Do You Like The New HD Rams?

[JMichelson]

I Like It

My neighbor just got a new 1500, I sat in the back seat and it wasn’t that bad. I’m close to 6 feet and I wouldn’t want to ride a cross the country in it but I could live with it. I liked the fit and finish and I really like the looks. I’m in trouble though, I told my kids I will never own a four door, only old people drive four doors. I glad so many of my fellow dodge owners don’t classify the Quad Cab as a four door. My former neighbor has a Ford Crew Cab, long box, PSD, nice truck, except I think you can turn a Super Tanker around in less distance. By the way the neighbor moved, Cummins envy I guess.

 

[kevin1]

I don't like it, first it was supposed to be a crewcab, but of course like dodge does every thing else they were too cheap to do it right. All it is, is a glorified extended cab!! I will be going back to ford, an awsome engine but thats all. I will do what maddog did do a power conversion on a ford

 

[NDetoy]

Looking at the pictures, I like it. It all depends if my 1st Gen. sells before June if I buy 2002 or wait for 3rd Gen. I don't like having 30% less room in engine compartment than 2nd Gen. That must mean that it has 75% less engine compartment room than my 1st Gen. Oh well, if I can't do it, someone can do it.

 

[mike r]

I'm slowly coming over

The thing I didn't like about the 1500's was the torsion bar front end. The 2500's seem like the sit right with the solid axles. any info about lockers for American axles? I may look into a new HEMI then supercharge it to give a Lightning a look at what it is supposed to run like. Ken Bell are you listening?:--) And NO, I'm not selling my '99.

 

[rmrc]

I personally like the new design, except for two issues.



First, I think the old dash design is much better than the new one.



Second, and most important,,, the reduced space in the engine compartment is, IMHO, a BIG draw back!!!



Just for the heck of it, I'm going down to my local Dodge dealer this comming Monday to have a first hand look at the new 1500's to make my own evaluation regarding the new design. I think Dodge really screwed up regarding the engine compartment for the 2500 and 3500 models!

 

[Bad340fish]

Everyone talks about(and knows) how reliable and trouble free the cummins motor is correct?? Well then why is everyone whining about not having enough room to work on it?? Doesn't make sense to me. I mean come on, how often do you have to actauly work on the cummins motor?? I know the hood doesn't spend to much time open on mine. So you gotta work a little harder to BOMB it... so what thats half the fun . You have not really modified anything unless you #@$%! #@$%! #@$%! at sometime while working on it



Mike R... dodge already has a very good answer for the lightening, and its all naturaly asperated. The SRT-10 its a reg Cab 1500 SB with the VIPERs 500x3 motor and 6 speed in it. And its scheduled for production in late 2002.

Check it out!

 

[GCuzzy]

Euro Trash in bed @ Dodge

Well girls it seems that they designed a truck on a napkin while drinking designer water on the beach. No true crew cab and what happen to my q-cab now I am going to have to open 2 doors. By the way do we have a clear date on production, or a better question when is the drop dead date for ordering a 2002. By the way why didn't they come up with a convertable to add to this euro trash invasion. #@$%!

 

[rhoads]

Newbie

The grill needs a make over. I agree that center bar did not help LOOKS!!!

I aggree on the remark about the front bumper----- On the plus side the fog/driving light placement is a sure plus on foggie /pitch black night's and road beds,too find the center line and ditch when one should be parked for saftey sake. BUT--------- as any one that has factory installed lights on the older model's can attest to- are of no use when it snow's ,slight dusting and being set back in. will just fill up in a couple miles.

Just a guess but the stuffing the eng back was done just so the doors could be added and keep the bumper to bumper distance the same. Being tall enough to reach the top self in the kitchen

with out standing on a news paper I'd really hate to set in that frt. mid jump seat!!!

NOW what would realy kill the sale is IF (cant see) If they did away with the center console!!!

Looks like the light control may be in the steering wheel suppose they were smart enough to put the on/off/vol control(raido) there too???

And then there are the mirrors--I know, they are the same a s the current models but they look like that poor kid in 2nd grade with no hair and elephant ears!!! Takes away from the smooth lines.

The hood is kind of full BUT still not like a Ford!!!

On the Cummins side NOW they can truley say it is an electronic controlled eng and not a hybrid!! (injectors) $$$$$

You wont be pulling these out !! I'm betting min. 300 a copy!!!

Most likely closer to 5-6.

What would be interesting is the mpg's Even if it stays the same with increse Hp thats cool!

 

[mike r]

This is getting fun!

Bad Fish, I've known about the SRT for a while now and what I'm saying is do more with less. Just like with the mighty Cummins, we've been spotting those guys 80 inches for how many years and they still can't beat us pulling. Use the little hemi and do the same to it as they did and Look Out! The king Hemi will live again! YOU, being a fish fan should want this. Just wait till someone grafts one of the new ones into an old Cuda or Challenger. I'll buy that issue of Mopar Muscle! Admittedly, I am an avid beliver of the B-RB engines but I also love the new stuff! I am a gearhead. 20 years ago my first Mopar was a big block Super Bee and I still miss that car, it couldn't go coast to coast like my 90 Fifth Ave. but it wasn't meant for it either. So look ahead to to the new trucks and the aftermarket will help us overcome the stuff YOU don't like about it! Who know's anything about a '97 3. 9 with an Allison to put in my '57 D-100? Mopar Gearhead Forever! :-{}

 

[TORQUED]

Don't worry be happy

I've read all the coments and I'm disapointed with all the negative coments. Is this truck perfect for everyone "NO" but it is a great improvment. Back in 89 the cummins was introduced to the Dodge Ram. Everyone cheared and when the 94 was introduced everone cheared, except for those that wanted a club or crewcab. Next came the clubcab came along and Dodge couldn't build enough trucks so crewcab wouldn't be built until.....

In 95? Ford introduced the Powerstroke 215hp 420lbs. Dodge fans weren't happy So for plublicity sake they offered the 5sp at the same power. Dodge did nothing for the auto. Still selling more trucks than ever. Next Ford introduced 235hp 500lbs. Dodge had to do something 245hp 505lbs with the 6sp 235hp 460lbs auto.

Then the big kick in the pants Chevy releases the 300hp 520lbs with the allison and Ford will release 305hp 550lbs

Dodge decided the new bodystyle will try to cover most everyones wants and needs with the beancounters looking over their shoulders.

looks like a Dodge

reg cab

quad crew cab

solid axles

most powerful standard engine

most powerful diesel 305hp 555lbs 6sp and auto

auto built inhouse beefedup existing design, cheaper

to us

best in class GVWR and GCWR

3500 SWR

2004 Most powerful gas(have to have something for

next years autoshow?????????!!!!!!!!!)

Make everyone happy (can't ) but finally I won't have to here " but your truck isn't stock. " and I'll here WOW!!!

Thank you Dodge and Cummins



ISB305 ISB305 ISB305 ISB305

 

[Todd T]

Umm, CREW CAB??? sorry DC you lost my vote and business at least for now.

 

[Gunny]

I dont like it. Looks too much like a damn Ford. I will never understand a 1 ton with SRW, one of the big advantages to a 1 ton is those extra wheels and there added carring capacity, if you dont need that why not just get a 2500? I also just hate what they did with the doors, a really like my quad cab, and the suicide doors are just fine to me, as a matter of fact I would rather have it this way. Gunny

 

[Dkevdog]

I'm starting to like the look more, but I think the whole issue of "Crew cab" is what bothers me. It's in the NAME. If you don't have a CREW cab, then don't call it one! They should call it the four door extra cab?? And beside- you are paying dearly for something you aren't getting. THAT is the problem. Are they gonna sell a crapload of these trucks? Sure they are. Will I buy one? Maybe, but not after giving it some hard thought. And for all the whiners who say how much easier to park they'll be Gimme a break! I really don't think people looking at trucks that large and that expensive give a Sh** about turning them around! Come on DC- Build it and we will come. A 4500 and 5500 would be a wonderful place to join the market again!!!



Kev

 

[kchristopher]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

I'm starting to like the look more, but I think the whole issue of "Crew cab" is what bothers me. It's in the NAME. If you don't have a CREW cab, then don't call it one!

Kev

I looked on the webpage (www.4adodge.com) and they are still calling the 4 door truck a quadcab. Look under the 1500 section.

 

[GRudy]

I Don't.

Flat out UGLY! Looks just like a ford to me. Wouldn't suprise me if the body panels would interchange. I do like the changes to the cummins and the drive train but I'm glad I got a second generation.

 

[John Martines]

I don't care how mush room is in the back I'll be in the drivers seat

 

[QRTRHRS]

Lack of a tilt hood with the tighter engine access bothers me more than the rear door size. Actually, it would suit my dogs just fine since they are in the back more than any people.



The higher GCWR is a plus for my needs. As the fed and the states put the screws to us, my 97' with it's conservative GCWR of 18k is going to force a change sometime.



In the meantime, I will watch for the (rumored?) heavier 4500, etc. offerings from DC if they come to pass. Has anyone got any info on cab & chassis offerings on the new 3500?

 

[Breck]

1. No "real" door in the back (lacking a true crew cab)

2. No more Dana: Every GM truck I've heard, owned, ridden in, always has that "clunk" sound coming from the rear end as it accelerates away from a stop. I guess Dodge will have that "clunk,” sound as well (Thanks to American axle)

3. The blind spot from the A pillar just got worse (bigger) with the new interior. Heck, you can hide a whole car in that spot on my 95.

4. Less room under the hood with more "electrons" running around.

5. The same auto as before????? What are they thinking? At least there are companies like DTT around.

6. Looks like a fish (cod) from the front. (Subjective, much like judging ice skating)

7. Interior that looks as one put it, "the interior of a mini van. " my thoughts exactly.

8. Nothing to set it apart like what GM and Ford do with their SD and HD.



I wish DC hadn’t lost Lutz to GM.



To bad Ford doesn’t have a Cummins option in their 250’s and 350’s.

 

[JConley]

For those that say the rear seat has enough room on the new models, I would like you to come over to my house, fill up one of these mini back seats with 2 kids, a dog, all the toys, and then go about 2000 miles. We had to use the hitch haul on the Excursion on our last trip to Colorado. For me, I would love to see a pickup with a sleeper cab in addition to the crew cab. My wife and I drive around 40K miles a year. There is no substitute for cubic feet!!!!!

 

[Wiredawg]

No vote based on no dodge crew cab!

Fellow Rammers:



My no-vote vote is based upon the comfort and room of the back seat of the Dodge compared to Chevy and Ford crewcabs. I just happened by a local Dodge dealer who had a 2002 1500 (3rd generation) setting exactly side-by-side with a 2002 2500 (2nd generation. ) Cab lengths and wheel bases are identical. Dodge moved the dash more into the engine compatment to make more leg room in the front, which made more leg room in the rear. Both Dodges are lacking in padding in the backs of the rear seats, making them fairly uncofortable.



As you can see by my signature element, I have a 2000 QC that does not seat adults comfortably in the back seat. I recently test drove both Chevy and Ford crew cabs. They both were considerably more comfortable in the rear seat and had larger rear doors.



Dodge can save their hides by coming out with a true crew cab besides the re-swung doors of the quad-cab. They have to understand cab forward does not substitute for extended wheelbases and larger doors. Cab forward also makes maintenence more difficult than on our the current 2nd generation models.



Finally, I'm old enough to remember when Dodge made a true crew cab. Hopefully, they'll regain their memoreies as well.



Wiredawg.