Did Dodge BLOW It?

[BIG BOB]

I hate to say this, but I think they did!



Today Kathy and I were at an RV Show in Spokane. They just happen to have a new 3rd generation Ram 1500 with what they call "Crew Cab" (4 door). Before I sat in the drivers seat I checked out the rear seating. I don't understand why Dodge, when trying to get into the "Crew Cab" (4 door) market would design something half way! It's a JOKE! It needs another 6" minimum. I might be able to get into the back seat, but it would not be easy or comfortable. Yes, I am a big guy (6'3"), but this seat would only be comfortable for an Oriental (no offence intended) or someone under 5'6" tall and 130#.



I then move the front seat all the way back and crawled in. I couldn't believe it! There is no head room, I hit my head on the door jamb getting in, (there was no way I could get in without hitting my head) and after I did get in, I had only about 1 to 2 inches clearance between my head and the ceiling. NO HATS for the Cowboys!



I just don't understand Dodge! Trucks are suppose to be made for Guys including Big Guys. Dodge is the truck of Cowboys and the Pro Rodeo, well the steer wrestlers are going to have to find another truck.



I'm glad I have my 2nd generation, and I will be keeping it! I was considering a 2003 with the Cummins, but after today, NO WAY!



YES, DODGE YOU BLEW IT!

 

[DarrellB]

I looked at one too

And what my dealer told me is that it isn't a crew cab it is still called an extended cab. He said all that they did was add the regular doors so you don't have to open the front before you open the back. (makes sense) I asked him about the new 3/4 and 1 tons and said he hasn't seen a production version yet but it will be similar to the front of the 1/2 tons but the rest will be completely diffrent and they will have a lagit "CREWCAB". In my opinion I'm driving I could care less about the back seat. I also asked about motors and he said that the new Hemies will be in them and the diesel will get "more power", but as for the Allison transmission he said he new nothing about it being offered in any of the new dodges. He also said DC is keeping the new trucks under raps and aren't even letting the dealers know much so he said all that he told me could be completely changed by late summer when the are released. Gotta Love Those Dumb Germany B@$t@rds



I've said too much

Big D

 

[NVR FNSH]

Aren't most of those professional steer wrestlers & bull riders pretty short? Shouldn't be too much of a problem



Brian

 

[sdalton]

I too jumped in the back of a new one the other day. I moved the seat back as far as it would go and I could hardly fit in the back seat( of the new 4 door model). What I realized was that the new 4 door seats move back much further than the quad cab I have. I then adjusted the front seat to the position I drive, then jumped in the back. Low and behold, It seemed like there was at least 6 more inchs of leg room. Dodge might have created that room by redesigning the seats, and legthening the cab a little. I think they sould have gone further. I was told by the salesman that there will be no more quad cabs. Just the 4 doors or regular cab. I too wish for a true crew cab, but this is much better than the quad cab we have now, except for the narrow and hard front seats.

 

[Turbo Thom]

I was just stranded in Monroe ,La. with my transmission burn up. The shop I went to is an Allison shop. While I was waiting on Standerd Trannsmission to ship me another one I had two days to talk and kill time. Two brothers own the shop now , as their dad has cancer. One of them works on nothing but Allison's in motor homes, dumps, busses. As I was riding with him, in his new D-max he told me all the fitting up for using the Allison in the 2500-3500 line was done in the Dodge trucks. Dodge furnished all the trucks for the work, then didn't buy the setup. I asked why and how did he know? He said he saw the trucks at their ( Allisons) test facilitys. I asked what would it take for the A to installed in our trucks? He says it can't be done. All the shift points with the torque of the Cummins could not be reached. The Duro-Max cannot be up graded much cause the transmission will shut down. Seems like the thing has a mine of it's own. To him the dumbest thing Dodge has done since the introduction of the Cummins, is to turn down the Allison in the 2500-3500 series. Could be they new we would be at 500-600 hp and the transmission wouldn't take it. You think?



Anyway I got the transmission and a new US Gear aux. installed and drove on back 492 miles home. Funny what you hear away from the house.



. . Preston. .

 

[amsoilman]

Bigbob,

I think what you saw and was sitting in is called a "Quad Cab". It is NOT a "Crew Cab"! The "Crew Cab" is coming, just wait. Personaly if I need an an extra seat, I would want the doors to open the way they do on this new 2001 1500 "Quad Cab".



Just my . 02 cents worth,



Wayne

 

[Fireman Dave]

I agree with BigD

I've been thinking the same thing as a lot of people - they have got to be kidding with the new "crew cab". Well, then I saw a show on SpeedVision last weekend that featured the new 1500. There was a Dodge rep on it explaining the whole truck and how they came up with it. He referred to the truck as a Quad Cab, not a crew cab. What they really did was what BigD said - lengthened the quad cab a little and made the doors open forward. After watching that show, I don't think they were trying to create a crew cab - just a big quad cab. In that case, they did do something decent, in my opinion (although I don't care for the back end much). Now I'm thinking that maybe that's why the 2500 and 3500 aren't changed yet - they might well be the real deal crew cab (let's keep our fingers crossed). We should really be comparing the new 1500 to the "old" 1500 quad cab, not our image of a true crew cab. By the way, I saw a new 1500 4-door with an 8' box at my dealer. I like it a lot better than the short box version. It sits low for a 4x4, though.



Edit: By the way, that show is on SpeedVision again today at 2:00pm, 6:00pm, and 10:00pm - for anyone interested.

 

[chuck3]

I agree with Dave who agrees with Big D, lets not give up yet maybe they are useing the 4 door 1500 to feel things out to see how it flys so to speak, maybe thats why we haven't heard much on the new Rams, maybe they were still decideing. We can allways hope?

 

[The Sequel]

I also sat in the back of a 2002 and found there was a lot more room when the seat was adusted for my driving position than there is now.

 

[BIG BOB]

amsoilman,



I thought that the 4 doors was called a "Crew Cab" where each door open individually. I have a Quad Cab, I have to open my door before I can open the back door. I didn't get a brochure, so I don't know the official name. However, it has been my understanding all along, with many others the this new style with 4 doors is the "Crew Cab". Maybe I am wrong, time will tell.



I hope as some of you have said, that Dodge is setting back waiting to see public reaction, and are planning to make a true "Crew Cab" on the 2500 and 3500 trucks.



I know one thing, when I drive, the seat is all the way back and with this new 4 door there is not enough room behind me for a 6 foot person to set. You little guys will probably be fine, but truck are for all of us including BIG MEN! This is not Japan where most are under 5'6" and 150#. This is AMERICA where we have big people.



I sure hope Dodge is following this thread. I did find an email address for them. I will sent them my thoughts.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Bob,



What I was trying to say is I don't think Dodge calls the new 1500 a crew cab. I think that's our term for it. Since they call it a quad cab - it's really just an upgrade on the extended/quad cab model, and not a newly designed crew cab. So we should be comparing the rear leg room to our quad cabs we have now - which is nil, as we all know. Also, my guess is the 2500 and 3500 crew cab (if that's what they'll call it) is already designed if it's going to be out for 2003. Just my conjecture and opinions with no more info than anybody else.



Dave

 

[speedracer]

Not that I'm actually planning on replacing my truck, no matter what they come out with, but if it's not a true crew cab(sized like a Ford) then I would prefer the present suicide style doors. I like them the way they are, I think they work great.

JMHO

 

[Fireman Dave]

I agree, speedracer.

 

[BIG BOB]

Fireman Dave,



I hope you are right! If this is truely the "New" version of the Quad Cab, there is definately more room in back than my Quad Cab. However, that doesn't solve the headroom problem the have developed.

 

[BKane]

Being that I am employed at Dodge Truck in Warren,MI I can state the correct name is Quad CAb, The cab was moved forward towards the engine compartment and was extended 6" to the rear. It was not intended to be a true crew cab. If you take a look at the standard cabs you will notice they are very roomy.

 

[BIG BOB]

BKane,



Thanks for the info. Being you might have a little insite of what is to come with Dodge, in your opinion, do you think Dodge will come out with a "Real" Crew Cab for the 2500 and 3500? And When?

 

[Sarge]

I like it tight...........

I bought the Quad Cab to have an extra seat from time to time, NOT to have someone parked there all the time!!!! I guess if I had more kids to carry around I would consider it tho. I had a Crew Cab Pherd at one time. It just meant that I got elected to cart all the relatives around Actually, I like the suicide doors, just more style... ... ... . my . 02 cents. Sarge

 

[BKane]

Big Bob,



I really do not know anything definitive but the rumors around the shop is the 2500 & 3500 may be out late Feb. not sure though as I'm also told the new Hemi's will come in Aug. We have some of the Hemi's in the plant and it is a very compact engine with two plugs per cyl. Have not heard if they will e a real crewcab or not but one man who has seen one said the 2500 4x4 makes the Dakota Quad Cab look like a toy. Will keep lyou posted as I learn more.

 

[Big K]

I like the current quad cab design, primarily for the ability to access both front and rear areas from a common opening. I seldom carry passengers in the back seat, used more for inside storage. I would like to see this design remain available. Dodge MUST offer a full sized crew cab to be competetive in the current market. Put a Cummins in the F**d, and I would be sorely tempted to buy a shorty CC. It's been a good run, but to continue to retain, or increase market share, some improvements must come with this model revision. Let's hope for the best.

 

[jbone]

Guys, My two cents, agree with Sarge--kids are gone and being able to move front seat forward without that damn post in way sure makes my life easier--like the Quad just the way it is thank-you.