04 vs 00 observations.

[Posm]

Just got my 04 yesterday and have about 200 miles on it so far. I just thought I would make a few observations. The 04 is quiet, and the fit and finish seem to be top notch. The steering is much better and the brakes are great. I have a "test" hill near my house that is better than a Dyno. The 00 stock would not pull the hill with cruise set on 60. With the Edge EZ it would pull the hill with the cruise set and the throttle would go to about 75 to 80%. The 04 pulls it just as good as the Edge EZ, but I can not tell where the throttle position is. On the 00 the accelerator pedal moved with cruise response. This was how I knew how much throttle was being applied On the 04 the accelerator pedal never moves with the cruise set???.

Also noticed that the E-brake does not come on at a standstill unless the water temp is low. The 00 would come on anytime the throttle position was read as 0% and the switch was on.

I have the cab light, but the tailgate lights are missing. I thought they put them on all 1 tons??

Mileage seems to be about 16 or so. That is about 1 to 1. 5 MPG lower than my 00. My 00 gained in MPG until it hit 20K and stayed good as long as I owned it. It got the best tank of its life just before it hit 200K. (20. 90MPG) I sold it to a friend with 203,000 miles at 42 months of age. I t cost me less than 9 cents a mile depreciation. If my 04 can stay under a dime, I will be happy.

The 04 6 speed seems to shift better than the three or four 2003s that I test drove. The stick seems to be shorter and the slots are more defined. Maybe I am just imagining this. Reverse is still the hardest to find.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Posm



I have the cab light, but the tailgate lights are missing. I thought they put them on all 1 tons??

It is because you don't have DRW. If it did, it would have the tailgate lights standard. Can put on aftermarket lights (or maybe OEM) if you want. One of the local farm supply stores has them.

 

[BigDaddyMC]

My two cents...



I came from a BOMBed 96 Ford Powerstroke 4X4.



The ride on the Dodge is so much more superior, that sometimes I have to pinch myself just to remember it's a truck.



SUPER QUIET - although, I do mis the raddle a little



The brakes seem on par with the PS, which makes me wonder what they were like prior to 3rd Generation Rams - must of sucked REAL BAD!



I have more room in the front and less room in the back. This is acceptable for the next couple of years. After that, the kids will be too big. I've heard that a full crew will be available in 05 :--)



I would also agree that the interior seems to be TOP DRAWER.



Extremely easy to get trim pieces out - helps when making modifications (guages, CB etc. etc. ).



I do have a hard time getting into the darn thing though, I have to go head first. If I don't the head hits the cab pillar.



I've heard someone else talk about seat comfort and having a hard time getting a comfortable posititon. ME TOO. I probably just have to leave it alone.....



Milage isn't all that great yet. I'm at about 14. 5 - 15 with me doing the math. About the same as the PS, but I expected a bit more. I've only got 800 miles on the truck, so I'm sure that will change. I hope.



All in all, VERY HAPPY with my 04. Hope the truck around the motor hold up. Most say that Rams fell apart around the mighty Cummins. I hope this is not true of the 3rd Gens.



Cheers!

 

[TBrennan]

Extremely easy to get trim pieces out - helps when making modifications (guages, CB etc. etc. ).

Yes this is a definite plus. The door trim pieces are held on with 4 screws instead of the push pin christmas tree type that deteriorate after each use. The center console trim on the floor is a separate piece that just pops out, making routing for new wires easier.

I've heard that a full crew will be available in 05

If this turns out to be true I will be :--) :-{} :{

 

[Kilby]

It is indeed true. There's a few other surprises coming in '05 too.

 

[ttreibel]

Originally posted by BigDaddyMC



The brakes seem on par with the PS, which makes me wonder what they were like prior to 3rd Generation Rams - must of sucked REAL BAD!



Extremely easy to get trim pieces out - helps when making modifications (guages, CB etc. etc. ).



I do have a hard time getting into the darn thing though, I have to go head first. If I don't the head hits the cab pillar.

[/B]

Welcome BigDaddyMC to the TDR



You will find the Brakes more than on par with your '96 PSD the first time you really need to Panic stop My eyeballs nearly flew out of my head when the freeway came to a screeching halt one day. The anti-lock brakes saved my Bacon more than once



I have had my Ram for almost a year, just did the 15K fluid changes earlier this evening. Maintenance is a snap and consumables are about the cheapest in the industry.



I found the easiest way to get in, is to grab the handle with both hands and swing in like a monkey. I have the whole family doing it. Our 87 year old Grannie even swings in, she gets ticked when we try to help her.



As far as cab room goes, I have packed 4 adults and 3 kids for a trip to Grannies 5 hours round trip and nobody complained or cramped up.



I to came from a Ford F-250 and I really like the Dodge fit and finish and can't believe the ride and handling of this 1-ton.



However no truck is perfect so keep some wire ties handy when you poke around under the hood, Dodge could use a lesson in cable routing and make sure all your fluids are filled up. Oo.

 

[LightmanE300]

Most likely it's a drive by wire system like TDI's. . and since there is no throttle cable connecting the pedal to the engine, the pedal will not depress with cruise control... . just to satisfy your curiosity. .



Maybe there are some surprises for 05, but expect EGR too

 

[TBrennan]

Is there any online source for this information on the new crew cabs? I've heard this rumor before only to find it's bunk. Why would they change the body so early after a redesign?



I have heard they may be doing a 4500/5500 medium duty series.

 

[KCJackson]

On the 00 the accelerator pedal moved with cruise response. This was how I knew how much throttle was being applied On the 04 the accelerator pedal never moves with the cruise set???[/B]

The ISBe is "drive by wire" like most modern engines. The ECM reacts the position of the go pedal, but there is no direct throttle cable any longer. Thus, when in cruiise, the ECM gets a similar signal from the PCM and with no throttle cable, the pedal no longer moves.



A high school classmate of mine was in the AF and now flies 777s for United. He said that huge "joystick" in the cockpit isn't actually connected to anything either - the aircraft comnputers just react to its movement in the same way as the ISBe's ECM.

 

[ShannonPhillips]

"It is indeed true. There's a few other surprises coming in '05 too"



Hey Kilby, care to inform the rest of us??



Thanks Shannon

 

[Kilby]

Tell you what. If I get the ok from some of the folks inside DC that I know, sure, I'll let you know. Otherwise, all I can tell you is to keep your eye out for the upcoming goodies for the '05s I should have an answer by Monday.

 

[RobG]

Okay, it's odd that your '00 had cable-actuated cruise but your '04 does. My '01 did NOT have cable-actuated cruise, but my '03 DOES. Very, very interesting.



My '03 goes as well as my old '96 did with the TST #3 plate... as I recall, that truck dynoed around 240 hp or so at the wheels with the few mods it had. The HOs I think are hitting 250-275 so I'm doing at least as well as that truck.



BUT... the '03 can't even touch my '01 for power... but I think I had too many mods on it. The drivabilty on the new one is so much better. Now I'm looking forward to the PowerMaxCR.



My first real tow is coming up next week when I load up my Lance camper and a small quad trailer and head down into Central Nevada. Nothing real challenging terrain-wise, but it should be fun to see how the new truck handles it.



Seat comfort... I find the '03 far better than my '01. I've already found the ideal seat position (thanks to the power pedals). My '01 was a 6-speed so I had to keep the seat way forward to get the clutch to the floor (I'm only 5'8).



Oh yeah, I only have 900 miles on my '03. Only had it two weeks.



Rob

 

[BigDaddyMC]

Just as an update... . the "go pedal" on the 03's and 04's is a drive by wire (throttle position sensor), however the 04's - mine moves with the cruisecontroller. Up and down... . just like the old days. My ford didn't... . it just set there like a dead fish. Don't tell my wife I mentioned dead fish... . :--)



cheers!

 

[Steve M]

I sure like the steering wheel on the '04. I stopped and looked at the '04s today. I wouldn't trade mine for the sake of the steering wheel but there might be some other items I haven't yet realized.