BIG&BAD

in the winter i always have my truck plugged in, except when i forget
my dads laughs at me, asks if my truck is battery powered

sorry bharring for highjacking you thread

1sttruck

Daily driver, 20 miles one way, often about 30 minutes. It takes me about 10 to 15 minutes, or about 10 miles to get up to operating temperature. I have a nice 25 mph crawl for a mile or so before hitting a couple of miles of some 40 mph roads, before hitting the freeway. The temperature climbs a lot more quickly on the freeway than when putting around in 3rd or 4th. I'd consider adding a moderate load to the truck in an attempt to get the temps up on regular, shorter trips, but would ask this forum for advice on the idea, or would just rearrange the trips so that it at least hit operating temps before shutting down. I would definately do the 3750 mi oil changes that the CA SO needs to do.

uncleroty

I have a 91 CTD and it's my daily driver. I do alot of miles in the summer, and a few in the winter, but I have never had any trouble as a result of short trips.

If you're at all worried, run some good injector cleaner through every oil change.

AlpineRAM

Actually a modern diesel has less problems with short commutes than a gasser. Any gasser will suffer from fuel washdown into the oil until at operating temps. The diluted oil ain't too good for stuff in there. On the other hand a diesel (stock form, no POD injectors) won't wash down, it may build up a little varnish on the exhaust valves. As long as you don't rev or overload the engine when cold a 15 minute trip under load with the engine at operating temps will remove the buildup on the exhaust valves.

Just my 2c from Austria where more than 50% of hte cars are diesels.

AlpineRAM

Dieseldude4x4

Just turn the key and push on the appropriate pedals for the desired effect and don't worry about it.

dodgedude361

thats what i do

goldenears

I would say that your biggest worry about short trips is believe it or not... your "exhaust system" especially if you live on the coast or a wet climate.
Water, condensation will sit in your tailpipe and eventually rot away the metal with short trips so you need to get the engine up to temp and blow that moisture away. Short trips in itself are safe...it's the lack of HEAT to keep the exhaust components dry.

db

So just got through reading & this is the conclusions

1) plug in if cold -- nahh--better yet get a Espar heater system installed with timer
2) get SS exhaust system for condensation, a must for short trips - as good of reason as any a fueling box set on high to heat the exhaust gasses faster - younno the kind that go from 0 to 1600 degrees in 1/8 mile ( no more condensate ) also needed.
3) need something heavy to tow once a month -- a 28' boat with twin inboard outboard off shore racer should do -- just for proper break in ofcoarse
4) a nitrous system to clean any carbin build up when needed
5) Twin turbos to move the air faster through the exhaust will also aid in proper condensate removal.

sure diesels can be great daily drivers when 'properly' set up

db

bentwings

I drive my dualie all the time just for fun....like taking up 4 parking spaces at the grocery store. 52 miles each way to work ( when I had a job) Hauled a 3000 # load once a while back. Still got 19.5 mpg for 700 miles. 25,000 miles in 6 mo.
only failure ....G..D... lift pump. Fixed it myself.
Enjoy it while you can
bentwings

induchman

Cheaper to plug it in ($0.25 worth of electricity) vs an Espar $1k system. I have an Espar on my boat. Works fine, didn't cost $1k tho.

Weatherbyman

Mine's a daily driver.....10 Miles each way, but it takes 30 minutes

DeaconWayne

Mine is also a daily driver - 35 miles each way. Had 35k on it when I bought it over 2 1/2 years ago. Now has right at 116k. Change the oil and filter every 7k, and the fuel filter every 14k (every other oil change). In the 80k miles that I've driven it: 1 serpentine belt, 1 set of brakes, 4 new shocks, 4 new tires, 2 new batteries, the KDP Fix, and 1 tranny reflash. Best truck I've ever owned.

DW

Hoss

I didn't think water was a problem on diesels?? Unlike the gasser I had before this truck, I have NEVER seen any condensation dripping from the pipes. The gasser would literally blow water out the pipes and spray you....especially during cold weather.

goldenears

Hoss?
You live in Texas! Only water you ever see is when the ice melts in your beer cooler!
seriously though......on the (wet) west coast we do get a lot of condensation that accumulates in the tailpipe.

rjordan

i use mine for a daily driver, i go 50-60 miles a day, no probs.