Issue 61 is in the mail! This letter from TDR Member, Tim Murphy, is an excellent lead in to discuss TDR Issue 61:
I have subscribed to the TDR since 2002 when I bought my truck. To me, it is the bible for our Dodge Cummins rigs. I have reviewed articles and read through the forums to get some insight into the timing of fuel delivery to improve fuel mileage. I have no interest in getting more power out of the engine. I would like to maintain reliability and longevity. I plan on towing a 25' trailer of about 4,000 - 6,000 lbs.
My truck is a '02 4x4, auto, 3.54 rear end, short bed. I have full gauges including fuel pressure, EGT, boost and tranny temp; an ATS exhaust manifold, 4" exhaust, and soon to purchase intake manifold.
Do you have any recommendations to improve my mileage while maintaining reliability?
Thanks in advance.
Tim Murphy TDR Member
Tim, as you can imagine, fuel mileage is the topic that dominates the correspondence here at the Turbo Diesel Register. Besides the obvious (air pressure in tires, clean air filters, removal of excess weight, etc.) we focused TDR Issue 61 on cost-effective solutions. We start Issue 61 with a revisit of placebo parts. The text should serve to entertain and make you laugh.
Then we move into a look at the timing of fuel delivery. The article about fuel mileage and timing does not specifically discuss the Edge product. But it does give the reader some test data from Mark Chapple at TST Products showing the positive MPG effects that timing can have on your engine. Additionally, you'll read Marco Castano's [MADS (Smarty) Electronics] comments that timing may net a 1 - 1.5 MPG gain. See our Technical Topics article, "It's About the (Fuel) Economy, Stupid."
What else is in Issue 61?
- In the search for fuel economy, TDR Writer Joe Donnelly discusses engine timing and gives the readers the "How To" for models '89 up to '07 engines.
- There is ample discussion about the new 6.7-liter engine that resulted from open house meetings that Cummins conducted in April and May. We captured the correspondence in our "Cummins Column."
- Product evaluations on Pacbrake, Transfer Flow, ATS, Turbo Re-Source and Scan Gauge products.
- The annual TDR index.
- An invitation to submit your photographs for the 2009 TDR Calendar.
I hope you enjoy Issue 61 and continue to spread the word about the Turbo Diesel Register.
TDR Issue 60 was mailed from our printer's facility from April 28 - May 2, 2008. Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep.
Issue 60's theme: we are celebrating 15 years of the Turbo Diesel Register. When the magazine arrives at your doorstep, you may be polarized by its art deco cover. On the inside, you'll find a surprise or two or three.
What can you expect in Issue 60? This anniversary issue sparked the creative efforts of Greg Whale as he composed a quiz for the TDR audience. How much TDR/Dodge/Cummins trivia do you know? Find out by taking Greg's "Are You A Diesel Dufus?" quiz on page 116, or take it online by clicking here: Are you a Diesel Dufus? Hey, there are prizes involved, so get busy and take the quiz.
Greg's quiz required back issue research, and I was also forced to go back to an old magazine in an effort to understand the plight of the aftermarket performance vendors in the new world of NOx and particulate emission control for the 6.7-liter engine. Blending old information with new, you'll find my report on page 50.
- Joe Donnelly does a follow-up on compound turbochargers.
- Holmes, Dalgleish, and Leno evaluate new products.
- Whale, St. Laurent, Mikonis and Patton review the new 2009 Dodge Ram.
- Whale, Freund, Patton and Cameron give you something to think about in their discussions on diesels, fuel mileage, diesel prices and government mandates.
Finally, your 2008 TDR Member decal is inserted into the cover wrap. I am hopeful it finds a place alongside your 2007 decal that was already prominently displayed on your truck.
Thank you to all of the TDR membership for your unyielding support over these many years.
Another Turbo Diesel Register in 2010? What do you think about the possibility of a Nissan with a Cummins Turbo Diesel? Here is a link to an article we found at http://www.reuters.com titled, "Nissan to build light work trucks in Mississippi." Take a look and express your thoughts. We know you'll have a few.
Traveling with TDR Writer, Sam Memmolo, last week, we discussed a whole lot of stuff. One topic we tossed around was ways to have a some fun on the TDR website. We both agreed that the best way to generate some fun would be to give something away. So, let’s give a $100 diesel fuel card away. Consider your response to the following:
“If I knew then, what I know now . . . .” And no, we do not want to hear about your sex life or marital woes. We do want to hear about your turbo diesel exploits.
To be included in this drawing, you simply need to post your response to this question. We will put the name of all TDR Members who respond to our challenge into a hat on Sunday, March 16, and we will draw one lucky TDR Member to receive a $100 diesel fuel card.
Gentlemen (and ladies), start your posts.
Robert Patton Editor, TDR
* * *
Updated: March 17, 2008. And the winner of the $100 fuel card (to be mailed on Monday morning) is . . . (drum roll please) . . .
TDR Issue 59 was mailed from our printer's facility this week (January 28 - February 1, 2008). Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep.
Issue 59's theme is, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Realize that that the assignment was made to TDR Writers back in October, so their comments did not take into account the newly unveiled 2009 Dodge Ram. We'll have them share their views on this truck in the next Issue of the Turbo Diesel Register.
I didn't know how the writers would respond to this theme. Yet again, they managed to address this topic while providing insightful information on a number of technical issues relating to our trucks:
- Clutches. Leno, Holmes and Anderson discuss clutch repair.
- 6.7-Liter Engine. Writers Patton, Holmes, Anderson and Mikonis share their experiences working on the 6.7-liter engine and driving '07.5 trucks with the new engine.
- Batteries. Writers Holmes and Anderson discuss problems that often occur with batteries in the winter months.
- NV4500 Fifth Gear Nut. Anderson and Nelson give updates on the problem that continues to plague this gearbox.
- Steep Learning Curves. Patton, Holmes, Memmolo and Cameron talk about their 6.7-liter engine and the steep learning curve that Dodge and Cummins are experiencing with this engine. Note that Kevin Cameron's "Getting It Right" article is particularly insightful.
- SEMA Show. Several writers attended the show and have written about their impressions. After attending for the past eleven years, I can assure you that there were not any earth-shattering new products released at 2007's show.
In addition to these articles, what else can you expect in Issue 59? Well, in the past five issues we've been talking about lube oil. I'm thinking that this issue's correspondence by John Martin will be the conclusion to our technical discussion. Martin shares with us comments from others in the lube oil business about the CJ and CI lube oil products.
You'll also see a follow-up article on my personal Mega Cab long-bed conversion. I am very impressed with the truck. I hope you enjoy my insights. The only problem? Where to park when in crowded urban areas.
And in an attempt to address the ever popular question of air intake systems, we've included a five-page update that discusses air density and its impact on your engine.
Don't forget, we've included the 2008 Travel Companion in this mailing. I'd like to express my personal appreciation for all of you who offer assistance to other TDR Members. It is this kind of community alliance that makes us what we are. We get telephone calls regularly from stranded TDR Members seeking help while traveling. And in almost every case we get a follow up call passing on praise for the TDR Member who rendered help.
I'm hopeful you will enjoy this 144-page issue of the Turbo Diesel Register.
The Fourteenth Annual May Madness will be held on May 5–10, 2008 in Pahrump, Nevada.
Other brands of diesel trucks will be welcome in addition to Cummins-powered Dodges. We plan to hold most events at Saitta-Trudeau Dodge, at the nearby Pahrump Nugget (the host hotel), and at Preferred RV (the host RV Park).
This year we will again have high quality polo shirts with the logos sewn above the pocket. These shirts are suitable for more formal activities than T-shirts, and we got a great deal on them. You will like them!
To an outsider it would appear that each issue of the TDR has a different problem du jour. We could go back and chronicle the various problems, but that’s the reason for the phenomenal index that was supplied by Bob Vallier and published in previous Issues: 57, 53, 49 and 45. Prior to Bob’s summaries, indexes in Issues 41, 37, 33, 29, 25, 21, and 17 were compiled by Clay Maxam. We are indebted to Bob and Clay for their many hours of research.
Although some will dwell on the problems, the majority of TDR members take the initiative to solve/correct anticipate/prepare for a future situation. That’s what the TDR is all about!
Surprisingly, there have been comments by those unfamiliar with the truck (a prospective buyer of either a new or used truck, or a visitor on the internet or at the truck show) that “the Turbo Diesel certainly has its share of problems.” To them, no doubt, the grass looks greener on the other side. However, thanks to the TDR membership group and the support from Chrysler and Cummins, we are equipped with answers and solutions, rather than the dismay and isolation that would exist without a support group.
With that brief introduction out of the way, Issue 58 includes our yearly review of Dodge Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) issued to date (8/2007).
Previously, Dodge vehicle TSBs were published in CD format and were available for purchase in July/August. As a service to the members we would purchase the TSB directory and then search through the CD to isolate only those bulletins relating to the Turbo Diesel truck.
The TSB directory is no longer available. However, the service that replaces it is an improvement. Armed with your truck’s vehicle identification number (VIN) and a credit card you can log on to www.techauthority.com and, for $20.00, you can view/print all of the TSBs that apply to your vehicle.
Using several VINs from years 2003 to 2007.5 we downloaded the TSBs and have summarized the subject, the description of the problem, and the corrective action. Should you need the entire text, you should consult your dealer or use the www.techauthority.com web site to purchase the bulletin(s) pertaining to your truck. See page 102 for further information on TechAuthority.
In an effort to consolidate the TSBs for the magazine, we use the same index system categories as Chrysler. Below are the index categories.
A note concerning the TSBs and their use: The bulletins are intended to provide dealers with the latest repair information. Often the TSB is specific to the VIN. VIN data on the Chrysler service network helps the dealer in his service efforts. A TSB is not an implied warranty.
Issue 58 was mailed week ending November 9, 2007 from our printer's facility in Anderson, SC. Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep. International subscribers, you're in luck. Your magazines were mailed week ending November 2, 2007 from our offices in Atlanta, GA. Your magazines should also arrive over the next 10 - 14 days.
What is in Issue 58? As the Chrysler Group drafts its key personnel, we take a look at those personalities in our BITW Column.
Yet, the real highlight for most Turbo Diesel owners may well be the continuing saga of the CJ Spec lube oil.
Here at the TDR offices, we've purchased a new '07.5 Mega cab, long bed with the 6.7-liter engine. In Issue 58 we asked our writers to revisit the topic of "best truck accessories" to help us dial in the new '07.5. You'll enjoy reading about their favorite things.
Writers Doug Leno and Scott Dalgleish talk about a common goal of 500hp from a HPCR 5.9-liter engine. It is interesting to watch them in their quest for horsepower through their informative "How To" articles.
Andy Mikonis follows up with the "Ask the Engineer" questions covering the Chrysler 68RFE automatic transmission that web readers submitted. Editor's Note: In my 7,500 miles with the new transmission, it is a great gearbox.
As is a yearly occurrence, we've summarized Dodge's Technical Service Bulletins for the year '06 - '07.
Last - but certainly not least - another yearly occurrence, the TDR 2008 calendar will be shipped with Issue 58. This year we had over 250 entries, and the photo quality was excellent. Did you make the final 12? Congratulations to everyone who had a truck published in this calendar, and thank you to all who participated. It is time now to start working on your entries for 2009.
As always, I sincerely hope you will enjoy this issue of the TDR.
At a minimum Jay Leno would not have immediately alienated a majority of the customers, dealers, and employeees.
Or am I misguided? Nardelli supporters, speak up. You have a forum to do so at the end of this editorial.
Back to "am I misguided?" As I searched for editorial and talked to others in the business, I was directed to the following website, and this rant by Peter DeLorenzo.
I was looking for an insiders view, and I found it. DeLorenzo minces no words in his assessment of the New Chrysler.
Looks like we've got five years.
You know, Jay Leno is not such a bad idea. He's a great public figure with a spotless reputation. He is funny, and most importantly, he is a car guy. The American public would eat it up. Bring Roger Penske in to do the behind-the-scenes work. As one who was in the trucks at Cummins when Penske took over Detroit Diesel, it was amazing to watch him bring back a company that was down to only 5% of the Class 8 truck engine marketplace.
Leno and Penske . . . what do you think? My idea is nowhere near as absurd as Bob Nardelli.
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I've been a long-time interweb user.I use search motors to help me find stuff. That's how I found you'ns at the TRD. Uh, TDR.I've even used Internet Exploder once or twice when I got the...
So this guy comes into Dunkin Donuts in his AIG sweatshirt, and his date has on a Merrill Lynch ball cap. I guess there was something about the couple that just caught my eye beca...
Issue 61 is in the mail! This letter from TDR Member, Tim Murphy, is an excellent lead in to discuss TDR Issue 61:
printer version
TDR Issue 60 was mailed from our printer's facility from April 28 - May 2, 2008. Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep.
visit site
Traveling with TDR Writer, Sam Memmolo, last week, we discussed a whole lot of stuff. One topic we tossed around was ways to have a some fun on the TDR website. We both agreed that the best way to generate some fun would be to give something away. So, let’s give a $100 diesel fuel card away. Consider your response to the following:
TDR Issue 59 was mailed from our printer's facility this week (January 28 - February 1, 2008). Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep. 
Issue 58 was mailed week ending November 9, 2007 from our printer's facility in Anderson, SC. Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep. International subscribers, you're in luck. Your magazines were mailed week ending November 2, 2007 from our offices in Atlanta, GA. Your magazines should also arrive over the next 10 - 14 days. 
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