Betrayed by Dodge/Cummins

[Pit Bull]

Now that you know that Dodge/Cummins is coming out with a 325HP/600Tq. new engine in just a few months, how many 03 owners feel betrayed by Dodge/Cummins keeping this information under wraps until now? If I was in the market for a new truck and 6 months ago was led to believe that I needed to hurry and buy the present model before they were loaded up with emissions and now found out that not only were they not going to have the emissions added but the new ones would be more powerful I think I would be It's got to hurt the resale value of the 03's and early 04's with the weaker engines. I know you can bomb the 03's but you then also kiss your 100K mile warranty good buy. I would rather have the 325Hp/600Tq. and the 100K mile warranty. What a rip off. JMHO

 

[CKruse]

I would respectfully beg to differ. I ordered my truck last spring and took delivery in May. I have been nothing short of elated with the performance, fuel economy, power, and features of my pickup. There will always be improvements or perceived improvements to any product. I really did my research and homework before ordering. I was not brand loyal, although I did come out of a gasser Dodge that was a great truck. My dad has a 7. 3 2002 SuperDuty I was very impressed with. I shopped around and bought what I felt was the best diesel truck. Most guys buy a truck like this for the long haul. Changes/improvements are bound to come, whether it's in 6 months or 2 years.



No offense to anyone but if you go through life thinking "coulda, woulda, shoulda" or "I got ripped off", you're missing the point.



Having said all that, I think there is a bunch of 2003-2004 Ford owners that got sold a bill of goods to become the Beta Test Group for a poorly researched and developed product.



Bottom line: I absolutely love my 03 HO with it's measly 305 hp/555 ft lb! And, I don't feel the slightest bit betrayed!

 

[LHarper]

CKruse. Beautiful truck and I agree with you comment.

 

[KCJackson]

Dodge and Cummins have raised the ratings 8 times - in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998. 5, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004. 5 - from the original 160/400 to the current 325/600. I would find it hard to believe that anyone has felt "betrayed" by these regular improvements. Instead, I'd feel betrayed if there was NOT constant development to keep up with competition and continuing technological advances.



I will be thoroughly impressed that my 2005 will be stronge, faster, and cleaner than my 1996, just as economical on fuel, and with longer maintenance intervals - with the same basic engine block.

 

[krabman]

You have to be kidding me. Your talking about an incremental increase to the folks that have H. O. 's. Blindfolded you could drive either one and not tell the difference. The same folks that would bomb an 03 will also bomb the new one and be in exactly the same warranty boat. This is great news to the folks that live in CA or other communist states but for the rest of us it isnt earth shattering. If this little bit of HP was that important we would all be driving powerjokes now. Your letting marketing hype affect your reasoning.

 

[SLinse]

I must admit, I was UPSET when I heard the news. My 1 month old truck obslolete. Not happy!!



HOWEVER I got to thinking about these higher numbers. My guess is that the new motor probably has the EGR and CAT, and they raised the numbers so they are still putting the same amount of HP to the ground as the 03-04. I bet you stick an 03 and the 04 1/2 on a dyno, and you aren't going to see much differance in the numbers. Just food for thought. .

 

[Casey Balvert]

I took delivery of my truck in September of 2002 and have absolutely no regrets. Best vehicle I have ever owned.



Again, DC is dangling the more horses and twist carrots to entice people to buy into more stringent emmissions systems. Time will tell what else the buyers of the "new and improved" trucks get for their money. And some of that may not be what they bargained for. I hope I am wrong. We will know soon.



If I had the choice of the "old" HO and the "new and improved" version I think I would opt for the devil I know. In another month or so I might change my mind, but for some reason I doubt it. FWIW



Casey

 

[WadePatton]

fuss over +20/45 ???:-laf [dub in the Woody Woodpecker laugh]



Truth be known, you can probably find that much variation in stock engines of the same rating!

 

[lawdog1]

Just add a $400 EZ box, put it on the lowest setting on your '03, take it off when you go to the dealer and smile that there is not a CAT or EGR on your rig. Life is not so bad...

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by WadePatton

fuss over +20/45 ???:-laf [dub in the Woody Woodpecker laugh]



Truth be known, you can probably find that much variation in stock engines of the same rating!

Thats right, people dont realize the differences that can exhist in the same engine! How elase can you explain some people getting 16 MPG and some 23 with everything being the same.

 

[Steve M]

Just be glad Dodge didn't promise you the best truck on the market only to have it fill the crank-case with oil, die when you step on the loud peddle, romp and stumble when you start it, and leak all over your driveway.

Mine is a standard output with a 47RE. It's the lowest on the list of 3rd gens. Yet it pulls our 5th wheel reliably and effortlessly. It has just over 20,000 trouble free miles on it so far. And although I'm interested in the new 600, I'm not put out by DC at all.

 

[XcumminsX]

You must be kidding me. the only differece between are truck and a new "600" is 25 feet pulling up a hill that is a 1/4 mile high. And if you have an 03 and want to beat a "600" go buy a cheap chip and turn it on to the lowest setting and you will beat the "600" by 25 feet... ... . WHO CARES..... and for the people that want to bomb a "600" i dont think so..... Alot of crap to mess with, More money to spend.

 

[rrausch]

Pit Bull!!!! Are you thinking about getting another Dodge/Cummins?

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by rrausch

Pit Bull!!!! Are you thinking about getting another Dodge/Cummins?

:-laf

 

[rrausch]

Oo. Oo.

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by WadePatton

fuss over +20/45 ???:-laf [dub in the Woody Woodpecker laugh]



Truth be known, you can probably find that much variation in stock engines of the same rating!

from what it looks like here [all rumors though], the majority of the changes [new manifold, larger exhaust pipes, turbo, injectors] are exhaust related. pop in a nice exhaust system and you'll probably be right where the new 600 is...



and no one is still 100% sure about the egr thing. the egr is the cheapest way to make the NOx production of an engine go down.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Are you kidding-The new trucks cost more $$$$ than my 2003. For $850 I will add (ordered ) a new TST box and I will have 10 power levels that add 15 hp and 28ft. lbs. of torque with each number I choose to go up(0-10) till I have 400 rwhp.

 

[WadePatton]

600 Torque??? I thought they were talking about HORSEPOWER!:-laf

 

[jrandol]

Hey we dont get mad at the chip companies when they go and up the abilities of our computers. Its the way of the world. Gotta say I sure wouldnt mind having an 05. Maybe I'll get one and turn my 02 into a pullin truck... hmmmmm... ...

 

[y-knot]

I think it is maybe a little early for anyone to feel "Betrayed" or angry. No-one knows for sure what changes were made and what was added. I can see some people feeling a little un-easy about the change, but just wait and see how it all pans out. And you were not short changed, or slighted. You still have a very good and dependable truck, and that is what you bought. Right now all anyone knows about the "600" is very little, there is alot of here say and rumor. This only serves a few that have nothing else to do but gossip, and speculate about what they might be getting.