Here I am

Observations after a month of ownership.

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34 gallon fuel tank on indefinite restriction

Went up to the dealer yestersday

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I have a '04. 5, 3500 SRW, Quadcab, 2WD, 6-speed, with a Harbor Utility Body and after a month of ownership(and one payment), here are my observations of the truck:



Plusses:

Quiet... inside and out. Can carry on a phone conversation on speakerphone now.



Load flat floor.



Bench seat center lower storage.



NV5600.



Four almost full-sized doors with roll down windows.



Brakes that are immeasurably better than my 2000 Ram 2500.



Auto-dimming rearview mirror.



Fuel tank IS larger. First fill up was 36. 5 gallons while 2nd was 36. 1 gallons. Most I was able to put in the 2000 was about 34. 5 gallons.



In-dash 6 CD.





Misses:

Rear view mirror is smaller.



I miss the 3. 55 gear.



Cupholders still can not hold the tall Big Gulps secure enough to prevent tip overs.



Some of the powerports still don't work with the ignition off... you'd think they were afraid that the 2 humongous batteries are going to drain out while charging the cell phone.



The fuek tank is harder to fill than the 2000 Dodge and pretty close to being as big a PITA as the Ford twin tank setups.



No overhead sunglass holder for my Serengeti's.



Cruise control buttons are harder to locate while in the dark as compared to the 2000 Dodge.



Exhaust drone at 65 and above... an annoyance and the truck is not as quiet as it could be.



Insurance companies (at least in Kalifornia) are bigtime extortionists when trying to obtain coverage on this thing... about 50% more than the 2500 I had.



I really like this 3500. It is not totally smoke free as it is coating the side of the bed with soot after only 2 tanks of fuel. I can put up a fair smoke screen at night, but no where near what I can do with my 2000 with the Edge EZ and DD-II's. The braking system on this truck is awsome compared to the 2000' front disc rear drum set up. I hope this one is as troublefree as the 2000.

N Dennis
 
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Good observations. I've only had mine for 1 week and 1600 miles so it will be awhile before I can report anything of any substance, but so far, I love it.
 
I have had 6,500 trouble free miles with my 2004 with the 555 H. O. I still have the oil smell in cab,and drone at 70 mpg. This is still a hell of allot better rig than my 2002 Chevy silverado. coobie:D
 
Believe it when I say I'd rather spend 2 grand on wheeel n tires than give it to the terroristic extortionists we call insurance companies and their underwriters.

N Dennis
 
One of the things I'm having trouble with is the Folding trailering mirrors. With all that mirror and the little corner blind spot mirrors, I have a hard time judging vehicles on the highway and I still have blind spots.





Maybe I need another checkup
 
On the mirrors, you need to learn how to use the convex mirror in the corner, it will give you all the info you need. It just takes some getting use to.



Compared to my 01 HO, here is what I think are the good, the bad, the ugly...



Good:

Power is awesome.



This 6 speed seems to have shorter throws and the gear shifter is closer to the driver.



Power tow mirrors are a huge advantage.



Really like the layout of the interior, the 4 doors, fold flat floor and all the storage cubby holes.



Steering is real precise and great feedback, especially for a 4x4. Turning radius is nice and tight (SWB).



Brakes are awesome.



The throttle isn't as touchy during light throttle applications like going over railroad tracks where a bounce would cause the truck to haul ass because my foot moved a 1/4".



Cruise control is much more precise and doesn't do wild corrections to catch up.



I like the 3. 73 gears, better for towing and a good overall compromise.



Class 4 hitch is standard with tow package.



Better tie downs in the bed.



Remote lock/unlock standard with SLT.



Able to turn A/C on or off in any mode except defrost where it always comes on.





The Bad:

Looks harder to service the fuel filter and oil filter.



Radio seems to be farther away from the driver to where the wife can actually reach it.



Fuel tank is a PITA to fill all the way up.



No instant MPG reading on the overhead console, I liked that.



No wheel well liners.



The Ugly:

Some people are getting poor mileage, some excess vibes, some have a droning issue. I myself love this truck and have had no problems.
 
Originally posted by CoastyAV8R

The Bad:

Looks harder to service the fuel filter and oil filter.



Fuel tank is a PITA to fill all the way up.



No instant MPG reading on the overhead console, I liked that.



No wheel well liners.



The Ugly:

Some people are getting poor mileage, some excess vibes, some have a droning issue. I myself love this truck and have had no problems.





My oil got changed at 2200 miles, and will do it again at 5000, then every 5000. It was easier to change it on my '04 than my '01. I poked a hole in the bottom to drain it, and there is nothing below it to drip on. I have a socket mfg'd by Hardwick Ent. , Inc and it worked great.



I agree with the tank. It is a PITA.

I miss the instant mileage, too.

Mine came with front and rear liners.

I have a rattle in the door panel when the radio is playing.

The passenger front window has what seems to be a bent rail, and midway down, it goes real slow.



SOLER
 
The cruise control is incredibly smooth and precise. My GMC Dmax was really bad at overcorrecting.



No problem with the radio... got the steering wheel controls.



I love the huge center drop down console and the secret stash under the middle seat!



This truck handles bigger tires with ease... . the way it handles and the power.
 
Originally posted by CoastyAV8R

What secret stash? Do you mean the underside of the center console when the center console is down?



I mean the center seat..... it's got a latch up front and it lifts up!
 
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