Drove one today!!

[DIESELMAN]

Big Don --



Since my salesjerk was pulling a bait and switch, he had someone looking for my ordered truck and willing to pay more, I didn't feel bad about romping it, I wasn't buying this one. ( HO - 4. 10 )



1 - 4 all lit the tires ( on concrete ), and dropping it into 5th at 2800 chirped them good too. Not a hot rod, slower to accelerate up top than my V10, but very solid acceleration at all times with no flat spots, and flat out whips the V10 in the first few seconds.



0 to Freeway in about 6 or 7 seconds, then skipped 5th to go to 6th.



Accellerating from 55 to 75 in OD 6th only took a few seconds and was very smooth and faster than my V10 without downshifting. ( My V10 will chirp the tires and move out in a hurry if you stomp it at only 55, followed by a loud slurping sound of gas down the pipe! )



Dropping out of OD into 5th accelerated very well, according to the tac, it went to just over of 3200 before it went flat. ( only about 75 in 5th ) shifted to 6th and climbed to about 95 in 4 more seconds before I had to slow for traffic. It was smooth to that point. It's probably a 16-17 second truck, maybe a little less if you could shift smoother. My V10 is a 15 second runner, pretty close to stock. (310 HP and 450 lbs torque, Auto with TC-lockMod, 3. 54's with 285-75R16's. )



It felt like all the power that is promised is there, it revs quickly , and it isn't really all that quiet. My frame of reference though is the V10, the HO pulls harder throughout all ranges, it just doesn't accelerate quite as fast up top.



I was though, asked not to test drive any more trucks off the lot!!



I think that the standard 250HP (275?) truck is a bit of a dog, it is more comparable to my '98 5. 9 V-8, but I only drove a 2001 standard with a 5 speed once, I didn't like it, thats why I got the 2001 V10 originally.

 

[daveshoe]

Drove a 3500 HO. Throttle response is better than my 02 at low RPM. About the same after 1500 RPM. Salesman said to get the real test -- Tow Something. Mabe he's right

It does take a little grindin to get her started though, the new one doesn't have that ''Jump to life'' like the 2nd gens

Just my $. 02

 

[AggieJustin]

I got my first drive in on Saturday. 3500 SRW shortbed with the 6 speed and HO.



Definitely MUCH quieter than I expected. The salesman was busy trying to sell me on the quiet factor, till I pointed out the exhaust on my '01 when he realized that I wasn't too concerned about being quiet. It's tighter under the hood than my '01, going to have to work around a few things when doing maintenance.



As for the test drive, I guess I'll have to start watching the tach more when I shift. Normally, I just listen to the engine... not much to listen to here though. But it does rev right up to 3K pretty freely. The 6 speed feels a little firmer than whats in my '01 (but that might be 60K of use on my showing). Doesn't feel quite as strong as my truck with the EZ in place... but definitely stronger than my truck in stock form. The 3. 73 feels like a pretty good ratio cruising down the highway and when moving to pass.



Other observations...



-Needs a mufflerectomy... get that 55 gallon muffler out from under there and let it sing

-Are the white faced gauges the standard now?? If I had to choose, I'd stick with the black background

-I noticed the climate controls have a seperate switch for engaging A/C. Salesman wasn't sure if the A/C function in all fan modes. But it looks like it could be rigged to work that way (seen some requests for this floating around the forums)



I was at the dealer right before closing so I didn't get to poke around as much as I wanted. I'm going to have to go back to check out the SLT trim level and the 4x4.



Still think I'm going to stick my with current one for a little while though... .



JM

 

[DIESELMAN]

300+ miles on mine and it is already much easier shifting. I had the same problem, couldn't quite hear when to shift, but can feel the engine in the floor well enough to know when without the tach.



Engine has good sound, though quiet, under load, and is very pleasant on the freeway at 75 on CC.



Initial mileage was 17mpg after 160 miles, Scottsdale to Flagstaff AZ, all uphill.



Yes, the AC works in all range combinations that I've tried ( picked up my truck in Phoenix yesterday, 109 outside) and it works well.



I can get every where under the hood, so far as I've poked around, it is tighter, but not bad. OF is a little tight, but thats only a few times a year.



I'll tow 9400 lbs this weekend if I can get rigged in time and see, but I have no complaints so far.



This thread is 'Drove one Today', Now I can say that Everyday!



This ain't your daddy's ... dieseldodge... but I ain't complainin'

 

[catoiler]

$$

Got a little problem going on here,was about to get a 02,but now maybe an 03 instead. good ol killifornia,won't let HO in until next year What are they going for? haven't found any out here yet. Oo.

 

[sdalton]

I drove one today, also. I liked the quiet engine, and the steering was tighter. The acceleration felt the same, if not a little slower than mine. They even offered a good trade-in on my 2000. But I just like my 2000 too much to trade it in for something a little quieter. Besides, I have mine broken in just the way I like it now. Plus, I dont want a whole new set of notes to pay on.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

DIESELMAN: Congrats on the new Ram! Get some pictures

of the truck at work pulling that load and post em here.



SDALTON: I'd hate to trade in or outright sell my truck

after doing all the mods to mine (Mag Hytec, FastCoolers,

gauges, etc). Finally have mine that way I want it so no

immediate desire to get a new 2003. Maybe in a couple

years who knows. I still plan on test-driving an HO as

soon as I can. Still haven't seen the new 3500 DRW.

 

[Fireman]

JEALOUS

Dieselman,



Good to here you got your truck. I don't know where mine is, I ordered it 6-18, and the ship date was 8-26, but no word from the dealer yet. I hope you enjoy it. Let us know how it tows.



Fireman



PS Do like us Harley riders that don't have tachs, wind her up till she quits pullin' and shift.

 

[JWerkheiser]

truck sitting at dealer since yesterday

And I am 2000 miles away, so I can't get it till I fly back home Saturday. Could send the wife over to pick it up sooner... . Yeah, Saturday is fine.

 

[Fireman]

SWEEEEEET!

Went to the dealer Friday to see if my truck was hangin' out there, it wasn't, but my new salesman ask meif Iwanted to drive one of the other 3500s they had. I told him no Seriously I didn't hesitate, 2 min later Iwas cruising down the road in a HO 6spd, sweet I loved the sound, just like my '01 only alittle quieter, sweet I liked everything about this truck, except that the frame came down lower than my '01 (like a Ch***). I loved the ride, it was easy to see out of I just loved it I still can't get the smile off of my face

Fireman

 

[CAT 385]

I drove a base model today, wish I could get one fully loaded. But I just got mine in shape and I would hate to start over. But it was a really nice truck.

 

[Rcpilotlv]

I drove one today 9-7-02. It was a 03 2500 slt 4X4 Ho 6 speed with 4. 10s. I like the new engine, it is so much quieter its like night and day. The power is about the same as my 02 with TTPM. But guys I just cant get past that interior. The dash is ugly. The gauges really look silly and cheap. (white face gauges). If you can get past this get one. Just dont park it to next a 02 because they will make a 03 look less appealing.

 

[Cattletrkr]

begging the mods forgiveness...

bump