Drove 2003s at TDR Nationals

[Wiredawg]

Daimler-Chrysler and Cummins teamed up to give us rammers a real treat: They brought 5 2003 3500s (4x4 srw auto QC sb, 4x4 drw lb 6spd high output w/3. 73s, 2wd qc drw lb) for us to drive.



I drove the red HO 6spd QC DRW 3500 twice. Nice truck. Great acceleration, nice tubo and exhaust sound. A Jardine muffler would have a really nice sound. These trucks feel much more solid than the 2nd gens. Stiffer frame probably big contributing factor.



These trucks drove great! I'd buy one. Motor is quite, but exhaust and turbo sing. Lots of get-up and go. DC also took the cab and bed off a SRW 3500 so we could see the chassis, motor etc... Real sweet.



The Cummins plant is a modern marvel. We got to see every aspect of the assembly including painting the motors with clearcoat.



Guys, these trucks are tighter and better built than we have been used to. I know time will be the judge, but I definitely left with a sense that DC and Cummins are out to beat the competition with higher quality products.



Thought I'd share my experience with you. As time goes by, you'll be able to see and judge for yourselves.



Finally, DC and Cummins were great hosts at the TDR Nationals.

Special thanks to them for their hospitality.



Wiredawg

 

[David Muench]

Man oh MAN I wish I could of made it. . Sigh.

 

[JWerkheiser]

Cool!

Thanks for the nice review - glad to see that DC actually made some improvements. Did you happen to notice if they had fenderwells in them? The 2002 1500 series didn't have rear fender wells in them. Just wondered if they are still making that mistake. Sounds like they might have a good formula on the chassis and motor. We'll have to get some straight pipes on them right away. David, yours should be here soon, right? Is 8/7 your order date? If so, what's your build date?



JW

 

[David Muench]

No build date yet ... I've been calling every Monday to see what's up, 8/12 it was BG, and this monday it was still BG (no updates since 8/8, the day after it was ordered). . I wish DC's order status system would be a little more consistent, I bet if I called back I'd get a different answer. But I'll just wait till next week.



While I'm wishing for things, a web site you could punch your VON or VIN into and get the status code sure would be nice.



I'm actually hoping mine won't show up till the end of September for financial reasons. . But I sure would like to see a D or D1 status.

 

[JWerkheiser]

I think I really lucked out

Order date of 7/31 and it got right into the system and is being built starting today. I'm ready for mine - we're living on one vehicle here for the whole family. I might call the status line tomorrow and check on mine. What number have you been calling?

 

[David Muench]

The one on Dave Fritz's page (though the prompts have changed) - 800-992-1997. Same as you or is there a new one I don't know about?

 

[JWerkheiser]

Same phone # I have.

 

[JWerkheiser]

Just checked and status on my truck is (F). So, its in the paint booth.

 

[Wiredawg]

JWerkheiser:



The 3500 has enclosed fenders but the 3500 SRW didn't. Looks like fender inserts are a thing of the past.



Wiredawg