Attention: TDR Forum Junkies My new '06 has just now hit 1000 miles on the clock, its been mostly my trip back from DSM, but here are my impressions, of this truck vs, the 1k miles I put on my dads 04 some time ago.
the '06 seems to have quite a bit taller ride height than my dads 04, The auto transmission in my truck seems a little more matched to the truck, meaning I don't notice the low lugging upshift at 45mph or so like I did with his, It also seems more firmly connected to the engine, hit the gas at highways speeds and you get more the feel I got with my old 6 speed, the motor is quieter, the door and wind noise is much better, and when you close the door, you dont' hear the beer can sound like you get with the 04. I like the dash layout pretty well, and I guess I am one of the few but I like the fake wood. The radio and CD player also have a modern up to date look. the seats are actually the most comfortable I have ever sat in. I didn't think anyone could top my '02 seats. The seat padding firmness and shape is just right!!!!
now to my dislikes, Why did they get ride of the best cup holder design of all time??? WTF, now I have a weak floor mounted setup, that is a poor set up functionality wise, but will do nothing but collect dirt and debris in its nooks and crannies. Is it possible to just do away with the floor console?? thank goodness for the genos cup smoothie, I got one on the way.
The seat fabric, is another WTF, this looks as if its out of the work truck ST model. It is extremly plain looking, and also very prone to staining, look at it wrong and you will have a spot on the seat
The body style is still a little tuff to take, I guess the 2nd gen body style will always be remembered as a classic, years from now, my '02 is still parked in the driveway, jet black 5% on the windows, When its all washed up Its a sharp looking tuff truck to look at.
minor gripes, The leather wrapped steering wheel feels too thick in my hands, this fatigued my hands on the long trip, and the rear view mirror is still mounted too low, although much better than the '04, I hate looking to the right and loosing a house in the rear view mirror because its exactly at my eyelevel. for some reason the turning radius seems less than my 02, it may be my imagination however. gas mileage appears lackluster barely managing 14mpg on my first all highway tank, however I ran the truck at 83+mph the whole way on that tank. just as long as my towing mpg isnt much different I will be happy, also the battery cable wire, is ran directly over the fuse box up front, DC was too cheap to run this around the front, so it makes getting the fuse box lid off more difficult
Overall I am very happy with the truck, its going to be my best one yet, the back seat has just the right amount of room to acutally carry people comfortably. I can pull up in a drive through now without cutting the motor. Its like driving a luxuary car
the '06 seems to have quite a bit taller ride height than my dads 04, The auto transmission in my truck seems a little more matched to the truck, meaning I don't notice the low lugging upshift at 45mph or so like I did with his, It also seems more firmly connected to the engine, hit the gas at highways speeds and you get more the feel I got with my old 6 speed, the motor is quieter, the door and wind noise is much better, and when you close the door, you dont' hear the beer can sound like you get with the 04. I like the dash layout pretty well, and I guess I am one of the few but I like the fake wood. The radio and CD player also have a modern up to date look. the seats are actually the most comfortable I have ever sat in. I didn't think anyone could top my '02 seats. The seat padding firmness and shape is just right!!!!
now to my dislikes, Why did they get ride of the best cup holder design of all time??? WTF, now I have a weak floor mounted setup, that is a poor set up functionality wise, but will do nothing but collect dirt and debris in its nooks and crannies. Is it possible to just do away with the floor console?? thank goodness for the genos cup smoothie, I got one on the way.
The seat fabric, is another WTF, this looks as if its out of the work truck ST model. It is extremly plain looking, and also very prone to staining, look at it wrong and you will have a spot on the seat
The body style is still a little tuff to take, I guess the 2nd gen body style will always be remembered as a classic, years from now, my '02 is still parked in the driveway, jet black 5% on the windows, When its all washed up Its a sharp looking tuff truck to look at.
minor gripes, The leather wrapped steering wheel feels too thick in my hands, this fatigued my hands on the long trip, and the rear view mirror is still mounted too low, although much better than the '04, I hate looking to the right and loosing a house in the rear view mirror because its exactly at my eyelevel. for some reason the turning radius seems less than my 02, it may be my imagination however. gas mileage appears lackluster barely managing 14mpg on my first all highway tank, however I ran the truck at 83+mph the whole way on that tank. just as long as my towing mpg isnt much different I will be happy, also the battery cable wire, is ran directly over the fuse box up front, DC was too cheap to run this around the front, so it makes getting the fuse box lid off more difficult
Overall I am very happy with the truck, its going to be my best one yet, the back seat has just the right amount of room to acutally carry people comfortably. I can pull up in a drive through now without cutting the motor. Its like driving a luxuary car
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