You'd probably be astounded by the number of emails we receive like the following:
I just wanted to thank you. Last weekend my wife and I took a long weekend trip to Gatlinburg,Tennessee. During the trip, we lost the lift pump, and it cost me $1,100 to have a local dealer replace it. Now that I'm a TDR subscriber, I am able to look up information on my 24-valve '98.5. I won't get caught unprepared again.
Or like this one:
Question 1: I own a '98.5 Dodge Turbo Diesel. At 79,000 miles, it began to idle erratically. I changed the fuel filter which solved the problem for a few days. And back it came. Is it time for a new lift pump? I do not have a fuel pressure gauge installed. Our response 1: It could be a new transfer pump is needed. Or a new VP44 (expensive). Either way, you will not know until you install a gauge. So that is your first priority. Install a gauge to see what fuel pressure you have.
Our email discussion continued with question 2: How much pressure do I need, and what's a VP44? If it is a transfer pump, is there a suitable alternative to the stocker?
Considering about 500,000 trucks were produced during model years '98.5 - '02, this Achilles heel will not go away soon. It is an unfortunate story as this deficiency can be corrected. If the TDR could only reach the balance of the 499,999 truck owners . . . . A TDR subscription prevents problems before they occur.
Conclusion: Since 1993, the goal of the Turbo Diesel Register has been to give Turbo Diesel owners more satisfaction in the ownership of their Dodge pickups. To do so, we focus on solving problems that you may encounter; inform you on areas for improvement; advise you about aftermarket parts and their performance; keep you up to date on all aspects of truck development; and provide you with information on industry trends. At the same time that we're supplying the technical nuts-and-bolts, the TDR provides you with some EZ chair entertainment and gives members a sense of community.
Using the fuel transfer pump saga that applies to 500,000 or more '98.5 - '02 owners, I hope we have given you an example of how a TDR subscription will benefit you.
But first, a note about its contents. I am sure you know the guy or gal who cannot complete the task because a small detail is missing. That has been the case with this Buyer's Guide. It was originally produced in 2002. We then updated it each year thereafter. Along the way, some of the photography was lost. Along the way Chrysler became DaimlerChrysler and now Chrysler LLC. Along the way, there have been technical service updates. Along the way we made corrections and waited. And waited. And waited.
Then we realized that it is 99.9% complete, and we decided to wait no longer. Here it is!
This 146-page .pdf TDR Buyer's Guide represents years of research. It contains a wealth of helpful information for new truck or new-to-diesel owners.
There was a debate among the staff and writers and members about who should have access to this file. In the end, we have opted to make the information available to everyone. We know that web-only viewers have come to realize that the internet is really not free. With this in mind, the TDR staff, writers and members would ask you to consider joining the Turbo Diesel Register. We have no doubt the information we can provide will prove valuable to you. To learn more about the Turbo Diesel Register or to subscribe, click here.
Issue 64 of the Turbo Diesel Register is being mailed out week beginning April 27, 2009. Current subscribers within the United States, please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery. International subscribers should allow 14 - 21 days for delivery.
In Issue 64, the TDR Membership is challenged to "Turn off the television, and go outside to play!"
Our focus is on what makes the world of the Turbo Diesel Truck go round, thus helping you maintain your truck. We've not wasted any ink on the "blues of the day." You can get that in abundance on the radio, television and other internet outlets.
Although the page count is 124 pages (versus the 132 pages in Issue 63), there is more information available to TDR Members in this issue. Some of the articles you will find in Issue 64 include:
- Automatic transmission fluid change. - Steering improvements using an aftermarket steering dampener. - TDR Member maintenance tips. - Fuel filter leaks discussed in First Generation and 24-Valve Columns. - Injector advice in the 5.9 HPCR Column. - A lengthy discussion on diagnostic trouble codes for the 6.7-liter engine. - New TSBs for the 6.7-liter engine. - New fuel filter assembly for the 6.7-liter engine. - Media gibberish and irresponsible reporting. - Try a bottle of "Noo-Life" for your fuel system and our discussion of fuel additives - again! - A look at the 2010 Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel. - Long-time writers Holmes, Donnelly, Leno and Redmond discuss new product installations on their trucks.
We are confident that you will enjoy Issue 64.
Spread the word about the TDR! And as always, thank you for your continued support.
Issue 63 of the Turbo Diesel Register was mailed out week ending January 30, 2009. Current subscribers within the United States, please allow 10 to 14 days for delivery. International subscribers should allow 14 to 21 days for delivery.
Our goal is for Issue 63 is to provide a much needed break from the never-ending media pounding of the economy, the Chrysler saga, and the other media negatives. What specifically is in Issue 63? Aside from Automotive Journalist Greg Whale’s discussion of the auto business, we consciously did not cover the woes of the auto industry as the stories are changing daily. Issue 63 contains 132 pages of meaningful Turbo Diesel discussion like:
- Fuel Economy Follow-Up - Transfer pump Discussion in 12-Valve, 24-Valve and 5.9 HPCR columns - New Technical Service Bulletins for the 6.7 HPCR - Industry News on the Next Emissions Hurdles - Mega Cab, Long Box Update - A lengthy report on extended idling - A letter to the TDR Membership from Lyle Cummins - Long-term writers Holmes, Nielsen, Donnelly, Dalgleish, Redmond and Leno discuss various new product installations on their trucks
I thought out loud, “This is what the TDR is all about! Members helping members with the website and magazine as channels for the flow of information.”
I captured Harvey’s comments and added them to an article that I had already written for Issue 62 of the Turbo Diesel Register which will be out in November, 2008. The preview of this article is available here: http://www.turbodieselregister.com/tdrarticles/tdrarticle62_fuelfilterchange.pdf We sent Harvey $100 today and decided to officially announce a “TDR Common-Sense Tip Contest.”
So here goes:
1. Using Harvey Barlow’s tip as a guide (his tip pointed out that since the 6.7-liter engine’s introduction, the audience has overlooked the obvious), submit your Common-Sense Tip in the new “TDR Common Sense Tips from TDR Members” forum (http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/common-sense-tips-tdr-members/).
2. The contest will run through November 30, 2008.
3. The top ten tips will be selected and published in the Turbo Diesel Register.
4. The best tip, as judged by the TDR staff, will be recognized in the TDR Magazine and will be sent a $100 check. The second the third place tips will also be recognized in the TDR magazine and will be sent a $50 gift certificate to Geno’s Garage. The other submissions will be given honorable mention status and will be published in the Turbo Diesel Register magazine.
5. Get busy!
You web guys and gals share LOTS of information that does not make it to print. The writers and I try to capture data, and it is important to do so. We’ve got some good stuff on our website, but we need to get it into the magazine for all TDR members to benefit from. Participate in the “Become a TDR Writer” contest, and let’s get the information to the masses!
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Issue 64 of the Turbo Diesel Register is being mailed out week beginning April 27, 2009. Current subscribers within the United States, please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery. International subscribers should allow 14 - 21 days for delivery. 
Harvey Barlow wins TDR Common-Sense Tip Contest! 