Hey everyone,

I'm new to the diesel world...just picked up a 2001 Ram QC CTD 2500 very recently. Just wanted to say hi as I joined DTR today. A few quick questions:

(1) I guess there is a bunch of forum guys that have a MD chapter here...how would I get involved with that?

(2) any good shops or knowledgeable folks around...I'm over in Beltsville/Greenbelt/Laurel area but don't mind driving out within reason for good service etc...or if anyone out there can help out with general type of stuff (maybe the local clubs or chapter :dunno). After doing some searches I called up Cummins Power Systems in Glen Burnie (asked some newbie maintenance questions to them about service intervals and those sort of things) ...although they do factory service they also told me of another place that does aftermarket stuff, called Diesel Connections...I'm just trying to get a feel of what's out there and who does what.

(3) One of the main things I noticed was that this truck is very well supported by the aftermarket...lots of makers for performance, towing, and fuel economy parts...this engine seems to be a package that has a very good base to start from. I am pretty happy with the truck as it sits...I think the only things I'd want to add would be some basic aftermarket parts to get a little better fuel economy and slight power/responsiveness increase...I asked around and it seems like the intake (I've seen a few seems like banks Ram air or other cold air intakes are good...I've also seen this elbow looking plastic intake manifold from banks and a few others)..., exhaust (maybe turbo back kit with a downpipe also?), some sort of adjustable programmer (I've seen the Edge Juice/attitude, smarty, Bully dog etc...list goes on), maybe a few guages would be good also. Lastly I've been told that getting some stage 1 injectors like 40 or 50hp increas would be good. I'm just looking for mild improvement(s) in say a package or add ons part by part from maybe different vendors whose parts are very good and work well together. I'm leaning more toward fuel economy improvement around town unloaded, some occasional towing and such, mild power gains but nothing crazy, don't really want to get to the point where I start breaking stuff and have to spend a lot of $$$ trying to beef things up or replacing broken parts. Any thoughts on what to do, brands/products to go with, where to start, and in what order to add the mods?

(4) lastly, any tips or advice...this is my first diesel truck and I think I got a good one with the '01 Cummins Dodge...but there's probably a lot I don't know and will learn...I'm open to any advice or things I should be aware of, things to look for with this particular truck, or keep an eye on...each vehicle has their little quarks and peculiarities...

thanks for your help, I've always been a car enthusiast and spent a lot of time on other related forums...now I'm a newbie once again! ...I look forward to learning more about this truck and hopefully meeting some of you folks down the road.

Sunir

 

A good somewhat reliable package for your truck would be exhaust a mild box, gauges, and a intake. Your tranny could have problems and it may not, also a fass may be a good thing for piece of mind along with the tranny but you may be fine without either.

 

Sunir,
Head on over to the never ending MD thread and introduce yourself. We have a g2g coming up where you can go for rides in all levels of trucks from mild to wild to see what you want. Join the chapter, and we'll help you out with anything you want. We've done most if not all of them to 2nd gens and as a group, we can do anything. Our chapter pres has a great garage that he lets us use, as well he's a pretty good mechanic himself.

 

Thanks...I just posted there...good to see some people in our area into thses trucks. It's a new world for me...diesel trucks. I really like them though. I'm used to race cars running on 100 Octane at places like Summit Point, Watkins Glen, VIR etc...so this is kinda cool, it's different and I had no idea there was this big of a following for this Cummins Diesel '01 Ram. Plus I love the sound this truck makes...nothing like it! :-)

 

Sent in my MD chapter app today...woohoo!