2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Do I sell????????

[Pit Bull]

Sarge, if I remember correctly you are a retired Marine. You have paid your dues and you need to get whatever your heart desires. I have an 02 3500 4x4 ETH/DEE and love it. But if I lived in southern California with all of that traffic I might want the HO with the 48RE. At first I did not like the looks of the 03's but now I think the 03 3500 4x4 is WOW good looking. You can't go wrong keeping what you have or buying the 03. It's a toy and if you want the newest one out then get it and enjoy life. Like I said you have paid your dues (buy the way THANKS) Semper Fi

 

[WBlackburn]

Trade ???

I told you that I had a cousin in MO. that had a 03 and yes I have driven them both, Save your money.



I have a 92 with 265K and an 01 with only 23k. The old 92 has the pump turned up and will put the ole 01 to shame, but the 01 sure is nice to ride in, ( MA MA wont ride in the 92 any more ) (wimp)

 

[Sarge]

Pit Bull, thanks for the kind words, but not a retired Marine, just an active Law Officer (4 more years anyway) But your right, it would be a toy. The lure of the auto on a So. Ca. freeway is tempting, but then I remembered what I bought the Six'er for in the first place, TOWING MY FIVER TO GET THE HECK OUTTA HERE!!

I'll put the decision on ice for now, I really do love the truck... ... ... . thanks, Sarge

 

[IWeiny]

Just drove the 5 speed in Ca.

I have to admit I really liked it. I know the engine does not sound the same but the brakes where... Well AWESOME!



I already bought my EGR brake kit but have not installed it, and I am looking at the auto trany upgrades. I just don't know if all the money I am putting in my truck is now worth it.



I have the 99 Auto and I know the trany is going to go with the load I put on it. I would like to get the manual but... That is a whole lot of money. I already had a 98. 5 so I know what it's like to have a first run vehicle... That was a lemon which is how I got my 99!



What am I really looking at cost wise to get mine up to a new one? I have been looking at the EZ upgrades which gives me the same HP/Torque as what I can get here in Ca. So these are the costs I am looking at:



EZ controller $600

Suncoast trany $5000 (includes install)

EGR brake upgrade $1500 (already purchased but not installed)

Wheel and tire upgrade $600 (already done)

BD exhaust brake $1000



This is $8700. But I can't lockup below 25mph so no exhaust brake with the slow speeds I tow at in the mountains. The GVW and GCW are still not quite what I am towing? Potential liability?



The new one will cost, depending on the deal I can get, at least $20K more. $10K savings but I could get a 3500 with a manual... But I am on the front side of the TSB again...



Well that is how I see things. Is this comparing apples to oranges or I am about right here?





PS. Marine or Cop, either way you deserve our respect...

 

[Sarge]

I had to bring this thread back up.....

I can't believe it, but thanks to guys like Klenger, I am considering (again) trading up, only to an 04 1/2 this time. Man, this is killin me... ... ... Sarge

 

[klenger]

Don't follow my advice, I'm broke.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Sarge wait for the 2004. 5's and don't be afraid of the 48re. I love the ride and noise level of my 03(I hate the seats). But I use it to tow my toys and the wife. My 99 is LOUD, Smokey and like an old set of sneakers you just don't want to get rid of.

 

[E7mack96]

You'll love the '03-04. 5 quiet.



I had a '99, then a '01 (which I totalled) and ended up with a quiet '03.



At first, I didn't like the quiet. Now I really do, as I hear loud diesels all day at work.



I can hear on the cell phone, listen to the radio or actually hear my wife (possibly a bad thing) while driving the '03





As for auto/manual





The '99 had a slush box. It had to go by 36,000 miles. The 6 speed is the MAC. Don't lose the 6 speed whatever you do.



With a southbend, the 6 speed is great.



The one thing I miss is the 2 wheel low ability.



E7

 

[Sarge]

I am so tempted by the 04's it's making me nuts. And the wife doesn't help when she tells me, "if your going to do it, do it now!" (before I retire in 3 1/2 years). So now I've got an itchy trigger finger, and am on the brink of squeezing this one off... ... ... .



Help, I wanna be broke too... ... ... . Oo. Sarge

 

[WadePatton]

Save up the cash for 3. 5 years and buy yourself a retirement gift!



I'm sure the 2007's or 2008's will be more silent and more powerful than anything before---. count on it.



Me, never. 2G's forever!

 

[krs]

"I am so tempted by the 04's it's making me nuts"



You're done. Hook, line, and sinker. Why ask anyone?



But do you think that it'll make you happy, or make you stop doing it over and over, and over again? Forget it. You're right where they want you - embroiled in consumerism. Consumed by it.



It's a way of life and you chose it so stop fighting and swallow your hook.

 

[nbr1trucker]

04.5

Hey sarge, if your gonna do it , get the 04. 5 the 325hp ho will be available in calif and new england. wow watch how many used dodge cummins will be on the lots in the next few months, can you say great deals on used, LoL good luck in your delima. me I'm stay'in with my trusty 97, I wouldn't even think of trad'in her till 2 million miles!!!!!!!!!!! Ian

 

[wyosteve]

My . 02 Sarge. I kinda in the same dilemna. Have an 01 ETH. Runs great. Has had lift pump and VP go out and replaced. BUT I just turned 101. 5k miles which I know is not a lot, but a nearby dealer will still give me a reasonable trade value. SO I'm off to look at an 04 Sport tomorrow.

 

[Chipstien]

My buddy calls me a kitty, (only in the derogatory term). Regardless... . I would trade my 01 for a 3rd gen in a heartbeat if I could afford it. I avoid drive-thru's if at all possible and I have had enough of the PATHETIC FRIGGIN STEERING. The only time I can turn the steering wheel while sitting still is if I am on gravel roads. For our fellow country bumkins it is not a problem but as a daily driver in a major metropolitan city IT IS A ROYAL PAIN IN THE A$$. Ever tried to parralle park when you cannot turn the wheel. WTF! If anyone knows the cure..... (it is not the pump, tried three others), I would go from dissapointed to pleased in seconds.



It is bad enough that the steering sucks but to not have a cure by now shows that Dodge is a company that just doesn't give a ****. Can you tell I am pi$$ed? I love my truck but the front-end leaves little to be desired.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Sarge, living in CA, wait until next month and get 325 hp instead of 235. The 04. 5 will really call to you then. Not to mention the wonderful brakes, rear doors, etc.

 

[Sarge]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna wait that extra month, Joe. Say do you have the SRW, or DRW 04??