I'm new to this website and a first time CTD owner, so please excuse the stupid questions. How good is the track bar repair kit? I have a '98 Quad Cab 3/4 4x4, 113800 miles, and still stock with the original trans. I am the second owner and hve had her for about a week now. I realize that the Military 5 ton 6x6 handles better than this truck but WOW, I sure to love to drive her. Can anyone lead me in the right direction? I work for the State of Washington so I can't afford the big $$ parts. Also can someone tell me the better trans to buy since she will be towing big things later on in life. By the way, I will be keeping her for another 200,000 miles!!

 

Welcome aboard eo1sc,

Lots of good advice here, and you will learn alot about this beast, some of it not so flattering

I have the same truck and love it despite all, it's a great rig.

Do yourself a favour and follow some key postings on
1. gauges/why
2. auto 4 speed transmission limitations.
3. after market fuel boxes/injectors, Edge, Van Aaken, etc
4. VP 44 injector pump woes
5. Lift pump issues
6. trac bar-front suspension

Just to get you started.

Good luck, I'm sure many brothers will add to this one

 

The track bar repair kit? Do you mean a lukes link? Everything I read says that it is a good fix, but not as good as a solid steel 03 track bar upgrade. Knowing how long you plan on keeping your truck, do a search on solid steel, get a discount and buy the dss and the track bar upgrade at the same time. This will make it a WAY better truck. You can install it easily yourself and will not regret it.




just my .002


welcome aboard

 

eo1sc,
I had the exact same problem you are experiencing when I bought my 01 a month ago. Mine wandered like a Jack Kerouac writing! My local dealer diagnosed a warn track bar and replaced it. The replacement part was "new and improved" according to them with a better ball joint. We'll see in about 20,000 miles. After the track bar, I had it aligned as I was no longer sawing on the wheel to keep in between the lines and it was pulling bad right. Those two things made a BIG difference. The final piece of my puzzle was the DSS. Installed in about 40 minutes (including beer consumption time) and made a HUGE difference. Wander is all but gone now. I considered going to the SS 03 upgrade but I was concerned with bringing it to my local dealer for future maintenance after doing that. No warranty but i'd rather not have them blaming stuff on MY work.

 

xp8103, I've got the same symptoms now that you had. Did you have a death wobble? My truck rides smooth as silk but it suddenly started pulling hard right and hasn't quit. I've also got about 6" of play in the steering wheel before the truck actually moves.

 

Welcome!
Agree with above..not cheapest way to go, but is the best for 200,000 miles of trouble free service with great handling!

See http://www.solidsteel.ca/
The DSS & the DTB will make your CTD 4x4 track & handle like a Caddy.

For Trannys...start reading here http://www.dieseltrans.com/ .
They are right in your back yard.

RJ

 

wow, so much info so little time!!
I keep being refferred to the DSS, Randys off road has them for 169.00, I guess I'll go buy one next week. The track bar will hve to wait though, as I don't have 370.00 to drop for the bar, hopefully the warranty will cover it. Here we go for the great fight!