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INTRODUCING THE NEW 2013 RAM HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS
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As you'll read in the report, the RAM folks introduced the new 2013 trucks at the State Fair of Texas last Thursday (September 29, 2012). We worked to a four page report for the upcoming TDR #78 magazine and wanted to quickly share the text with TDR web members. Here is the story. You'll like the horsepower and torque ratings!
Robert Patton
TDR Staff
THE NEW 2013 RAM HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS
Definition: back.ground.er: noun, an off-the-record briefing for reporters
The term “backgrounder” was used for the Ram press conference on September 27 at the Texas State Fair where the 2013 Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks were unveiled to the public. Although I had not used the word before, the on-line Webster dictionary states that the first known use of “backgrounder” was in 1960. Once again I find myself behind the times. Regardless of the fine points of usage, what was learned at the Ram presentation? First off, it was a presentation by Ram—not Dodge, not Dodge Ram—simply Ram. We are all familiar with Chrysler’s new branding of the truck as Ram, effective back in the 2009/2010 timeframe. However, traditionalists continued with the “Dodge” nomenclature and insisted that it could only be called “Ram” if there was a new entry on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate designating Ram as the manufacturer. However, my VIN research for positions 1-3 of the VIN shows they were using “Chrysler Group LLC-Truck” as far back as 2005, before the Cerberus Capital Management ownership. Others tell me that position 5 has recently been changed from “D” to “R”. Regardless, to make it an official stand-alone Ram truck took time: lots of legal and government mumbo-jumbo to go through, not to mention separate franchise agreements which every Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and now Ram dealership was required to sign. So let it be known: the 2013 truck is a Ram. The Ram franchises have been signed. Okay, back to the Ram backgrounder: The Webster definition suggests that a backgrounder is an “off the record” briefing. Perhaps I should modify my definition of backgrounder to read “product presentation that still allows for surprises, interleaved with unequivocal, take-it-to-the-bank fact.” Such was the take-away from the Texas unveiling: there are still some surprises to be revealed at a location and date to be determined. Did the Texas backgrounder serve its PR purpose, to build anticipation for the new-and-improved, and leave me wanting still more facts? Without a doubt. Let’s jump into the material that I can share with you.
 The new 2013 Heavy-Duty truck.
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TDR Issue 77 (August/September/October, 2012) is in the Mail!
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Issue 77 of the Turbo Diesel Register went out in the mail on Friday, August 3, 2012. Domestic addresses should allow 10 - 14 days for delivery. International addresses (including Canada) should allow 2 - 3 weeks.
So far, we are hearing favorable comments about the cover. It is a compilation of photographs that were submitted for past TDR Member calendars. Congratulations to each of you for these great photographs - Chris Gray, Manuel Capdevila, Eric Spurlock, Lars Wells, Derrill Barnickle, David McNall, Pat McQuada, Paul Mierop, Robert Herzberg, Charles Stockton, Neil Winnemore, Tim Allread, Mark Yeary, Edwin Green, James Arnold, and Tim Sims! I think you'll like this cover. Please note that we have begun accepting submissions for the 2013 Turbo Diesel Calendar. So get your cameras and cell phones out and start snapping some photographs. We anxiously await your submission.
In addition to this great cover, what else can you expect in Issue 77?
Test your knowledge of the Third Generation truck by critiquing the editor's, "Technical Topics" article on, "Wish I'd Known That . . . " where I try to identify the '03 - '09 trucks' strengths and weaknesses. Let us know if there are things I overlooked by sending me a quick e-mail by clicking here.
In Issue 77 I asked the writers to include their thoughts about a "wish I'd known that" moment as related to the ownership of their truck. Their "known that" stories are about fast cars, women, alcohol, marriage, gambling, etc. and provided me great entertainment. Unfortunately, while funny, most did not make it to the final copy you will receive.
The theme came from a new TDR member. They key motivation behind the purchase of his truck was "the legendary Cummins engine." But he was having trouble dialing in the truck. Pesky problems had him perplexed. Eventually he found the TDR and helpful TDR members came to the rescue. He sent me a letter praising the website members and expressing his sincere appreciation for all of the help.
Other articles include:
- Do you need extra filtration for your '03 and newer high pressure common rail (HPCR) engine?
- Writers Holmes, Leno, Anderson, Dagleish and Donnelly give us lots of service, parts and accessory updates.
- Doug Leno gives us an update on Third Generation suspension components.
- Robert Schwarzli gives us a look at the new 2013 RAM 1500. What might this foreshadow for our 2500/3500 trucks?
- CMEP celebrates 20 years of engine production.
- Kevin Cameron takes us back to the 1940's to help us understand today's diesel engine.
Enjoy Issue 77, and please spread the word about the Turbo Diesel Register.
Robert Patton
Editor, TDR
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TDR Issue 76 (May/June/July, 2012) is in the Mail!
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 TDR Members, Issue 76 was mailed from the printer’s facility on April 30, 2012. Please allow 10 – 14 days for delivery to your mailbox.
Issue 76 is destined to be one of your favorites. How so? Remember the one-year long, everything you ever wanted to know about engine lube oils expose written by John Martin back in 2007 (TDR Issues 54 – 58)? Its focus was on the change from the oil specification CI+4 to CJ. John helped us to understand why the change was not necessarily for the better. For the most part you can no longer purchase the old CI+4 specification oil. So who has the best CJ lubricant? John helps us find out in his article, “Lube Oils – Version 2012.”
Another reason that Issue 76 is one of our favorites is an article that looks at fuel transfer pumps for the Third Generation trucks with specific emphasis on the ’05 and newer trucks, which have the transfer pump in the fuel tank. Inspired by TDR Writer, David Magnoli’ s dual fuel transfer pump arrangement (Issue 69, page 67, “Parallel (Duplicate) Lift Pumps”), I crawled under my 2010 truck and installed a duplicate transfer pump and filter. I hope you will learn something from my trials by reading “Fool Transfer Pump Retrofit.”
As the theme for Issue 76, I asked the writers to cite any articles, website discussions, or unique truck items that they might have seen at a show or rally and tell us how they were inspired to make a change to their truck. You will be entertained and enlightened by their responses.
What else is in Issue 76?
- A continuation of our discussion on the price of gasoline versus diesel fuel in our “BITW” column.
- Writer Greg Whale talks about a “Bunch of Whiners.”
- Writer Mark Barnes discusses “Customer Service.”
- Writer Kevin Cameron tells us about “Piston Evolution.”
- Writers John Holmes, Andy Redmond, Jim Anderson, Joe Donnelly and Scott Dalgleish give us lots of service, parts and accessory updates in their columns.
- Writer Robert Patton gives you a follow up on accessories installed on the 2010 project, Mr. Schwarz.
And on the cover of Issue 76, check out Jerry Jason's truck as he splashes his way through the Gulf of Mexico. Nice shot, Jerry!
Enjoy Issue 76, and please spread the word about our membership group.
Robert Patton
Editor, Turbo Diesel Register
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TDR Issue 75 is in the Mail! (February 3, 2012)
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 TDR Members, be on the lookout for the latest issue of the Turbo Diesel Register. It was mailed on February 3, 2012. I asked the writers to have some fun with the tried-and-true practice of newsstand hooks. However, ours being a technical journal, I’m not going to put on the cover some of the outrageous titles that I’ve recently seen. For example:
“Never Replace Your Brakes Again”
“Finally a Transmission That Can’t Be Broken
“Doomsday Diesel: Be Ready for the Apocalypse,” and my
favorite, “Sell Your House, Stop Paying Rent, Live in Your Diesel”
Call me gullible. I purchased the magazines. Upon reflection, the idiom “a fool and his money are soon parted” certainly fits the sequence of events at the bookstore checkout stand. The point of this rambling: I’d like to give you an honest and sincere thank you for your membership with the TDR. Your helpfulness at our website and the spot-on technical information that you guys and gals freely share with one another makes this membership group the number one resource for Dodge/Cummins technical information. Again, thank you!
Now, what is in Issue 75?
One year ago writer David Magnoli wrote “Everything you need to know about exhaust brakes.” In this issue he tackles everything you need to know about auxiliary fuel tanks. Both the exhaust brake and the fuel tank articles should be added to the Turbo Diesel Buyer’s Guide. Oops, while I’m at it, I should add James Walker’s expose on brakes and brake pads in Issues 50 to 54. Oops, how about air intake systems form Issue 56 and 59. Oops, how about lube oils from Issues 55 to 58. Wow, we have really covered a lot of topics. Also in this issue:
• New shocks and new seats in “Member to Member.”
• 67.5k service help in “6.7 HPCR.”
• Understanding new towing standards in “BITW.”
Writers Holmes, Dagleish, Anderson, Donnelly and Redmond give us lots of service, parts and accessory updates in their columns.
Enjoy Issue 75 and please spread the word about our membership group.
Robert Patton
Editor
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TDR Issue 74 Is In The Mail (November 10, 2011)
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Issue 74 of the Turbo Diesel Register magazine was mailed from the printer’s facility in Greenville, SC the week of November 7 – 10, 2011. Some last minute problems with the 2012 TDR Calendar caused us to be about a week late in mailing the magazine. Please allow 10 – 14 days for delivery to your mailbox.
My experience has been that the first calendar to arrive is the one that gets put up on the wall for planning. We are hopeful that the 2012 TDR Calendar finds a place of importance in your home, office, or garage. You will want to take a minute to review the Tech Tips and product specials featured in each month of the calendar.
What else is in the TDR for Issue 74?
- As it is with every TDR magazine, you will find members helping members in our columns that are specific to the different engines and generations of the trucks. Thanks, Members, for your input!
- Exhaust gas temperature gauge evaluation by Jim Weir.
- Everything you ever wanted to know about steering, the death wobble, and replacement of suspension parts by Brent Boxall and Andy Redmond.
- What is the cost of regeneration on the 6.7-liter engine? With data from my Edge Insight digital monitor, I have computed the cost-per-mile, and it is less than you might think.
- Issue 74 contains our annual summary of Dodge Technical Service Bulletins.
- An update on the most frequent trouble codes is provided by John Holmes.
- For those of you with Second Generation trucks, Scott Dalgleish starts his up-fit as he pushes the old 12-valve engine for more horsepower.
- Joe Donnelly talks you through the steps to replace a vacuum pump seal.
And be sure to take a look at this issue's cover. This Fourth Generation truck continues to do well in the marketplace. We could not resist this photo from new truck owner, Gene Tolliver. Gene has the basics covered with his 2500 4x4, no frills ST equipped truck. With the chain saws in the background, I have to assume he is cutting firewood for the winter. Thank you, Gene, for this great photo!
As always, I thank you for your support of the Turbo Diesel Register and hope you enjoy reading Issue 74.
Robert Patton
Editor, Turbo Diesel Register
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