Pro/Con impressions after test drive

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Well I went for a test drive in a couple different trucks last night and came away with some positive as well as negative feelings. Unfortunately it took some of the edge off of my enthusiasm to get a new rig.



First truck: 3500 SRW quadcab 2-wheel drive Auto. I drove this to see how the 4x2 drove and handled and rode, since I'd be going with a 4x2. I really liked the way it rode, wasn't harsh at all, a little stiffer than my current truck, just right IMO. I prefer tight over sloppy & soft. Hit a rough RR crossing and took it with aplomb. Tight as a drum, no wiggles/jiggles, discombobulation, interior noises, etc. The steering is razor sharp, it is amazing. Steers straight as an arrow and responds instantaneously to driver input. A complete joy to drive.



Power-wise it felt pretty flat, but then my truck is pretty strong. Getting onto the highway I noticed the same thing as with the other Auto truck I drove: seems there is a noticeably amount of engine vibration emanating through the steering column. Also, the engine felt a bit coarse, but it was pretty cold and we didn't go far enough to get it nice and warm.





Second Truck: QC shortbed 4x4 HO/6-speed. First impression, this 6-speed is SLICK! Shifts way better than my current truck. Driving around town is wonderful shifting. Steering on 4x4 was incredible, better than my current 4x2, which steers excellent IMO. But this truck also had a couple drawbacks, it had an irritating rattle in the A-pillar, and when hitting the RR tracks made more noises than the other truck. Accelerating onto the highway the engine was very coarse, like all cylinders are not firing the same power, especially above 2400rpm. Quite disappointing. But once again I think being pretty cold played a factor in this. Plus, it's new, the Cummins will smooth out considerably with miles. The vibration I felt & coarseness I heard emanated through the steering column even worse than on the other truck. Another dislike: driveline vibes on the highway, quite noticeable, like a driveshaft out of balance. Overall this truck didn't feel put together as well as it could have been. The scary thing about ordering a truck is getting it in and it is one of these.



Last thing I did was sit in a truck with the Laramie leather. It was in Taupe, I liked it Nice color. Carefully inspected the center seat in front and the rear seat, YES, it's ALL leather!



All in all, my decision is swayed a bit more toward keeping the old truck than it was a day ago. I'll reserve a final decision to another test drive on a warm day and a longer trip.



Vaughn

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

comments?

Back to the top, was wondering if anyone has comments on engine smoothness & vibration, especially under acceleration and higher RPM, cold and totally warmed up.



Thanks, Vaughn

 

[Casey Balvert]

I have 1500 miles on my HO now. When it is cold it rattles a lot like my old truck. When warm it is very quiet until you wind it up past 2300 rpm or so. Then there is a lot of engine noise, probably some of that is generated by the huge propeller stuck on the front of the motor. I am sure that engine noice was there on my old truck but was probably masked by the injector and combustion noises.



I have found the engine responsive when cold; at least a lot more than my 97. When it is warm it is very smooth and have not noticed any unusual harshness or vibration throughout the rpm range. It pull strong right from a fast idle on up through 3000 rpm. I have not really hot rodded it since it is still new but so far I am very pleased. I know that there have been complaints of vibration coming through the shift knob and steering column but I haven't noticed any of that at all. But I keep in mind that it is a diesel and it will never be as smooth as a gasser V8. My exectations are realistic and those expectations have been surpassed by this truck. Maybe I just got lucky. I must also say that my dealer has been great both in sales and service. (Countryside Dodge in Essex, Ontario)



I like the lack of noice, contrary to some of the folks on this list but everyone is entiltled. I cross the border a lot and it is nice to be able to speak to customs without being asked to shut down especially when my EGT is still up from the pull up the bridge. My wife is happy with it. Bonus. For some reason my dogs who loved my old truck don't want to get into this one. Maybe they know something that I don't.



Now if Chrysler would get of their butts and come up with a reasonable solution for attaching a fiver hitch I would be a very happy camper indeeed.



Cheers all,



Casey

 

[krabman]

I dont have any vibration. There is a slight hum on the shifter at freeway speed but it is well within the spectrum of other manuals I have owned. Mine is brand new, left the dealer at 16 on the odo and got home lat night at 460 so its pretty fresh. Mine pulls smooth and hard in all gears without any of the coarseness you are describing. keep in mind I am an engineer (think boat or choo choo train not smart guy with a pocket protector) and my expectations may be different than yours. The only way I can quantify it is that I test drove one of the new Duramax's and it is quite similar in terms of smoothness.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Thanks for the info guys

I think a lot of it was merging onto the freeway only 4-5 minutes after firing up a cold (in the low 30s) motor. It was nowhere near being warmed up. Plus I'm comparing to a nicely broken-in (77k), warmed up truck with well-balanced DD injectors.



krabman how aboud showing up at one of the NW BOMBer events and show off your new ride www.nwbombers.com

We are having a get-together Nov. 23rd in the Puyallup area and a dyno day Dec. 7th in Monroe. Check out "events" forums on nwbombers site. I would love to see your rig



Vaughn

 

[OHale]

Very interesting Vaughn, and thank you for the report.



Very similar to my experience as I posted here a while back. I drove a 3500 QC SO short bed 4x4.



I very much like the new interior. It was well laid out and the cargo floor in the back was nice. There was more room there than in the GM/Chevy club cab, IMO.



I was very disappointed in the vibration. The vibration disappeared while coasting, but returned with even slight throttle. It felt like hitting a patch of dry pavement in 4 wheel drive. My '95 has 131,000 miles on it and I don't have any vibration at all. I too think it is driveline related. The Shop Mgr. and I drove it later and he commented on it as well. From your description it doesn't sound like it was a fluke in that particular vehicle. Maybe it will go away with mileage but I would like to know what's going on before I plunk down that much money.



I was underwhelmed by the performance of the SO engine and won't even consider a Dodge without the HO. Not as steady on acceleration as my current aging truck. BTW, my engine is stock all the way, although I do have a 4. 10 rear end which provides a strong acceleration.



I keep intending to call the Shop Mgr. back and see what he found out about the vibration. I'll get off my duff and do that today.



Still, I want to trade my dually for an '03 or '04.



I did drive the Duramax. Very smooth transmission and like driving a car. I do not care for the engine or the interior and am going to hold out for a Dodge or, heaven forbid, maybe test drive the new Ford combo.

 

[krabman]

I have been considering the Monroe event. Dont have much to show off yet the only addon so far is mud flaps. Going to get an appointment to get the bed sprayed today. Might have tires if any that meet my needs are out by then. Not exactly BOMBed. I like to add stuff slowly as I see things that "talk" to me. It will get there eventually.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

krabman, that is a wise way to approach BOMBing, nice and easy, only go with that is comfortable.



It would be great if you do make it to Monroe, it's not like you have to dyno or anything. Do you post on NWB? It would be fun to meet you and spec out your new ride



I put my current truck on the dyno at BD with just 2999 miles to see what it would do stock. It laid down 244hp which surprised me, I was quite pleased. It has always been pretty strong. Last I checked I was at 323hp with DD2s only, and I've upraded the manifold (ATS) turbo (PDR35-16) exhaust (5") and fuel system since then. It feels stronger.



OHale I would be interested in seeing what you you find out with the service manager. One thing I tought of was maybe with the new stiffer frame, engine vibes are transmitted through the structure more readily. Who knows. I have driven 3 trucks now and have gotten the same impression, just a little too much vibes.



Vaughn

 

[OHale]

Hi Vaughn,



Well, your note got me to quit putting it off and call the Service Mgr. He indeed drove a 2500 SO auto and he says it has the same vibration. It is starting to sound like it is inherent in the '03 and may not be a reliability or durability problem.



BTW, when I test drove that 3500 the second time it was with my wife. I deliberately didn't mention the vibration to see if she noticed it herself. She did, and she is not as ultra-finicky about her gas truck as I am about my diesel.



As a footnote, he mentioned that he didn't think the HO would ever be offered with an auto, even the 48RE. I told him I thought the 48RE was developed with the HO in mind, but he said the salesman didn't think so. FWIW. The 48RE should be out in a few months and we'll see.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Thanks for the info OHale. Until D/C addresses the vibration issue I will stick with my old truck. At least it makes the decision whether or not to get a truck a lot easier! That's what test drives are all about, to see if a vehicle performs as you'd expect. If it wasn't for this one fly in the ointment I'd be very likely to get a new rig. This truck is running great so there's no need to get rid of it. I love the looks of the new truck, the 4 doors, the leather, strong frame, great handling and shifting, a terrific truck in almost all respects





Vaughn

 

[Prairie Dog]

My engine has gotten smoother with age (2200 now). When I first bought it I noticed almost a feeling of a loose rod bearing knocking through the throttle pedal when cold. That feeling has gone away and it doesn't seem like I have to give it as much throttle when accelerating normally. I've insulated all four doors and that made a big difference to the noise level inside the cab.

In short - it just seems to get better and better as the miles add up!Oo.



By the way what is the "Monroe event"?

 

[OHale]

Prairie Dog, that is very encouraging that your vibration has gone away. Perhaps something a little rough that needed to 'wear in. '



Vaughn, I feel like you right now, that I should wait. My '95 is pretty plain on the inside but the leather and all the goodies on the new trucks look very fine right now. The old truck runs well but I am tired of the manual (getting old!) and the 4. 10 is too wound out for highway cruising.



I have a great deal of faith in Dodge that this will be a good truck, but I'm going to wait a little longer. It is great to have all of you knowledgeable people out there for advice and experience!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Prarie Dog, it's at Dynomite Diesel Performance in Monroe, I hear it is a nice shop and the people there are great. It is a dynojet (haven't been there) and I'm driving over from Pasco to be there. Show on up and meet everyone, there will be a few I haven't met yet. http://www.nwbombers.com/board/ikonboard.cgi?s=3dc802175928ffff;act=ST;f=1;t=1331

Come on over and surf NW BOMBers



OHale, I'm hoping I'll get a chance to go for a spin in a truck that has a few thousand miles on it to see how it runs. I know my rig continued to improve for 50-60K.



I was in Maine once, drove across from NH and went to Quoddy Head and then over to Canada via Deer Island on a dinky ferry contraption. Very beautiful country. This was Aug. 1987.





Vaughn