interior changes

[superdave]

have just had the first occasion to check out the 2003 one ton dodge trucks... very pretty. . exterior really sharp... interior,,,,,TOO MANY CHANGES..... at least from my 1999... . the cruise control has been moved closer to the center of the steering wheel, hard to reach without moving hand from wheel, even with my large hands,,,I looked at 5 trucks and a couple of them had completely different a/c-heater controls and different radio controls even with the same sound system than the other 2003 right beside it... weird... . also they have changed the position of two of the gauges, at least from where they are in my 1999... Also the overhead storage bin for my sunglasses and my garage door opener are not available even thought the trip computer still is available... Whats with the white dash instruments??? ugly... Maybe they show up better but UGLY... ... . Was in the market to buy one as soon as the new auto transmission is out but I really am disappointed... they moved the electric mirror controls and I think it would be easy to hit them by mistake at night... Maybe I am just a grumpy old man but as much as I love my 99, I think I may just keep it for a while... . Why the devil do the auto mfgs alwas have to keep changing a good, well desigmed product... Kinda like soap,,,, "new"----"new AND improved"-----"Newer and more improved"-----"newest and most improved"... usually same old soap in a new box... . does anyone else fell this way at all???????

 

[wyosteve]

Something I noticed in looking at new ones also is a difference in the leather interior. A 3500 dually had the leather with a suede looking insert in the seat back. Really sharp. A 2500 with leather didn't have the insert, just plain leather all over. Really looked cheap to me. Anyone know why the difference?

 

[DIESELMAN]

Originally posted by superdave

but UGLY... ... . (

Awh man that hurts



My '94 / '98 / '01's were ugly too but it grows on you..... Just keep it down, my truck is listening

 

[Prairie Dog]

I rather like the white gages. In fact, if it had not come with them I would have changed them to be that way with after market parts (like those available for second gens).

 

[Dean Upson]

I like the white gauges and I think the suede just comes with the Laramie package. You get used to the mirror and cruise controls.



Dean

 

[Steve M]

I had a hard time parting with my '01. 5 for my new '03. I was undecided about the white gauges but the first time I drove it at night and saw only green numbers with the orange pointers, I like them alot!

I'll miss my Infinity stereo but with the new quiet Cummins I don't need it to hear over the engine. The new dash overall reminds me of our Durango's dash. The '03 has a smaller glove box but a perfect spot for in-dash gauges. The whole truck is growing on me fast.

 

[ntenna]

Likewise.



On the mirror remote, don't worry, there's a switch which when you leave it in the middle, keeps you from accidently moving the mirrors.



The gauges do grow on you, a lot. I do find myself looking in the wrong place for fuel level, but that, too shall pass.



I cannot figure why the glasses door was dropped, that idea worked well for everybody I talked to. Also lack of illuminated vanity mirrors, especially passenger side, when even SLT's had them on both sides... well, who knows.



The leather you saw in the SLT was the optional package you can get with it, but no suede, and no power passenger seat. And the heater controls are different on the Laramie, but they are not complicated at all.



In just a couple of weeks, I find the interior is no problem.



Bottom line, the truck drives so much better that I forget everything else!

 

[Dean Upson]

Those heater controls on the Laramie are a real good idea as is the (optional) heated seat, especially this winter. The dual heater controls should be standard imo.



Dean

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by Dean Upson

Those heater controls on the Laramie are a real good idea as is the (optional) heated seat, especially this winter. The dual heater controls should be standard imo.



Dean

too bad the dual zone climate can not be had in the slt. i don't want the laramie for a few reasons 1. no floor shift t-case, 2. wood grain dash [not a big fan of it]

 

[Dean Upson]

Nick,



I used that electronic transfer case quite a bit this winter and it's pretty nice. Just my opinion, but that is probably the direction all the models will probably go in eventually. I have heard the pros and cons of it and I guess I am in the pro column. If I was plowing snow for a living, I might feel differently, the local F**d dealer still puts locking hubs on the trucks he sells and you couldn't give them to me, I had my fill of those back in the 60's and 70's .



Dean

 

[nickleinonen]

well, i have push button t-case right now on my 'hoe and on my pop's 99 silverado and i have never had any problems with it [well, did have a wire problem on my pops truck, front actuator lost ground - rewired it and it worked ok then]. even with it, i only go into 4x when i need to [if i am stuck and can not get out with it in 2x] but i do like the auto 4x that my pop has on his silverado though. . [some sort of clutch pack in the t-case]



and on the dodge, the cubby hole is smaller then

 

[ladyjaine]

'03 Interior

I got the leather interior. I ordered in early November and picked up my truck on January 7. There is a suede insert in the back seat cushions. I love the heated seats. The passenger seat is not completely powered, but does have a powered lumbar cushion. Uncle and Cousin are each 6'2" and found the passenger seat quite comfortable. My 5'5" sister also liked it. Ain't nobody but me used the driver's seat.



I haven't had a 4x4 vehicle before. Changing into 4WD is so easy that I am not nervous about it. I have used it once already when it snowed and was icy at night and I wanted a little more traction in an unfamiliar vehicle. Depress the clutch, turn the knob, release the clutch. Poof! If I do something wrong, it won't attempt the actual shift and a light will blink.



I find the mirror controls are far enough away from my fingertips during normal driving that I don't even fidget with them. The shape and texture of the buttons is such that in the dark, I don't confuse them. They are all different.



Jean

 

[superdave]

glad to see I am not the only one who is not thrilled by the changes... . But having said that, those of you who are happy will cause me to take another look when the new auto transmission comes out... . Maybe the dash does look good at night with the white gauges... But if you have gauges mounted on the door post and they are white to match, will they have any glare or catch your eye constantly?? Mine are black now to match the truck gauges and they never cause my vision to stray to them inadvertently... Thanks for all the advice... Keep it coming... Lots of loot to spend for a new one that is not EXACTLY what one wants... .

 

[Prairie Dog]

I've got the manual 4x lever and was warned by the dealer that it may grind slightly when it engages - he said it's "normal", but mine has never done this - even at 50 MPH. Does anybodies grind ?

 

[Dean Upson]

Lots of loot to spend for a new one that is not EXACTLY what one wants... .

Is there such a vehicle ?



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

Originally posted by superdave

glad to see I am not the only one who is not thrilled by the changes... ... . Lots of loot to spend for a new one that is not EXACTLY what one wants... .

Dave, It is your money. You spend it EXACTLY the way YOU want to. I spent MINE EXACTLY the way I wanted. FWIW.



Casey

 

[Deezal Man]

Lack of options

following what has been said,



I may be wrong but I remember lots of options when ordering my 98. 5. In looking at the 03's, I was surprised to find out that certain options were only available within a package.



Duel Climate controls and dash mounted 4x4 switch being two of them. I'm sorry but these should still be options even if they come standard within an appearance package.



And to delete vanity mirrors on a truck that DC is trying to turn into a luxury vehicle... Just doesn't make sense.



Listening DC?? Don't look at it as complaining... Look at it as what your customers want.



Just my opinion,

 

[CATCRACKER]

keep your #53 block i am selling mine. two thumbs up on the white guages. there is no comparison b/t the 02hd and the 03 hd in any category. that is whay i am selling. IMHO

 

[nanook]

Interesting thread,



the main reason why I bought my dodge 3500 drw is the interior, I wanted the HO cummins, the wife wanted all the bells and whistles in the interior. We shopped around, Ford's interior is bland, its just a work vehicle, GMC/Chevy interior was better than Fords but there top of the line model felt like you and the other front seat passenger where alienated from each other. You each had your own pod to strap into. Dodge has great storage areas, especially for portable computers on the front seat, the fold flat floor for storage and the feel of the interior felt great and not so bland like Fords,



Just my two cents worth,



still waiting for my truck, its being shipped from the factory monday... ... oh boy... ... .