2003 are hitting the lots

[GCuzzy]

Spy like us...

Oo. We need photos. someone grab, steal, or schmooze a digital camera and post several shots of the truck. It's a Kodak moment, Gary

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Re: Spy like us...

Originally posted by GCousin

Oo. We need photos. someone grab, steal, or schmooze a digital camera and post several shots of the truck. It's a Kodak moment, Gary

Gary, I just edited my post and added the pictures I took!

 

[JWerkheiser]

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing them.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Chris -



How did the ride height look? Was it like we are accustomed too? Are there blocks between the Rear axles and the spring pack?

 

[DIESELMAN]

Chris -



Are those inside wheel well liners I see?

 

[JWerkheiser]

Actually looks like there aren't any rear wheel well liners.

On the underbody shot, I saw daylight coming through. I wonder how much DC charges for them? I had heard they were available for the 1500, maybe they have them for the HDs too.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Look at picture #ad




Is that a wheelwell liner above / right of the tire??

 

[JWerkheiser]

I hope so. Looks like it is cut very high if it is one.

 

[JWerkheiser]

flaps will be a necessity - that rear looks like it is angled perfectly to get shotgunned by rocks off the rear wheels. Even worse than the 2nd gens.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Originally posted by JWerkheiser

I hope so. Looks like it is cut very high if it is one.

Looks to me to be 6-8" inside and aligned with the outside fenderline.



It may be just enough to keep the crap out of the bed space and thats all. Anything is better than what I've got now.

 

[Posm]

Dieselman

The one I drove today 3500SRW, looked to have about the same ride height as my Y2K 2500, but it was not on flat ground so it was hard to tell. They did not list overloads as an option, but it did have them. The 03 did not have the large spacer blocks on the rear axle. They put two 1/2 inch flat spacers instead. They look like you could remove them if you needed.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Take them out hell, what will the neighbors think?

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Glad you guys liked the pix!



I may have to find another new Ram

to park mine next to and see what the

difference is in ride height and if they

have the wheelwell liners.



More pics to follow.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Chris -



Make it a Graphite Metallic QC SB 2005 4X4 with OWL tires, tow prep, protection group, tow miirors, and alluminum wheels if you don't mind... .....



I need a picture of my truck!

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Originally posted by DIESELMAN

Chris -



Make it a Graphite Metallic QC SB 2005 4X4 with OWL tires, tow prep, protection group, tow miirors, and alluminum wheels if you don't mind... .....



I need a picture of my truck!

I'll see what I can do, but I have yet to see any alloy wheels,

only the chrome steel ones.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Well forget it then... :{



Just kidding, thanks for the pics, more are appreciated, as well as a test drive report

 

[GCuzzy]

Great shots

Chris you were fast. I looked at my posting when within a minute yours appears. , Gary

 

[lschultz]

Those were good pictures. Now I have to drive one. Oo.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Driving impression

The 03 2500 I drove (gold one in the pics) rode great. Firm

ride as expected of a 3/4 ton truck but not mushy like the

GM 2500HDs I have driven. Very quiet in the cab. Had the

AC fan on high (95 degree day) and cut it down to low and

could not hear the engine, had to roll the window down.

Definitely not a problem at a drive thru window with the new

ISB-E!



Trans shifted great, like a hot knife thru butter. I took a peek

underneath and it looks like an NV4500. I have yet to drive

a new ETH/DEE to see if the NV5600 still has a slightly notchy

shift.



Power was the same as my stock '01. 5 ETC/5spd. Could not

hear the turbo spool up at all, but hey I have my silencer ring,

airbox modded and an Amsoil air filter in mine so it screams!



Steering, brakes, clutch felt excellent. I love the power seat!

The white instruments are nice and I'd love to see them at

night all lit up.



Stereo rocks! Sounds great.



Back seat room is not so great for a 4 door.

I have long legs. . in the 4 door GM 2500HD, I can move the pax

seat all the way back, sit in the back seat and still have 4" of

room between my knees and the seat back. In the 4 door Ram,

I have to move my knees to either side of the seat.

Next time I will see if the Dodge seat track moves back further

than the GM seat by comparing front passenger room. It did

appear the seat moves back in the Ram a long way.



I have yet to see a new '03 duallie, and when I do I'll test drive

it and take more pics 'n post em.



There was nothing that stood out to complain about during my

short 8 mile test drive.



Someone needs to arrange a test between the new ETH-Echo

and a new Duramax, pulling a trailer about 10,000 Lbs and get

a real world comparison. Of course it would have to be against

a GM with the ZF manual 6 speed trans until Dodge introduces

an auto that will handle the output of the new HO.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

One thing I recall while I was looking over the new 2500.

The salesman told me that Dodge had a transmission

coming out that was a copy of the Allison.



Another salesman at a different dealership spewed forth

the old "Ford owns Cummins, you know". I had to set him

straight. :-{}