Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
"Mad Max"
TDR MEMBER
So I'm at the dealer today, browsing (hey window shopping is okay, right??? - C'mon. . it's called Fishin'... not Catchin') anyways, I decide to drive the biggest and baddest out there. . just to have some comparison to mine. So, I'm looking at this absolutely sweet 2004, 4-door, 4x4, dually, CTD, auto, 4:10, etc etc etc. Sweet rig - I mean damn it is sweet... . and costs $42-something (cough, wheeze... choke). But what the hell, let's take it for a spin and see just what the hype is all about.
Okay, it's quiet - really quiet. . not silent - you can still tell it's a diesel, but it is SMOOTH. Okay, out the parking lot and on the gas. First off - great transmission response - helps to have 4:10's compared to my 3:54's, but okay, the transmission is TIGHT. Nothing DTT isn't going to cure for me. Okay, on the power a little, and hey, there's the turbo... sounds nice, smooth, and really familiar. Mine is louder, but with my Intake it's hard not to be
. Driving along, power is good - smooth and strong - also very familiar. Now, my rig, thanks to PDR and some goodies, makes more torque at the tires than the advertised 2004 does at the engine, (dealer thought that was a very interesting little factoid too... ) so, um, it feels pretty much the same as mine. Granted it had better feel close, and it is every bit as strong as it is supposed to be.
So, on to the highway... ... and there is the difference. 70 mph came and went in a blink, and the rpms make this new one faster, not quicker, but faster than mine. I'm working the rpm potential on my engine, so I know that's just a BOMB away. The nice feature of the day is the tow-haul button on the auto column shifter knob. It essentially kills the overdrive, or lock-up, maybe both. Nice feature, also one that I will have on mine after DTT has their way with my transmission. I glance at the sticker price and smile, because I know I don't have to pay it every month. Now, about these new rigs - they're new, really new, and quiet, really quiet, and smooth, really, really smooth.
Okay, so my thoughts:
Engine: 1st gen (with $1500 of 'go' mods) and stock 3rd gen - equal. 3rd gen has more top end. 70 mph comparo - equal.
transmission: No question - new transmission wins over 1st gen w/ TCI converter, but not by much. W/ DTT trans I bet the DTT would feel better, and more controlled.
Ride: New 4x4 is as smooth as my 1st gen 2x4, and lots tighter
Interior: I'd be terrified to tackle a gauge install on a new one like I did on my 1st gen erector set dash. New one is just newer.
Suspension: New is new, and reacts like it.
Body, fit and finish: What's your pleasure? New is new. Old is venerable. Personally, I like the older ones because ours are a lot easier to see out of - very difficult to 'know' where the corners are on the 04's.
PERFORMANCE: My 93 -vs- 04: It'd be an awesome race! Power feels the same. 04 would walk away from me over 70 mph. New transmission really helps.
I sort of consider my rig to be in the 'average' side of the typical BOMB'd rigs out there. It's has PLENTY of power, but needs a good transmission to make full use of it. However you go, you will need a transmission sooner or later. The Cummins, especally a bomb'd Cummins, will rip a stocker, getrag or 518, to shreds, only a matter of when.
Overall: If you like the old school and don't mind wrenchin', and want the power of the new stuff, get a 1st gen and BOMB it. If you don't like to do either and want a thoroughbred totally smooth powerhouse, go for the 3rd gen.
Brothers and sisters, depending on your taste and style, you can't go wrong with our Cummins rigs. New is sweet, old is venerable. The '04's are cleaner, sleeker, quieter, nicer, and ride awesome... ... BUT... ... they ain't got nothin' on us 1st gen BOMBers baby! Oh yeah, the diesel tech drove mine, and was smilin' the whole time... !
Happy trails!
- Sambo
Okay, it's quiet - really quiet. . not silent - you can still tell it's a diesel, but it is SMOOTH. Okay, out the parking lot and on the gas. First off - great transmission response - helps to have 4:10's compared to my 3:54's, but okay, the transmission is TIGHT. Nothing DTT isn't going to cure for me. Okay, on the power a little, and hey, there's the turbo... sounds nice, smooth, and really familiar. Mine is louder, but with my Intake it's hard not to be
. Driving along, power is good - smooth and strong - also very familiar. Now, my rig, thanks to PDR and some goodies, makes more torque at the tires than the advertised 2004 does at the engine, (dealer thought that was a very interesting little factoid too... ) so, um, it feels pretty much the same as mine. Granted it had better feel close, and it is every bit as strong as it is supposed to be. So, on to the highway... ... and there is the difference. 70 mph came and went in a blink, and the rpms make this new one faster, not quicker, but faster than mine. I'm working the rpm potential on my engine, so I know that's just a BOMB away. The nice feature of the day is the tow-haul button on the auto column shifter knob. It essentially kills the overdrive, or lock-up, maybe both. Nice feature, also one that I will have on mine after DTT has their way with my transmission. I glance at the sticker price and smile, because I know I don't have to pay it every month. Now, about these new rigs - they're new, really new, and quiet, really quiet, and smooth, really, really smooth.
Okay, so my thoughts:
Engine: 1st gen (with $1500 of 'go' mods) and stock 3rd gen - equal. 3rd gen has more top end. 70 mph comparo - equal.
transmission: No question - new transmission wins over 1st gen w/ TCI converter, but not by much. W/ DTT trans I bet the DTT would feel better, and more controlled.
Ride: New 4x4 is as smooth as my 1st gen 2x4, and lots tighter
Interior: I'd be terrified to tackle a gauge install on a new one like I did on my 1st gen erector set dash. New one is just newer.
Suspension: New is new, and reacts like it.
Body, fit and finish: What's your pleasure? New is new. Old is venerable. Personally, I like the older ones because ours are a lot easier to see out of - very difficult to 'know' where the corners are on the 04's.
PERFORMANCE: My 93 -vs- 04: It'd be an awesome race! Power feels the same. 04 would walk away from me over 70 mph. New transmission really helps.
I sort of consider my rig to be in the 'average' side of the typical BOMB'd rigs out there. It's has PLENTY of power, but needs a good transmission to make full use of it. However you go, you will need a transmission sooner or later. The Cummins, especally a bomb'd Cummins, will rip a stocker, getrag or 518, to shreds, only a matter of when.
Overall: If you like the old school and don't mind wrenchin', and want the power of the new stuff, get a 1st gen and BOMB it. If you don't like to do either and want a thoroughbred totally smooth powerhouse, go for the 3rd gen.
Brothers and sisters, depending on your taste and style, you can't go wrong with our Cummins rigs. New is sweet, old is venerable. The '04's are cleaner, sleeker, quieter, nicer, and ride awesome... ... BUT... ... they ain't got nothin' on us 1st gen BOMBers baby! Oh yeah, the diesel tech drove mine, and was smilin' the whole time... !
Happy trails!
- Sambo
,, that's a story for another day. His truck runs good, mildly tweaked stock truck with 4"exhaust. Spunky down low, but doesn't pull as hard and as long as mine. When I got mine running, it just felt better to be in my truck. 
:-{} 
