jrs_dodge_diesel

Hello all. I plan on buying a Dodge 2500 Ram with the famous CTD. I plan on buying a 98.5 - 01 year model. I know of a few of the big problems such as the lift pump, and the auto tranny. I also know to steer clear of the 53 block. Are there any other problems ya'll could share with me? Any information you can provide before I buy the truck will be appreciated.

J.R.

matthopp

You may consider getting a 2500 w/ the camper package for the overload springs and bigger tires.

towin1JT

Fuel gage sending unit goes out about 70K and a little later the ABS light comes on and the speed sensor on the rear axle seems to be the culprate.

John

Rattletrap1

2001.5 was the change to 4 wheel disc brakes ;D. Supposedly the injector pump is refined thru the years...not great, but better :.

jrs_dodge_diesel

Camper package? How can I tell if the truck has this, factory trailer hitch maybe? Another question, is the CTD camshaft gear driven or chain driven? I am really looking forward to gettin a new truck.

I know most of the ins and outs of straight six engines. I have owned 2 Ford F-150s, both with the 300 inline six. I like my Ford but am not a die hard Ford guy. My current truck is nice (wife doesn't like it much, just one reason to get a better truck) but I would rather have a diesel. The powerstroke and the chevy diesel don't impress me much, I don't like the v-8 design.

towin1JT

Cam gear driven of course!! That is one of the selling points over the others (chain) in addition to the crankshaft in the Cummins at a weight of 175lbs vs. around 75lbs. in one of the other guys converted gas V8's.

John

towin1JT

Oh yea...I almost forgot. I've never seen a "camper package" in any of the Cummins trucks and I know people that have a representative for each of the three body styles. I'm not saying there wasn't one but I know mine wasn't a camper special or anything like that yet it came stock with a hitch, a 7-pole plug and a wiring harness located near the front of the bed for a camper. All this came stock with the Cummins engine package and why not it's made for hauling a great deal of weight!! These trucks are designed for the purpose of hauling and towing and Dodge actually equipped them very well. You shouldn't spend all that money for a deisel and then have to add all the stuff it should be supplied with to begin with. I even got an adapter for going from 7-pole connector down to the 4-pole...part of the Cummins package from Dodge.

Dr. Evil

Mines got the Camper Package & tow package as well.....have the window sticker and a print out from the dealer - so it was definitely an option.

Captain

I have the towing and camper package. My dad just has the towing package. the differance seems to be a 2nd pack of springs that sits on top of the first pack. Beyond that it might have a beefed up alternator to run camper electricals? I have no idea. As far as options go I like the manual w/dana 80 and the HD transfer case. I also seem to like the 12valve but whatever. Did the 98.5-2002's still have the KDP problem?
Chris

Dr. Evil

The KDP problem wasnt cleared up until 2000 or 2001 anyone know for sure???

Ryan

The camper package usually contained helper springs and a rear sway bar.

Captain

oh yeah I have that rear swaybar too. Forgot about that, thanks

Chris

jrs_dodge_diesel

[quote author=towin1JT link=board=5;threadid=22603;start=0#msg211508 date=1069271692]
Cam gear driven of course!! That is one of the selling points over the others (chain) in addition to the crankshaft in the Cummins at a weight of 175lbs vs. around 75lbs. in one of the other guys converted gas V8's.

John
[/quote]

Wow! I had no idea they wieghed that much. I like the gear driven cam, my 300 inline is also gear driven.

Can anyone tell me what years the 6 speed manual tranny was available. I am a stick shift only kinda guy, will only take an auto if I can't find anything else.

Dr. Evil

[quote author=jrs_dodge_diesel link=board=5;threadid=22603;start=0#msg211736 date=1069303299]
[quote author=towin1JT link=board=5;threadid=22603;start=0#msg211508 date=1069271692]
Cam gear driven of course!! That is one of the selling points over the others (chain) in addition to the crankshaft in the Cummins at a weight of 175lbs vs. around 75lbs. in one of the other guys converted gas V8's.

John
[/quote]

Wow! I had no idea they wieghed that much. I like the gear driven cam, my 300 inline is also gear driven.

Can anyone tell me what years the 6 speed manual tranny was available. I am a stick shift only kinda guy, will only take an auto if I can't find anything else.

[/quote]

Well if you like shifting the 6 speed is the tranny for you. It can be a bit of a pain in rush hour traffic but is great for doing any kind of towing. The six speed was first introduced in 1999. The following links should be informative:

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/98ISBspecs.html

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/01ISBspecs.html

If you are getting a 2001+ truck with the 6 speed it will also be the H.O. version of the CTD.

matthopp

I didn’t really realize what the camper package was when I first got it. Now that I look back on it, I am very glad I got it. The extra springs and bigger tires make it essentially the functional equivalent of the 2003 3500 SRW, assuming it (2nd gen) has the Dana 80. Now that will probably cause a big debate, but oh well. I don’t think the alternator changes w/ the camper package, but I could be wrong.