Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Here are my impressions since delivery Tuesday morning, in no particular order:
* Brakes: This truck STOPS. No drama, no pull, no vibrations, no fade. Just a smooth controlled stop every time.
* I like the new programming on the 48RE. Yes, the OD lockout is gone, but Tow/Haul mode works very well holding off upshifts and doesn't allow excess lugging either.
* Everything you've heard about the reduced noise is true. This engine isn't a whole lot louder than my dad's old 93 Thunderbird 5. 0 V8. Dramatically quieter than the 12-valve.
* The cold starting is also much improved. Wednesday morning, the temps had dropped to 12 degrees after being in the upper 40s early Tuesday (and damn near 70 on Monday). The 12-valve would have required at least 2 cycles of the grid and some throttle to get going, pumping some smoke in the process. I cycled the grid on the 05, then on the second cycle, the Wait light disappeared immediately. Engine fired smooth and clean... no smoke, no stumble.
* It's going to take me some time getting used to the smaller front door of the new Quad. For those who haven't climbed in one, the B-pillar is alongside the seat instead of slightly behind it, and at least once a day, I'll bump my knee on the dash getting in because I don't have the same door opening I was used to on the 96. This will pass soon, I'm sure.
* The factory horn is LOUD. Good for traffic and emergency, but bad for quiet neighborhoods like my home, thus my immediate dismissal of the light flash and horn chirp with the remote locks.
* Bumps and potholes that threatened to induce Death Wobble on the 96 are soaked up very well by the 05. There are still some that I need to slow down for (for my own comfort), but the suspension is far less skittish.
* The 6-inch increase in wheelbase hasn't done much in terms of making the turning diameter much larger, but the new faster steering ratio makes tight spots a dream. Steering is incredibly linear.
* The 96 had that vinyl-wrapped radio antenna, while the 05 is just the metal. Know what? The reception is MUCH better on the 05. Out where I live, there's a lot of AM-signal interference thanks to the remote fire signals and other such towers. The 96 would lose most AM stations 2 blocks from home with a hard buzz. No such problem with the 05.
* The trailer-tow mirrors are rock-solid. The mirrors on the 96 would vibrate occasionally at highway speed, and moreso with high wind. The 05 mirrors only move if the door does. The power adjustment has an off position (thank you!) - the joystick of the 96 could accidentally be bumped and would adjust whichever mirror it was aimed at.
* Why three different levels of window tint? The windshield and front door glass are standard tint (that faint green). The rear slider is medium gray. The rear doors are dark gray. It's an issue to me because I work noon to 8pm - the only time it's still light out when I go home is late June. The varied tints make over the shoulder glances less confident, and I am relying more on the passenger-side mirror.
* Forward visibility is better, although the A-pillar is only slightly better than the 96. The windshield is higher up and the blue tint strip is gone, making those close-up traffic lights much easier to see.
* While not the best I've ever experienced, the headlights are better than the 96. The throw is a lot more even on the road ahead - the 96 sent two "hot spots" ahead.
* The power increase (180/420 to 325/610, 80% and 45% respectively) combined with the more willing 48RE shift programming make on-ramps and passing a no-sweat proposition. When I floor the go pedal, the Holset spools up, the trans finds the right gear, and the truck just accelerates hard. The 96 legitimately required planning when confronted with a "hit it or wait" decision.
* The reverse lights on 2nd Gen trucks had that smoked lens, while 3rd Gens have the larger clear lens. What a difference backing up in the dark - even over the dually fenders, I can actually see that what's behind me at night *is* illuminated.
* Driver's seat is very comfortable. I have the premium cloth with 6-way power, and even though I have long legs for my height (6'0" with 34" inseam), I don't have any issues with too short of a cushion for thigh support. The seatback hits me in the right spots and the head restraint is positioned very well for me without having to raise it too high.
* Heating and defrosting are quick and thorough. The windshield and mirrors reduce any snow/ice coating to liquid in just a couple of minutes. The darker windows will certainly help the AC when I need it.
* I appreciate the fact that the marker lights are all standard bulbs now. On the 96, the dually fender and tailgate clearance lights were all these sealed unbits that were $20 each at the dealer, or you could get knockoffs from NAPA for under $10. On the 05, every clearance/marker light (5 roof, 4 dually fender, 3 tailgate) are all the same #168 bulb.
* The General AmeriTrac tires are doing well on wet roads and in soft snow (it has snowed twice since Tuesday!!), and feel as stable as the Michelins I had on the 96. Time will tell as the Generals wear down, of course.
* I like all the storage areas... the business console, the storage area under the center seat cushion, and the cubbies under the steel load floor. I have plenty of room for tools and junk without having to also carry some sort of box or bag in the back seat.
My side steps are in (Mopar black powdercoat tube steps), so those will be installed Monday morning. Should be sunny the first few days of next week, so that will allow me to take some decent pics for the Readers Rigs gallery. For those who haven't seen it in person, Patriot Blue changes shades depending on the light. In sunshine, the paint is bright blue with a metallic-style depth... when cloudy, it's dark blue.
Needless to say, I am really happy with the truck!
* Brakes: This truck STOPS. No drama, no pull, no vibrations, no fade. Just a smooth controlled stop every time.
* I like the new programming on the 48RE. Yes, the OD lockout is gone, but Tow/Haul mode works very well holding off upshifts and doesn't allow excess lugging either.
* Everything you've heard about the reduced noise is true. This engine isn't a whole lot louder than my dad's old 93 Thunderbird 5. 0 V8. Dramatically quieter than the 12-valve.
* The cold starting is also much improved. Wednesday morning, the temps had dropped to 12 degrees after being in the upper 40s early Tuesday (and damn near 70 on Monday). The 12-valve would have required at least 2 cycles of the grid and some throttle to get going, pumping some smoke in the process. I cycled the grid on the 05, then on the second cycle, the Wait light disappeared immediately. Engine fired smooth and clean... no smoke, no stumble.
* It's going to take me some time getting used to the smaller front door of the new Quad. For those who haven't climbed in one, the B-pillar is alongside the seat instead of slightly behind it, and at least once a day, I'll bump my knee on the dash getting in because I don't have the same door opening I was used to on the 96. This will pass soon, I'm sure.
* The factory horn is LOUD. Good for traffic and emergency, but bad for quiet neighborhoods like my home, thus my immediate dismissal of the light flash and horn chirp with the remote locks.
* Bumps and potholes that threatened to induce Death Wobble on the 96 are soaked up very well by the 05. There are still some that I need to slow down for (for my own comfort), but the suspension is far less skittish.
* The 6-inch increase in wheelbase hasn't done much in terms of making the turning diameter much larger, but the new faster steering ratio makes tight spots a dream. Steering is incredibly linear.
* The 96 had that vinyl-wrapped radio antenna, while the 05 is just the metal. Know what? The reception is MUCH better on the 05. Out where I live, there's a lot of AM-signal interference thanks to the remote fire signals and other such towers. The 96 would lose most AM stations 2 blocks from home with a hard buzz. No such problem with the 05.
* The trailer-tow mirrors are rock-solid. The mirrors on the 96 would vibrate occasionally at highway speed, and moreso with high wind. The 05 mirrors only move if the door does. The power adjustment has an off position (thank you!) - the joystick of the 96 could accidentally be bumped and would adjust whichever mirror it was aimed at.
* Why three different levels of window tint? The windshield and front door glass are standard tint (that faint green). The rear slider is medium gray. The rear doors are dark gray. It's an issue to me because I work noon to 8pm - the only time it's still light out when I go home is late June. The varied tints make over the shoulder glances less confident, and I am relying more on the passenger-side mirror.
* Forward visibility is better, although the A-pillar is only slightly better than the 96. The windshield is higher up and the blue tint strip is gone, making those close-up traffic lights much easier to see.
* While not the best I've ever experienced, the headlights are better than the 96. The throw is a lot more even on the road ahead - the 96 sent two "hot spots" ahead.
* The power increase (180/420 to 325/610, 80% and 45% respectively) combined with the more willing 48RE shift programming make on-ramps and passing a no-sweat proposition. When I floor the go pedal, the Holset spools up, the trans finds the right gear, and the truck just accelerates hard. The 96 legitimately required planning when confronted with a "hit it or wait" decision.
* The reverse lights on 2nd Gen trucks had that smoked lens, while 3rd Gens have the larger clear lens. What a difference backing up in the dark - even over the dually fenders, I can actually see that what's behind me at night *is* illuminated.
* Driver's seat is very comfortable. I have the premium cloth with 6-way power, and even though I have long legs for my height (6'0" with 34" inseam), I don't have any issues with too short of a cushion for thigh support. The seatback hits me in the right spots and the head restraint is positioned very well for me without having to raise it too high.
* Heating and defrosting are quick and thorough. The windshield and mirrors reduce any snow/ice coating to liquid in just a couple of minutes. The darker windows will certainly help the AC when I need it.
* I appreciate the fact that the marker lights are all standard bulbs now. On the 96, the dually fender and tailgate clearance lights were all these sealed unbits that were $20 each at the dealer, or you could get knockoffs from NAPA for under $10. On the 05, every clearance/marker light (5 roof, 4 dually fender, 3 tailgate) are all the same #168 bulb.
* The General AmeriTrac tires are doing well on wet roads and in soft snow (it has snowed twice since Tuesday!!), and feel as stable as the Michelins I had on the 96. Time will tell as the Generals wear down, of course.
* I like all the storage areas... the business console, the storage area under the center seat cushion, and the cubbies under the steel load floor. I have plenty of room for tools and junk without having to also carry some sort of box or bag in the back seat.
My side steps are in (Mopar black powdercoat tube steps), so those will be installed Monday morning. Should be sunny the first few days of next week, so that will allow me to take some decent pics for the Readers Rigs gallery. For those who haven't seen it in person, Patriot Blue changes shades depending on the light. In sunshine, the paint is bright blue with a metallic-style depth... when cloudy, it's dark blue.
Needless to say, I am really happy with the truck!
