Hey guys. I have been lurking for a lil while and finally took the plunge. I had been planning on buying a CTD soon but it came sooner. I just bought 05 600 with a auto and 4wheel drive. This is my first diesel as the title says. This thing is just sick. I picked it up with 15 miles at noon and have already put over 100 more on it. Man it sweet. Well you all seem very wise in the ways of the CTD and other diesels, so i will asks alot of questions. Thanks in advance and any newbie advice would be great.:D

woo man, Sounds like a great ride. I have the 04.5 600 CTD also with auto and 4 wheel. The Chrysler factory guys tell me the truck is not broken in until at least 10k miles. It's also good to load the engine during break in after about 500 miles. Pull something heavy! Your mileage will improve as time goes on. Tell us how the 4 wheel does in snow, dude.

Congratulations!

If you want to break it in put about 40,000 miles on. Hurry. You will really like the truck even more.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid153/pb4e48cbf7c4a88ffb8afec739c34d78d/f5999dfa.jpgHere she is. I put the 33s from my previous truck on it. I love it. So i should load it during break in? Anything else while i break it in? thanks for the responses.

do 500 miles of 'easy driving' to break in the rear end and turbo nice and gentle.

Then put in gauges, find the biggest trailer and steepest hill you can find... and PULL IT!
Do not baby a diesel engine... work it! That will properly seat the rings and pay dividends in fuel economy from a proper break in of the engine.

I will do that. Any other tips for the newbie?

NIce!

lol the first day i had mine i pulled 12,000 pounds over 400 miles....runs lots better now with 18,000 on it then it did the first couple of weeks.

I would suggest going easy on it and keeping the revs below 2500 during the first 500-1000 miles, then load it up and tow! I always keep the revs below 2000 and feather the throttle until the engine reaches operating temperature. I consider this to be just general good sense. These trucks do love towing, and they run a lot better and the mileage goes up a bunch after towing. I have just over 13k on my truck now (bought it in early September '04) and it definitely runs better than when I bought it. Also, these trucks seem to eat through fuel filters like you wouldn't believe... a lot of people change them with every oil change. This is probably not a bad idea, as starting around 9-10k I noticed the truck feeling not quite as powerful as before, and the mileage started decreasing a bit (although still higher than it was when I got it). I'm going to change the fuel filter soon, probably this weekend. Haven't had the time with my non-stop driving.

Enjoy the truck! But if you can, try to only drive it on longer trips where the engine reaches operating temperature. As with all vehicles, not letting the engine reach operating temperature is bad. This, I find, goes doubly true on diesels.

Thanks guys

Welcome to the diesel truck world. A few pointers to go by:
1. Install gauges
2. Introduce more fuel until EGT's get out of hand.
3. Introduce more air until EGT's get in control
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until either broke or divorced:ro)

Mine is up to 6,000 miles. Finally starting to see it breaking in a little and power coming around also. Hopefully the fuel mileage follows. Should finish breaking it in during spring hauling.

HOOT! Done any plowing yet? Just moved 5 inches........wishing there was another 20 to go with it LOL.

If I break it I will be divorced and the I will be broke. So anyway you look at it BROKE and DIVORCED go hand in hand.

No snow... just rain and 50-60 deg weather.

Hey Hoot, Where are you located?? I have seen you on TDR and alos noticed in your pics that you came to muncie in the summer. I live bout a half hour south of muncie and actually lived in muncie most of my life? YOur truck is sweet and if your are close i would love to get together and pick your brain. THANKS

do 500 miles of 'easy driving' to break in the rear end and turbo nice and gentle.

Then put in gauges, find the biggest trailer and steepest hill you can find... and PULL IT!
Do not baby a diesel engine... work it! That will properly seat the rings and pay dividends in fuel economy from a proper break in of the engine.
Stoopid noobie question...what kind of guages, where do they go, and why do you put them in?

boost, egt(exhaust gas temp.), those two are a must. Mount them wherever, a-pillar, steering wheel, dash. There is alot ofmounting options. You need them to keep n eye on how the truck is runnin. High egt and boost are not good, hi boost levels will burn up your turbo and hi egts will damage motor. please someone correct me if im wrong about any of this. Cuz remember IM A NOOB TOO, hope what little bit i told ya helped.

Tdupuis is right. Take it easy. Vary your speeds. The 500 miles is minimum. It is prudent to go easy out to 1000 miles.

If you tow with brand new gears you will create excessive heat. Changing the properties of the metal. Causing them to wear out prematurely. So take it easy on a new rig.

I had to retire my old '92 chev 6.5diesel with 287,000 miles. I have the 04 lb7 for my self which I very much like and personally don't trust the 6.0 L International engine. I needed a simple standard cab work truck to pull my cow trailer. I thought i would test drive a Dodge again since I own 3 of the 24 valve variety and they have never let me down (except for lift pump replacements). Went to the local dealer and they had exactly what I was looking for. It was an 2004.5 325/600 with auto and it was a plain ole standard cab no frills truck. I drove it and WOW! Man I am impressed with it. Wish Dodge had a full crew cab and the 600 torque engine when I was in the market for my personal truck. Anyway I bought it on the spot. They gave me 7.5 grand off msrp. For me the perfect work truck.