2003 are hitting the lots

[Blue Goat]

There are five (5) quad cabs on the Dodge City Lot in Baton Rouge, LA. Two(2) 3500 single rear wheels and three(3) 2500 series. I drove a quad cab HO with a short bed. It was not an SLT. The cab noise was as purported, very quit. The transmission still shifts the same. The steering wheel seemed far away(6'-2" driver). The tilt control seemed quirky. The leg room was adequate. The truck drove and road nicely, but the cab fit and feel was not as confortable as my 2001. Power seats could make a difference. When I got back into my 2001, it felt like home. I am still undecided about ordering. However, the lower noise levels are infuencing me.

 

[bighammer]

For what it would cost you to trade up, a guy could buy a whole mess of soundproofing. (and a pretty good stereo ) Just my opinion, of course.



Also, doesn't the rate of depreciation drop the longer you own your truck?



I don't miss a $500/mo. payment either. I'm sure it would be more now, or I'd have to make a downpayment this time.



I plan to keep my 94 a bit longer.

 

[DEHurst]

A PRETTY COOL '03 DR.

 

[Pit Bull]

Saw a 03 2500 SLT 4x4 extended cab long bed at a dealer lot today. The 4x4 seems to sit low like a 2002 4x2 and the styling is not appealing to me. I will stick with my 2000 and maybe by the time I need a new truck they will have a new body style. At this point the Chev and Ford are both better looking then the 03 Dodge. I'm waiting to see the 3500 4x4 regular cab, maybe they will look better? I know it is just a matter of personal taste. But who ever designed the new Dodge 2500/3500 had all of their taste in their mouth

 

[Rcpilotlv]

I have to agree the fords and chevys look better. I think its going to take 10 years for DC to recover from this current redesign. ( no crew cab means lower sales) I still think the 1994-2002 Dodges are the best looking. Just my opinion.

 

[JWerkheiser]

Hey, all you '03 haters, stay over there in your own forum ('02 and earlier... ) Just kidding. I enjoy reading all the opinions.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Originally posted by JWerkheiser

Hey, all you '03 haters, stay over there in your own forum ('02 and earlier... ) Just kidding. I enjoy reading all the opinions.

I just bet about 35 big ones that the 03 is the best looking Dodge yet.



Casey

 

[JWerkheiser]

Thumbs up for 3rd gen!

Casey, have you checked on your order status lately? I was surprised to find out this morning that mine is already well into transit and will be here next week.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Not in the last week. Yours was scheduled to be build on August 20th right?



Will wander over to the dealer tomorrow and check the progress. He told me I had a ship date of September 10. Maybe he confused that with the build date.



Casey

 

[JWerkheiser]

Yes, my build date was 8/20. Do you have a VIN yet? Should if it is gateline. Then you can use that to call the 800 number and get a daily status

 

[kbarlow]

Hey Guys, which 800 # are you using? I cant seem to get these to work 1-800-992-1997 (1-800-465-2001 from Canada.



Thanks Ken

 

[JWerkheiser]

I used the 800-992-1997. You have to call from 8-4 EST I think. Never tried the Canadian # so I can't verify if it works or not. Dealer might be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[Oakwood]

The DC helpline works great. Last Thursday I got my truck's last eight digits of the VIN from the dealer's printout. Thanks to the TDR lead, I called and got a helpful young man who traced the truck (on a train in the rail yard in Laredo, TX);he then gave me the complete VIN when I asked for it; and verified the dealer destination. Try it.

 

[GCuzzy]

Delivery your new truck..

Happy to report to all that if your truck has a distribution point in California there is a good chance I would be throttle of the train. I run from Sparks NV to Roseville CA on the UP and we have the DC contract. I will take care of your delivery and not scratch the paint. Gary, Hoghead (Locomotive engineer)

 

[JRG]

ORDERED TRUCK SPOTTED!!!!!

Oo.

Just got back from Ron Tonkin and someones new 4X4 SLT 6sp H. O. was waiting for him! I'm not sure why anyone would let their new baby sit at a dealer ALL night alone. Although, there were other 3500s there stuck way back in the back. I know what I'm doing tomorrow



JRG

 

[amsoilman]

My Dealer here in (Hinkley Dodge)Ogden, Utah just received 3 new 2003 HD pickups yesterday. One was a 3500 duelly, and the other two were 3/4 tons. The 3500 had the 6-speed and HO combo. I didn't have the time to drive any of them yesterday, but I did get to here them run! I can tell you, in my opinion, they still sound like a Cummins, but they are much quiter by far!



I am going over today to drive one!





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[DIESELMAN]

Anybody seeing them in Arizona anywhere?

 

[Casey Balvert]

Something like UFOs. You would like to believe you have seen them but who would believe you?

 

[DIESELMAN]

I Know someone from Ontario, we call 'him' a UFO, just can't say what it means. ( I think he knows)

 

[Chris N5CWM]

I drove an '03 2500 4 door long bed 4x4 today. It has the ETC

(new common rail ETC) and the 5 speed transmission, and the axles

were the new American Axle variety, not Dana.

Very quiet for a diesel, and still has the sound of a Cummins!

Not much of an improvement in power compared to my '01 ETC

but I'm sure EDGE will come up with a fix for that soon!



Here are the pictures that I took of it:



http://n5cwm.dynip.com/images/2003-RAM-HD.html



The window sticker on this truck was around $37,000. I took



a pic of the window sticker but it did not turn out thru the back

side door tinted glass.