A couple of quirks on and 04

[Sledneck]

First off let me start by saying I LOVE THIS TRUCK

Mileage is good for a dually. 16. 5 with 4600 on the clock.

Now for the quirks



The shift knob, the shift pattern indicator is like a slow clock, it takes about 1500 miles to make a full revolution. WTF?? why wont it stay put? I have tried to loosen and tighten the knob (it wont budge) why does the indicator spin? It doesn't seem loose.



Also the clutch pedal, when pressing it in, rowing threw the gears it makes a, (how do I explain) Pressure feel/noise. Does that make sense? Either to much fluid or not enough? If anyone knows what I am talking about let me know.



One more thing, I like the way the truck looks and I have gotten A LOT of compliments but, I still think the 2nd generation trucks look better. The 3rd generation to me still look a little over exaggerated in the front end. Anyone else agree?

 

[RonsRig]

I have to agree with you about the looks of the truck. I did like the 2nd gen better. 3rd gen looks too exaggerated. But it does get peoples attention.



I have less than 400 miles on my truck and my shifer knob is already at a 45 degree angle from what it starred from. I really don't look at it while I am driving , but it does seem weird. I hope it is the most I can complain about.

 

[6 2 Carl]

My shifter knob has a slow constant rotation as well. It kind of bugged me at first, but now I just consider it a quirk that gives my truck a little character.



When the new body style came out I also though the grill was too big, especially on the half ton. When the 3/4 &1 ton's came out I thought the grill didn't look as bad. Two years latter, I have become accustomed to the grill, and it doesn't look big to me at all.

 

[GerryDrake]

Knob rotation

There was a thread on this about 10 days ago, but I can't find it. It is not the whole knob that is rotating, but the insert on the end. Mine would take about a month to rotate all the way around. With something that does not have sharp edges, you can pry out the center and put a little glue in the groove you will see after you pop it out. . then pop it back in and let it dry. Mine doesn't rotate a bit any longer. .

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Carefully insert a small screwdriver or something similar at the edge of the shift medallion and pry it out, take a small dab of silicone cement and after making sure both the medallion and knob surface are clean, dab a bit on one or both surfaces, and then reinstall the medallion. This is a pretty common problem with these shifters - the knob doesn't turn, but vibration makes the insert rotate - usually clockwise... Gonna hafta do the same thing to mine eventually, it has rotated about 40 degrees in 25,000 miles...

 

[GerryDrake]

Gary... I always figured it was from when I put my hand on the knob and how I grip it when shifting... not the vibration... . but who knows, and who cares... . it IS interesting that it seems to rotate clockwise for everyone... .

hmmmm??? I wonder about people in the southern hemisphere...

 

[JLovas]

On the previous thred on this same topic, someone joked that Dodge did this intentionally as a service reminder... one revolution for schedule B oil change, two revs for schedule A. I thought that was funny!



Mine rotated almost 90 degrees in the first 1000 miles (right on according to schedule B) before I pryed it out and just put a dab of silicone around the edge. No more rotation now!



But hey, what do you expect... its a Dodge!

 

[Matt400]

I too felt the grill/nose section just looked too big and had to tone it down. As an SLT mine came with a chrome grill frame and black insert.



IMO it toned it down just right to have a Laramie grill frame that is color matched with a chrome center cross and then added the chrome SPORT inserts to tone down the contrasting center cross.

Looks like this:



#ad

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Looks sorta llike Jimmy Durante after he inhaled a venetion blind... .



Just KIDDING, just kidding...

 

[thames1948]

I like tht look. Did you paint that over chrome?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I agree that use of those horizontal grilles greatly help the appearance on the newer trucks - sorta tend to enhance the horizontal plane instead of the vertical, which they tend to have too much of...

 

[KD7GYJ]

When the rotation is just right, just put a drop of thin super glue at the edge. It will penetrate the slot and cement it into place.





30 second fix.





That grill is the best looking thing I have seen so far. The Sport package has too much white and the SLT/Laramie package has too much chrome. That is a beautiful balance. Did you get the sport front and add the Laramie insert? Or was the outside frame painted?

 

[Matt400]

What that is, is an 03 Laramie grill frame that comes color matched to whatever color you have and the center has the chrome cross. The Inserts are from an 03 Sport that comes chrome.



Its my understanding you can't get that grill frame anymore as the 04 Laramie frame is chrome and has the chrome sport inserts, but you can still buy it through the parts dept.



Thanks for the thumbs up... even the ventilation blind look!



This was the before when Jimmy Durante had his nose ring:

#ad

 

[KD7GYJ]

So it's out with the bad and in with the good. The sport package has tooooo much white. White grill, bumpers. That is just what I am looking for for an add on. I'll check with the local dealer and get one.



So did you paint the chrome bug shield and put that on over the painted surface?



Thanks for the before and after shots.



Sorry folks to carry on about this when the topic is about something else.

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by KD7GYJ

So did you paint the chrome bug shield and put that on over the painted surface?

I didn't do any painting, I also had a white hood guard but left it off. If you would like to see 6 different factory grill configurations just on my white truck click here

You have to click on the pics though cuz the smaller pics don't show the inserts very well.

 

[thames1948]

I heard somewhere that the grill surround cost about 400. 00 and it's only plastic. Can that be?

 

[Yo Hoot]

Shoot I like the crome so much I added the factory inserts... .



#ad

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by thames1948

I heard somewhere that the grill surround cost about 400. 00 and it's only plastic. Can that be?

Yep, I paid like 360 I think but then sold my original grill & inserts on ebay so overall it was less.

 

[DGFoster]

I like the looks of the new ones,I think it is better looking than the Ford and way better looking than the Chevy. .

 

[DPelletier]

I like 'em too, but you have to admit, it doesn't take much to look better than a chevy!



Dave