Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Went and test drove a 2002 6sp today. What a different beast over my 'Ol '95 5sp. First thing I noticed was the 24V sounds a little different in the cab. I noticed at idle the tach needle was bouncing a little (maybe 50 RPM or so). Is this normal? Took me awhile to get the thing in reverse, each time I thought it was in Reverse it would be in 5th. Finally figured out I had to be a bit more "assertive" with the shift lever to get it over far enough to slid UP in Reverse. I did not notice any of the occ talked about "grind" when driving, but the shifting is not butter smooth like my 5sp. Maybe it just needs to loosen up a bit. It will take some getting used to the tight shift pattern and remembering that Reverse is where I have been accustomed to OD being located for the past 7 yrs (I almost made this mistake when test driving down the highway
) I noticed the throttle response seemed a bit slow or delayed, when I blip the pedal there was a slight delay until the RPMs blipped also. Is this part of the electronic controls?? I noticed the 24V Cummins has decent/OK seat of the pants pull and acceleration, it's just been awhile since I've driven a truck in stock power configuration. When pulling out on the highway and accelerating "hard" I did not notice the nice power/torque surge as my "modified" 12V when I lay in to the go pedal. Told the soon to be Mrs. the power is disappointing, she asked why and I said that I had it floored, her response was "OH, that was all it had!!", Told her don't worry I have a cure for that 
Now here is a question maybe someone can answer. While standing back and looking a the rear heights of all the trucks lined up I noticed some seemed a bit lower. I started looking closer and noticed two trucks side by side, both had same options: tow package and camper group, etc. Only difference was the colors. when standing by the bed one truck seemed higher. I used the dealer lic place to measure the distance from the top of the rear wheel to the fender opening. The truck which seemed higher up I was able to place the lic plate length wise on top of the tire and it took 2 finger widths to touch the fender opening. On the "lower" truck right next to it I could only manage to get 1 finger width between the Lic place and fender opening. WHY IS THIS???
Is it leaf spring sag or have to do with which plant it was built at? Maybe different batches of the spacer blocks and/or leaf springs are not consistent in height? Parking lot was level so I don't think it had anything to do with an uneven surface. I did this on a few other trucks and noticed the same, all had same drive train and overload springs (camper group),etc. yet some trucks sat a bit lower than others, both by standing next to tailgate and seeing where the top touched my chest and measureing the distance from the top of the rear tire to the fender opening. I wanted to ask the dealer but it was past closing and they where inside wrapping things up and patiently waiting for me to leave.
) I noticed the throttle response seemed a bit slow or delayed, when I blip the pedal there was a slight delay until the RPMs blipped also. Is this part of the electronic controls?? I noticed the 24V Cummins has decent/OK seat of the pants pull and acceleration, it's just been awhile since I've driven a truck in stock power configuration. When pulling out on the highway and accelerating "hard" I did not notice the nice power/torque surge as my "modified" 12V when I lay in to the go pedal. Told the soon to be Mrs. the power is disappointing, she asked why and I said that I had it floored, her response was "OH, that was all it had!!", Told her don't worry I have a cure for that Now here is a question maybe someone can answer. While standing back and looking a the rear heights of all the trucks lined up I noticed some seemed a bit lower. I started looking closer and noticed two trucks side by side, both had same options: tow package and camper group, etc. Only difference was the colors. when standing by the bed one truck seemed higher. I used the dealer lic place to measure the distance from the top of the rear wheel to the fender opening. The truck which seemed higher up I was able to place the lic plate length wise on top of the tire and it took 2 finger widths to touch the fender opening. On the "lower" truck right next to it I could only manage to get 1 finger width between the Lic place and fender opening. WHY IS THIS???
Is it leaf spring sag or have to do with which plant it was built at? Maybe different batches of the spacer blocks and/or leaf springs are not consistent in height? Parking lot was level so I don't think it had anything to do with an uneven surface. I did this on a few other trucks and noticed the same, all had same drive train and overload springs (camper group),etc. yet some trucks sat a bit lower than others, both by standing next to tailgate and seeing where the top touched my chest and measureing the distance from the top of the rear tire to the fender opening. I wanted to ask the dealer but it was past closing and they where inside wrapping things up and patiently waiting for me to leave.
But I will admit that my truck seems higher than the other Cummins in my area. In the Seattle area, I am one of three sport Rams with the Cummins that I have personally seen. Seems that out here the younger generation doesn't purchase the mighty Cummins and those that do like the chrome. Anyway, maybe there is something to this. I cannot see Dodge putting different height springs on their trucks for no apparent reason. Maybe someone will post with the answer. 
It was so weak-kneed towing our 5ver, I was ready to put it in the garage and pull the V-10 dually out again!
