Test drove an 03 today

[Snow man]

Well i had some free time toady,drove past a Dc dealer,there was a sliver 03 quadcab short box, I seen the Cummins badge on the fender,and turned around,dealer hands me the keys and a dealer plate,says take it for a ride. So i did. I cannot believe how quiet it is,I mean it is unbeleivably quiet,scarely quiet. This one was an auto,right away i could appreciate my DTT system,this truck was real nice,but i would have the DTT parts waiting at the shop ,I would pull thsi trans with less than 100 miles on the truck,I hate it that much,stock. The ride and handling are top notch,very nice truck, in need of a transmission,and some power,it was a slug,but im getting out of a 500hp truck,so take that for what its worth. Whiel i like the truck, i think D has work to do,its not enough,IMo. There are 3 Dmaxes in my family,and overall DC doesnt come close to their performance,but Id buy the Dodge anyway,since i love the motor,and stance.

 

[bighammer]

I drove one today. Sounds like a very similar truck. Extended cab, short box 2500 4x4 with auto trans, sort of a med. silver/bronze color. Sharp looking truck and very quiet. Comfortable ride and all, but such a dog after mine.



I wouldn't mind having a truck with everything working perfectly, but how long can that last? Probably not as long as the payments would have to be made.



We've talked about replacing our Bonneville with something 4wd with a back seat and auto trans. I somehow don't think this is going to be it. (Unless SWMBO checks it out and fall in love with it)



Good thing I love my old truck (at least this week )

 

[JR2]

I drove a 3500 SRW this past weekend. All I can say is that is one sweet truck. The steering is what impressed me the most. It did not seem to take more than a 5 degree change in wheel position for the truck to start truning. The other real noticable diff is the noise or lack of it... so quiet. .

 

[Pit Bull]

I was also at the dealer and "heard" one of the new CTD's. I like the sound of the 2nd Generation CTD, just like I like the sound of a Harley Now would I want a new Harley if they made it nice and quiet and changed the styling . I can understand that everyone has their own list of what they want in a truck. If the sound it makes is not that important and they like the looks of it, then they should look closer, from what I have read they are great trucks.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I too often think about the "Harley" analogy when it comes to our trucks - I probably wouldn't be driving a Dodge/Cummins today if it was a quiet motor - it was the massive, impressive size and sound of my '91 when the salesman opened the hood on the lot that INSTANTLY made me feel "I gotta HAVE one of those"!



Love at first sight/sound!



I'm not in favor of noise just for noise's sake - but to me, it's about identity and personality - I wouldn't have MY truck sound any other way than what it does...



BUT, that's just me - I'm sure many of my campground neighbors don't feel the same way - unless the also drive an '02 or earlier Dodge/Cummins!

 

[kevinthompson]

I looked at what was I think the first 03 in Iowa about two monthes ago. I thought it was pretty cool but I was not too sure if I liked the doors. Then when the salesman started the engine I said I got to have an 02 while there are still some left and bought one that day. The 03 is nice but for now I want the sound.

 

[Snow man]

I really liked that 03 i drove,the engines lack of noise was nice,but after i got back in mine and fired it up. I was all . between the noise,and firm DTT trans, I really love my 2000. The noise is more like music,I just wish i could turn it down when talking to people like i can my radio.

 

[krabman]

Im used to working with engines that have a few thousand more horsepower and plenty more decibles. Perhaps thats why I can live without it in my truck. I wouldnt base my truck purchase on it in any case. Straight pipes or whatever are only a few dollars away for those who are of a mind. I think the 03s are going to have a sweet sound when uncorked, you can hear a hint of it now.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by krabman



I think the 03s are going to have a sweet sound when uncorked, you can hear a hint of it now.

Krabman I hope you are right. I agree that it sounded like a Cummins only muffled. I hope the after-market comes up with away to put back some of the sound, so it is more like the 2nd generation. Even though these trucks last a long time we all will someday have to buy a new one

 

[Dale Reed]

I sat in a 03 at the Seattle Auto Show and what I noticed right off is I could not see the front of the hood. I like the Big Horn Ram on my 90 and wonder if it would be practical to bolt Sheep on a new truck.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

I agree with Pit Bull and Gary 110%... . I love the sound of the ISB and older Cummins... like the Harley analogy. I test drove an '03 3500 HO/6 Speed and for me it was too "car like. " I have to admit the steering and brakes were great but the engine is just too dang quiet. The sound of the engine kind of reminded me of my old 64 Chevy 6 Banger that went "ticky ticky. " :-laf :-laf



Paul

 

[Pit Bull]

It's the same reason that we eat pigs and keep dogs as pets. Dogs have personality :-laf

 

[D808]

Yesterday I heard a "Dura-Lax" idleing and it somehow reminded me of the sound the old wringer washing machines made. The mechanical engine sound of my 2003 HO is a lot quieter than the '96 I previously owned. However, it still sounds like a real heavy-duty diesel engine! Just more refined. After I loose the muffler, I know it will really sound out via the exhaust stacks! (I'm planning on two 5 inch vertical stacks). The big class 8 truck engines of today also have a much lower mechanical engine sound level than their ancestors. That's why a lot of class 8 owner-operators are loosing their mufflers too! Lately, I've been noticing a lot of those sweet sounds from the big class 8 inlines!!!!

 

[Pit Bull]

Good idea Federal Man, your adding that personality back in The stacks are a idea

 

[Tom C]

Dale, one of the first things I also noticed when I test drove one is that you cannot see the end of the hood. the windsheild wipers are in the way. I test drove a single wheel one ton and a 3/4 ton (both 6 spds). I was impressed with the amount of storage. Am not too crazy over the white gages, I dont like the 6 spd shift feel, the engine runs on after letting your foot off the go peddle to shift and where's the power??? I could almost sware a 1994 12 valve could run away from one. I just did not feel any seat of the pants power. maybe under a load it might pull well. I then test drove a Hemi. It was a dog also. had to push the go peddle half way to the floor just to speed up a few mile per hour. could not even get it to burn rubber . I should have kept my '97 but I tried to upgrade to a '01 (turned out to be a fuel guzzling lemon) so Im back to the trusted 12 valve and getting great fuel milage. The best part is its paid for!! I did not like the $$ for the '03.



my $0. 02 ($50. 00 with inflation)



Tom

 

[Prairie Dog]

Tom C - You've got the best option you can get! The title!

 

[Tom C]

Prairie Dog, I can agree on that.



I noticed your Sig says 3:73 gears. Is that a new option this year?



Its funny how we all get used to our Riggs and when we test drive others that they just don't seem to measure up. especially after we have bombed ours .

 

[ghamilton]

I'm a first time diesel owner. I got a 2500 quad cab with an auto. Tell me what you guys mean by DTT. I'm new to all this and trying to understand all the abreviations.

Thanks,

Greg.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

ghamilton, welcome to TDR



DTT = Diesel Transmission Technology. Bill Kondolay of DTT can take the 47RE automatics and make them bulletproof to live behind the Cummins, even Cummins turned up well over 500hp. There are a couple other excellent choices in the AT business: BD Engine Brake and ATS. Check the Links section of TDR for their websites.



Vaughn