First impressions of new truck

[FlyFisha']

Well, I've had my new truck (check sig) for about 3 weeks -- 1200 miles. Before this truck I drove a '94 Ford F250 7. 3 idi turbo diesel -- non-powerstroke.



Here are my impressions of the new truck.



Power

A huge step up from my last truck... when you push the go pedal, this thing GOES! Although, spool-up seems to be a tad slower than my Ford. The low torque that comes on at about 1400 rpm is perfect for the type of back woods crawling that I find myself in when fishing. As of yet, I have not towed with this truck... A camper is in the near future.



Mileage has been around 16-17. 5 mixed town/highway and 17-19. 5 Freeway -- unloaded.



Handling

I've never driven a truck that handles this well... It's so "tight" it feels like my girlfriends GTI! When I first drove it on an extended trip I found myself over steering. I was just so used to the slop in my older Ford. This things rides like a truck and drives like a car.



Looks

I must admit that I like the looks of Superduty more than the new Dodge. But, it's starting to grow on me. It reminds me of some of the newer big rigs... with the sloped nose and huge grill. I like



Sound

I do like the sound of the new Cummins, but I liked the 12/24 valve sound more (pre-pilot injection). I miss the rattle! I love that about diesels. If there was a way to bring it back, I would.



Fit-n-Finish

The body and interior seem to be of extremely high quality craftsmanship... time will tell how well it holds up, but appears to be well thought out and well put together.



The seat is a bit uncomfortable, the glove box could be bigger and I keep hitting my head on the door rail when I get in. Those are my only complaints.



Jeff

 

[DPKetchum]

I find the Ford super duty owners always STARING as we pass each other. I always WAVE and SMILE!

 

[Jengle]

Mine always gets looked at. The other night on a highway construction slowdown, I got stopped next to an almost identical Ram but he had the hemi. He was sure looking at mine, then had his window cracked when we started moving, to listen, no doubt. If I could have gotten stopped next to him, I would have had to ask, "That thing got a Hemi?" And when he answered, I would have come back with "Betcha wish it had the Cummins. " He had that look, like he would have traded. I have had mine about three weeks, but got over 3k on it now. The more I drive it, the more I want to. Longest run was 13hrs, 1 fuel stop and many P breaks. This thing has more range than I do. Been getting about the same, except the long distance mileage was 19. 4 first tank, 19. 9 the next and now got 20. 4 on the last one. I yanked the silencer ring, but it didn't do much good to hear the turbo. Got the gauges and it surprised me that it takes a little idling to get the EGT down to 300 after any running, even a short one. Top EGTs are no problem, most I have seen is a long uphill run in KY that hit 1200 for a few seconds. Most of the time it stays around 800 or so.

 

[rmcnamee]

I too like the look of the Super Duty a little more than the new Rams, but you just can't beat the handling, fit & finish, brakes, oh and of course... . THE MIGHTY CUMMINS, of the new Rams. True, the Power Stroke may be a little faster stock and possess better turbo response, but the Cummins will out live any Stroker and it's been proven time and time again. Try to find a used Cummins ISB/ISBE and you may find a few. Try and find a used Power Stroke and you'll find plenty. Cummins engines simply run forever.

There's nothing like coming out of the house on a cold morning (like below 25F), getting into the Dodge and knowing that when you turn that key over, she'll start everytime. Can't say that about the Powerstroke. Nothing beats that rattle of a 12-valve. Like others have said, if I could've gotten a 12-valve Cummins in my 2004 I would've in a heartbeat.

 

[lil red cummins]

you guys are killing me. mine doesn't arrive for atleast another 4 weeks. i thought i could take the wait better than this, but i am getting anxious.

 

[FlyFisha']

Originally posted by lil red cummins

you guys are killing me. mine doesn't arrive for atleast another 4 weeks. i thought i could take the wait better than this, but i am getting anxious.

You're going to love your new truck... best truck I've ever driven!



Someone mentioned the brakes, and I forgot to in original post -- OMG, those things are simply amazing.



Jeff

 

[StephenThomas]

My Views...

I've had my new 04' for about two weeks now. I still have my "old" 01' for a few more days and have had plenty of opportunity to compare.



Exterior: OMG... . I just can't stop looking at that front grill of my new 04'... . it's simply awesome. I added the billet style mopar grill and it almost gave me a woody. Don't know why... but the truck doesn't look like it sits as high as my 01'. But... . after breaking out the tape measurer... sure enough they are almost equal.



Interior: The craftmanship, fit, and finish seems flawless. I really like the white guages. Both my trucks are the "Laramie" versions with the leather package and both look great. Actually, my 01' is considered a "SLT Plus" cuz they didn't designate them as Laramies that year. But I must say... . I prefer the look and feel of the seats in my 01' as compared to the 04'. The 04' has manual lumbar support??! What's up with that?? I really like the clever under seat storage areas in the 04'. The 04's overhead computer no longer reads current gas mileage?? That just ticks me off.



Engine... . can't argue with more HP can we?? Plus, the engine is so quiet. I can actually go through a drive-thru without turning my engine off so they can hear me over the engine. I must admit though that I miss having everyone look at me when I pull in a parking with my loud obnoxious rattling turbo diesel. The 04's engine is so quiet it doesn't grab anyones attention.



Driving: New transmission 48RE shifts more aggresively than the 47RE. I like the feel of it though. Can't wait to see how it feels once I add a power module (can't make up my mind which to get). Like one of you mentioned earlier... I also catch myself oversteering. This truck drives so smooth, it's hard for me to get used to. It drives so nicely it doesn't feel like a big truck -- is that a good thing or not??

 

[JPM]

Re: My Views...

Originally posted by StephenThomas

... .....

Interior: The craftmanship, fit, and finish seems flawless. I really like the white guages. Both my trucks are the "Laramie" versions with the leather package and both look great. Actually, my 01' is considered a "SLT Plus" cuz they didn't designate them as Laramies that year. But I must say... . I prefer the look and feel of the seats in my 01' as compared to the 04'. The 04' has manual lumbar support??! What's up with that?? I really like the clever under seat storage areas in the 04'. The 04's overhead computer no longer reads current gas mileage?? That just ticks me off.

I like the interior too, but whats up with that flat black plastic? I'll smoke a cigar once in a while and if you get a ash on it ,oh boy it won't wipe off! Is there a Armor-all type product that will seal the finish so its not so porous/dry feeling?

 

[bemidji]

Since 3-02 I have owned a F350 powerstroke-good truck. Then an 03 Hemi 1500-fun truck. Now an 03 Cummins-GREAT truck. Very impressed with the steering. brakes, and of course THE MOTOR! Have about 1400 miles on it and enjoy it bemidji.

 

[goodwid]

Originally posted by Jengle

"That thing got a Hemi?" And when he answered, I would have come back with "Betcha wish it had the Cummins. " He had that look, like he would have traded.

HA HA , that was me last year when I was peeling around with my 02 Guzzling Gasser. Every time my wife or I would spot a Dodge Diesel we would make that same comment, "Should-a-got-a Diesel"..... but now when a see a gasser staring me down I say "bet your wish'n you got a Diesel. " Especially when they are fill'n up at the pumps!