drove a 2003 today!!!!!

[mr plow]

went up to Arthur Chrysler today - they had a mini truck show - all the 2003's. It was like being a kid in a candy store. First I drove a 2500 quad s/b 4x2 ho 6sp. Holy crap, this truck is fast. Very nice. the fit and finish is amazing, and very quiet too. But finally, I drove what i came for - a quad cab dually 4x4 ho - what a beast. The truck rocks. No question, thats my next truck.



BTW, the folks at Arthur were great, they just threw the keys at me and said see u in a while... awesome!!!!





Also, the wife liked it too...





____________________



y2k 2500 quad short box 4x4 fisher ez-v, boost guage, transmission temp guage, K&n, Power box.

 

[wyosteve]

I drove a long box 4x4 6 spd. HO a week ago. Certainly more quiet and the 6 spd. shifts much smoother than in my 01, especially in the 2 to 3 shift. However, I prefer my 01 w/ EZ. Seems to have more of a kick when you step on it. The 03 seemed to lag a bit and had a longer acceleration range. I really don't like the appearance especially of the box and rear end. It looks to big and bulky with no trim or chrome to set it off. Also noticed they did not put full splash guards in the rear wheel wells. Having said all that, if they gave me an extremely good deal on trading mine with all the goodies, I'd consider a new one, but otherwise it's not enough to get me overly excited.

 

[JHansen]

Drove a SRW 3500 QC LWB yesterday with the HO/6 spd. and I think every option except side curtain airbags. Same initial impressions as wyosteve pretty much-way quiet, the 6 speed shifts WAY smoother than mine (not that mine is horrible, just that the new one is slick!), way lighter clutch feel than my truck was originally. Mine would eat it up in a heartbeat-I'd be upset if it wouldn't after all the $$$ I've invested... . . Drove quite a bit nicer than mine as well-touch the steering wheel and the truck responded.



Jury's still out on the new dash design and a few of the underhood things. Not real fond either of how the SRW LWB QC trucks look... ... nothing that a little lift and bigger tires wouldn't fix I'm thinking! The DRW trucks do look good though-except for that stupid Cyclops light on the tailgate.....



I won't be trading mine for quite a while yet as I have way too much money invested in the old girl to get rid of it-plus I will reserve whole-hearted endorsement until I see one with a few kilometres on it. The local dealer will be delivering one to a guy here in the next couple weeks that puts on well over 100000 kilometres a year pounding around the oilpatch-so in 6 months time it'll be interesting to see how his truck is holding up.



Jason

 

[mr plow]

a couple of interesting more tidbits...

i'd be coming to a ho 6spd from an auto, and my thoughts were that the clutch was fairly light given the load, ad i had trouble finding the right gears on a downshift, although i think that was more because the shifter is so long, and also, there was no detent for reverse. Other than that, i found the fit and finish of the 03's very impressive, and i too would also like to hear from someone with a couple of miles on it.



BTW, it was probably as quick as my 00 with the box in it, so it would be interesting to see how much u could bomb this thing.



Finally does anyone know how much the bombing the 6sp transmission can handle before it needs modifying?



thanks.

 

[RACE427]

3500

I saw a 3500 Quad Cab dually tonight, all I can say is this truck is awesome! Wonder what I can get for my 2001. 5 2500 with only 13,000 non towing miles on it? LOL



I believe Dodge has a sure winner out of the gate!!

 

[crossroads]

Drove one today

Not having my 2002 Dodge Cummins Dually due to an accident (see Rear Ended post in 2nd Gen no Drivetrain forum), my son (11 yrs old) and I went to the dealer where I bought it. There on the lot was a Brand new Silver 2003 Dodge Cummins 3500 Dually with HO 6 speed. As Bry is always complaining on long trips about the lack of room in the back seat, we tried the new one. He said there was plenty of room back there. Saw my salesman and he asks if I want to test drive it. I said h#ll yeah. He gives me the keys and off Bry and I go. The engine is quiet, yet not so quiet you can't tell its a diesel. Power was awesome. Six speed shifted beautifullly (hadn't shifted a vehicle since wife's Mustang 3 years ago). Ride was a little bouncy (4X4) but liveable. What really amazed me was the steering radius. It has to be half what my truck has. Sharp and clean. Corners were a dream .

Got back and sat down. Sales Manager told me to wait as I didn't have enough equity in my leased one yet .

Now its back to waiting for mine to be reapired. Body guy says end of the week. I have had diesel fume withdrawal too long.

 

[Badunit]

Test drove some 2003's, one an ETC with an auto and the other an ETH with the manual; both were terrific but the HO ETH engine with the manual transmission was the ultimate combo. Torque, power, responsiveness. Awesome. Factory ordered a silver 2500 ETH Laramie quad cab short bed Friday. 10-12 weeks they said. It's gonna be tough to wait.

 

[DIwanicka]

J Hansen Where in alberta did you get to drive a 03 diesel been watching for weeks would love to hear one. I have one JS status ordered mid june.