RAINCO
Junior Member
I would not consider the above descriptions of a CTD a general assessment, as the majority do not have problems (to the point I think you are making). The general majority of CTD or 6.4 do not have problems, of course.
It’s a possibility - and one that is (despite being relatively uncommon), seems more common now than ever it seems. And, if you end up with a problem unit, the odds really no longer matter. It’s you that has to deal with it and it’s you that has to eat it.
When you’re buying you don’t know if you’re going to get one that is a problem; so you have to think through the logic of getting unlucky - specifically whether or not you can justify the economics of such a scenario - and be pleasantly surprised if you’re wrong.
Good scenarios take care of themselves. It’s the bad draws you have to be prepared to absorb - unless of course daddy can bail you out.
A $10,000 motor upgrade, higher maintenance costs, $1500/trip emissions fixes, and limp mode while on vacation (not to mention as early as OP referenced) equals a scenario that I’m simply not interested in if I have even a remotely viable alternative - regardless of the odds.
But my truck is largely preference, not for daily work. If you have to have the CTD for a paycheck, the answer is easier - not to mention that kind of application minimizes the emissions issues. I don’t use mine that way.
If you’re not using it that intensely, I think the 6.4 is more compelling than ever - esp w/ the 8sp trans. I get 13-18 w/ my 4.10. No way a diesel beats that enough to cover the delta without deletes. Plus deletes bring about their own additional headaches and additional cost.
Not hating on the CTD.
But, if I paid the current price tags of any trim level over about a tradesmen with a CTD and I was dealing with the emissions issues mentioned, I would be absolutely sick.
Who wants to spend that kind of money “hoping it’s not a bad one.”
If that happens with a 6.4, I can replace the whole thing it and still cheaper than CTD. That worst case scenario is a far better than a $70K-$95K CTD that is less than reliable.
If you have have a CTD with recurring emission problems you will absolutely never dig out of that financial hole, not to mention the hair-pulling runaround you will experience - esp when out of warranty.
NOTE: My previous truck was a 2021 GMC 1500 AT4. In the shop four times because of lifters with 15,000 miles. Words cannot describe the frustration.
The difference (other than make):
That was on a $48K truck…
I cannot begin to imagine that same feeling with $70-$95K invested.
Not even close to worth it w/ the current emissions variables unless you absolutely have to have torque for gross towing above what a 6.4 can do.
Also note 1000 pounds lesser payload on CTD, and less capable off-road due to extra engine weight.
NOTE2: I post all of this with a respectful tone. I anguished over this decision more than any I can remember. As I mentioned I literally tried and tried to find a way to justify the diesel. It has a cool element that is without comparison. I just could not get there mentally when it comes to financial feasibility.
(notice I’m still reading these chat boards…. perhaps unconsciously trying to discover a reason to trade my 6.4 for a CTD! - have not found one)
$.02
It’s a possibility - and one that is (despite being relatively uncommon), seems more common now than ever it seems. And, if you end up with a problem unit, the odds really no longer matter. It’s you that has to deal with it and it’s you that has to eat it.
When you’re buying you don’t know if you’re going to get one that is a problem; so you have to think through the logic of getting unlucky - specifically whether or not you can justify the economics of such a scenario - and be pleasantly surprised if you’re wrong.
Good scenarios take care of themselves. It’s the bad draws you have to be prepared to absorb - unless of course daddy can bail you out.
A $10,000 motor upgrade, higher maintenance costs, $1500/trip emissions fixes, and limp mode while on vacation (not to mention as early as OP referenced) equals a scenario that I’m simply not interested in if I have even a remotely viable alternative - regardless of the odds.
But my truck is largely preference, not for daily work. If you have to have the CTD for a paycheck, the answer is easier - not to mention that kind of application minimizes the emissions issues. I don’t use mine that way.
If you’re not using it that intensely, I think the 6.4 is more compelling than ever - esp w/ the 8sp trans. I get 13-18 w/ my 4.10. No way a diesel beats that enough to cover the delta without deletes. Plus deletes bring about their own additional headaches and additional cost.
Not hating on the CTD.
But, if I paid the current price tags of any trim level over about a tradesmen with a CTD and I was dealing with the emissions issues mentioned, I would be absolutely sick.
Who wants to spend that kind of money “hoping it’s not a bad one.”
If that happens with a 6.4, I can replace the whole thing it and still cheaper than CTD. That worst case scenario is a far better than a $70K-$95K CTD that is less than reliable.
If you have have a CTD with recurring emission problems you will absolutely never dig out of that financial hole, not to mention the hair-pulling runaround you will experience - esp when out of warranty.
NOTE: My previous truck was a 2021 GMC 1500 AT4. In the shop four times because of lifters with 15,000 miles. Words cannot describe the frustration.
The difference (other than make):
That was on a $48K truck…
I cannot begin to imagine that same feeling with $70-$95K invested.
Not even close to worth it w/ the current emissions variables unless you absolutely have to have torque for gross towing above what a 6.4 can do.
Also note 1000 pounds lesser payload on CTD, and less capable off-road due to extra engine weight.
NOTE2: I post all of this with a respectful tone. I anguished over this decision more than any I can remember. As I mentioned I literally tried and tried to find a way to justify the diesel. It has a cool element that is without comparison. I just could not get there mentally when it comes to financial feasibility.
(notice I’m still reading these chat boards…. perhaps unconsciously trying to discover a reason to trade my 6.4 for a CTD! - have not found one)
$.02