Anyone own a 3rd gen ST?

[mazdarotary]

Hey guys,



I am sort of in the market for a new truck,and I would really like to stay with a Cummins. I own a 92 D250 LE club cab now,and I am thinking of either buying an old crew cab,and swapping my engine into it or getting a new truck,and not worry about any of that stuff. I don't have tons of dough with the new house,and another child on the way,but I may be able to swing a ST 2wd quad cab with a six speed. I was just wondering how many of you guys have the ST,and if you do would you rather of bought the SLT or higher now that you own the ST. Will I be missing all that much with out the SLT package. I am used to the power windows,and such in my LE,but I think I could live without them. I priced up a truck on Dodges website with carpet floors,anti-spin diff,bright grille,6 speed,Sirius satellite,cloth seat,body molding,bed liner,and a few more things,and the price is around 36K. With a $2000 rebate,and my company discount of 1% below invoice,I can get the truck for around $30K. Does that sound like a good deal?Is the ST a real stripped down model?How are the new trucks in the snow?I have 2wd now,and it is kind of rough in the deep stuff with an open diff,but the one I priced up has the limited slip. Thanks for any input.



Chris

 

[GWBourne]

i dont have a ST, but i know when i went from power windows to non power windows in the past i hated myself for it.....

Grant

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I've had/ordered three STs. The truck I have now is a Laramie SLT ONLY because I bought it used. Definately prefer STs because I like the hand crank windows and my fingers work fine for pushing down the locks. I've even pondered if you could get ST doors from a yard and swap out the fancy doodaw doors. Plus I definately like the rubber floor covering versus carpeting.



One redeeming feature is being able to adjust the mirrors on the fly.

 

[jyoung13]

Hey Chris

I just bought a 04. 5 2500 ST about 8 months ago ,because I couldn,t passup the deal I got on it. I gave $21,500 for a year left over with 400 miles on it, was taken to a couple of farm shows I was told ( had never been registered). Anyway I too have a first gen LE. The new truck handles like a German sports car compared to the 93,and I really dont miss all the creature comforts of an SLT or a Laramie,but when manuvering the trailer or just when the windows are fogged up I do really miss power windows and mirrors.

Jeff

 

[GButia]

I have had 2 st third gens now. I bought them this way on purpose... ... I actually like crank windows and the simplicity of the st configuration.

 

[Bertram65]

Very happy with my ST, the only thing I miss is power locks, they are easy to add, I only miss them when I want to put something in the back and have to unlock the front door to then unlock the rear. Everything else is just the way I like it, very simple. and easy to clean. I got it from Melrose Dodge is MA, www.melrosedodge.com they always have a couple STs on the lot, where you are in MA they are worth checking out, I looked quick and they have a 3500 SRW ST 4X4 quad cab for about $8k off, $41. 4k sticker, buy it for around $33. 4k, http://www.melrosedodge.com/index.c...687528&ListBack=1&VehicleOwnerFranchiseID=894

 

[mazdarotary]

I am in Carver,Bertram. I think that is a great deal from Melrose dodge,and I may give them a call tomorrow. I really would like a 4wd this time,but so far I have gotten along just fine without it,and I would like to save the money. I don't drive that much anyway with the company van,and my wife has a Subaru if the snow gets too deep. The thing is you can't find 2wd trucks around here(for good reason I guess). I wonder how they get such a low price on such an expensive truck?



Chris

 

[LesStallings]

I agree that the main thing I would like in my ST is the power tow mirrors. I'm not raising or lowering my windows hardly at all (not a smoker), drive thru and a dually do not seem all that compatible!!



I did get the carpet option and immediately covered them up with rubber mats - go figure. Maybe the carpet keeps the cab more quiet.



Limited slip helps but is not a locked differential. Even the 4wd folks complain about the LSD. It's limited slip, not a non-slip.



When I read about folks having problems with all the "fancy stuff" on their STL or Larimie, I just think how luck I am.

 

[barbwire]

Chris, I bought the 04 ST with the manual locks & windows, because I planned on putting a half million miles on the rig. And I did not want any down time with faulty electronics. I miss the electric windows and locks, but I learned to get along without them. Also I ordered the open differential, so that I would have less trouble there also. I carry AAA for the times I get in a bind that it can't get out of on it's own. It has proved to be a bunch(thousands) cheaper than buying and maintaining 4x4. Not to mention that I get 15-17 mpg towing. Well over 20 mpg running empty. $30,000 is $2000 cheaper than what I paid for my 04. If I had to do it all over again today, I would go for it.

 

[VicR]

There is a lot to be said for less gizmo's to break.



Looks like Bill Luke at www.billluke.com has a couple of 2005 3500 SRW 2wd's for sale under 30. I bet you could get one cheap this week being its the end of the year.



Good luck with your search.



-Vic

 

[steved]

Mines an ST, I don't have PL/PW/PM, but it is cloth/carpet, cd player, etc.



The only thing I didn't get that I really miss is cruise, but when I was hunting there were only a few 600CTD, ST, 6spds... I could find 5 autos sitting in every lot, but not a 6speed.



steved

 

[mazdarotary]

Chris, I bought the 04 ST with the manual locks & windows, because I planned on putting a half million miles on the rig. And I did not want any down time with faulty electronics. I miss the electric windows and locks, but I learned to get along without them. Also I ordered the open differential, so that I would have less trouble there also. I carry AAA for the times I get in a bind that it can't get out of on it's own. It has proved to be a bunch(thousands) cheaper than buying and maintaining 4x4. Not to mention that I get 15-17 mpg towing. Well over 20 mpg running empty. $30,000 is $2000 cheaper than what I paid for my 04. If I had to do it all over again today, I would go for it.

How do you get along in ND with a 2wd,and an open diff?If I do this I don't think I will be buying another truck for a really long time,so I don't want to make a mistake. I am not real big on all the gadgets,but I do appreciate them when I have a vehicle with them. I really don't need such a strong truck,but with another child(our second)on the way,and the club cab I have now being a bit smallish in the rear. I need a bigger cab,and once you own a Cummins you don't want to settle for anything else.



Chris

 

[Bertram65]

I would get the 4wd, I have tried driving in 2wd with 600lbs in the bed when there was snow and ice and it is not easy, even going up a slight grade is a challenge, too much torque, plus in the northeast you would have a hard time selling it latter being only 2wd. These trucks with all the weight in the front and 4wd are pretty unstopable in the snow.

 

[Hoefler]

Do not rely on the anti-spin to get you around in the snow. It is a joke, I have been stuck more times than not. On a level surface on wet grass, on left side on concrete and right side in gravel with a 6k trailer, and the list goes on. If it was not for the 4 wd, I would have needed a wrecker!!



Other than that, I have been happy over all. All I have is AM/FM/Cassette, A/C, Cruise, 4X4, Bright grill and Anti-Spin. I installed XM, Tool Box, Running Boards, Mud Flaps, Edge EZ, Cat Mod, and Flowmaster Muffler. I work out of my truck every day. I don't need to have all the bells and whistles.

 

[barbwire]

How do you get along in ND with a 2wd,and an open diff? Chris

The state DOT is doing a much better job of keeping the roads clean nowadays than 15 to 20 years ago. So for the most part, if you do not have too many back roads to travel, 2wd gets around just fine. I do run with studded grips on the rear though. In the 123,000 miles that I have put on my 04, I had to call AAA twice to get pulled out of a pickle, that I got into because of my own stupidity. Yes, it is a learning curve to learn to drive with a 2wd, after growing up with 4x4s.

On a side note, AAA only costs about $100 a year to belong, and when you are a member, they tow you out of your stupid moves without any out of the pocket money :-laf . , ( how much does the 4x4 option cost?) Not to mention the added expense of the extra maintenance to keep it up.

I ordered my CTD the way I did to save myself some serious money, and I believe I have saved many thousands. Just an estimate of savings over the life of the vehicle, I would not hesitate to say that it could easily be $10,000. And much less down time.

Granted, this is all mainly do the the fact that I am older and I have drifted away from the need to go out and play in the snow and the mud. 15 years ago, I would not have been caught dead without a 4x4 Now when I feel the need to play, I use the ATV.

If a person has plenty of money, they should get all the toys. But, if they need to spend conservatively, "so you can purchase a wider variety of things", then in my opinion, a 4x2 allows me to do that.

 

[mazdarotary]

The state DOT is doing a much better job of keeping the roads clean nowadays than 15 to 20 years ago. So for the most part, if you do not have too many back roads to travel, 2wd gets around just fine. I do run with studded grips on the rear though. In the 123,000 miles that I have put on my 04, I had to call AAA twice to get pulled out of a pickle, that I got into because of my own stupidity. Yes, it is a learning curve to learn to drive with a 2wd, after growing up with 4x4s.

On a side note, AAA only costs about $100 a year to belong, and when you are a member, they tow you out of your stupid moves without any out of the pocket money :-laf . , ( how much does the 4x4 option cost?) Not to mention the added expense of the extra maintenance to keep it up.

I ordered my CTD the way I did to save myself some serious money, and I believe I have saved many thousands. Just an estimate of savings over the life of the vehicle, I would not hesitate to say that it could easily be $10,000. And much less down time.

Granted, this is all mainly do the the fact that I am older and I have drifted away from the need to go out and play in the snow and the mud. 15 years ago, I would not have been caught dead without a 4x4 Now when I feel the need to play, I use the ATV.

If a person has plenty of money, they should get all the toys. But, if they need to spend conservatively, "so you can purchase a wider variety of things", then in my opinion, a 4x2 allows me to do that.

Thanks for the reply. I have had a couple of 4wd trucks over the short time I have been driving,and to be honest I really only NEEDED it about 7 days a year. The plow operators around here do a pretty good job,and I live in a semi rural area,but then again no where in eastern mass is really rural. I do have to travel a fair amount of back roads,but I can usually wait til the roads are clear. I guess I could get some dedicated snow tires like blizzaks. I have had the hardest time in snow over the years in my own driveway,but now we have a new house with a paved driveway,and I bought a 30" 11 HP Husqvrna snowblower last year. I don't drive that much anymore with the new house,big mortgage,company van,etc. I have put 10,000 miles on my 92 over the last 17 months. Granted I had a fun machine for the summer last year that I put a few miles on. I have a new summer machine now,so I could save some miles on the truck again. My company van is just that,a 1 ton van that is terrible in the snow,and somehow I got around during the blizzard last year. If it gets really bad I guess I could just grab my wifes Subaru. In fact I did during the blizzard when I needed to get to a building to get a generator started after it failed. That car is great in the snow.



There is a 03 3500 SRW 6 speed quad cab short bed SLT in the classifieds right now for sale at $23500. It has 77,700 miles on it now. Does that sound like a good deal?Thanks.



Chris

 

[NMaier]

I had an ST before my current SLT. It wasn't for me. I don't need all the gadgets, but I did really miss power locks and windows. The SLT is definitely a better fit for me. But, if I was looking for a strict work-only truck the ST would be a great fit.

 

[RJOL]

I've had/ordered three STs. The truck I have now is a Laramie SLT ONLY because I bought it used. Definately prefer STs because I like the hand crank windows and my fingers work fine for pushing down the locks. I've even pondered if you could get ST doors from a yard and swap out the fancy doodaw doors. Plus I definately like the rubber floor covering versus carpeting.



One redeeming feature is being able to adjust the mirrors on the fly.

I remember, back on the farm, when we had to hand crank the old tractor we had... Maybe you could get that feature in your truck and avoid all the possible starter problems... While your at it you could retrofit your windshield wipers to hand cranks and take out the power steering... .

 

[driverno8]

I bought my father-in-law a 2500 ST QC LB. We added the crome front end and a cd player. Dealer installed the PDL with the remote. He gets a long just fine in it. But the few times I've driven it, adjusting the mirrors sucks. Plus there's no center consol in it. Kinda a pain to keep papers, wallets, etc. He doesn't miss the cruise because he never uses it in his other truck. But no mirrors and no center consol are hard on him.

 

[NStates]

My 2005 is loaded also my 2001 was loaded. Most of my miles are open road and many towing a heavy Teton Fifth Wheel. The limited slip is great when gets a heavy rig off the road and I hav never had a problem with all the gadgets. Love all of them.



Norm



My Truck – 2005 RAM 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x2 Laramie Sport Bright White 6-Speed HO – Limited Slip - Edge Juice Attitude –PacBrake – 65 gal. Toolbox/fuel tank – Starboards – Pulrite Super 5th – Kenwood TM 261