Taking things for granted

[EZGZ]

Hi, I'm Greg

I don't get over in this section much. I have had a first generation for almost 10 years.

One of my co workers just showed up the other day with a new 04 crew cab with Auto transmission.

He let me take it for a spin. WoW! that thing was sure quiet and felt so powerful.

I told him how I was a member of this sight and would check out a few things for him.

I see some of you folks are into Hot rodding your trucks to get more power etc.

It is one thing to personalize your truck but when it comes to getting more power I don't understand it.

When I first got my truck I thought I wanted more power. I spent a lot of money on Banks parts and then a few years went by and it ended up costing me a transmission rebuild.

I think you folks should go drive an older Dodge Cummins truck like mine with 160 HP, Leaf spring suspension, poor shuddering brakes, arodynamics of a brick, wind noise, engine and drivetrain noise, Manual lock in hubs.



Yes, there is something to be said for simplicity and long life but the trade off for comfort and better desgin makes me wonder.

If I had the need for a better truck I would upgrade to a new model but if I had a newer truck. I would just drive it hard the way it came from the factory.

I get 18 MPG empty and it doesn't matter how much I haul it never goes below 12 MPG. I can only cruise at 60 mph and when I go on trips I get exhausted from the beating.

In town driving is terrible. I bet those guys in Cement trucks get a smoother ride, I just use mine for hauling a trailer on vacations.



I wonder if the new trucks will last as long as the first gens?

I am still running the origanal door seals even though there is no paint left on the roof or hood.

"Maybe someday mine will give up and I will replace it with a new one"

"PEACE and Happiness in the new year"

 

[barbwire]

EZGZ, I think that the new trucks will last as long , if not longer. Transmissions are better, brakes are definately better, as you stated, the ride is quieter. The list goes on & on. One thing is for sure, I do not have a hankerin to drive a car over driving the 04, at any time. The down side to the new verses the 91. 5 is that fixin them is definately more expensive. and for the most part harder to diagnose & fix, if you are not into the electronic age. I love the quiet & powerfull ride, but I miss the days where if the thing started, it would run till you shut it off. And if it didn't, you could, in most cases diagnose & fix it on the side of the road with minimal tools, and without the use of expensive diagnostic equip. But I guess that like with everything else, there is the trade off factor. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I had a '91 before my current '02 - absolutely trouble-free in the 120,000 miles I had it - still VERY nice original paint and interior at the time I sold it - rock solid suspension, even the shocks were still original and working great!



I'm doing fine so far with nearly 35,000 miles on the '02 - but it has BIG shoes to fill!

 

[EZGZ]

ROCK SOLID SUSPENSION IS THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!



I guess there may be some truth to wisdom and age. I know myself well enough that I am certain I will never be satisfied for ever. Seems like they keep coming out with bigger, better, faster trucks. The worst part is that you take almost as much chance with a new model as getting a used model with a good reputation.



The true test is the one of time and miles. It really comes down to the little petty things. Overall most of the trucks are built really well. Doesn't matter what brand it is.

There are some folks that could wear out and wreck a Army Tank in the first 100 miles and then there are other drivers that could make it last forever.

I think the other minor problem is making those monthly payments. I haven't had to do that for years and it would be tuff or impossible for me to pay off a new one.



Maybe I will place an add in the classifieds for a "Good Woman who owns here owns a new Dodge truck and would like to pull my trailer around. " (Send picture of Truck)

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I love the old square bodies...



I'd still own my old one if they had any leg room, a P7100 pump, and an NV4500 or 5600...



I also love the 3rd gens. I've got LOTS of buddies w/ them...



I'd own one if they had a P pumped 12v and were priced like the old square bodies



Forrest

 

[jsimpson]

They all have their strong points. My 89 was rock solid dependable and i could walk on the sheet metal. My 94 was more comfortable and I loved the five speed, but the body was thin, the paint was too thin, and the bed and tailgate were laughably weak. So far, my 03 is better than either one of them in every respect but two: I prefer the five speed in my 94 to the automatic in the 03, and I still like the brick styling and heavy sheet metal of he 89. But I now usually choose my 03 to drive rather than my wife's Tundra or Corvette. Even thinking of getting rid of my motorcycles!

 

[JThiessen]

Well, Greg, thanks to your advice, I went out and removed my EZ, the AFE, and the Banks exhaust. Dang, its slower and it sure is loud now!

And I'll guarantee that the door seals on mine outlast the so called "paint" !!!!