New member - questions for the pros

[FTwardoch]

Hi guys,



First post. Be gentle.



Just about to pull the trigger on buying a Cummins powered beast, been a K5/Suburban nut for many years but I want power and an upgrade without having to 'build' a truck like I've done with my one ton K5's, etc. My father in law has an '01 longbed that flat out amazed me pulling a trailer up Mt. Hood. Call me a convert. Lots to learn about diesels but I'll catch on.



Basic questions for the group that I haven't been able to find in the sea of info on here -



1. What year did the 'quad cab' with rear seating (3 across) and 4 doors start?

2. What year did the HO motor come out, 01? How can I be sure a truck I look at has the HO motor?

3. What year did the 5 speed go to a 6 speed? I'm not sure if I want an auto or manual (probably prefer a manual for the lack of down the road spending when I get the bombing bug) but transmission choice may be dictated by other option preferences. I want a quad cab SHORTBED.

4. Those of you with shortbeds - have you regretted not going longbed? I want a more maneuverable truck after driving a Suburban the past 2 years.

5. Ride quality shortbed vs. longbed. Any comments on which is better 'stock'? Figure a good set of RS9000's will fix any ride quality problem.

6. Where are the option codes to check for a rear factory posi?

7. These trucks have Dana 80 rear and Dana 60 front axles, right? Or was AAM used in there somewhere?



Thanks for this great resource. Appreciate any input y'all can give.

 

[JWChessell]

I've got an observation and one answer:



Since most of your questions deal with 3rd Generation trucks, you might get more response on one of the 3rd Gen forums.



My one answer is to maneuverability. I bought a 03 HO QC 4X2 LWB SRW in July 03. From '89 to '03 I had an '81 Chev 4-dr crew-cab 4X2 LWB DRW. The Chev's wheel base is 165. 5" and the Dodge is 161"; the 4-1/2" comes out of the back seat of the Dodge -- the bed is the same length as the Chev. I don't know what size Suburban you have, but the wheelbase is probably quite similar to my Chev crew-cab pickup.



The difference in maneuverability between the Chev and the Dodge is amazing! I can make a U-turn from the left turn lane on a four lane (two in each direction) road. I can't in the Chev. Parking is very easy compared to the Chev -- and most of us back into parking spaces anyhow, because it's easier. I think (but don't know for sure, I'll have to measure) that the front wheels on the '03 Dodge turn slightly farther in each direction -- full left to full right -- than on the Chev.



In my case, I'd rather have the 2 extra feet of cargo capacity rather than enhanced maneuverability; the LWB is already plenty maneuverable for me, and the difference between the Dodge LWB and my Chev is remarkable.



Another thing to consider is that the fuel tank in the LWB is rated as being larger -- 34 vs. 36 gallons. I say "rated" because those people that are puting after-market air vents in their LWB fuel tanks are finding that the tank actually holds 40 gallons!

 

[bmoeller]

Welcome to the TDR!



1. The quad cab came out in '98. To open them though, you have to open the front doors first. '03- current are the quad cabs w/ the true 4 doors.



2. The HO 24v came out in '01 and had a 6spd. They did put some 6spds in a few trucks prior to that, but were on back order from high demand.



3. 6spd was intro'd in '99. Some had teething problems, so they didn't put many in.



4. Can't comment on the S/B, but I have no complaints with the length and turning radius with my Ram. It actually turns tighter than my Ford, even though it (the Ford) is shorter.



5. My dually rides better than my Ford.



6. Don't recall the codes on the posi. If you look under the hood, on the hood itself (at least on my '97), there is a sticker that tells you what it has in it. Some years, the sticker is in the glove box IIRC.



7. Yes, and yes. They switched to the AAM on the '03 model.



If you want more info, I would suggest getting Don Bunns' book, "Dodge Ram Trucks 1994-2001 Photo History". I have a copy. Great read and lots of good info.



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_5/103-1128906-5274268?v=glance&s=books