Hell of a great forum, new here, and new to the diesel world....need a few questions answered, if you guy's can.....
Just got my latest tow rig, 96 3500 4x4 and live in a colder northern climate and wanted to know what oil should be in this ctd? is synthetic needed? and is it normal to puff a little on overnight startups...

and lastly, not knowing much about ctd (heard it was a fine tow rig..why I bought it) wanted to know what I should keep an Eye out, or check up on as it or they are the weak links to this rig, but if looked after will help keep her purring...plan on logging alot of miles on her!

What is the stock hp and torque?

Thank's for the help
cheers

 

Welcome to the site, if you fill in your signature it will help
IMHO you don't need synthetic oil, just service it regularly and your good to go. You need to check the KDP! Do a search on how and then do it. Hp will differ from auto to manual but a manual will be 215hp and I think the auto is 180 for your year. After you install a couple of basic gauges you can do a search on the GSK and fuel plate modifications and you will really love the way it tows.

 

I Have A 02 2500 Ctd And Love It!!!!! My "master Mechanic" Friend Puts Amsoil In His Truck (93 Dodge Diesel) And Mine We Both Have Over 180,000 Miles On Our Trucks. Are You Plugging Your Truck In At Night?, That Seems To Help Mine. I Believe The "puff" On An Overnight Startup Is Normal Whether You Plug It In Or Not. The Only Problem I Have Had With Mine Is The Injection Pump (which I Believe Broke Because My Batteries Needed To Be Replaced.) Take Care Of Your New Rig And Have Fun!!!!!!!

 

kdp?...got the rest and will do but not sure what kdp is....thank's

what guages are the most important, exhaust temp, boost? 2 or 3 on pillar??

 

just read up on kdp....no chances...will take care of !...that should be a dealer recall problem...no?

also read that most use pyro guages to...will probable do a 3 pod, boost ,pyroandex-temp....what do ya think?

 

For guages I'd suggest EGT , Boost and Trans. temp especially if you tow anything.

 

Welcome aboard EH! (feel like home now )
You have the same truck as me, and it's great. You'll love it.
The KDP (Killer Dowell Pin) is located inside the front timing gear case. It's a locater pin, to keep the case lined up. What happens, sometimes, is that it vibrates out, falls into the gears, and makes a real expensive mess of things.
If you know which end of a wrench to hold, you can "tab" it yourself. I did mind in 3-4 hours, heres how; http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Dowel_Pin/tab.htm

You'll want the pyro, trans, boost gauges also, again easy to install.

Then it's time to "TURN IT UP"