The little things

[rbattelle]

It seems that whatever you drive, there are certain "little" niceties that you like. For example, I love the fact that Dodge lower rear shock mounts are 90 degrees to the axle tube, so they don't stick down and get caught on stuff off-road. Why in the world Ford and Chevy continue to make those long shock mounts is beyond me.



I don't mean this to turn into a "why Dodge is better than anything" thread, I just thought I would open it up to posts about the "little" stuff on trucks of any brand that you really like.



Another example: on Fords, I like the 4 or 5 rain gutters they have in their roof. Don't ask me why, just seems to me it would make the roof a little stiffer.

 

[y-knot]

It would make the roof stiffer, but it would also keep the water from driping on you when the door is opened, or that damn snow from falling in on the seats.

 

[bmoeller]

I like the dash layout better on my '97 than any Ford I have owned or driven, seats more comfortable, my '97 turns tighter with a club cab than my F-250 does with a reg. cab and also rides better. Dodge got lazy when they appear to use the exact same dash that is used in the Chrysler mini-van. Don't care for the white-faced gauges.



If you like that sort of thing in a truck, the GM trucks are probably some of the best riding trucks. Can't say on the new (03+) Dodges or Fords ('99+), havent driven any yet.



I do like the looks of the grilles on the GMC HD and Chevy LD trucks. Don't care for the of them on the Chevy HD's, still getting used to the Dodge '03's yet. Still prefer the 2nd gen. grille better.



Don't care for the lighter gauge sheetmetal on any of the newer trucks. Leaned against a '03 SD (plain Jane w/Triton V-8) and it moved. Didn't take much pressure to do it either. I was even able to do it with my hand. Can't do that on my '86 F-250. Thought the tailgate was flimsy on it too. Much heavier on my '97.



The brakes are getting better all the time. 4 wheel discs work alot better than having rear drums. More responsive steering on most newer stuff.



I miss rain gutters over the doors to prevent rain or snow from getting on the seats when you open the doors.



Just a start anyways.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Ford has the best driver & passenger windows, with the little dip down. I like that. Plus, that crew cab is wicked BIG. The GM trucks are cute, but the Dodge is king when it comes to power.

 

[JLEONARD]

Vent windows...

But probably the last one I'll own that has them.

Jay

 

[DKayser]

If DC felt they had to change the 2nd gen, why didn`t they improve it? I would have liked a longer snout to get access to the 2 rear cylinders. Boy, would she look like a KW then! DK.

 

[yogibear]

They used to make an aftermarket rain gutter for the older trks. They fastened on with 3-M tape. I haven't seen any for the newer trks. , I think they would sell if someone made them. What I had were plastic, but I think SS would be better.



Larry

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

On my '02, I love the ease of hooking up the seatbelts - I don't even need to look, they simply seem to fall into place. And the finish and detailing of the undercarriage and suspension was unbelievable - while other makers are leaving the underside in bare metal to rust and deteriorate, the Dodge was a thing of beauty - only thing unpainted was the 6-speed transmission, and a can of Rustoleum took care of THAT pronto! It really makes it easier to keep the various suspension and frame components neat and clean - and the undercoating of the cab was a nice touch as well.



The abundant underseat area is nice for extra storage - or stuff like the Ham radio stuff I've added to mine. And the real clinchers, that raw POWER, and sleek styling will keep it a classic as long as the wheels still spin!

 

[Billy Diesel]

Vent windows...

I miss the vents that I had on my old '66. Of course, I needed them to get the exhaust fumes out of the cab!



The whole interior is a bunch of little things laid out well that makes the whole thing work well and very pleasing to the eye. Except of course for the cupholders. But Genos has one of those little things to take care of that.

 

[mgoncalves]

I like the comfort and styling of my truck better than any of my previous trucks. The thing I like best about this truck is the heavy duty drivetrain. Oversized differentials on solid axles, monster cast iron transmission and engine. This drivetrain just reaks of being overbuilt, that's the way I like it .





Matt

 

[rbattelle]

"Overbuilt" is almost built-enough.

 

[klenger]

"If a little bit is good, too much is just right"

 

[CPG]

Was thinking this week here with the rain we have had, how different designs can be. Got soaked when opening the door on our Intrepid here, but with the old first generation truck a few minutes later with the old fashioned gutters kept dry. I Like the old wing windows too.



Chuck

 

[Sticks]

The grill comes up with the hood.



Room to tinker on the engine - Very shade tree mechanic friendly.



All the doors open and close easy.



I can see the front edge of the hood, corners are a little dicey.



The front truck does not resemble a fish (bass or carp) with an under bite.



Minimal of special Dodge tools (# AB4332) to work on the truck.



Reliability.



Our known issues are cheap to fix.



Things I could do without;



Over sized A-pillar.



Tin foil bumpers.



The only person comfortable in the back seat is the dog.



Steering assembly issues.



Engineers that design a truck for soccer moms (cab forward, shorter bed, softer ride, (at least they fixed that transfer case hanging lower than the oil pan). It's a truck dammit! It's supposed to be a big, boxy, kidney killer, and impossible to park at the strip malls.

 

[jarsong]

What I like...

Dual lit vanity mirrors, rear cup holders... Sorry, I know later they took them away...



The fact that you can't lock the truck with the keys in the ignition... go ahead give it your best shot.



That little rubber pad that sits behind the keys so they don't make noise when on a rough road...



That dang oil filter that is Right there, right where I want it, straight up and down... .



And also the oil drain plug, no socket required... .



Little computer above my head with an hour meter in it, temp direction, fuel economy, DTE. This is in all the SLT's. It tool a lariat in the ford to get it. Not sure now.



Rear drum brakes on mine. Sorry I'm a little old school here.



No CAT on the motor at all.



Fit and finish top notch, didn't feel the fords *I* drove when I bought mine were even in the same league, crew cab or not... .



Most of all, A support group here that is second to none, that WANTS you to bring your problem in so we can fix it, or make it go faster...



jarsong

 

[mgoncalves]

Re: Re: The little things

Originally posted by jarsong





The fact that you can't lock the truck with the keys in the ignition... go ahead give it your best shot.

Huh



I do that every time when I stop at the gas station in the morning for coffe. I like the ability to lock it up and leave it running.



Matt

 

[Joe G.]

That's why I keep a spare key in my wallet. My CRS kicks in and I'm locked out. Done it many times.

 

[jarsong]

Re: Re: Re: The little things

Originally posted by mgoncalves

Huh



I do that every time when I stop at the gas station in the morning for coffe. I like the ability to lock it up and leave it running.



Matt

With my keys in the ignition all the way, my door lock as well as my Key fob is disabled. You would have to manually push the door lock down. Actually I find this a problem once in a while went I start the truck and want to lock it while I go back into the house.

jarsong

 

[barbwire]

Something I really like

I just love the tight turning radius on these trucks. It took 40 acres to turn my old 84 3/4 tn Ford around. These Dodges turn on a dime Sure makes it nice when backing with a trailer.

 

[jarsong]

Re: Something I really like

Originally posted by barbwire

I just love the tight turning radius on these trucks. It took 40 acres to turn my old 84 3/4 tn Ford around. These Dodges turn on a dime Sure makes it nice when backing with a trailer.

Your right! I forgot about that... One of the reasons I bought it!

jarsong