OK, this is the first time I am seriously looking into a CTD for purchase, I mean I test drove a 6.7 the last time my truck was in for service, but now I am looking to buy and need to know what to look for. The one I am looking at tomorrow is an 05 with 68K miles, anything I need to know?

Here are some things I picked up by scanning the forums here:
•The 05 Autos may be a little weak, so I should check over the tranny
•The end tanks on the IC are plastic on some 05's (is this a super bad thing or just something to keep in mind that I would need to change for better cooling?)
•The control arms should be looked at
•The lift pump may need to be replaced soon (but it sounds like an easy thing to do)

Is there anything else I should look at for this or any CTD truck I am thinking about buying?

Thanks,
John P.

 

see if the u jionts have been replaced all of them, if it a dealer make sure all the updated have been done.

 

OK, I just got back from looking at this truck and it looks like the previous owner did some mods, so from that is there anything to worry about?

What I saw/found today:
05 2500 QC 4X4 w/68K miles
•All seals and bushings look good
•Truck ran well (more on that later)
•some slight body imperfections (scratches, slight dents, and slightly faded plastic)

So here goes the mods I found traces of:
•I found a barb type thing tapped into the intake track with vacuum line that was plug, I assume for a boost gauge, I also noticed a clip missing on the A-pillar cover so assume they previous owner had the boost gauge or other gauges there
•when under the truck i noticed it didn't have a muffler, just a straight 4-5 inch (didn't actually measure it) pipe welded in, the pipe goes about 2-3 inches past the cab and just stops there under the bed
•Also when under the truck I found exhaust hangers welded into place that looked like they had a dual exhaust setup at some point

Now, onto the test drive...
The truck felt great but I think there was some turbo lag, but not sure since I am not used to CTD's. If I just stomped the throttle from a dead stop there was a delay then it took off like a bat out of hell. If taking off from a stop normally, I felt it too and there was a hell of a pull with about 1/2 throttle. Now why do I say I think there was a lag, well a couple times I couldn't tell if it was spinning the tires or just lag, but under brisk acceleration maybe 3/4 throttle from a stop it felt like it was lagging, but once it was moving it was breaking the tires loose and had some slight wheel hop, so it makes me wonder if instead of lag I was just no moving because the wheels were spinning, but when I put it in 4WD and tried the same thing there was still a delay from hitting the throttle and it start accelerating with the grunt expected. So, is that normal behavior for a truck with no muffler or is there something to look into? This truck once moving felt stronger than any of the other CTD's I tested today. I could never really get this truck under load even steep highway on ramps, to hear how loud the truck may be under load or while towing...

I also tested another 05 QC 4x4 but it had less milage and was a laramie with leather and all that that my wife wasn't into especially for 8K more than the others we were looking at, and honestly this one with the stock exhaust was louder at idle then the one above with the straight pipe, and it felt like the other CTD's I have test driven, and a little less powerful than the one above once moving.

I also looked at an 07 5.9 QC 4x4 truck, but it had more body issues than we wanted to deal with, but it felt like the laramie above.

So I test drove 3 5.9 trucks today, 2 stock looking and feeling ones, and the one that had mods, and felt stronger once moving but had a slight lag, we are leaning towards the one with the mods, but are also wondering if there are anythings to worry about. Any thoughts?

 

the turbo lag is normal. even though you drive a gasser feels different don't it? .the exhaust is missing after the cab and stops under the bed need to finish the exhaust to the back of the truck you will get fumes in the truck and the wife will be UNHAPPY they most likely pulled the duel exhaust off then sold it or selling it. does it have the resonator on it still? big jug looking thing under the passenger floor board
4 inch down pipe 5 inch back exhaust system from MBRP is about 600 bucks per your state laws on noise and emissions. some people put stacks on but you have to cut a hole in the bed if you haul a boat or anything like that when it smokes your boat or trailer turns black.
he most likely had gauges on the A pillar boost trans temp and egt
look on the exhaust manifold and see if there is a hole drilled in it with a pipe plug in it now. if so when you add gauges thats where you will tap into it
if the price is right and your comortable with buying it buy it any doubts don't the right one will come along I waited 6 months before i bought my truck 2004 quad cab 3500 4x4 for $21,500 with 38k on the speedo

 

Thanks for the reply, I looked in the manifold for a where and EGT probe may have been installed and didn't see it, but they again I didn't inspect every inch of it just what was easily viewable so there might be something there. I can understand turbo lag, but I am wondering if there was more lag because of the free flowing exhaust, or if I just noticed it more because it was louder when I actually pressed the throttle?

As for the exhaust, the dealership that is selling it is a state inspection station and they said it would pass, I throught that was strange so I went to my local shop that does all my inspections and asked them about it and they said that it was technically legal here in PA as it just has to clear the passenger compartment, and not be too loud, the the loudness is a judgement call for the shop and as I said it was quieter then some of the others at idle. Yes it has the resonator still on it so I am sure that helped some with they too. As for the question about it needing to exit out passed the bed this is what I was told by both shops and it kinda makes sense: Whats the difference between that and rear facing exhaust on a wagon or SUV, it clears the passenger compartment, imaging the truck without a bed, so none, right?" or something to that effect. But, like I said I had concerns with that too and actually idled the truck and drove it a while and never smelled any fumes then went to my local shop and those guys thought there was nothing wrong with the exhaust...

 

As far as the exhaust goes really depends where you live at big city they may frown on that. small town they may say Bad A$$ farm truck lol
I get mixed feelings in chicago so
I do see the point of it going past the cab its legal but why take that chance? but all the black soot under the bed and back bumper will turn black wires will burn up from the heat more trouble then its worth in my opinion
If i was looking to buy it i would add the exhaust to the list of whats wrong with truck and figure that into the buying price also

 

Get rid of the exhaust. Stacks all the way.

 

My friend has stacks on his truck and tosses soot all over his 100 grand boat
that was when we went to Miami. The right side of my boat was black also but still