2003 dodge crewcab 2500/3500 diesel

[RCrowley]

2003 2500,3500 Ram Photos

There are some spy pics of the new 3/4 tons and one tons at www.trucktrend.com they are kind of camouflaged though

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Anybody lay on the ground under a new 1500. Lay under the bump[er and look up. There is a heck of alot of space betwen the grill and the radator. I have a few sources that say there is a reason for all that space. Samme body, diffrent frame on the 2500 and up

 

[COBRAJET]

The photos in the Truck Trend a few months ago sure look like the same body as the new 1500. It certainly does not have a full size rear door. Either does the 1500 regardless of what the commercials say. Four full size doors and a full size bed... . yeah right...coming from the same people who say their is no demand for a crewcab... for the last 8 years. The largest brakes available on a 1500 yet they take 60 feet farther to stop from 70mph then the Chevy or the Ford. Where are the new engines... the old ones are getting real old... not that I care about a gasser. I still don't think they have a clue. Who cares about building a "NICHE" vehicle. They can't give away a PT Cruiser anymore and Prowlers are a dime a dozen at every lot in town. Build the "RIGHT" truck and you will sell a ton of them... as Ford has done for years. Everything I have read... including insider publications says the 2500/3500 is the same body... . the new HD line competing with the 550/650 is different. Time will tell... it will not be long now... CJ

 

[R Anestis]

FINALLY!!

SOMEONE AGREES WITH ME!!



Thank You COBRAJET. I agree with you about Ford's philosophy: build the "right" truck, and it will sell. Maybe I'm not the only one that has the urge to walk up to Dieter Zsetch and smack him upside the head, right before I drag him to the lot full of REAL crewcabs that I can find at any horse show, or any congregation of real truck minded people. Who want's to spend hours on the road in the back seat of a truck with your knees jammed against the seat in front of you, or worse yet, sitting sideways if you're tall. Carseats don't fit back there all that well either. I, like most CTD owners, am usually the one driving my truck; BUT, I don't want to feel crammed when I have four, five, or six people riding in it! I bought my Dodge because it has a CUMMINS in it, not because it was a Dodge. If The management at DC doesn't wise up, maybe there won't be a Dodge in the future to buy from. Who knows, maybe they'll decide to cancel their contract with Cummins because the ISB doesn't fit into their "Niche" marketing plans.



-Ron

 

[COBRAJET]

I can't stand a company which tells me I don't have a need for it. Dodge has been promising for 4 years. I will be flat amazed at their decision not to build a "TRUE" four door... . if that is what indeed happens. I bet half of Ford's sales are Crewcabs. As for the post on page one saying there is little room difference between a Ford Crewcab and a Dodge Quad Cab. That is pure bunk. There is over a foot more space in the Crewcab. There is not that much difference between coach and firstclass. My kids can't stand the QC, but absolutely love the PSD for the room. I use the QC for work... 70K a year with one other occupant. It serves that purpose just fine. The PSD hauls the family around most of the time and hauls the 5th wheel, a job the Cummins is pretty good at as well. I can't stand the wifes 5. 3 Suburban, the whole thing is designed for a lady... the armrests are way to low and one can't even stick their hand between the seat and the door to adjust the power seat or the lumbar. I am wanting one truck again in 03... can't wait to see who gets my business... it will not be GM.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by COBRAJET

I can't stand a company which tells me I don't have a need for it. Dodge has been promising for 4 years. I will be flat amazed at their decision not to build a "TRUE" four door... . if that is what indeed happens. I bet half of Ford's sales are Crewcabs. As for the post on page one saying there is little room difference between a Ford Crewcab and a Dodge Quad Cab. That is pure bunk. There is over a foot more space in the Crewcab. There is not that much difference between coach and firstclass. My kids can't stand the QC, but absolutely love the PSD for the room. I use the QC for work... 70K a year with one other occupant. It serves that purpose just fine. The PSD hauls the family around most of the time and hauls the 5th wheel, a job the Cummins is pretty good at as well. I can't stand the wifes 5. 3 Suburban, the whole thing is designed for a lady... the armrests are way to low and one can't even stick their hand between the seat and the door to adjust the power seat or the lumbar. I am wanting one truck again in 03... can't wait to see who gets my business... it will not be GM.

Corbajet

I think you have this worked out for your needs. I have never been attracted to any vehicle that trys to be all things for all people. I think it would be great for the members that need a Crew Cab if Dodge would build one. I think it would be a big mistake if they got rid of the Quad cab and only had a standard cab and a crew cab. If that is the choice I would vote to keep the standard and the quad, my opinion . Dodge will do what their market research tells them to do. I think we will end up with a Quad cab size. with Crew cab doors that won't make anybody happy . Hope I am wrong. But from what I have been reading it looks like the 2500/3500 will look just like the new 1500 but with a larger frame. But it will have the Cummins that won't sound like a Cummins and will be friendly to the environment (ugh). I am just glad that I have the truck I want now and will have to keep it in good shape so it lasts another 10 years. My wife likes that idea

 

[boonsur]

Keep your fingers crossed

The 2002, 1/2 ton brochures still call the new style a "quad-cab". I hope they're intentionally leaving room for the title "crew-cab".



I read (I believe it was in the latest TDR magazine), D/C was poising Dodge to become bigger in the truck market, and other divisions to assume the car market. The only way to do this would be for Dodge to build "real" trucks.



I maintain hope that Dodge has things up its sleeve that the press isn't aware of. It could be a big un-veiling next year. I'm planning on being at the Detroit Auto Show for sure.



My biggest fear is being forced to give money to the salesman who looked at my Dodge and told me how much happier I would be with the Ford (I had to politely walk away after I obtained my brochure). May lightning strike me first!

 

[EricBu12]

Blow up of new ram

I did a zoom in on the new ram for the crew cab. shown is the 3500 in truck trend. I zoomed in on the doors. I think you can see that they look the same size as the 1500 in comparison size wise. not at all like the forrrrrd.

Gonna keep my 01 because of this

Eric

 

[Bad340fish]

THat COULD have been the quad cab option. Maybe there is a CREW cab option as well?? Who knows. . I think none of us should be aloud to b*tch about it till it comes out lol

Clark

 

[jthorpe]

I would agree with Clark on this one. We're not really going to know for sure until they come out. It would be great if they did come out with a crew cab option, but somehow I doubt it.



I'll always cross my fingers though.



Jack

 

[BFC]

Bla,bla bla bla,bla,bla... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . guys just buy what makes you happy... ... ... . I'll bet you that WHATEVER you buy ain't gonna cut it, someway or another.



SSDD,



Glenn

 

[RedRam1]

I'll bet anyone one hundred bucks that Dodge will not offer a "true" crew cab on the new HD trucks. Just by looking at the new 1500 quad, it seems obvious that DC is trying to strike a balance between a quad and true crew. If they opt to offer a crew cab, what would be the difference as compared to the 1500 quad? Maybe another 4 inches or so. Although the extra room would be very welcome inside, the external dimensions and apperance would be virtually identical. The reduced wheelbase/added manuverability of an old style quad verses a true crew were an atractive combination for many folks. If DC offered a true crew with full size doors, etc. on the new trucks, no one in their right mind would buy the 1500 size quad, the difference in length would be so minor that all the advantages of the old style quad would be lost.

 

[kcjayco]

It seems to me that DC may be playing the same game as in 94. Nobody knew what was coming until it was here. I personaly have no use for a crewcab, so that doesn't concern me. But I did take a test drive in a new 1500 and was impressed to say the least! It handled like a dream and the ride was the same. I need at least a 3/4 ton so I am not looking to buy a 1/2 ton. I do not care for Chevy's front suspension on a HD. I have had really good luck with the Dodge I have, so I will more than likely get another one. I have to believe that Daimler will get on top of things. Quality is a symbol with Daimler. These are only thoughts and my own opinion.

 

[Briar Hopper]

It gets worse, guys... . I checked out the seats(especially the driver's seat) in the new style 1500, and they're not only smaller,(narrower) but uncomfortable as well. On that one thing alone, I would reject buying a new 2003 2500 or 3500 if it has the same seats in it. The seats LOOK good, but they're not made for sitting in, not for big guys, anyway. That's just my take on it, they may be a better fit for other people.

I think the future involves a booming business in retro-fitting Cummins engines into Fords.....

 

[jeddards]

Adventurer project (status DEAD)

Originally posted by wcaldwell

Jim,



With the price difference of the PH>>>> CrewCab compaired to the Dodge CTD, why not buy the Dodge and have it stretched into a crewcab. Then you'd have the best of all - the best engine, the best truck, the best room. And watch those Ph&&& and CH### drivers' eyes pop out at you cruise right on by them in your Dodge CrewCab. And your total cost would probably still be less than theirs.



Just a thought.



Wayne

<IXOYE><

I too, am disappointed at the lack of fore site and willingness to take the lead with the best combinations to roam the planet in some time. My dilema is back when the new style truck (94) first came out, there was a place that was doing these conversions; from standard cab to crew cab & suburban. I have since lost the issue of which ever Mopar magazine it was detailed in and am now in a position (4 kids) where I could REALLY use a "Suburban" *spit* (leaves a bad taste in my mouth just saying it) type vehicle.

My wife refuses to let me take her '85 Crew Cab away and replace it with a 2002 4 dr. She says,'. . it's smaller' than hers and she doesn't like the Durango due to the same reasoning. I have updated it with a '94 360 EFI and 518 trans' but it's getting to be a pain to keep the rest of the body/HVAC systems up due to age and kids. I would prefer to put her in a modified/customized '96 2500 Cummins than have to go brand "X".

Does anyone out there know who was the location that was dedicated to doing these conversions?? At the time they were a factory authorized vendor that would/could do it without voiding warranties. You could actually have a new truck sent to them by the dealer to be modified accordingly.

 

[redneckdr]

conversions

jeddards, here is one aftermarketer who does cc conversions:

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/parts/bayer/

looks like you could get a six door, if you wanted one

 

[amsoilman]

Here is a picture of my friends modified 95'Dodge Ram.



wayne



#ad

 

[jeddards]

Where done?

Can you find out where he got it done? As per your picture (Carson Dodge) is he on the "Left" coast; California? It would sure help if it was out here, since I'm in the L. A. area.



Jess

 

[amsoilman]

It was modified at Bayer Auto Inc. located n Elrosa MN. E-mail me, and I will give you their telephone number.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[danandamy]

my 2 cents worth

I think you're going to get the quad cab doors turned around to where they open like regular doors and we call it a crew cab. Why they refuse to build a full size four door I don't know. I love my truck and the extended cab fits the bill for me but if I was to drop the money for brand new, I don't think I should have to "settle" for a glorified extended cab if I want a true crew, especially when Ford quite frankly, makes a decent product in whatever configuration the customer wants.