Where's the Beef?

[Cattletrkr]

No contest. In stock form my 04. 5 would pull circles around my '01. 5. Both were setup with the same trans and axle ratio. Just cause it acts different, doesn't mean the power isn't there. 04. 5 ain't got the low end that the '01 had, but git er spinnin and look out. EPA can choke off an engine, but it's hard to make up for 80hp and 100lbft difference in stock #'s.

 

[Redbear]

I have to agree with Tschwab. My 05' runs circles around my 01'. This thing is awesome, and I don't even have 1000 miles yet. If what everyone is saying about the 10K mark is true, I can't wait to get there. I miss the rattle a little bit, but will get used to that. Love that the back doors open the right way and have windows that roll down too. Everything is nice and smooth. Only complaint so far is that it takes so long to turn over sometimes. My wife even likes driving this one... although that doesn't happen much. Should be getting my new toy hauler in a week or so, and can't wait to see how it does. The only thing I'm still getting used to is having the training wheels sticking out in the back. 01' was SWB SRW.

 

[CHolman]

Something ain't right

I feel the same. It seems this 05 runs out of steam after 2200 or so. Only 600 miles so far though.

After I read this yesturday I paid special attition to my tach and from about 1400 it starts to pick up and then 2100 it's got you by the seat of your pants , I won't pass red line, but mine pulls strong from about 1800 to 2900. I the HD 6 speed, I don't know if that may have anything to do with it, but I love mine. :-laf

 

[ECappleman]

This my first Dodge, but my 99 Furd 7. 3 had alot more low end power than my 305/555 does now.

I guess just because of the V8 and more displacement? Also it was less EPA de-tuned. It would smoke on acceleration.

 

[RedSled]

No Complaints Here

I have 500ish miles on my 05 and it is significantly quicker than my 97 (see sig) the 97 was maxed out at 2500rpm's the 05 has no power issues in my mind.



I will tow the 5er this weekend ( if my new hitch gets here). I think Im going to be happy

 

[JCleary]

I was not at all impressed with my 305/555 when I bought it. I was wondering where the power was.



Then I hooked to a 8-9000lb trailer and pulled it. The truck had way more power than my '96 PSD did. This truck loves to pull.



Since I drive unloaded most of the time, I had to do something to wake it up. In went the Quad Race, and now I'm happy driving around on the 60 setting most of the time. It adds some fuel on the bottom, but doesn't smoke too bad...

 

[LJFiler]

I felt the same way, that my 01 had more pep, but it is not stock. I just got back for a 1000 mile round trip towing 8000-10000 lbs on the way out the truck just seem like it had no power and had to up shift on several steep grades for Texas. Going there I go 6-7 MPG trying to run 65-70 coming back a noticeable difference was having a hard time keeping it under 70 same hills about the same weight and got about 13-14 mpg hand calculated. The truck has 5k on the odometer now. So I guess it just needed to tow heavy and be worked a little I sure hope that I keeps improving. I also agree that the ride, brakes and steering a a great improvement over the 01.

 

[jwduke]

Hey I stepped up from a 1986 Ford F350 with a 6. 9 The 05 CTD is a rocket :--) :--)

I know exactly where you are comming from here! I went from a '86 F250 w/6. 9L to a '95 Dodge 2500 w/CTD, wow what a difference, and it was even better going to the 2004. 5!

 

[Froadin]

Frontal area of the gooseneck wasn't bad as it's a low profile livestock trailer with a V nose.

I know I am comparing apples to oranges here. My 01 is bombed, and the 05 is bone stock and barely any miles on it yet. I was just figuring it would have more pep to it.

It also took me a while to get used to running the higher rpms with the newer truck. This is rarely needed in the 01, and with defueling at 2700 rpm, the 01 doesn't like to run up near redline like the newer truck does.



Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the new truck! It is better in almost every way over the 01. But it's also a lot different, and will serve completely different purposes.



But I still didn't expect to shift on some of the hills I was on. I understand it was new and 'tight', and would need a good breakin, but I guess (and hope), that in a few thousand more miles, I will be all smiles



And I didn't tow with the truck while test driving it, I just enjoyed the SMOOTH shifts, smooth ride, good radio, etc. So there was no way to know how it would feel while towing until I bought it.



Needless to say, I am still very pleased with the truck. And I better understand the time it will take to loosen up and really let the power out.