Decisions

[Alan Reagan]

Just came from a dealer in central GA. He is offering me a Laredo Package 3500, SRW for $34 K. That's his first offer. The truck lists for $41,600. So I took it for a spin. At 70 mph on I-75, the engine drone was very loud. At any other speed the truck was very quiet.



Now, does that problem exist in all trucks or just the 4. 10 rears.



Also, this one was automatic. My '01 is a 6 speed and I'm rather fond of the 6 speed transmission now.



Input is welcome.

 

[SnoKing]

They have had alot of drive train vibration with the 3rd gen trucks. Sure it was not a vibration? SNOKING

 

[Alan Reagan]

It was a drone like straight pipes run up the back of the cab. Only between 70 and 75 mph. It was low frequency. The truck was very smooth and everything else is great. I'm afraid that on the road it would be very annoying.

 

[jsimpson]

I don't think I could go from a 6 speed to an auto. You'll have to spend around three grand on that auto to get it where it should be.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Jsimpson, Thanks for the push. I just got a call from the dealer I normally deal with. He said he would put me into an 05 auto for the same as the other dealer wants for the 04. Or he'll find me a 6 speed and save me some money.



They sure came off the big price quick. The dealer with the 04 said that they sell approximately 120 vehicles a month. In November they sold 52. They are ready to deal.



The dealer I usually buy from is going to come through for me though and get me what I want.



I've got the feeling that drone is the auto with the 4. 10 making the engine reach a resonating frequency at 70 mph that makes the ride pretty uncomfortable.

 

[grfraz]

Mine is an auto with 4:10's and I have no drone. I even had the dealer install my BFG 315's. Ordered mine from Link Chevy, Olds, Chrysler, etc, etc. in Waynesboro, Ga.

 

[Alan Reagan]

If you've ever ridden in an older model corvette, the drone you get when starting off or loading the engine such as hitting an incline is what I'm talking about. Low frequency resonation throughout the cab. The salesman tried to tell me it was the turbo. This will be my fourth diesel and third Ram TD. I think I know what a turbo sounds like at this stage of the game.



The truck was very quiet other than hitting the 70 mph mark. At 75 it disappeared. Or if I let up on the accelerator it disappeared.



Speaking of turbo, there was no turbo noise at all. The truck looked great. Black with silver rocker panels. Black seats with grey suede insets and Ram embroidered centers. Infinity sound system and lots of room to relax. The seats were a little firm but the doors were solid on closing and there was no wind noise.

 

[bpenrod]

Sounds like an after market muffler was installed! I have a slight drone inthat exact range with my Dynomax muffler in place of the stocker.

 

[Alan Reagan]

But the truck is brand new or I would agree. I think I'm passing on this one for sure. I want to stay with a six speed and I couldn't stand the noise at 70. Just wanted to make sure this is not a consistent problem with other owners.

 

[Mad Bomber]

new truck

I took a 4. 5 6 speeder for a test drive. I was wondering what happed to all the low end grunt. Till the truck hit 2500 RPM's it seemed gutless. I guess that's comparing it to 400+ :-laf

 

[Alan Reagan]

I saw the same thing in this one. All of a sudden at about 2000, it would open up and 2500 was really putting out. It was between 23 and 2500 that the drone started. That's when that engine seemed to be really working.



My 01 does about 325 so I didn't see much difference between it and the 04. Except mine has a lot more low end power.

 

[Mad Bomber]

new truck

Except mine has a lot more low end power.

So why would you want to get rid of yours? DON'T DO IT :-laf