So how are they????

[rmcnamee]

Hello all,

As the owner of a 2001 2500 CTD/auto, I'd like to hear from the guys/gals that have taken the plunge and bought a new HD Ram. I personally can't decide whether to keep mine or head to the dealer and trade up. If I was to do so... . HO/6-speed or auto? What would you reccommend? I'm just looking for some good "real world" non bias reports on the new trucks. I'd be leaning towards the 2500 CC SWB 4x4 myself.



Thanks,

Ryan

 

[timjones]

Ryan,



Non-Bias~~What ever~~.

Just cruz the 3rd gen site.

The 3rd's are smoother riding, more power stock, so much better brakes I can't say.

Looks your choice, interior same way, you like it or don't your choice.

Stick or auto?? Coke or Pepsi. Row or not? I trust the stick myself.

4x4 are you going to use it? More money, maintenance, insurance,worse fuel mileage.



Go to a Stealer and try one on for size



P. S. Bring money

 

[737driver]

ryan:



I will let you know when I get mine. I will pick up my new Patriot Blue Laramie next week. It is a 3500 qc 4X4 dually ho six speed 3:73 rear.



I have had 3 powerstrokers prior to this. Drove the new 6. 0 powerstroke and was not impressed. Finally looked at the Dodge and liked it way better than the Ford. I am looking forward to getting it next week.



737 driver. .

 

[tpuig]

They're great! I'm in CA, so I wasn't able to get the HO, but it's an absolutely great truck. Very smooth, pulls like a train, decent mileage, and really comfortable.

Did I mention quiet? I installed a hands free phone holder and it works well without having to shout.

I've pulled a car trailer a few times already (only have 7k on it since Nov) and it's awesome. I dragged a '70 Chrysler Newport on a flatbed trailer up a wet dirt 45% slope and it didn't even seem like it was there. My buddy has had to use a tractor before that.

I live in an urban environment so the short bed was my choice. Haven't had any space issues yet. I can only imagine how much better the HO is... .

Hope this helps.

TP



p. s. order the fold flat floors...

 

[Casey Balvert]

I thought my 97 was great. This one is a totally different truck. Lots of go and what is even better, it now has the whoa to match. The brakes are awesome. Get the HO for sure. As far as transmission, I love my six speed box but it all depends on your personal preference and what you are planning on doing with it.



When you test drive one, don't just the real world performance by a brand new one. They take a couple of thousand to really shine. As someone said, take a look at the 3rd gen postings here and you will find that the vast majority are really happy with the new truck. FWIW



Casey

 

[Task125]

I had a 96,98. 5 and now the 03,The 03 is the best by far,This is my first 6sp. at the time I ordered you could not get the HO in an auto,but now you can. so its a tough choice. I think the ? is are you going to leave it stock? or bomb it

I do not trust the stock trans,and if you make it right with DDTor ATS,thats a lot of cash and there goes your warr.

so I guess what I am saying is I love my HO 6sp. Mike

 

[Dean Upson]

I have had (3) 3500 duallies, '94, '98. 5 and the '03. The 94 was an auto, 5 spd in the 98. 5. The new truck is a 6 speed. All were 4x4 and the last two had 4. 10's. The '03 is head and shoulders superior to the other two (both good trucks). I tow a heavy fiver. I really like the 6 speed and the 4. 10's. The transmission is the smoothest I have ever driven, and sorry, but I love the quiet engine. The noise is great for short trips but for me it gets tiresome after several hours of towing. Just my personal feelings. I would not argue any of these points. We all have our own opinions

I would suggest that you get the Laramie package if you like the look because there are some nice goodies included. By all means get the towing mirrors, heated seats and the folding floor. I am short and like the adjustable pedals.

If you read the archived posts on this Forum, you will find little said against the New Guy (3rd Gen). Good Luck .



Dean

 

[DHess]

I loved my '99 and hated to trade it. The '03 is far and away a better truck. I think my 6 speed was built on Monday - does not shift smooth and had the front seal replaced - but the truck is a keeper. You owe it to yourself to take one for a ride.



Dave Hess

 

[CATCRACKER]

traded in 99 now own an 03 this should put it in perspective for you "i think the dodge part has finally caught up with the cummins part" i know this is a mothful but i think others on this post are going to agree with me. the HO rocks and the six speed says overload me and pull me hard( that is what the 6spd is saying with all the chatter you are hearing in neutral:-laf

 

[Dean Upson]

CC,



That is the best explanation I have heard for the clatter, love it:--) .



Dean

 

[Bickford]

Hello Ryan,



I just traded my 23,000 mile 2002 2500 CTD auto trans, 3. 54 ls rear for a new 2003 3500 HO CTD six speed SRW ls 3. 73 rear. The many nice points are, a very quite engine. When you press on the 03 brakes you get a secure feeling that you will stop right now when and where needed. (My 2002 slowwwed down / stoped like a over loaded motor home). My 2003 HO fuel mileage is better than the 2002 standard CTD. The new frame seems to be stiffer without the open in the middle 2500 four door feeling. As noted, before you drop a large knot of cash >>> please test drive your model of choice .



If you go with the six speed be prepared to shift it a lot. The amount of HO power / torque plus the fact that the engine seems to rev very quickly. Then it Looses those RPM's faster than I can shift. I liked the thought of the new Dodge 48 series auto trans but the 150,000 mile projected life span swayed me toward the HD six speed. ( I hope the future clutch change out will be less painful than the dreaded $$$ auto trans rebuild)



The few sore points are, I asked the service manager if the six speed transmission and the read end fluids had been checked. He stated that all the trucks for sale have had the fluids checked. My rear end is 1 1/2 inches low on gear oil. (getting fixed tomorrow) The air filter was at 35% used when new on the lot! (replaced by the stealer) and was drawn right back to 35% used. I will wait for a DC updated ???? HO air box / filter. I did like the 3. 54 rear end gears in the 2002. They gave a nice 116 MPH top end. I have read other members comments regarding a seventh gear. The way this truck feels I think you could use a few more gears than that. Even though third and forth gear in traffic is a blast! The final point is that the drive train is very tight in my 03 truck. You need a very gentle foot on the clutch / fuel pedal to avoid the dreaded shift / bucking / surge. I feel a first time stick driver would tear up the drive train.

I changed the engine oil at the 100 mile mark, and I checked the local Cummings dealer about the old round 2002 LF3894 oil filter. They said it will work with the new 2003 engine. (good thing seeing that I just bought a full case of oil filters for the 2002)





Good luck with your choice. God Bless

Earl

 

[mbaston]

My thoughts

I have driven my new truck for 4 days now. It is a 2003 3500, dually, quad cab, Laramie trim HO/6spd. With the Laramie package, I feel like I am in a Mercedes somtimes.



Likes: BRAKESOo. I never realized how my two other CTDs (95 and 2000) failed in this department until the first time I drove this truck and nearly had to peel my face off the windshield.



Quiet: I have mixed feelings on this... . it is a lot quiter. However, my family is happier with it this way.



Power: I haven't put my camper on it yet. However, acceleration has increased as well as hill pulling power. Should get better once broken in.



Heated Seats YEAAAAAAAAAAAAA



6Speed. That one extra gear is nice.



Ride Much smoother. Corners better.





No so Likes



That Damn Payment every month. OUCH :{



Dash Maybe I will get used to it but is just seems to lack character



Seat Comfort: A little stiff. They are also flat with no "holding" contours on the edges.



Am I happy I bought one. Absolutely. I am a happy camper

 

[rmcnamee]

Hello all,

WOW, what a great response guys... thanks! Right after I posted this question last night, I watched the latest edition of Motorweek on The Speed Channel, which really made me want to run to my near "stealer" and place the order. I'm glad they seem to be as good as they look.



They are quiet, which is nice for the trips, and I think I would have to go with the manual. Yeah, a stick can be a pain in traffic, but they are fun to drive for the most part. It would be my first manual since I sold me Chevy S-10 back in 1990. I really love my 2001, but those 2003s are sweet and very tempting! So, you never what will happen.





Thanks again and keep'um coming!

Ryan



P. S. By a "non bias" opinion, I meant one from someone who isn't writing for a magazine. Sometimes these people are "influenced" by certain manufacturers or have certain manufacturers that they prefer over others. .

 

[Steve M]

I also had a hard time parting with my '01. 5. It was and I'm sure is still a great truck. It was flawless and not a scratch on it. I wanted a 4. 10 rear end for towing our 10,400 lb 5th wheel. Mrs says why don't you trade it for one with a 4. 10 and four real doors? So I did! It's quiet, has a sweeeeet exhaust note, is comfortable, the rack-n-pinion steering is great, the power tow mirrors are the best there is, the new 47RE holds the TC locked on or off the throttle or brakes, and the standard output Cummins has more than enough power to tow our 5th wheel. The new HO must be awesome!

The rear windows rolls all the way down, power windows work with the key in accessories position, the dash looks killer at night, the 7pin trailer connector plug is over the bumper so I didn't move it for the 5th wheel, it plugs in where it's at, the new dash has a handy place for gauges right under the a/c controls, did I mention it's quiet and has a sweet sounding exhaust!

 

[ladyjaine]

I have the 8 way adjustable seat and a pretty small butt. I find that there is side support in the seats for me. I don't mash the entire cushion flat, though... I'm really enjoying being able to adjust the pedals and the seat for exactly the right set up.



I also love the feature on the trailer tow mirrors that keeps the buttons working the same way when I flip them. Up is still up, not sideways as it might be. Just a little thing but it saves a lot of headache.



I have also found that the truck is so tall that my short friends are having a really tough time climbing in. I will need to put Nerf bars on my baby.



Jean

 

[Fireman]

Sold my'01 and bought an'03, NO-0-Zip-Nada Regrets. Stronger and more powerful, smoother and quieter. This is an entirely different truck. I've had it going on 5 months, have racked up 10,000 mi, towed 12,000#, and can't stop . Get what you need but if you plan on towing I would suggest 3500, LWB, and 6 spd. My '03 lwb is as manuverable as my'01 swb was. I think trading would be a good move if you do it now while your truck has a reasonable resale value.

my $. 02
Fireman

 

[MattSt]

Only thing I miss about the modded 01 is the cloud of black smoke and the power.



Seat, ride quality, stereo, road/engine noise, interior room are all better on this 03.



It gets more looks and compliments too.

 

[mr plow]

my 2003....

how do i love thee, let me count the ways... .



after having three previous dodges, 94, 97, 00 and now the 03, all i have to say is THIS TRUCK ROCKS!!!!.



I plow with this truck, i am harder than most, and it is rock solid. The build quality, brakes, suspension, everything is head and shoulders above the previous generation.



plow.



_______________________-

03 QQ DRW 4x4 auto S. O afe filter, fisher ez-v, backrack, remote start, wiper shakers, waiting to bomb...



Oo.

 

[rmcnamee]

Boy it's getting tough to resist...



Ryan

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by rmcnamee

Boy it's getting tough to resist...



Ryan

If reading this is making it hard to resist whatever you do, don't go drive one! That's what did it to me. Drove one on Wednesday bought mine on Saturday.