2nd Generation owner,,,thinking of 3rd

[DKothe]

Hey guys,

I've got a '99 QC, 4x4 but with a growing family my wife thinks we should upgrade to a 3rd Generation QC.

Are there any typical problems with these models?? ie... ... ... Lift pump, injection pump, transfer case etc etc that doesn't live as long as they should.



How tough are the automatic trannies now? I had a '96 12vlv auto and was so leery of bombing it I bought the '99 with a 5spd.



Thanks

 

[DocDetonancour]

Haven't heard much on problems as yet. My truck is very good and I had a 96 that was bullet proof. To me it was the four doors and auto. Not sorry yet, but the 2nd gen are good rigs also. Doc

 

[Fireman]

I've had mine 1 month short of 2 years now and I couldn't be happier



Fireman

 

[EEngel]

3rd Gen

DKothe,



I know how you feel. About 6 months ago I was expecting the second kid and the 2001 quad doors were just sucky for getting the single car seat in and out. Also, the 01 could not fit the rear facing car seat unless you really moved the seat forward.



I went and got a 600 and I love the extra room and the "normal" doors. If you have not driven a 3rd gen yet, you are in for a real treat. The braking is 100% better, the streering is great, and the motor is nice and quiet (the wife love this, I could care less).



I have not hear of any real problems with the exeption of the vibration issues.



From what I have heard the 48re is not very different from the 47. If you plan on bombing it, either plan to spend a few grand on an upgrade, or go to the 6 speed (jmo).



Congrats & best of luck with your new tike.

 

[DPelletier]

DKothe,

Do a search, there have been several threads extolling the virtues of the 3rd gen vs. the 2nd gen and vise versa. In a nutshell, there have been very few problems with the 3rd gens, but some common issues/complaints are;



- vibrations; there was a TSB for a new power steering hose and the '04's have a revised part number with an integral weight. Some vibrations in the driveline have also been reported. Front driveshaft replacement seems to be the most common fix. Test drive any potential truck and look for vibrations at 70mph and 1800 - 2100 rpm.



- rear ends; The new AAM rear ends have had a much higher failure rate than the previous Dana units.



- lift pumps; still hearing of lift pump failures (may finally be addressed in 2005, with a new pump at the tank), although very few CP3 (common rail pump) failures unlike the 2nd gens VP44's.



- minor issues; engine noises (new engine is quiet, so you hear more mechanical noises), wind noise and door seal issues, reports of problems with some of the factory tires (SRA's mostly), and probably a couple that I'm forgetting



- the 48RE seems to be holding up well. On a stock or nearly stock engine, no modifications of the transmission would seem to be necessary. Common thoughts are the 48 can take mild modifications without a problem, unlike the 47RE. If you are thinking about an Exhaust Brake, keep in mind that 48RE exh. brake approval is still pending. If you are thinking about a standard, the NV-5600 is virtually bulletproof.



- Haven't heard of any transfercase problems although a couple of people have posted failures of thier Laramie "Dial a Drive" units. I have the manual lever.



Overall the driving experience is much improved over previous versions. The cab storage is much better, the white gauges are visually nicer, the rear seat/proper door/ roll down windows and increased space is much nicer for rear seat passengers. Regular sized adults will be quite comfortable in the back. The load flat floor is a clever option that should come standard on all QC trucks.



Happy shopping,



Dave





Oh yeah, " Resistance is Futile"

 

[DKothe]

Thanks Amigo's

Awesome! Thanks for the input.

I went and drove a '04 laramie auto 4x4 today, very nice truck. I don't really like the dial shift for the Tcase but over all a pretty slick truck.

Guess I'll see what momma wants to do and then hoard my pennies.

Hope the '05's don't change the look.

 

[shendren]

ditto doc. my 96's are bullet proof. but i like my 04. 5 quad cab.

 

[Mad Bomber]

new truck

I have a 2001 ETH and I drove a 4. 5 ETH at the dealer I was under impressed with the power. My wife does not have to fear of me going and buying a new truck. BTW no flame is meant by my post just my opinion.

 

[thejeepdude]

Awesome! Thanks for the input.

I went and drove a '04 laramie auto 4x4 today, very nice truck. I don't really like the dial shift for the Tcase but over all a pretty slick truck.

Guess I'll see what momma wants to do and then hoard my pennies.

Hope the '05's don't change the look.

Just a note, if you want the Laramie, you can get the "J" package, which includes the nice leather seats and chrome trim, but leaves out the electric tcase shifter. I prefer the stick as well, so that's what I ordered. You also don't get the Infinity stereo or garage door opener, but I can live without those! As for the LOOK, the only thing changing in '05 that I know of is the badging... supposedly it will have the logo in the center of the tailgate instead of on the sides, like the F*rds do.

 

[DGibbs]

I went from an '02 QC Auto to an '03 QC 6spd HO because we had twin boys and there just wasn't enough room in the rear seat for two rear-facing car seats. I love my truck, but if I were in your shoes I'd wait for the real crew cab that is rumored to be coming in 2006. Depending on build date, that's only a little over a year a way. You can put the new bundle of joy in the middle of the back seat and still have plenty of room with the 2nd gen. Unless, of coarse, there's more than one coming!

 

[CajunDieselMan]

I went form a '00 to an '04 about a year ago and I don't regret it. '04 seems more solid, new back doors are a vast improvement from old "suicide" doors--I had trouble opening the back doors in my '00 in a parking lot. Towing mirrors are great. Steering is much improved.

 

[rashwor]

I will probably make the move sometime after the first of the year. We had a little girl born in May and lordy at the stuff that travels with them! I was kidding with the wife the other day. I said we should buy our duaghter her own travel trailer, load it full of her stuff, and when we are ready to go, just hook up her travel trailer. It would be easier than loading and unloading the truck each time! :-laf

 

[BRayls]

one drive and I bought. just as has been told the ride and braking overall ,a better truck. just my opinion though. the 48 re has been on the dyno with the viper v-10 testing for the quad cab srt truck coming in 05, and has held up very well in that test. simulating 20,000 lbs trailer running 0-90 mph full throttle ,and coasting for 30 seconds ,to repeat. the gasser gets the manifolds real red in the runs. thank the epa for lack of diesel testing,on the dyno.

 

[Firemedic 76]

Dkothe



Ive had mine for 2 months and 12,000 miles later. I have the dreaded vibration from 68 mph and up,a clunking sound when i engage the transmission into drive. My headlights on occassion will stay on after the switch is turned off. Besides the poor fuel economy and the above mentioned ive been very happy. The ride is superior to my 01 and it stops when i want it too. Im 6'3 and have ridden in the back seat w/o too much discomfort. If i had to purchase it again i would opt for a manual t-case and get the factory Sirrius option.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Firemedic,



The headlights are normal. If you shut off the truck before turning off the headlights, they will stay on for 30-60 seconds, depending on how they are programmed at the dealer. They aren't automatic, though. If you leave the headlight switch on, the lights will stay on.