3G vs 2G--check me out here...

[RobG]

To the best of my knowledge, the weight carrying ability of the 3500 SRW is no better than the 2500, and if it is better, it can't be by much. And always remember that you're going to be at the mercy of the ratings of the tires.



I personally would not carry a big camper with a single rear wheel truck.



The rear springs on my 03 3500 DRW are definitely softer than the springs on my 01 3500, and I'm very glad about that. The others were just too freakin' stiff.



Rob

 

[geusterman]

Rob, that's why I got Kelderman for the ride and Ricksons for the weight. They take 4900 lbs apiece. Duallies not necessary. geusterman

 

[RobG]

I agree, if you're set on a big camper on a SRW truck, then Ricksons are the only way to go.



Kelderman rocks... if I can come up with the $2600 entry fee, my 03 will be getting it (the 4-link setup).



Rob

 

[geusterman]

My Kelderman is the hitch-based 2 bag type. The one you are talking about is the 4 point and is not stable enough for campers. I thought you said the 03 was riding a lot better? Don't need a Kelderman for 03, do ya? geusterman

 

[djbobo]

All the better things about these 3g trucks so far mentioned are true.

-Quieter

-Roomier

-People saying "This is the nicest truck I've been in"

My personal favorite is:

-Separate heat/cool controls for the passenger!



The only major worse thing that I've experienced & also keep reading about is the 2-4 mpg less these trucks get. (compairing equel trucks)



Mine has yet to get 16 mpg & useually stays under 14. 5



If good mileage is important to you & you still decide to get a 3g then I would get a 2wd and an manual as these seem to do WAY better (some 20+)



dj

 

[lmills]

I don't know, but I haven't had that problem. I get pretty much the same fuel mileage with my new new 03 dually that I got with my 01 2500. I expected the fuel mileage to be lower since I was moving up to a much larger vehicle with dual rear wheels this time, but it ended up being very close. It's within about . 2 miles per gallon

 

[tpicard]

geuesterman, I have a '03 with 18,000 miles, most put on by trips to MT. shooting gopfers. The rear windows roll all the way down for a fine elevation adjustment for the rear seat shooters. LOL. . I'm in Burlington if you wish to take a used one for drive you are welcome to. PM me if you would like to. We can swap stories of the red mist too. Terry

 

[CKimball]

Guesterman... . I have a 03 dually and LOVE it!!

it rides WAY better than any one ton I have riden in... the brakes... well in a word AWESOME... NO FADE stops RIGHT now great pedal feel... I have a california slug SO and it pulls my 15k fiver PERFECT... I can only imagine how you boys out there enjoy the HO ... . mine is also a 47RE and it shifts nice and firm with no issues to speak of... i have 9000 miles on mine and loving it... one caveatt tho... 17 inch dually wheels(with PLASTIC WHEEL COVERS

) limit you to one tire... . Goodyear :{ ... ricksons are nice but i want ALCOAS darnit!!!!:{ :{ :{

anyway... my neighbor just bought (poor *******) a 03 duraflush and it rides like poop and the fit and finish of that truck is not all that great... also been towed once already for transmission issues. .

ok... i am done

Cameron

 

[Tomeygun]

Originally posted by djbobo



The only major worse thing that I've experienced & also keep reading about is the 2-4 mpg less these trucks get. (compairing equel trucks)



Mine has yet to get 16 mpg & useually stays under 14. 5



If good mileage is important to you & you still decide to get a 3g then I would get a 2wd and an manual as these seem to do WAY better (some 20+)



dj

Mine is a 5-spd 3500 4x4 qc, And I am at 19. 5 with 8K on it,

I think the auto makes the biggest drifference... 1-3 MPG

 

[Pit Bull]

Just filled up my truck. 02 3500RC ETH/DEE 4x4 weighs 6800 lbs and I got 16. 5 mpg around town empty and I use fuel additive with every fill up. Truck has 16K miles on it. My mileage varies all of the time. Next week I might run a little more highway or just drive a little different and get 19 mpg. I figure all these by hand no trip computer.

 

[geusterman]

Pitbull--not bad as I am about 14--11 with camper. I am going to dig deep into this and see if there are mitigatible factors. If still lousy it will be the straw that makes me try a new one. Probably. Maybe. We will see geusterman

 

[Pit Bull]

I think the worst I ever remember getting is 15 1/2 on winter fuel. But I alway use DFA.

 

[geusterman]

Ok 3genners. The logic so far is this (posted on 2gen site) and I want your feedback.



Having a 2002 with the stuff already in signature and more to go brings some economic thinking here. An 2004 ST HO/6spd like my 2002 is $32,500 in Kellogg ID. In order to make my 2002 quiet takes $1200 in ATP wrap, lots of cab sheets and labor. Say $2000 for getting quiet. My HO has a VP 44 which requires a pusher pump. I like the FASS. Say $3-500 for that. I have and Edge EZ and should have 3 guages. Pillar mount with labor say $400. A brake upgrade to 04 is what... $1000 with labor? If I could make openable rear windows... now wouldn't that be something?... . for the kids to shoot out of... instead of pulling the paneling and unscrewing the glass... I would pay big for that. I can't improve my 02 frame like that cool one on the G3's which are perfect for a flatbed... nor the longer springs and better ride (which is why I bought the Kelderman for my 02). I can learn not to knock my head on the shrunk opening with the 4" shorter door (width) and smashed down windshield... in time. I could sell the Kelderman (+$600) although it makes my camper level at the touch of a button. Rancho's and steering stabilizer stay and I move the GV over. Sell the EZ (plus $300). I can move the Ricksons over. Then there are track bar costs... . Hmmmmm.

$2000

$500

$400

$1000

$600

$400

About 5 grand, which is the hit I would take on selling the 02. Or so. The dealer says he cannot keep the used Dodge Cummins around. So demand is good.....



Anybody else see the beauty of this when I go talk to my darling wife???? geusterman

 

[wyosteve]

guesterman, my . 02-- If you really can trade for 5 k do it and fast. I suspect when it comes down to it, the dealer will want more like 8k. On my 01 HO loaded incl. the extras, ie. gooseneck, guages, exh. brake, the best deal I could find was $13,700 after rebates. If I could trade for 10k I'd do it too in a minute.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by geusterman



Anybody else see the beauty of this when I go talk to my darling wife???? geusterman

:-laf that's alway the tough part for me. I can come up with a million reasons and then she mentions that I don't have any money and ruins the whole thing.

 

[geusterman]

wyoSteve and PitBull--I would sell my 02 outright. Should be easy enough. Also, if I am making payments (I do accelerated payments) then it might as well be for one more useful to me when it is all over than one that is not. You guys can use that one anytime you want, totally free geusterman

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by geusterman

Ok 3genners. The logic so far is this (posted on 2gen site) and I want your feedback.



Having a 2002 with the stuff already in signature and more to go brings some economic thinking here. An 2004 ST HO/6spd like my 2002 is $32,500 in Kellogg ID. In order to make my 2002 quiet takes $1200 in ATP wrap, lots of cab sheets and labor. Say $2000 for getting quiet. My HO has a VP 44 which requires a pusher pump. I like the FASS. Say $3-500 for that. I have and Edge EZ and should have 3 guages. Pillar mount with labor say $400. A brake upgrade to 04 is what... $1000 with labor? If I could make openable rear windows... now wouldn't that be something?... . for the kids to shoot out of... instead of pulling the paneling and unscrewing the glass... I would pay big for that. I can't improve my 02 frame like that cool one on the G3's which are perfect for a flatbed... nor the longer springs and better ride (which is why I bought the Kelderman for my 02). I can learn not to knock my head on the shrunk opening with the 4" shorter door (width) and smashed down windshield... in time. I could sell the Kelderman (+$600) although it makes my camper level at the touch of a button. Rancho's and steering stabilizer stay and I move the GV over. Sell the EZ (plus $300). I can move the Ricksons over. Then there are track bar costs... . Hmmmmm.

$2000

$500

$400

$1000

$600

$400

About 5 grand, which is the hit I would take on selling the 02. Or so. The dealer says he cannot keep the used Dodge Cummins around. So demand is good.....



Anybody else see the beauty of this when I go talk to my darling wife???? geusterman

George, you have too much in your 2nd Gen to trade now. I would keep it and drive it forever. Adding things to a vehicle only makes you FURTHER upside down. You don't get trade-in credit for all the add-ons.



Now, if you can sell it outright and get some of your money back for the add-ons, you might have a chance.



Personally, I would keep the '02. You have great brakes on that truck, and you can get much better by going with the Porterfield pads (see my group buy post). Get the DT track bar for $330. Brakes are $150 or so.



You don't NEED a FASS or a pusher or anything. Just open up the lines and keep an eye on the pump. It's not as bad as everyone wants to think it is.





The bottom line is that you are losing a BUNCH of $$ for what? Some new truck smell? Nothing EVER stays new. Whatcha gonna do in 2 more years??



Justin

 

[ttreibel]

Keep your 2nd Gen you have one of the last and probably the best of that generation. You have already customized it to your liking, and as far as bombing the 2nd Gens will probably always lend themselves to better bombing.



As far as sound there are plenty of guys who have Bombed the 3rd Gens and they seem as loud as the 2nd Gens now.



I like the 3rd Gens interior better but I bet the 4th Gens will be even better.



If I were you I would save the money take some time off work fill up the tank and go see some of the good ole USA from behind the wheel of your 2nd Gen.



There is not one week that goes buy that I don't see a nice 2nd Gen or even a 1st Gen that I would be just as happy driving around.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

As others have noted, there are very significant improvements to the 3rd gen. Rear seating/doors, brakes (MUCH better), quiet, etc. And, no VP44!!!



The 12 valve Cummins was/is great, so I am not saying the new engine is better in all ways, but it is a worthy successor. The new one also gives good power with no smoke, an important improvement in today's political climate.



My 04 gets virtually the same mpg as my 97 (either new or now), 19 in town, 13-up towing depending on mountains and speed.

 

[geusterman]

So Joe, which one do you like driving? Reason I ask is that I came from the Chebbie world with a nice 93 K2500 TD 6. 5 mechanical. I liked the lower ride height, more quiet and nice ride. I real gentleman truck. Now, I understand the attractions to the Cummins because I have one but miss the Chebbie driveability. I was at a rendezevous in Canada with the GM Dieselpage guys and one diesel mechanic/farmer from Calgary was there with his new Duramax shortbed. I asked him why he did not choose a Dodge given the proven reliability of Cummins. He said "because I would have to drive it" and I did not know the depth of his statement until ownership of my 2002. Now, I LIKE my 2002. It is even an ST because I like simple, longterm reliability but I am thinking that I could get closer to having a Chebbie/Cummins in a Gen 3 than my 2002 plus the 4 roll-up windows, no VP44, skookum frame, QUIET and be at about 300 hp PLUS a one-ton SRW for my camper which might even be legal to carry one now! Anyway, which one you like driving now? geusterman



PS Thanks boys for all your inputs. I am getting closer to decision especially with Jan 1 coming so close.