HI there.

I'm currently a Toyota / Fuso Owner and I'm looking to switch to a new Dodge next year. Been driving my Hilux for 16 years after dumping my F150, but it's getting tired, and doesn't have enough towing power for my trailer.

I fell for the cummins back in a dodge back in the late 90's (new body style) when a company I worked for had one. It was a 3500 dually with a rack body and the cummins. Had an auto but still plenty of power to trailer around in. Been wanting one ever since.

Since I'm letting the Toyota go in the near future (due to lots of reasons) I'm looking forwards to buying a new 3500 6 spd manual, tow package, pwr windows / locks / cd / cloth interior for my secondary work truck / play truck as an addition to my fuso. Primarily for doing estimates and running the trailer. Pretty much done with Gas Powered Engines. Let the wife keep that one....

Since I'm here, I'm going to be researching the threads you guys have posted and I was wondering what area to look in, meaning, what issues / problems to avoid, if possible. Can you recommend a group of threads, or individual forum to review to get me started ?

I won't bore you with talk about my current vehicles, but when I go to buy my dodge, I'm hoping to be prepared and knowledgeable at that time, so I make the best educated choice of package / options and so forth.

Maybe I can eventually show up at one of your meets driving my new cummins.

Thanks

T.

 

Welcome to the DTR.

When you say new, do you mean 2010/2011?

 

Thanks

New... most likely yes, either a left over 10 or new 11. It depends on how well business picks up in the spring, and incentives for purchasing new.

Otherwise, I'll look into a used ( say a few years old < 5) to temporarily fulfill my needs, until the tides turn.

Either way, the hilux is gone.

 

If you have third gen questions, I can help, or post up in the third gen section. I'm not into the 4th gen's too much...

 

Ok,

where is a good place to start reading on this forum, or do I just explore around ?

Main concern is what to look for in a USED truck, if I go that route. What signs / areas of concern on a used 3-4-or 5 year old 3500 series truck.

Since I haven't actually driven one since the late 90's I'm just looking to make my decision on which purchase a little better educated.

 

Well,

After reading here for a day and a half, I seem to be coming up with a lot of complaints about the dodge truck line, as if I was on another manufacturer forum. Brakes, Dashboards, Auto Trannies, Poor fuel Mileage, Failing Fuel systems of the newer CTD motors, Failing EM Electronics, Etc.

Reading about the Dodge Guy who's switching to "SUPERDUTY" made me want to read more, and maybe look elsewhere or into an older Gen 1 truck. I guess going V8 Diesel is ok, but I was always under the impression that truck diesels worked best in "I" formats. I guess I need more education on the matter.

It seems as though the 12v swapped into a ford seems to be the most favored way to travel. Sounds like an interesting prospect. I guess I'll have to look into that sometime in the future.

Either way, I love my Fuso I4. It may not be neck snapping powerful, but it's a diesel and starts every time.


Thanks for the responses MadHat. I'll keep reading. I've got a few months to prepare for the test.

 

Welcome to the website anyway.

----------
John_P

 

Man, every vehicle has it's problems. I guess it really boils down to what you want.

 

Madhat.

I realize that no vehicle, from any manufacturer, is perfect. I thought my first post, introducing myself (as your FAQ suggested that I do), said what I wanted.... but since no one here was interested in responding to my request for "help" in choosing, I have been just reading threads, and I'm will continue to get a feel of what to "look out for" and what "not to".

Before coming to this website, I had no concept of how many problems there was with the CTD. I'd never heard of Cracked "53" blocks or even a "killer dowl pin" or whatever it's really called.... What a stupid design by a company which I though was supposed to have produced the "best" diesel engine on the planet, which is what I thought previously. Can you blame me for being disappointed ?

I'll just keep reading different threads and hopefully, I come across the right vehicle to buy when the time comes. Either way, this site is an excellent source of information...

Thanks.

 

You have to remember the people that have few to no issues rarely post the success stories. Also if you took all the bad posts here, and compared them to the number of trucks built I would bet the number of issue would be fairly small.

 

Absolutely true.... and I guess you have a great point.

It's more entertaining to read....

"Well, I experienced the Death Wobble today..."

Vs

"Well, my truck drove and handled perfectly, as always...."


Would get a little boring, right ?

 

welcome to the forum

 

NJTman:

While the Dodge CTD pickups do have some problems in certain areas, I think overall they are pretty dependable as Purplezr2 pointed out.

 

Looking forwards to finding that out...

 

Found a 90 W250 CTD Automatic. Asking $3500, but negotiable. 80k on the truck.

Truck used for plowing, and plow is included. Tires ok, but not new

Truck needs linkage fixed between tranny and shifter for 4wd. Manually shift from under truck into 4x4. Can these trucks be run on dry pavement in 4x4 or will that hurt the tranny ?

Auto gear selector is sloppy and needs repair. Steering shaft shot. Steering gear leaking like pig. Looking at Borgeson to replace

Seat is shot like sitting on the floor Needs fender, grille, turn signals due to fender bender

Fuel Gauge doesn't work Ideas ?

No Blow By in engine No bubbles in radiator Starts immediately upon turning key Runs amazingly well. Small electrical stuff, wiring to plow lights

LOUD AS HELL IN THE CAB..... but I guess this generation is just that way.

Hasn't had a service since last winter, but runs great

No major apparent leaks anywhere other than the PS and on top of the transmission and rear output shaft seal...

Any ideas on how oil is on top of the trans, but not on bellhousing ?

Anything else to look for? This one won't last long. Need to make up mind soon.

ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO MAKE IT QUIETER in there ?????? full exhaust doesn't appear to have any leaks.