2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Letter to DC

[justme]

Dear DC,



I own an early production year 2001 Ram 2500 ETH/DEE 4x4 (VIN# 1G180990) truck and so far I have been extremely happy. This is my third DC purchase (1991, 1995, and the 2001 (along with the wife’s 2001 Jeep GC Limited). When I purchased my latest engine and the truck was a byproduct of the engine purchase.



Initially I looked very hard at the Ford F-350 Crewcab, and almost purchased it but stuck with the Cummins. I am greatly disappointed with the 2003 models and the ¾-rear door.



Yesterday I drove a new 2003 Ford F-350 Crew Cab with the Navistar 6. 0 L engine and the 5 -speed automatic transmission, Very Impressive! Not the engine, but the cavernous space in the cab with the full size rear seat, doors, and windows. My wife sat in the back during the test drive and was more impressed with the comfort of the deep, wide rear seat, which would come in handy for the long road trips and afternoon naps. She was not impressed with the quite engine, the in-dash 6 disk stereo system, or even the smooth acceleration of the new 325 HP engine, but the knee room (6 inches) she had when I motored the front seat all the way back!



I will purchase a new truck next year and if you do not come on board with a deeper, wider rear seat, for ADULTS, then I will own a new F-350 Crew Cab.



Loyal DC Customer (maybe),

Michael R.

 

[Pit Bull]

Michael

Just wondering??? Why do you and the wife need so much room in that rear seat? :-laf One suggestion when you buy the ford get leather seats they clean up better

 

[Sixpack]

:--) Good one!

 

[Sticks]

When I was out shopping for a replacement for my '01, I talked to a dealer about the new '03 four doors. The 1500 that I looked at (no 2500 or 3500's yet) seemed to be no larger than before. The justification for the slightly increased cab, all done by eating up the bed and engine compartment, was based on a poll (or so I was told). The the chief complaint about the trucks with the Big Cumfy cabs, was that the truck was just too big and hard to maneuver in tight areas. Thus the not quite 8 foot bed and cab forward design. Gotta love popular opinion.



I almost went with the Ferd crew cab too. Then my buddies '00 F-250's transmission blew up (planetary exploded) for no readily apparent reason. He is not hard on his vehicles at all. 4 Ferds in three years for him, all died horrible deaths.



Sticks

 

[midwestdually]

buy a brand new ford... . pull the motor... sell it on ebay... buy a new cummins and drop it in and bomb the crap out if it!!!

 

[afalardeau]

There's going to be opinion on both sides. One of the reasons I favored the 02 2500 was that it wasn't wasting a whole lot of space on the back seat. I do carry passengers back there frequently but not so much that I'd want a Ford Bohemeth. The 02's quad cab was a perfect fit for my needs.



A buddy of mine has an 02 1500 with the new body style. When I sit in it I feel like I'm in an SUV. Sure it's big but personally, I'd rather have a bigger bed and engine compartment.

 

[Pit Bull]

Why would anyone want a back seat in a pickup truck Just put a couple of bean bag chairs in the bed of the truck when you want to take people for a ride. Thats the way we do it here in the Ozark mountains With an 8' bed you can seat 6 people real comfortable plus have room for a keg of beer. Plus if your in the romantic mood you can lay a full size mattress back there. Now just quit that talk about phords and their big back seats. :-{}

 

[BFC]

We buy what makes us happy. I really don't get the debate over the four doors. I'm 6'7" and can sit comprtably in back of an 03. Ford is a little roomier yes, but it's pick up not a limo.



Just my 2 cents,



Glenn

 

[justme]

Nasties in the back seat?

While traveling from home to Texas, Pigeon Forge, or DisneyWorld sleeping or napping in the back seat remains an option for the wife while traveling. I enjoy the latitude of doing what I want when I want.



If we want to go out to eat with family or friends, we can take the truck rather then the Jeep GC.



I enjoy driving my truck, if I wanted a SUV than I would have purchased a Jeep GC, but I bought a truck.



Now all you naysayers out there have wished more than once for a larger back seat for one thing or another. You have voiced you displeasure, in this format, to DC about “ponying up to the bar” and producing a full size rear door. Now that DC has met you three quarters of the way, you are going to cry hallelujah and jump ship.



Now I do LOVE my Cummins and dread the mere thought of going to GM or Ford, but they have a great big deep rear seat. Just looking though, so please go not chastise me to the point were I wish to throw myself on my sword.



Love you Brothers,

Michael

 

[keimmmo]

Hey Pit Bull,



I enjoyed your comments. Personally, I don't worry much about rear seat space... my seat is reserved... I ALWAYS get the one behind the steering wheel!



Check my signature. I have hauled as many as 25 people with luggage in both trucks! We recently made a run from Veracruz to Queretaro, a 15 hour trip through the mountains, with 19 people with luggage. Had a great time!



Steve

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I drive 2 CTD dodges.



I bought the wife an '02 F250 CC. I prefer to ride in it. I like to drive mine

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by keimmmo



Check my signature. I have hauled as many as 25 people with luggage in both trucks! We recently made a run from Veracruz to Queretaro, a 15 hour trip through the mountains, with 19 people with luggage. Had a great time!



Steve

Steve, I've seen loads like that, when I was driving between Chiapas and Guatemala City! :-laf :-laf

Do they still do the loads of hay that are stacked twice as high and wide as the truck??



Vaughn

 

[keimmmo]

Vaughn,



They sure do! You will see a "Walking Hay Stack" once in a while too... a burro with so much hay piled on him that all you can see is his head sticking out of the pile! Now, I AM NOT saying one is right and the other is wrong, but Americans and Mexicans DO NOT think alike!!!



Steve

 

[Sticks]

The sad thing for me is that I only bought the QC for the girlfriends (now wifes) dog. 95# chow/collie mix was too much for the middle.



Now that the poor old girl is up there in years, and hip dysplasia (sp?) has set in (the dog not my wife, she got the running boards), I have to pick her up and put her on the back seat, as well as take her out. Now that full fourth door would be real nice.



Sticks

 

[Jeff H]

Not totally off the subject here. Look back in your TDR issue wich one I don't remember. A place in Elrosa MN can modify your truck. They add on your truck a A full 4 door a full 6 door with even a extended cab behind that.

Now yer saying that sounds pretty spendy. So is a 45,000 dollar Ford binder stroke.

 

[Sticks]

I saw a Ferd like that a couple of years ago. Looked like an Excursion with an 8' bed attached two feet behind the back seat. Full four door Extended cab. Man that thing was big.

 

[cwcox]

You know, I am glad Dodge got off the couch and decided to re-enter the truck market back in the eighties by adding the Cummins, and bringing back the dually pickup. And I am really pleased with the 94-03 HD trucks, I love my 95. Except for the windshield being on top of half of the engine- bad design. Dodge was always known for their engineering and ease of service. They also were known for having dealerships that knew what a truck is and what it is used for. Well, the engineering is still good, but they forgot to make it easy to service and most dealers are unfortunately clueless when it comes to truck sales. Yes, I know the surveys said that most people don't do their own work anymore, but we still have to pay a shop 60 dollars an hour for the tech to struggle through the repair. Maybe Dodge will get the hint that there might be a REAL GOOD REASON why GM and Ford each have a forty percent market share in the truck world, and Dodge has about an eighteen percent share. Is anyone listening? Where are the cab and chassis trucks? Where are the dedicated truck shops? Why would anyone buy a Dodge from someone that doesn't have a clue as to what bed comes with what GVW, or engine, or chassis, or cab? Why would anyone buy a work truck that will not accept standard commercial chassis upfits (wrecker, dump, etc. )? And why would the RV person buy a truck that may or may not hold a certain type of hitch, especially one that is required to tow the load that the truck was intended by the factory to tow? Sure, we got the hitch issue solved, but why have the hassle? Buy a Ford and take it anywhere to have anything installed on it, and then use it. That's why they are #1 in sales. It isn't because they are great trucks. Sorry for the rant, just thought I'd throw in my two cents- well, more like a buck and a quarter!

 

[SEmerson]

Does any one here know german. Maybe that will help. I couldn't be more disapointed in the 4 doors. And I would like a new truck in a year or so. I may consider a ford 450 550. :{ :{