Folks with new Dodge CTD trucks..Jason, Kebo,...

[BigNutt]

How do you like your truck? (2003+) I am gonna wait till the '07s hit and probablly either buy a 2007 or get a discount on a 2006 2500 QC 4wd CTD. I do want an automatic also and I see the 48re and then the new 5-speed auto, is the 5-speed the Mercedes tranny?

Also I've never owned a diesel, is there anything different I'll have to do to one, maintenance wise? Truck will be my DD and eventually tow rig.

[Jeepin Jason]

Love mine so far! :driving: Don't even have 400 miles on it yet though. :lol:

The 5-sp auto is only for the Hemi. If you get the CTD with an auto, you'll get the 4-sp 48RE. I don't know if they'll use the 48RE with the new 6.7 (or is it a 6.2L?) CTD for '07 or not, I'm assuming they will though.

Keep in mind that the '07 diesels will all be increasing about $3k in price. The CTD is currently a $5,555 upgrade, and I expect that for '07 it will be about a $8,555, based on what we've been told. And the new engines won't get any better gas mileage or significant increase in power, just lower emissions. This is one reason why we kinda rushed to get an '06 model -- I don't think we could have afforded an '07.

I'm a big noob when it comes to diesels, but I don't think there's really anything specific or different maintenance-wise that you've got to do with diesels that you do or don't have to do with a regular gas motor. I've flipped through the maint. schedule in our owner's manual and I didn't really see anything out of the ordinary. Again though, I'm not even 400 miles into my life with a CTD. ;)

The main differences are in how you drive them I think. :dunno:

[tobyw]

Maintenance, with regards to *what* you maintain, is more or less the same. The biggest difference is *when*... As you've likely noted, the oil change intervals are increased over a gasser, but regardless of what the O/M says, you should change the fuel filter every 10k or so. You will notice a very marked decrease in both power and economy with a dirty fuel filter, and it's very easy to get a crappy tank of diesel fuel. I always carry a spare filter with me in the toolbox, just in case.

Outside of that, just like Jason said, it's really more about how to drive it vs. a gasser.

[GPSflyer]

As you've likely noted, the oil change intervals are increased over a gasser, but regardless of what the O/M says, you should change the fuel filter every 10k or so. You will notice a very marked decrease in both power and economy with a dirty fuel filter, and it's very easy to get a crappy tank of diesel fuel. I always carry a spare filter with me in the toolbox, just in case.


What he said..
I always change the fuel filter when I change my oil @ 5000 miles. Some people say its a little soon, but they're cheap, and when they do go bad, its not fun. I try to buy fuel at the same station near my house, or at a truckstop whenever I can. Because I know the fuel has been good there in the past. I also put fuel additive in EVERY tankfull. It adds a buck or two to a tank of fuel, but its worth it in the long run. I use Lucas fuel additive, it keeps the injection pump lubed up, and cleans the injectors. Oh and dont run a diesel out of fuel, theyre no fun to get primed again....
Once they get some miles on them (over 100k) you should adjust the valves, but all of mine even with over 200k have still been within spec.
Like any turbocharged vehicle, let it sit idling for a minute or two after running it hard, or towing, to cool the turbo down. I have a pyrometer on mine, and let it idle till the exhast temps reach about 300 degrees or so. It only takes about 15-20 seconds on my truck.
Other than that, they are trouble free. Theres a reason its a $5K option, these things run forever.

[BigNutt]

Thanks guys...looks like I'll try to snatch a late 2006 model when they add more $$ incentives to get them gone. That + 5% under invoice should get me a solid $12k off sticker. I had no idea 07s were gonna be that much more.

I plain to keep the truck for a looong time or else for what I am doing a Hemi would still be okay.

[BigNutt]

Found some info on the new 6.7L its supposedly going to be rated 350hp/750lbs. ft. and will be in the new 4500/5500 trucks and then trickle down to 3500/2500 trucks by 2008.

[XJRIDE]

Best purchase i have made thus far..CTD has treated me well thus far..standyne is your friend

[Jeepin Jason]

standyne???

[BigNutt]

standyne???


http://www.stanadyne.com/new/ppt/ppt_dfa.asp

[woo man]

love mine, got bout 16,000 on it. Best purchase i have ever made.

[Hoofmann]

I just hit 1K on mine this morning. I'm diesel noob as well, so I don't really have anything to add to what others have said, except oil changes are pretty pricey and it costs $105 to fill my gas tank completely. . . be prepared financially to keep it running. . . not service wise, but gas, oil changes, and fuel filter changes (which aren't expensive). ;)

[xj_man_646]

are you really supposed to change the fuel filter every 10k on a diesel? my dad has 68k on his and has never done it :eek:

he is really bad with maintenance, other than oil changes. he got his first tranny flush when i told him i wanted him to get it done before i took the truck out to moab, and that was at 64k miles :eek:

man, i guess i have some work to do with the dually

oh yea, we have a 2003 dodge 3500 QC long box 4x4 dually with the CTD, and it is awesome. its the definition of a workhorse. runs awesome, and haven't had a single problem with it. you dont really even notice pulling a jeep with one, other than the fact that the fuel mileage decreases, but the motor doesn't seem to work any harder.

good luck on the purchase, and get lotsa pics when you get a new truck
:driving:

[Jeepin Jason]

I just hit 1,000K on mine this morning. I'm diesel noob as well, so I don't really have anything to add to what others have said, except oil changes are pretty pricey and it costs $105 to fill my gas tank completely. . . be prepared financially to keep it running. . . not service wise, but gas, oil changes, and fuel filter changes (which aren't expensive). ;)

you just hit 1,000,000 on yours this morning??? :o


:p

[Hoofmann]

you just hit 1,000,000 on yours this morning??? :o


:p
oops 1k :lol:

[Hoofmann]

Anybody can say PSD/Dmax>CTD. . . blah, blah, blah: Simply put, CTD is the BEST diesel engine on the market, PERIOD.

[Timmay]

Anybody can say PSD/Dmax>CTD. . . blah, blah, blah: Simply put, CTD is the BEST diesel engine on the market, PERIOD.

x2

I'm going to pick one up eventually... 2001 seems to be my year. I'm not a rich kid yet. :D

[woo man]

yes it is important to change your fuel filter, if you dont it could fry your lift pump. Dont know all the details but it is very important.

[Hoofmann]

x2

I'm going to pick one up eventually... 2001 seems to be my year. I'm not a rich kid yet. :D
I know a guy that works at ATS and he told me that ISB engines seem to be a little better than the common rails, that are produced today. I don't know why, and I don't really care either way.
Edit: I think common rails are 2003 and up

[Jeepin Jason]

:lol: love hte new av Kebo!

http://jeepin.net/forum/customavatars/avatar4216_4.gif

[Hoofmann]

:D

[XJRIDE]

http://www.xtremediesel.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=62

[Jeepin Jason]

thanks for link, I've got it bookmarked now. I actually just bought a couple of bottles of PowerService fuel additive at Autozone tonight.

damn I feel like such a noob about all this, I hate that!

oh, I'm "Mega3500" on DTR and CumminsForum.com, if any of you guys are on those forums.

[XJRIDE]

jason when your doing the fuel addatives...it takes a while to find which amounts, and which brands youll start too see an increase in milage/ and or run a little smoother/quieter.

When I used to use powerservice i used to mix it with marvel mystery oil, not bad.. i think i mixed it like 16oz one and 8oz mmo

dtr is awesome, its pretty much my second home

[Hoofmann]

What's DTR? I didn't realize there were other big forums for CTD's. I'm going to sign up for Cumminsforum.com for sure! And here I was, about to pay for a TDR membership! :lol: :bang:

[XJRIDE]

www.dieseltruckresource.com

[Hoofmann]

thanks :)

[Jeepin Jason]

I've only been on them a couple of days, but so far I like the feel of CumminsForum better than DTR. I'm such a noob over there though, I hate that! all new acronyms and everything!

[Leadfoot]

I would def buy an 06. The 07 diesels have to pass stricter emmisions which will bring down mileage and power. The emmissions equip alone adds something like 150lbs to the truck. The big 3 are all working to keep power up, but the mileage will go down. Many large fleet companies are replacing as many trucks this year as they can to avoid this.

After doing a ton of research when I bought my diesel I found that many professional recommend FPPF additive for their diesel. I also found a few tests (some more precise than others) showing FPPF to be a better additive. I keep an ampty Sta-bil bottle with me and just use it at fill ups. When it gets low I just refill it with the FPPF.

Just my cents. You will love having a diesel. They are great trucks.

[wsuxjer]

Been looking at them for awhile. The 48RE's seem to be better, reliability wise, but stick with a manual if you want it to last for ever without spending $$$ on an aftermarket tranny. ;) A good local board around here for is www.nwbombers.com but they also have very good tech for anybody. :D