The Ram CTD

[tweet]

Michael,
Wow! The new Ram 2500 is a fantastic looking machine. Several of our Airstream friends have those and love them. The Cummins Turbo Diesel is the real deal. We really enjoy watching the shocked expressions on the faces of 5-series Bimmer owners in the rear view mirror of our F-350 6.7L turbo diesel. Nothing like 900 ft lbs of torque to mess with unsuspecting drivers on an onramp.

I look forward to reading your first impressions and seeing it with the lift kit. Congratulations!

[Yamaki]

Thanks, Terry!

I've done the suspension level, got the tires and wheels on it, the tint, the bed liner and a cold air intake.

[jdandy]

Michael.......The RAM is looking real good.

[tweet]

Michael,

Man, that was a serious transformation. Gear up! The lift kit and tires makes that one serious looking Ram 2500. Love it!

I ordered the factory spray in bedliner in my F-350 and really like it compared to my last drop-in liner. It takes up a lot less room and seems more durable. Not to mention better looking. Hope you enjoy it with your Ram.

Congratulations again on a beautiful new truck. Sorry for the pain to get there but looks like you're coming out in good shape.

Happy motoring, my friend!

[Yamaki]

Thank you, gents. It's coming together nicely, even if I say so myself.

[Yamaki]

Since I purchased my 2017 CTD at the end of March, I've experienced 5 CEL's associated with random misfires and DPF regen failures. In one case the vehicle went into limp mode while on a road trip and left me on the side of the road awaiting road service.

After a cool down and clearing that specific code, I was back on the road and had no further issues until another random misfire code popped up 200+ miles later.

The analysis by several dealer technicians over a series of visits and code clearing has been inconclusive and no root cause has been found however the techs consensus was the DPF system has an intermittent fault. My neighbor had the same problem after buying his truck new in 2016.

So, it is time for a change related to the DPF system, specifically, removing the system.

I handed over the truck to the shop last Thursday for a DPF system removal, EGR cooler and throttle valve delete with new turbo back piping to the stock muffler, a custom tune and some transmission tuning as well.

Here's a video of the stock system at cold start up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfMpXK8XRYA

I got it back last Friday and.... Holy Moly!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpK2ckRd2gk

It is a totally different truck. The throttle response is quick and crisp, it definitely sounds different, shifts have firmed up and the truck is so much more fun to drive.

All in all, a very good upgrade to do.

Next up, a MPG test!

[mtroo]

Originally Posted by Yamaki

Since I purchased my 2017 CTD at the end of March, I've experienced 5 CEL's associated with random misfires and DPF regen failures. In one case the vehicle went into limp mode while on a road trip and left me on the side of the road awaiting road service.

After a cool down and clearing that specific code, I was back on the road and had no further issues until another random misfire code popped up 200+ miles later.

The analysis by several dealer technicians over a series of visits and code clearing has been inconclusive and no root cause has been found however the techs consensus was the DPF system has an intermittent fault. My neighbor had the same problem after buying his truck new in 2016.

So, it is time for a change related to the DPF system, specifically, removing the system.

I handed over the truck to the shop last Thursday for a DPF system removal, EGR cooler and throttle valve delete with new turbo back piping to the stock muffler, a custom tune and some transmission tuning as well.

Here's a video of the stock system at cold start up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfMpXK8XRYA

I got it back last Friday and.... Holy Moly!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpK2ckRd2gk

It is a totally different truck. The throttle response is quick and crisp, it definitely sounds different, shifts have firmed up and the truck is so much more fun to drive.

All in all, a very good upgrade to do.

Next up, a MPG test!

CEL? DPF? I need to do some research. Will your modifications void the warranty?

[mtroo]

Check engine light!
Hmmm. DPF......

[Yamaki]

CEL = Check engine light

DPF = Diesel Particulate Filter

So lots of sensor and code errors came up.

The codes indicated a problem in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) but none of the three dealers seemed to know anything about the issue nor did they solve the problems. Tired of constant issues, I decided to remove the offending system.

Did it void my warranty? No, not on the entire truck. If the modifications I performed did not cause a failure of an original equipment part, then I still have warranty. If the modification caused a failure of an original equipment part then that part is no longer warranted.

Let's say my radio/head unit failed after I did an exhaust modification. There is no way the dealer can void my warranty on the head unit as there is no way the modification would have affected that piece of the truck.

Conversely, if I did an exhaust modification and ended up cooking a hole through my fuel tank because the muffler was too big, then I cannot expect the dealer to warranty repairs to the fuel tank. That would all be on me.

But since I removed this system, which weighs about 250 pounds in total, I expect fewer issues from that system :|, fewer CELs, better performance and better fuel mileage.

Of course, the tuning package I purchased may have something to do with the better performance as well.

[Formerly YB-2]

Nice truck!! My sister has used Dodge diesels (Cummins - usually a dualie) to haul her horses all over TX, OK, CO & NM for years. Gets great service from them.