I'm considering trading in my current gasser tow rig for 3/4 ton diesel. I've heard some bad (or at least not so good) things about the PSD's and I don't really care for the rest of the truck Ford wrapped around it. My boss has a Duramax which is pretty impressive but way out of my budget, so I've kind of decided to look at Dodges with the CTD. Brand new is also outside of my price range so I'll be looking at used.

I've never owned a diesel so I'm looking for any advice from those experienced with Dodge CTD's and what things to look for to make sure I don't get a lemon (I don't really like lemonade). Anything insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated.....

If you can swing it get the 24V, and don't get an Auto.

I thought the 12 valve was "better". Specifically, I'm looking for things to watch out for so I don't end up buying someone else's problems. Thanks....

Originally posted by DEnd
If you can swing it get the 24V, and don't get an Auto.
I have a 98 24V with an auto...and granted I did dump a sh!tload of money into the tranny, I love it. Plus, manuals with 3rd gear problems and clutches grenading aren't cheap either. I just bought the auto expecting to put money into it. Plus it is way more fun to drive than a stick...IMO:)

Dammit! Don't make me buy one after you do! I've been procrastinating for years over buying one. :laughing:

I have found it hard to find a manul tranny around here in the sub 15K range.

Well, from the comments I've gotten so far (only two), it looks like there isn't anything to look at or watch out for... just buy it:flipoff2:

Yeah it's a dodge, nothing goes wrong with them :shaking:

If your looking at getting a 12V the only real problem you will need to address is getting the killer dowel pin fixed ASAP. The 24V are known for having the lift pumps going out which will result in the injection pump going out shortly after.

As far as trannys, the auto doesn't like to be abused and the 5 speed that came with the 12V (nv4500) won't like it either if you add too much power.

What year was the 6 speed introduced?

I think there are a few 99s with the 5600

It's really hard to find much for less than $15k in the market of CTDs.

last year I wanted a CTD, LB,QC,4x4 and I had virtually no luck. nearest, cheapest I could find was a 96 with 140+K for $14+k. I was ready to buy it, then before I made a 250 mile drive he fessed up and said it had some body damage and he had been pulling a dozer with it. i don't want a Dodge auto that had been pulling a dozer.

So I ended up going new and got exactly what I wanted, exept the payment.

I checked out a local dealership today and he had several used CTD's, but not a one of them was a manual. Everything around here seems to have an auto in it. Anyway, I went ahead and test drove the truck for the hell of to check out the "diesel experience". The truck seem to have a lot of pick up and got up to speed quickly (of course it was empty and no trailer).

The truck I drove was a one owner '00 Dodge 2500, 24V, Quad Cab 4x4 with 82K miles on it. They were asking $18k for it, but I'm just not sure I want the automatic tranny. I'll be using the truck as my DD and to tow my 18' trailer with my 5500-6000lb rig on it. I've heard stories about the auto and just don't know if it'll hold up.

Commets?

I was trying to decide between the auto and stick in a new truck and I decided to get the stick, don't want problems down the road.

I am now just debaiting to wait for the 600 to come out or not. :D

I was told to get an auto prior to 94 and get a standard after 84.
This is coming from a guy that makes his living working on the CTD.
He also uses his street legal first gen. for tractor pulling.

He also said the first gen was the cheapest to get power from. All you need is a better air filter, exhaust, pyro gauge and then adjust the pump timing.
However, a turned up 1st gen, has about the same power as a stock 24 valve without major mods. (injector replacement, pump replacement, etc.)

I’m a diesel newbie and still learning as I go. My plans including pyro-gauge, and pump timing, and larger injectors.

Is an auto really that bad for light duty towing? I'm kinda gettin' the diesel bug myself and I think I'm leaning towards the Cummins. I've been specifically checking on 98-01 CTD. This will be my DD as well as my tow rig and the only thing I'll ever be pulling is my Jeep and occasionaly my brother's Terramite (it's a compact loader/backhoe). Should I steer clear of the auto even for this kind of towing?

I remembered that a friends wife used to sell cars at a local Dodge dealer (she now sells for Ford, but still has contacts). She put me in touch with her friend at Dodge and I gave him my specific "order" for a used truck.

'00 or '01 2500, Quad Cab, 4x4, Shortbed, CTD, 6-spd.

I'll just have to wait and see what he can come up with. He's going to check his inventory and what he has coming in as well as call his contacts at other dealerships and see what's available.

Originally posted by Mechanos
I remembered that a friends wife used to sell cars at a local Dodge dealer (she now sells for Ford, but still has contacts). She put me in touch with her friend at Dodge and I gave him my specific "order" for a used truck.

'00 or '01 2500, Quad Cab, 4x4, Shortbed, CTD, 6-spd.

I'll just have to wait and see what he can come up with. He's going to check his inventory and what he has coming in as well as call his contacts at other dealerships and see what's available.

Just out of curiousity, why those 2 years? Why not a '99 or an '02?

Pete

Originally posted by pcorssmit


Just out of curiousity, why those 2 years? Why not a '99 or an '02?

Pete
Well, I would like to find one with the 6-spd. As I understand it, the 6-spd was introduced in the middle of the '99 model year, so I just said '00. I would also like to find an HO but that's negotiable. I've done some looking around and all the '02s I've seen are a bit out of my price range. So, that kind of narrowed things down to '00 or '01.

However, the salesman I talked to has done this before.... He asked me what I want to spend and what I have to trade in. I'm sure if he finds something close to my parameters that would end up in my range, he'll run it by me.

Just got a call from the dealer.... he has a couple of trucks that he thought I might want to look at. When I pressed him for details over the phone, he admitted that they were both '01's and both had the auto tranny. It seems he's having a devil of a time finding one with a manual. I guess everyone around here just buys them to have one and no one really uses the damn thing as a truck. With my current trail rig/trailer, I'd probably only be pulling about 8k and with that light of a load the auto would probably be fine.

However, I have a long range plan to get rid of the 18' flatbed trailer and get a 25' or so gooseneck that would probably be more in the 12k to 14k range with the trail rig on it. I am also planning to BOMB it up around the 350 hp range.

My question is, just how much hp will the 48re handle before it starts to complain?

my neighbor just sold his 01 4x4 quad cab auto, he tows boats all over the country. it still had the original auto in it. and i have seen 38' boats behind this truck. it only had 301k on it and the damn thing still brought 12.5 wholesale. but he leaves the trucks stock, no fuel boxes.

Originally posted by Mechanos

Well, I would like to find one with the 6-spd. As I understand it, the 6-spd was introduced in the middle of the '99 model year, so I just said '00. I would also like to find an HO but that's negotiable. I've done some looking around and all the '02s I've seen are a bit out of my price range. So, that kind of narrowed things down to '00 or '01.


There were a few '99 std output 6 speeds, after that all the 6 speeds were hos (and all the hos were 6 speeds), until the new body style.

Pete

The two the dealer called me about were both '01 4x4 QC's, CTD, both autos, one had 37k on it and the other one had 45k on it.

I made it to the dealer this moring and truck with 37k on it sold yesterday after he talked to me. I drove the one with 45k on it, checked over to the best of my knowledge and started haggling. I would of had it in the driveway tonight, but they couldn't hit my 'magic number'. The Business Manager wants me to come back on Monday after he's had a chance to hammer on the banks some. He thinks he can get the payments down to my 'magic number' but the banks weren't open today. We'll see..... I might have it Monday night.

Bit the bullet last night and signed my life away....

I bought an '01 2500, Quad Cab, Sport, auto, 4x4, CTD. It's the bright freakin' red (when buying used, you don't always have control over the color you get), has the factory tow package, Infinity sound system, etc.... blah blah blah. No pics yet, it was too dark by the time I made it home last night.

So far I love it!!!! all 25 miles :rolleyes:

:cool: It's a damn sweet ride! Looks similar to DRM's only 230,000+ mile less :eek:

Let me know when you want to haul one of my trucks around on the trailer to see how it pulls.

Damn Bones..... were you just waiting for me to post or what? You pounced on that like a dingo on a baby...... :flipoff2:

Guess I was right on your trail wasn't I.

I can't seem to get a lot of work done today, what's new :p