Likes/dislikes of '03 3500 SWR

[dnitzel]

Had this posted on another subject, I moved it and updated it. Sorry about the repeat.



So far, over all it's great!



This is what I like the new 2003 HD:



The 48RE. It really grabs gears when pushed and shifts very smooth when driven normally. The thought of having an HO with a 6 spd in town was just too many gears for me.

The short box, I went from a long box, great turning radius.

The steering is great.

Lower window sills, great to mount my elbow on.

Power of the HO.

LESS blue smoke on jack rabbit starts.

FIT AND FINISH overall is excellent, great paint!

Much quiter interior.

Solid feeling, better handling, much better than the new 2500/3500 chevys at work and that I test drove.

Suspension better, handles bumps and curbs better. Rolls less on fast cornering.

The new tranfer case is MUCH better. Much easier to shift from 2H to 4 H, and no delay.

Tons of cubby holes.

Better stock headlights and better fog lights.

Great instrument display.

I like the way the switches feel.

I really like the design of the dash board and vents.

Tons of little electronic things that make it really cool like the auto dimming interior lights.

Better room the back seats an the 60/40 seats.

Rear windows that roll down.

More room inside (It sure seems like it, I think)

AC controls.

Stays for floor mats.

Storage comparment under front seat.

Front seat headrests.

Easy to use seat belts.

Drivers visor extends, nice touch!

$2500 rebates.

My dealer was great!

New car smell.



Dislikes:

New tilt wheel lever.

Seats a bit hard (premium) Maybe they will soften up a bit (My roids HOPE so).

Calculated milage is still a little low, only 12 in town and 15 in the highway, but that's with only 500 miles on it.

Wish the CTD had a switch for a "loud mode" to impress people I drive by and a quite mode for the road and the neighbors.



Compairison trucks owned:

'98 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 LB 318 CI auto, '96 Dodge 2500 Ext cab LB 4x4 V-10 auto, '01 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 SO CTD 5 spd LB. I can't really say that the '03 is a LOT nicer than the others. I really liked them all! Never had one leave me stranded (yet). Wish I could say that about my un-Dodges.





Can't wait to see how it pulls my trailers!!



For more photos visit https://www.turbodieselregister.com/...hp?&albumid=704

 

[dnitzel]

Forgot the picture.....

Wall paper image can be downloaded at www.nitzel.net/hobbies/images/2003dodge1.bmp

It's 2. 3 MB. 1024x768 pixels

 

[Steve M]

Man that is one beautiful picture! Dodge should pay you to use that in an ad. Seriously!

I had a few also. A '95 reg cab LB CTD auto/3. 54, a '98 12v club cab SB CTD 5spd/4. 10, an '01. 5 QC LB CTD auto/3. 54, and now my '03 in the sig. As much as I like everything about my '03, I really liked my '01. 5 and still miss it. If it had a 4. 10 ratio in it, I probably would not have even considered trading. That's not to take anything away from the '03, the '01. 5 just seemed to have more character. The '03 pulls our 5th wheel better with it's 4. 10 ratio and it's nice to have quiet in the cab on the road. And four real doors. And no injection pump.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thats the first short bed I've seen, looks great!

 

[Steve G]

dnitzel,

I agree with your assesment. I was a little concerned about the ride, I wanted something smoother than my dually and thought the short bed looked better than the long. The ride is not bad at all. Fuel mileage will get better with miles. My first tank I got 16. 6 and the next tank 17. 3. Not bad.



Steve

 

[dnitzel]

Originally posted by Steve M

That's not to take anything away from the '03, the '01. 5 just seemed to have more character.

I'd have to agree with that. It sure seemed more like a TRUCK. I still liked it, though. Don't get me wrong, the '03 is great too!

 

[ImagesThatSing]

I agree with the good and bad points of above post and would add:

Compared to our 1999:

Positives:



1. Back windows latch is much better than that plastic breakable lock not only in operation, but in security.



2. Center console locks better so you don't dump your stuff when you pick it up.



3. Power is much better in engine and with 6 speed (opposed to 5 speed and regular output)



4. Extra power supplies in center console are convenient for running laptop.



5. Fit and finish is much much better.



6. Clutched emergency break is a nice touch.



7. Better defrost venting for both the front and side windows.



8. Better Jack placement, and much better folding storage in back is wonderful.



9. The cleaner oil for much longer is a great feeling.



10. Trailer electrical connection in bumper and out of the way for corrosion, more convenient.



11. Breaking is remarkably better, that 99 was a hazard in the hard breaking department, felt heavy and dangerous, this feels solid and safe.



12. Sound reduction even with exhaust brake is remarkably less intrusive.



13. Fuel filter is much easier to replace, including the self priming feature which is much much appreciated.



14. Floor mats not crawling is really an anti frustrating feature.

Split seat feature in back offers greater flexibility in passenger/storage options.



15. The SWR offering saves not only on tires, but also on emissions testing ($35 as opposed to $85 for the dually).



16. The adjustable pedals really helps my short Jodi on longer drives.



17. The mpg electronic guage is accurate. (99 was . 7 mpg off)



18. The oil pressure climbs immediately instead of 2 or 3 second delay.



19. The 17" tires look and feel better.



20. The features of this truck and possible complications, the cost motivated us to join TDR which looks like a very good move.



Negatives.



1. Jodi hates that they took away her passenger side vanity mirror. <<grin>>



2. And according to her, the sound reduction is a negative.



3. The 99 didn't use a drop of oil between changes, This 03 is using about a quart every 1700 miles so far.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Only one dislike so far... . Payments again :{ :{ :{

 

[DavidC]

The 99 didn't use a drop of oil between changes, This 03 is using about a quart every 1700 miles so far.



What is that about?. Are other 03 owners having this?.



Dave

 

[ImagesThatSing]

My best guess (as if we have any credibility yet) is that since the bottom of the cylendars is now cooled with an oil spray, that this may be evaporation. I have looked and looked for any signs of leakage and have found none.



Also,

I forgot one annoying disadvantage,



The fuel indicator says empty with about 9 gallons of fuel in the tank. Way too early to be running on empty when there is 120 to 150 miles left. But hey, this is a minor annoyance, it just makes my Jodi nervous.