Girly Truck

[David Muench]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

"It sure is ugly when a group turns against their own. . "





UMMmmmm - ya mean like when the 12-valvers turn on us 24-valvers?

Yep, and how the 1st gen guys probably turned on those wierdos buying 2nd gens in 1994, and how the Jeep CJ guys turn their noses up at YJ guys, and then the YJ guys turn right around and blindly make fun of the TJ guys. . And on and on.



All of it's just dumb, plain and simple. I'd think that even if you hate the looks of the new truck, or hate the volume level, or whatever, you'd still be very appreciative that you can still buy a Cummins in a new truck. It could of been a Benz engine. And the 4x4's could of been IFS.



Some day your lift pump may die, or you may just run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. . But if the next truck that stops to help you is a 3rd gen with a TDR sticker on it, I'd be willing to bet you'd be happy to see a helpful face. "Girly truck" or not.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"But if the next truck that stops to help you is a 3rd gen with a TDR sticker on it, I'd be willing to bet you'd be happy to see a helpful face. "Girly truck" or not. "



SHUCKS, I'm FAR more "open minded" than THAT - I'd even swallow hard, and accept help from the driver of a Powerstroke or Duramax... .

 

[Chris N5CWM]

There are a BUNCH of potential new ISB-E Ram owners out

there. The folks that shy away from the earlier Cummins

because it was too loud (ie, retired rich folks that spend a

lot of time at RV parks and hate coming and going making

a lot of racket) and the like.



Myself, I love the noise. Why else would my muffler be in

the attic?



Best thing about the new G3/ISB-E is the fact that it is

still an inline 6 Cummins!

And trust me, it still sounds like a Cummins yet it is

substantially quieter at idle. Drive-thru windows are not

a problem anymore.

 

[Jeremiah]

03s and 04s

An article by Robert Patton in the latest TDR hinted at a change in the '04 trucks. He suggested buying an 03 if you didn't want a bunch of extra pollution stuff added on.



And, hey, I like the sound of the old Cummins too. But we gotta get along with our wives, guys. Three years ago I wanted a truck and my wife said she would not ride in something you can hear Cummin (no pun intended) three blocks away.



So we bought an Audi.



Now that the Audi is gone I put her back in a Dodge and rolled up the window before I started it. To make a long story short, my new '03 Cummins diesel is on order.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Wife approved

When my truck comes in next week I am going to sit my wife down in those soft leather seats, start up that quiet Cummins and show her her own temperature control. She will think she has gone to "Hog Heaven".

 

[Jeremiah]

Soft sounds and leather seats

We do know where our bread is buttered, don't we? But I promised my wife she would have every convenience the Audi A-6 had. The new Laramie won't quite make it (no sunroof, etc. ) but it'll come close.

 

[David Muench]

Re: Wife approved

Originally posted by CBalvert

When my truck comes in next week I am going to sit my wife down in those soft leather seats, start up that quiet Cummins and show her her own temperature control. She will think she has gone to "Hog Heaven".

That dual temp control was something my wife and I really wanted. . But weren't willing to pony up the money for the SLT Plus. I was bummed out when I found out that was the only way to get it. . I don't want leather seats.



It just occured to me too. . Yours is a SLT Plus Sport? I didn't know you could do that. .

 

[Jeremiah]

Sports are Plusses

I was told I could get the Plus Package with the Sport truck. That's what I was originally going to order until my wife told me I did not want a flame red, black, white or gray truck. She told me I wanted a garnet red one, which the Sport does not offer. Whatever color she wants is fine with me as long as I'm getting the truck I want.



I didn't think I wanted leather either until I bought this 99 Audi A-6. Heated seats are wonderful! The Audi even had a heated steering wheel for those cold Colorado mornings. I even found the leather cool in the summertime.



But the Plus package (I think it's called the Laramie now) offers all the other goodies I wanted to. Given my age, this will probably be the last truck I ever buy.

 

[Rockcrawler]

Another Audi replacement?

Jeremiah- Funny you mention that- I got tired of listening to my wife gripe about the noise and smell so we got an A4 quattro as a family car (She won't give up her MR2).



Now with the quieter 03 I'm considering trading the early 01 Dodge and the Audi for a single quiet GT Cummins. Sport of course, maybe even SLT+ if it makes sense.

 

[Mingoglia]

Get in a Chrysler mini van then get in the new Dodge truck. Remind you of anything? I still think the '98. 5 - '02 have the best interior of any pickup on the road. I've seen articles in magazines saying it's starting to get dated but I disagree. I think it's aging quite well. Now the Chevy interior... I think it's aging very badly. I barely liked it back in my '95 Chevy truck I had... and it just came out back then.



When we're belly-aching about the new Cummins we need to take several steps back and remember the rumors way back when of a Mercedes diesel in our trucks... talk about a costly bombing experience! Just be happy Dodge stuck with the Cummins. I think Dodge would of been severely sorry if they replaced the Cummins with a Mercedes. They need to remember that a large portion of Dodge truck buyers buy the truck for the Cummins. Of course, JMHO.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Re: Re: Wife approved

Originally posted by David Muench

That dual temp control was something my wife and I really wanted. . ... ... . I don't want leather seats.



It just occured to me too. . Yours is a SLT Plus Sport? I didn't know you could do that. .

Dave, mine is a Laramie Sport. Casey

 

[Jeremiah]

No gripes

No gripes about the Cummins, man! Nor the older Dodges or newer ones either (well, the payload numbers suck). I always looked at the Cummins rattle as advertising.



But let's face it, the Cummins wasn't well received by women (who rule the world - you just don't know it). And neither were other diesels (Oldsmobile comes to mind).



Had it not been for women, every car in America today would be running with a diesel engine. But women listened to the diesel and gasoline engine run and told their husbands which one to buy. So much for diesel engines.



Except for Dodge and the Mercedes, which kept diesels going because of their efficiency. I owned an '69 diesel Mercedes and it was the hummingest machine I've ever seen. Of course, it rattled only when it started up. Otherwise, it buzzed going down the highway. Got good mileage too!



So now that they're quieter, look for more women driving diesels. But remember: they have some work to do too. They've got to get beyond statements such as, "You'll never catch me in one of those noisy, smelly trucks. "



But they will eventually do it because women are smarter than men. Once they find out the engine is both efficient AND quiet, they'll come over naturally as long as we men don't push them.



Rockcrawler, I wanted the A-4 too but they didn't have it in the silver and blue leather toward the end of 1999. There was one A-6 equipped like we wanted it so that's what we got. It's been a great car and the most comfortable vehicle I've ever driven. It's a lease and whoever gets it is going to be one happy person!

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: No gripes

Originally posted by Jeremiah



But they will eventually do it because women are smarter than men.

You have to quit watching Oprah. My wife has NEVER influenced one of my vehicle purchases and there has been over 20 of them since we have been together. Answer this question, if women were so smart why would they marry us?

 

[David Muench]

Re: Re: Re: Wife approved

Originally posted by CBalvert

Dave, mine is a Laramie Sport. Casey

Cool. Maybe when this one wears out. . Dual zone temp and the butt warmers would be worth the price up here.

 

[Fireman]

Where's my bun warmer ?

I ordered mine with the Laramie package and heated seats (suprise for my wife) when it arrived it was just as ordered except... ..... But seriously we can't agree on too hot or too cold so now we can both be comfortable and enjoy our trips much more.



Fireman

 

[Jeremiah]

Well-trained husband

Hee! Has your wife got YOU well-trained! You do not understand women. She just isn't interested in vehicles. If she was, you would be buying the one she wanted.



OTOH, she may be making you THINK she's letting you have your way. But make no mistake about it, cuz, women rule and don't you forget it.



I'm sure you remember the story about the man who told his wife on his wedding night that he wore the pants in the family. His wife handed him a pair of her pants and said, "Put these on. "



The man said, "I can't get in those pants!"



"That's right, and you ain't gonna until you learn who's boss around here!"



And I don't watch Oprah!

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Well-trained husband

Originally posted by Jeremiah

Hee! Has your wife got YOU well-trained! You do not understand women. She just isn't interested in vehicles. If she was, you would be buying the one she wanted.



OTOH, she may be making you THINK she's letting you have your way. But make no mistake about it, cuz, women rule and don't you forget it.



And I don't watch Oprah!

Jeremiah, your the strangest talking mountain man I've ever heard

 

[BILLUA]

03

Well, I finally went to the dealer today to look at the new trucks. .



My impressions only . . Also congrats to those of you who are getting the new trucks. . It is always cool to get a new truck!!!



1) I agree with someone on the post that said that the front grill looks like it is 6 feet tall. . Especially on the 4x4.

2) I also agree that the fit and finish looks better on the 3rd gen trucks.

3) Why the fold out rear seat floorboards on the 3500 with 8 ft box??? I guess if I had something so big that I didn't want to get ripped off out of the bed and it was so large that it would not fit on top of the seats, it would be ok. . Or maybe 50 pound bags of grain. .

Anyway, on the the more serious things.

4) The dash and center radio console look like they are Exactly the same as the Grand Caravan. .



Ditto for those leather seats. .



I have heard that DC was trying to make as many parts interchangable between vehicles as possible, but to have my wonderful dodge Cummins truck have the same interior as a minivan made me want to PUKE!!!!



The salesman started up a HO 6 speed and was amazed that I didn't want to drive it. . He was gushing all over himself about the quiet sound the new engine was... I think I adequatly conveyed my unenthusiasm when I replied "great, now it sounds like a ford"



My final disappointment with the new truck... . WHEN THE HELL IS DODGE GOING TO MAKE A FULL SIZE CREW CAB????????



Happily keeping my 2000-2001



Cheers, Bill



P. S. The chrome Cummins Badge on the front fender KICKS BUTT!

 

[BigDan]

Okay... . this is BigDan's Girl... and the co-owner of our 02 that we've had for 5 months now...



And maybe I'm a weird female, but I love the diesel. It sounds great. It doesn't smell bad at all... has a ton of power (this truck gets some - and we're not even done with the mods) and gets great mileage! And well, face it, the fewer trips to the gas station the better...



I wanted a 4 door Dakota for the longest time (to use as a daily driver) but now that the Ram's are 4 real doors, I want a full size. And I'd get a diesel in a heartbeat. We drive with the windows down and the radio off all the time just to hear the truck.



As for the fold out rear floorboards that are out on the 2003's - Go Dodge. Major selling points for the ladies that want to use these trucks to haul groceries and kids! I love the platform idea and the hooks for plastic bags! Yippee! Plus the double console in the front is cool too. It's all about the small things!



Just wish the tree-huggers and yuppies would stay out of it... I love the sound of the 02 cranked up with the boost on and the the little whistle/pop-off noise it makes. And I love the looks (us girls) get when we're cruising in it or taking it to work in downtown Sacto. Guys seem to dig the chicks in the HD Diesel!



Oh well... It's just great to have a nice new truck and the 03 owners will just have to work that much harder to let their Cummin's roar!



If we could afford another truck payment right now, I'd have one... quieter motor and all... I'm so happy with the 02 that I can't even imagine not liking the 03. Dan would just have to get me one of those truck bed fuel cells though... I really, really hate hitting up the 76 station!Oo.

 

[EricBu12]

I like the engine, they fixed the problem of the oil breather. I was at the nationals and I found out that the oil breather is under that black cap and get this, there is a return hose for oil drips or condensing oil to return to the crankcase. Wish they did that on the 01

And I also Like the new fan that has a Horton like wire front for 1 to 1 operation if it got hot while pulling.

Anyone know if the fan has a manual switch? that would be great.

I would replace the engine in my 01 if the engine went out someday and stick it in my 01 and not get the 03. I hate, really hate the dash. ! It looks like a Chevy or GMC truck. Moreover like a S-10 dash. no character at all and no style. .

I have the 6 speed and while at the cummins plant, I asked if it would be poss. to have the 03 engine mounted in the 01 truck and they thought it could be done.