long time, but i don't think I've seen a 1st gen on a front cover.



I know they must have been on previous covers and also know we're in the minority of the membership, but we(our 1st gen trucks) are the foundation of the Cummins/Dodge family.



With the calender concept up and running there must be a tonne of pics that would merrit consideration for cover shots.

 

[tugboatphil]

First thing to say is, why are 2nd & 3rd Genners commenting here?? The post is clearly asking for 1st Gen input. Isn't having the majority of the website and magazine enough for you guys?? I'm sure you will post if you want to, but this is our poll.

I don't care one way or the other about the magazine. Don had it right about pleasing the advertisers and the bulk of membership. They didn't make as many of our trucks and are never going to again. We lose on that point. If I want to see a bunch of new trucks, I can go to a dealer's lot. Plenty of them there. (oh, and most of us 1st Genners probably won't upgrade to newer trucks. It's part of what makes us better people )

I have always liked the idea that Patrick suggested. We get the list of what article is in what issue number. But most of us don't have the old issues and don't want to buy them, even if they are still available. An online archive would be great. I would even forgo the hard copy of the magazine for that.

The main reason I stick around is the great bunch of 1st Genners that can be found here. The other members are probably ok people, but probably not quite as good as we are.

 

[Don Tanklage]

First thing to say is, why are 2nd & 3rd Genners commenting here??



The main reason I stick around is the great bunch of 1st Genners that can be found here. The other members are probably ok people, but probably not quite as good as we are.

they arent just commenting - they are voting - and that is why the poll is so out of wack



isnt it funny phil, how the folks that dont have as much are usually more willing to help?



don

 

[dpuckett]

I know a few people, myself included, who COULD afford to "upgrade" to a newer truck, but choose not to. Classic styling, know them inside and out, it's fun to outrun/ keep up with the new trucks with an old beater. (Hey, I gotta shift slow with my Getrag).



I think the reason we dont see as many 1stGen articles is that there were more 3rdGens made in 03 than 1stGens altogether. Sheer numbers are against us. I'm not going to comment on advertiser dollars, other than to say to re-read some authors' comments on that from the last 2 years. I am considering topics to turn in for a review by the editorial staff, so there is hope. Andy Mikonis used to write 1stGen stuff, whatever happened to him?



Daniel

 

[Rebel Ram]

I know a few people, myself included, who COULD afford to "upgrade" to a newer truck, but choose not to.

Daniel

I can too and I did! I "Upgraded" from my 01 to my 92 and then the 93. Its all how you look at it. I feel more in my eliment in the firsters. I get lots of "Lane respect" in the Big Ugly.

As for the hard copy? They are not my cup. Not complaining. They are first rate in the publication dept. Just not very interesting. Tugs comments summed it up well. Target Advertising.

I vote for an E-mag with archive. Or just the TDR site and do a search. Saving $$$ is good.

 

[GHarman]

My 2 cents, I really lean on the expertise of you all on this web site. "Old Ugly" has to stay roadworthy for a long while. I do not know how to rebuild a VE pump, the vaccum pump or service the injectors on my truck. I have mechanical ability but not the training. The guts to tear into something but not the knowledge to make the proper repairs or the physical ability to do the heavy stuff alone. This is a necessity for me, not a hobby or a pass time. I cant afford to pay Cummins $107/hr to loosen 3 screws to change the timing. I have no employer to offer me overtime and a fixed income on which to budget lifes expenses. I depend on the input I get from posting and reading 1st Gen posts on TDR. I have looked at the free web sites briefly. I tend to be a loyal follower of my first impression. I hope this makes sense. The magazine is well done, but not a necessary source of information. Many Thanks to all for your help. GregH