Bit the bullet!

[DPelletier]

I finally did it!

traded my '01 for a new '03. The financing incentives were way too good to pass up. Truth be told, if I had ordered my '01 in a 6 spd dually, I probably would have kept her. Great truck, but my needs changed. I waited until the last minute and my dealer had to do a three way trade to get the truck I wanted. I got every option I wanted except the sport pkg and got none of the ones I didn't want. New truck is supposed to arrive tomorrow, and I should be the proud owner of a 3500 dually, quad cab, 4x4, ETH, DEE, SLT, Patriot Blue truck with pwr tow mirrors, fog lamps, keyless entry, auto dim mirror, tow pkg, anti-spin, protection group, adj. pedals, load flat floor, etc. I have been reading all the 3rd gen posts to see what to look out for when I do my pre-signing inspection. The new trucks look like they have very little in the way of serious problems so far, but I will check the neutral rattle, 2000 rpm drone/vibration, the door sill plugs, etc.

Wish me luck.



Dave

 

[91W350]

Dave,



I hope you like yours as well as I do mine. This is a very cool ride! Glen

 

[KBennett]

Congrats!

You will love the 6-speed and the POWER!

 

[DPelletier]

Thanks for the encouragement, guys!

Dave

 

[y-knot]

Good luck with the new truck, I hope it is all you expect it too be.

 

[Jengle]

Got mine...

I just picked up my 04 in St. Louis, drove it home to VA, via KY. Now in CT with it. I just can't stop driving it. Love to listen to that Cummins hummins. NO drone at any RPM, I was listening for it, no vibration either. Especially at the 1900-2200 level. Jsut hard pulling. The only time I heard the turbo was at 65-70 and pulling hard up those KY hills. And that was barely heard it. Gotta do something about that. If I can shut it down long enough. Oh, BTW, got 19. 0mpg the first tank, the second in the hills showed me 19. 4, and on the run to CT, got 20. 1. All calculated by fuel slips and miles. The overhead is a little stingy according to the calculator numbers. And I have the 3500 QC, 4x4, SRW, LWB, with the HO engine and 6spd. Oh yeah, 3. 73 gears and limited slip.

 

[DPKetchum]

Look at that Patroit Blue paint real good. that was a high trouble area. From what post I've read and the sales manager were I bought mine said it had been a headache. Thin paint and primer showing through in door jams and edges etc.

 

[DPelletier]

DPKetchum,

Thanks for the reminder on the Patriot Blue. I am aware there have been some problems and planned on checking it out well. The truck also has been driven/delivered about 600mi so I am concerned about paint chips as it is in full winter mode around here and driving a brand new truck without any mudflaps is a bad idea. Dealer told me they use some sticky plastic crap during delivery. We'll see. I am really hoping everything is fine on the truck as there were none left to choose from ( 03's). I am actually in a very poor spot if there is something wrong with the truck, since I just spent all day taking off all my stuff on the old truck. I don't think the rattling clutch problem would be enough for me to refuse it, but the drone thing might.

Dave

 

[DPelletier]

Well, I picked up the truck today. No drone/vibration, no clutch rattle, has a spare (saw some with just a rim, DC must have run out of tires!), has the sill tape rather than plugs, so made the dealer order them. Only a couple of small issues: 1) truck was delivered from a dealer up north, and arrived with 900mi on the clock. and 2) they didn't use anything to protect the paint during the drive and so there are a few rock chips (below the sight-line). They are going to touch-up and give the truck a free polish Other than that, it rocks! My son saw the truck and said, "Dad, is this the best truck ever made?". I always try to be honest when my kids ask me a question, so I replied, in a thoughtful tone, " Why yes, Steven, I guess it is".

Hopefully, I'll feel the same way a year from now.

Dave

 

[Tomeygun]

Re: Got mine...

Originally posted by Jengle

I just picked up my 04 in St. Louis, drove it home to VA, via KY. Now in CT with it. I just can't stop driving it. Love to listen to that Cummins hummins. NO drone at any RPM, I was listening for it, no vibration either. Especially at the 1900-2200 level. Jsut hard pulling. The only time I heard the turbo was at 65-70 and pulling hard up those KY hills. And that was barely heard it. Gotta do something about that. If I can shut it down long enough. Oh, BTW, got 19. 0mpg the first tank, the second in the hills showed me 19. 4, and on the run to CT, got 20. 1. All calculated by fuel slips and miles. The overhead is a little stingy according to the calculator numbers. And I have the 3500 QC, 4x4, SRW, LWB, with the HO engine and 6spd. Oh yeah, 3. 73 gears and limited slip.

Johnny! Glad to see your happy with your truck, You know, You got the last Green truck to come though my lot! By the way I put a DPP spiral muffler on mine, and I do like it, but a TINY bit to quite, but the EGT is the same as the straight pipe was, so all is good



Again, gald your happy with the truck, swing by if your ever in town!

 

[Jengle]

I hope there wasn't a problem with the color. I had it at the guys shop this past weekend for the gauge install and they all went over it with a fine tooth comb. This was the first 03-04 they have seen and they were all impressed with it. They were looking for problems they had with thier older trucks and from what they saw, all of them have been addressed. Cool to hear that, sounds like I got a good one. They were more impressed when they drove it. I was a bit apprehensive with it being my first Dodge and first diesel, but that is about gone now. I am liking it more, the more I drive it. I do need to get some decent mud flaps, I am picking up rock chips on the rockers. Lot of construction areas on the way home. Thanks for the great deal, Tom.

 

[Jengle]

I am taking a lot of hits on the lack of noise from this truck. In the garage, the guy told me to start it up and back out of the shop. His wife walked by and said he told you to start it. It was running. LOL

 

[Tomeygun]

Originally posted by Jengle

I am taking a lot of hits on the lack of noise from this truck. In the garage, the guy told me to start it up and back out of the shop. His wife walked by and said he told you to start it. It was running. LOL

your telling me! A 96 12v'er pulled next to me and gave a little tap on the pedel, i just put my tail between my legs and didn't even attempt to show off, no use... But i'll live with the DPP muffler now, half good/half bad

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by DPelletier

"Dad, is this the best truck ever made?"



I always try to be honest when my kids ask me a question, so I replied, in a thoughtful tone



" Why yes, Steven, I guess it is".

:-laf :-laf :-laf



Merrick