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2004 CTD 600 - Potential owner observations

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Old 06-23-2004, 12:07 AM
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2004 CTD 600 - Potential owner observations

I test drove two 2004's tonight with the 600 and have a couple of observations/questions.

Do they all pull to the right when driving down a flat, level road? Both of these did as well as my 2003...I know Dodge has a problem with this but is it that common? On all of them I had to keep the wheel turned slightly to the left so as to keep it from going to the right towards the ditch.

I tried to find a 555 but none available in the State....is getting a 600 going to be a big mistake? If so I can wait but wanted to see what you all thought. My 2003 was a nightmare from heck that was only solved by it being taken out in an intersection by a runaway snowplow truck.

Anything I should keep an eye on or check out before buying?
Old 06-23-2004, 01:21 AM
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I had the same problem on my 03 DRW 4X4. I took it to the dealer to have them fix it, but they said it was ok. Still frustrated cause I hate to take my hands off the stearing wheel and it wants to vear off to the right. I took it to a buddy who has a alignment tire shop, and he fixed it for me, by re-alighing it for me. I then returned to the dealer and told them they needed to fix their staff, because from what my buddy said, the bolts that he loosend to adjust had not been moved since the factory had tightened them. Therefor the dealer did not do the work they said they did. Over all it drives great now. I have had no probs with the steering. Don't know about the 600's, I still have my 03, and I love it.

Donnie
Old 06-23-2004, 01:24 AM
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Ive got a new 04.5 600 6 spd quad cab 4x4, and it doesnt pull to teh right, or left, and actually gets good mileage, even though its only got 600 miles on it so far... I pull about 16 in city, and about 19-20 highway.. So all my fears are relieved from buying a 600.
Scott
Old 06-23-2004, 04:25 AM
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My 03 doesn't pull to the left but the steering wheel has been a little off to the left since almost new. The dealers reply when I asked them about it "We'll be glad to align it for you at your expense!" I decided to just try and adjust the bar under the truck myself one of these days.

If I test drove any vehicle with what I percieved to be a problem, there is no way I would buy it, especially a new vehicle!!!!!!
Old 06-23-2004, 06:24 AM
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Mine tracks fine...never had a problem with tracking , pretty much dead on.
Old 06-23-2004, 08:20 AM
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My 2004 tracks fine!!
Old 06-23-2004, 09:09 AM
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Mine tracks straight and true. My only complaint with the truck is the mileage but it has improved slightly and hopefully will continue until it is broken in.
Old 06-23-2004, 11:39 AM
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Staight as it'll ever be here. Even the other 2 trucks I test drove before buying this one drove perfectly straight.
Old 06-23-2004, 02:16 PM
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Mine too... straight as an arrow with no pull either direction. Great truck aside from the poor mileage and vibes.
Old 06-23-2004, 03:46 PM
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Mine didn't start pulling right until I put on the 315's. This alone shouldn't cause anything to come out of alignment, right? I'm trying to decide if I should spend the money to get it re-aligned or not.
Old 06-23-2004, 07:13 PM
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find the one you want and if it pulls or even if it doesn't have them do a compete alignment on it anyway. They will all be off slightly because of the way the truck driver has to sinch them down on the truck it can put undo stress in unequal ways on the suspension thus making it pull to one side or the other
Old 06-24-2004, 12:45 AM
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My 600 runs straight and true. I was worried about getting a 600, and it may never get the mileage of a 555, but it is a really nice vehicle. Rock solid on the road. With conscientious driving, the overhead is currently reading 17.5 around town and read 18.5 on fwy at 70mph on first fwy trip. 500 miles so far.
Old 06-26-2004, 06:42 PM
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Mine tracks perfectly straight, 15 mpg overall average and I'm heavy on the skinny pedal. 2K miles. No complaints whatsoever except for burnt oil smell in cab with exterior vents open. I would list all the problems that you hear from people on forums (death wobble, cab fumes, poor tracking, etc.) and test drive trucks until you find one that doesn't have any of those problems.
Old 06-28-2004, 08:13 PM
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Mine tracks beautifully! No pull left r right...
I would demand the dealer fix it if it did.
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