Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Local dealer just got in a couple 2004. 5's, salesman promised to give me a call when one showed up. I test drove a 2500 QuadCab SWB 2WD with 6 speed.
Fit and finish are much improved compared to my 02, trim has a nice look and feel to it. The truck I drove has the 4 spoke steering wheel (not leather) and was very comfortable. I think it's actually better than the leather wrapped wheel.
Dash layout is great, the climate control cluster is very well designed and you no longer have to have the A/C on for several vent settings like on the '02. Glove box is a little small but there are lots of other places to stash things. The white faced gauges really look nice, I'd like to see them at night. Salesman wasn't sure what color they were.
Rear seats are much better than the bench in the 02, leg and head room are decent. I'm 6' tall and had plenty of room, even with the front seat in the middle of it's travel.
Doors have a really nice solid feel when closing and the weatherseals seems to be of a much better design. The power/heated tow mirrors are soooooooooooo sweet! No more dorking around with the original manual mirrors.
Paint quality (this truck was white) seems to be excellent, I couldn't see any flaws during a rather lengthy walk-around. There were a couple 1500's in the showroom and the paint quality was the same. One was the Almond color, the other was fire engine red. Tailgate closes with a nice solid clunk. Rear bumper seems flimsy but no more than previous designs. Class IV receiver seemed to be well made. The 7 pin connector is relocated and much easier to get to.
Four inch exhaust from turbo exit to exhaust tip, I didn't get a good look at the catalytic converter to see what diameter it was. Under-carriage seems to have a better quality of paint on it now.
Rack & Pinion steering, what a difference from my '02 in handling. I've got the DSS on my truck but the new setup makes a huge difference. Maybe someone will design an after-market upgrade for second generation owners?
Ride is much smoother but a rough patch of asphalt will get it all jiggly. Ride height seems to be lower, getting in/out of the truck requires less effort. Power comes on strong, I pulled several gears out to 3,000 rpm and it showed an eagerness to keep going. I did notice a noise during light acceleration that sounds like engine ping, maybe funky diesel fuel?
The cabin has a solid feel to it when driving, no squeaks or rattles even on rough roads. Talking with passengers while underway is effortless. With the windows rolled up you can almost forget it's a diesel. At 70 mph on the freeway it's probably not much more noise than a gasser.
Engine noise is way down but it still has the Cummins diesel character about it, when you romp on the peddle it makes enough noise to make most people happy.
Windshield wipers fold out now, cleaning the windshield should be much easier. Headlights appear to be a much better design, I'd like to take a test drive at night to confirm this.
Fit and finish are much improved compared to my 02, trim has a nice look and feel to it. The truck I drove has the 4 spoke steering wheel (not leather) and was very comfortable. I think it's actually better than the leather wrapped wheel.
Dash layout is great, the climate control cluster is very well designed and you no longer have to have the A/C on for several vent settings like on the '02. Glove box is a little small but there are lots of other places to stash things. The white faced gauges really look nice, I'd like to see them at night. Salesman wasn't sure what color they were.
Rear seats are much better than the bench in the 02, leg and head room are decent. I'm 6' tall and had plenty of room, even with the front seat in the middle of it's travel.
Doors have a really nice solid feel when closing and the weatherseals seems to be of a much better design. The power/heated tow mirrors are soooooooooooo sweet! No more dorking around with the original manual mirrors.
Paint quality (this truck was white) seems to be excellent, I couldn't see any flaws during a rather lengthy walk-around. There were a couple 1500's in the showroom and the paint quality was the same. One was the Almond color, the other was fire engine red. Tailgate closes with a nice solid clunk. Rear bumper seems flimsy but no more than previous designs. Class IV receiver seemed to be well made. The 7 pin connector is relocated and much easier to get to.
Four inch exhaust from turbo exit to exhaust tip, I didn't get a good look at the catalytic converter to see what diameter it was. Under-carriage seems to have a better quality of paint on it now.
Rack & Pinion steering, what a difference from my '02 in handling. I've got the DSS on my truck but the new setup makes a huge difference. Maybe someone will design an after-market upgrade for second generation owners?
Ride is much smoother but a rough patch of asphalt will get it all jiggly. Ride height seems to be lower, getting in/out of the truck requires less effort. Power comes on strong, I pulled several gears out to 3,000 rpm and it showed an eagerness to keep going. I did notice a noise during light acceleration that sounds like engine ping, maybe funky diesel fuel?
The cabin has a solid feel to it when driving, no squeaks or rattles even on rough roads. Talking with passengers while underway is effortless. With the windows rolled up you can almost forget it's a diesel. At 70 mph on the freeway it's probably not much more noise than a gasser.
Engine noise is way down but it still has the Cummins diesel character about it, when you romp on the peddle it makes enough noise to make most people happy.
Windshield wipers fold out now, cleaning the windshield should be much easier. Headlights appear to be a much better design, I'd like to take a test drive at night to confirm this.
