Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I just returned home to California after picking up my 2006 3500 Laramie "J" QC SB auto from DSM in Kellog, ID- 1600 miles in 4 days! Let me start by saying that DSM is by far the most professional, courteous and pleasant car buying experience I've ever had. My wife and I were picked up at the airport in Spokane by a lovely woman who had a wealth of knowledge about the culture and history of the Idaho area making the 1 hour drive from the airport to Kellogg an experience unto itself. My salesmen new more about the vehicle than I did (that's a RARITY these days- in my opinion very few "sales" types take the time to educate themselves thouroughly on the products they are selling). I was half-way expecting that there was some sort of "catch" to this whole DSM fly-in drive out car buying thing but I was pleasantly surprised. Truck was polished, filled up, parked at the front door of DSM ready for me to take home.
I took the truck through Montana, visited my dad's hometown (Anaconda- he left in 1959 and his house is still there! The town really hasnt changed much at all) we then went through Yellowstone and since the South entrance was still closed we had to go out through the west entrance back to Idaho, (Idaho Falls) through Salt lake and then home through Nevada. (won $120. 00 at boomtown!).
The truck is SMOOTH and quiet!, coming from my 12v I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to carry on a conversation with the engine running! I love the the new CR ISB! THe power, OMG the power! My old 12v was the castrated California EGR 185 HP 440 tq version- even with the TST #6 and CUmmins non-egr intake it was an absolute pig compared to this new mill!
Fuel economy: from Wallace ID, to Bozeman, MT (with a little 4 wheelin' in between) I got 17. 5 hand calc'ed 18. 6 on computer. 2nd tankfull: Bozeman to Salt Lake City (actually made it to the Flying J west of Salt Lake) I got 16. 8 we did stop alot to take pictures and we took many back roads like scenic 36 so it wasnt all interstate mileage. As per the recomendation of the salesman I did not use the cruise control at all and I varied the speed on the interstate up and down from 65 to 80. Across the salt desert I did exceed the speed limit a bit (had to to keep up with the big rigs!) ran her hard for many hours at 80-85+ and made it to Boomtown (RENo) getting 16 MPG. This week going back and forth to work the over head is saying 19. 5MPG no cruise, but I am not exceeding 65 MPH) I would be tickeled pink if I could exceed 20MPG after break-in!
The manual 4wd engagement worked quite well- exactly the same as my 12v- getting her into 4 high was a breeze, 4 low takes a little finesse but thats the reason I ordered the LAramie "J" I DO NOT want to rely on an electric motor or solenoid to get in out of 4wd since I actually use it (4WD) quite frequently.
I was suspicious of the seat comfort since the Laramie leather seats looked a little flat, after a 4 day 1600 mile trip I was very pleased with them- very comfortable and the leather quality appears perfect. (I've never had a leather interior before, but there are no barbed-wire scars, so mebbe it really is Italian leather!) I would like to see a little better side support, but mebbe the "Laramie" demographic demands a bit of a wider seat, if you know what I mean!
The CONS
I see that they still havent quite figured out how to align a solid front 4X4 axle and I thought I felt a slight hint of death wobble on some bad (bumpy) roads in Yellowstone. The truck is pulling to the left hard enough that my left hand was getting cramped holding the wheel after many hours of driving. (But if I wanted my truck to ride/tow like a car, I'da got a Dmax!) The REF radio sound quality is ok but the Sirius implementation is pathetic. No Sirius channel data is displayed other than the channel number. No Channel name, no Artist, no track- nothing except channel number. Took me a half hour to find CNN! (unless I'm just too dumb to find out how to display it!) Good thing my first mod is going to be a Pioneer NAV radio!
The tank takes forever to completely fill- the tank vent mod is a must! Salt Lake to Verdi, NV (boomtown) the fuel warning light came on just east of Sparks and I was able to get 34. 1 gallons in her but it took awhile. .
It would be nice to see some "upfitter" switches pre-wired like the new Fords and the electric power rear sliding window should be availible in all trim levels IMO, not just the Laramie "H". Its quite a PITA for a Solo driver to open/close the window! My kids always forget to close it- on my 12v I could reach back and close it, but no joy on the QC,gotta stop and climb into the back seat!
The fuel and oil filters look like they are gonna be really tough to get at compared to the 12V's. (I havent actually changed one yet so mebbe it aint as bad as it looks!)
Although I havent fully gotten into it the new CAN-BUS wiring harness/network looks like it is going to be a giant PITA for people like me who like to gadgetize the truck with aftermarket stereo's, GPS, and RF equipment. we'll see...
I hate the backup/door open alarm
I locked my key in the car at work today because somehow the truck locked the door by itself after I opened it- I didnt want to carry the giant $175. 00 Sentry key around today so I put it in the console cubby and got out- fortunately, I didnt slam the door shut all the way and I was able to use some copper wire through the weatherstripping to hook the manual lock knob- saving me the embarrassment and nagging associated with calling the wife in to fetch me other key...
Overall, I rate the DOdge 3500 8. 5 stars outta 10. But my first towing won't happen till this weekend, she may redeem herself!
I took the truck through Montana, visited my dad's hometown (Anaconda- he left in 1959 and his house is still there! The town really hasnt changed much at all) we then went through Yellowstone and since the South entrance was still closed we had to go out through the west entrance back to Idaho, (Idaho Falls) through Salt lake and then home through Nevada. (won $120. 00 at boomtown!).
The truck is SMOOTH and quiet!, coming from my 12v I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to carry on a conversation with the engine running! I love the the new CR ISB! THe power, OMG the power! My old 12v was the castrated California EGR 185 HP 440 tq version- even with the TST #6 and CUmmins non-egr intake it was an absolute pig compared to this new mill!
Fuel economy: from Wallace ID, to Bozeman, MT (with a little 4 wheelin' in between) I got 17. 5 hand calc'ed 18. 6 on computer. 2nd tankfull: Bozeman to Salt Lake City (actually made it to the Flying J west of Salt Lake) I got 16. 8 we did stop alot to take pictures and we took many back roads like scenic 36 so it wasnt all interstate mileage. As per the recomendation of the salesman I did not use the cruise control at all and I varied the speed on the interstate up and down from 65 to 80. Across the salt desert I did exceed the speed limit a bit (had to to keep up with the big rigs!) ran her hard for many hours at 80-85+ and made it to Boomtown (RENo) getting 16 MPG. This week going back and forth to work the over head is saying 19. 5MPG no cruise, but I am not exceeding 65 MPH) I would be tickeled pink if I could exceed 20MPG after break-in!
The manual 4wd engagement worked quite well- exactly the same as my 12v- getting her into 4 high was a breeze, 4 low takes a little finesse but thats the reason I ordered the LAramie "J" I DO NOT want to rely on an electric motor or solenoid to get in out of 4wd since I actually use it (4WD) quite frequently.
I was suspicious of the seat comfort since the Laramie leather seats looked a little flat, after a 4 day 1600 mile trip I was very pleased with them- very comfortable and the leather quality appears perfect. (I've never had a leather interior before, but there are no barbed-wire scars, so mebbe it really is Italian leather!) I would like to see a little better side support, but mebbe the "Laramie" demographic demands a bit of a wider seat, if you know what I mean!
The CONS
I see that they still havent quite figured out how to align a solid front 4X4 axle and I thought I felt a slight hint of death wobble on some bad (bumpy) roads in Yellowstone. The truck is pulling to the left hard enough that my left hand was getting cramped holding the wheel after many hours of driving. (But if I wanted my truck to ride/tow like a car, I'da got a Dmax!) The REF radio sound quality is ok but the Sirius implementation is pathetic. No Sirius channel data is displayed other than the channel number. No Channel name, no Artist, no track- nothing except channel number. Took me a half hour to find CNN! (unless I'm just too dumb to find out how to display it!) Good thing my first mod is going to be a Pioneer NAV radio!
The tank takes forever to completely fill- the tank vent mod is a must! Salt Lake to Verdi, NV (boomtown) the fuel warning light came on just east of Sparks and I was able to get 34. 1 gallons in her but it took awhile. .
It would be nice to see some "upfitter" switches pre-wired like the new Fords and the electric power rear sliding window should be availible in all trim levels IMO, not just the Laramie "H". Its quite a PITA for a Solo driver to open/close the window! My kids always forget to close it- on my 12v I could reach back and close it, but no joy on the QC,gotta stop and climb into the back seat!
The fuel and oil filters look like they are gonna be really tough to get at compared to the 12V's. (I havent actually changed one yet so mebbe it aint as bad as it looks!)
Although I havent fully gotten into it the new CAN-BUS wiring harness/network looks like it is going to be a giant PITA for people like me who like to gadgetize the truck with aftermarket stereo's, GPS, and RF equipment. we'll see...
I hate the backup/door open alarm
I locked my key in the car at work today because somehow the truck locked the door by itself after I opened it- I didnt want to carry the giant $175. 00 Sentry key around today so I put it in the console cubby and got out- fortunately, I didnt slam the door shut all the way and I was able to use some copper wire through the weatherstripping to hook the manual lock knob- saving me the embarrassment and nagging associated with calling the wife in to fetch me other key...
Overall, I rate the DOdge 3500 8. 5 stars outta 10. But my first towing won't happen till this weekend, she may redeem herself!
We loved the $1. 50 large popcorn and $1. 25 large soda . . . man if any of those folks venture out of Anaconda once in awhile they'll be in for a shock if they visit a "modern" theatre. 
