Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Picked up my new ride yesterday late afternoon. Several times I checked the data plate on the engine to be sure it said 325 hp and it does. Funny though, the fan shroud is not attached to the engine as others have indicated. It is attached to the radiator as usual. I haven't really had a chance to drive it much, only about 30 miles so far but this weekend we plan to put about 300-400 miles on it.
First impressions? It is beautiful.
It is very quiet and that will take some getting used to. I had a 02 SO CTD that did indeed sound like the real thing. This one, well, more like a loud gasser. Still nice inside and you really can hear the radio!
The seats are another matter. I saw on another post where some did not like the seats and I will have to agree they are not as comfortable as my old 02. They are flat, short, do not move back as far as the 02 and do cut into my legs a bit. I will have to see what a long trip does.
I really like the dial-a -drive. I haven't had to use it yet but did test it out both in 4h and 4lo. A bit of a clunk getting into and out of 4lo, slow coasting in neutral, but nice to be able to just turn the dial.
Power. That is a bit more difficult to quantify. Because it is still very new and tight, and the throttle feels different, it doesn't feel a great deal stronger than my stock 02 SO did. But then the 02 had a few more miles on it and was running sweet.
The transmission (48RE) seems a bit better than my 02 (47RE). Lockup was very smooth; hardly felt it at all. Only way I could tell was to watch the tach. Shifting up and down was smooth and solid feeling. Remember, all this in the first 30 miles and we will be towing, (~6000# now, 14000# next year), so time will tell.
I agree with another post about the need for splash guards and boards. In traveling only a few miles on one of Western PA's 'finest roads', the mud pattern on the sides says splashguards and boards are a must. With the silver paint I don't think the paint chips will show as much but I will need the protection.
The paint looked good. Solid coverage as best I could tell even in the stake holes. It got dark on me and I didn't get a chance to really look at the under side nor take any pics. Hope to do both this evening or this weekend. After a few more miles, I may have more to report.
Overall, I am very pleased with my decision. The dealer was great, (this is my 3rd truck from him) and I took the 0%+2000+FB offer.
I think I will go out to the parking lot and just stare a bit.
George
First impressions? It is beautiful.
It is very quiet and that will take some getting used to. I had a 02 SO CTD that did indeed sound like the real thing. This one, well, more like a loud gasser. Still nice inside and you really can hear the radio!
The seats are another matter. I saw on another post where some did not like the seats and I will have to agree they are not as comfortable as my old 02. They are flat, short, do not move back as far as the 02 and do cut into my legs a bit. I will have to see what a long trip does.
I really like the dial-a -drive. I haven't had to use it yet but did test it out both in 4h and 4lo. A bit of a clunk getting into and out of 4lo, slow coasting in neutral, but nice to be able to just turn the dial.
Power. That is a bit more difficult to quantify. Because it is still very new and tight, and the throttle feels different, it doesn't feel a great deal stronger than my stock 02 SO did. But then the 02 had a few more miles on it and was running sweet.
The transmission (48RE) seems a bit better than my 02 (47RE). Lockup was very smooth; hardly felt it at all. Only way I could tell was to watch the tach. Shifting up and down was smooth and solid feeling. Remember, all this in the first 30 miles and we will be towing, (~6000# now, 14000# next year), so time will tell.
I agree with another post about the need for splash guards and boards. In traveling only a few miles on one of Western PA's 'finest roads', the mud pattern on the sides says splashguards and boards are a must. With the silver paint I don't think the paint chips will show as much but I will need the protection.
The paint looked good. Solid coverage as best I could tell even in the stake holes. It got dark on me and I didn't get a chance to really look at the under side nor take any pics. Hope to do both this evening or this weekend. After a few more miles, I may have more to report.
Overall, I am very pleased with my decision. The dealer was great, (this is my 3rd truck from him) and I took the 0%+2000+FB offer.
I think I will go out to the parking lot and just stare a bit.
George
Better half thinks I'm nuts, but I say "Hey, would you rather I have an affair with my truck, or another woman?"
