Who is gonna get an 03 ?

[Jeff H]

So who here is gonna get one of those new 03 trucks ?Oo.

 

[hammersley]

Not Me

There is no way I want a new 1st yaer product - unless they gave me an unlimited warranty! Also this new truck I do not like - the cramped engine compartment is ridiculous. The latest TDR magazine really showed some of the flaws in the basic design i. e. putting more of the engine behind the cowling dripline. IMO this is simply a bad design. Nope - I'll keep my 01. Now maybe in the year 2010 - I'll see what they have by then - or maybe this will be my last truck, as I know I can keep her running forever.

 

[b.j.oneill]

My 95' is staying but my 99' Ford PSD is going bye bye for a 03' CC 6sp HO 3500 dullie ASAP. If the new ones break oh well got my PSD the 2nd month the new trucks where avalible in 98 and it can't be harder to work on. Can't wait to have all DC vehicles in my drivewayOo. Oo.

 

[Boost]

Put me down for a Flame Red Reg Cab, HO 6sp, SRW 3500 but not until some performance parts are on the market!!

 

[24V-DSL]

Agree, Hammersley......

Frankly, I'm not impressed, especially with the engine compartment, barely visible oil filter, and most of all, I don't want a quieter Cummins!



I rarely listen to my "entry level" radio/tape deck, which I ordered purposely since I'd rather listen to the motor. My very nice stereo system is at home.



Bombing will likely be more complicated and $$.

 

[Beast2B]

The tighter engine compartment will be a pain, but I agree with b. j. oneill, until you have worked on a PSD Ford V8, you ain't seen hard-to-reach! As long as it stays a I6, it gets a HUGE affirmative vote from me. Put an exhaust brake on the Ford, it SUCKS! ... and a V8 diesel just never has sounded right to me, the I6 sounds so much smoother and balanced... my $0. 01 opinion.

P. S. I will NEVER buy another first year production vehicle again, my 97 Expedition was a rolling rattle, got worse everyday until one of the middle row seats fell off it's bracket! :-{} And the left front suspension clunk never got fixed

LIVE AND LEARN!!!

 

[Bill Stockard]

Yep, put me down for a '03 3500 SLT+ with the HO engine and the new 48RE slush box about this time next year. I had rather have a 5 speed automatic like the Allison, but that doesn't look like a possibility.



I guess I'm one of the few who use KISS(I and T Lippy aka Tommy Too Stock) and don't BOMB so engine compartment isn't a big deal. I am glad to finally have a "quiet engine" so when we leave a RV park early, we aren't blowing the bugle.



The only passenger in the back seat is our senior aged mini-weenie dog and the full crew cab is too big of a jump for her to the back seat from the console(her throne).



My wife and I like the looks of the new truck and really like the new larger cab interior. We have checked out the 4 door cabs in the 1500 at our friendly dealer. The only thing I have to decide is what rear axle ratio I want for hauling around the big Lance.



Bill

 

[Komik]

mid model year

I'll be placing an order in mid model year or when the HO is out for the automatics. I've considered the 6 speed and haven't made up my mind yet. The final decision will be the fact of exhaust brake compatibility. I tow a 37 foot fifth wheel thats heavy and the exhaust brake is a must.



Komik

 

[rmrc]

Just got back from the local Dodge dealer to get a first hand impression on the new body style, and I have to admit that I like it. My only cocern is the reduced space in the engine compartment.



At this stage in life, when the time comes, I'm going for the SLT+ model. I've worked in tight spaces before so the way I look at it, it's the price I'll have to pay for wanting to go with the new design.

 

[Bill Stockard]

This afternoon another TDR member(Okie Flash) and I were walking across the local Home Depot parking lot and looked at a 2nd Gen and a 3rd Gen 2002(both 1500s) parked nose to nose. There's quite a difference in the 2 trucks--the sloped windsheild, front grille/hood, bumpers, headlights, wheel openings, 4 regular doors instead of suicide doors,. The 2002 really looked good, but unfortunately, made the 2nd Gen look dated.



Bill

 

[Brandon]

03

I want a 3500, 4x4, four door six speed.

white sport. Loaded of course!!!

and bomb the hell out of it, with 2 spa mark 2 guages.

transfer flow, road armer bumper, swamper tires.

gooseneck hitch etc... ...



danelle

 

[rubberneck]

3500, come on danelle, do you really want a truck with training wheels>> , hmmm maybe i can talke the wife in to canceling the order for the acura and buying your old truck. . At least the valve cover is the right color.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: 03

Originally posted by Brandon

I want a 3500, 4x4, four door six speed.

white sport. Loaded of course!!!

and bomb the hell out of it, with 2 spa mark 2 guages.

transfer flow, road armer bumper, swamper tires.

gooseneck hitch etc... ...



danelle

Brandon and Danelle

I just read your sig's. Nice Trucks!!! Brandon, sounds like you guys are getting a new truck for the wife Don't feel bad, I've always found that when the little woman is happy I'm happy

 

[rubberneck]

Shoot, i'm betting there aint no way shes parting ways with her truck at least untill they make DD'3s for the new common rail. Cant imagine her giving up a sweet running truck for a stocker:--)



Hey danelle, i've got a better idea, make brandon detuned that undervalved beast of his so you can use it to tow the trailer, then get an auto with propane and the works would make a fun toy for messing with the POSD"S and the beer can motored trucks.



sincerely the "mangler" or the "hack" or whatever b is calling me these days

 

[hammersley]

low front end

I looked very carefully while at a dealer today at a new 1500 4X4 alongside a current 2500 diesel, 4X4. They have really lowered the front end, kinda like a GM now. I guess they are trying to make them lower to match better in an accident - but it sure kills the approach angle! That won't be good if they do this to the 2500/3500 also.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

O. K. ,

I went and bought a 2002 four door 1500 4x4 gasser for my wife.

It is the sweetest truck to drive yet. I love the look, and it has plenty of HP to get her to work safely. I am trying to bomb the wife now and the four doors will come in handy when Jr. comes around. Great truck, Cummins will only improve on it... ... ... .

 

[rmrc]

Hammersley,



When I was at the Dodge dealer yeaterday, they told me that the front suspension is adjustable. You can raise it to level out the truck.

 

[redneckdr]

03

not me. i love the 01. 5. wouldn't want the 4 door version. quad cab i have is just perfect for me. besides, it wouldn't be fun to roll the passenger side window down, if it's so quiet. QUIET??? I DON'T NEED NO STEEEENKING QUIET CUMMINS!!!!! then the only fun i'd have would be driving the motorhome with the "old" C8. 3 in it... ... ... ... ... EGR i predict EGR will go the way of catalytic convertors and mufflers, and resonators on most of the trucks--at least TDR members' trucks... ... ... .

 

[RobG]

They're not bad looking, but not as nice as I'd have liked. I'm in no rush to trade since it's taken me a year just to get my '01 setup the way I want. Plus lik others have said, what's the point until there are enough performance parts available?



Brandon... when the heck are those SPA Mark 2's supposed to be out? I'm itching for a set!!!



Rob

 

[Pit Bull]

Lets see if I can figure out when I should need a new CTD? Mine has around 40K miles on it and I drive around 20K miles a year. If I use up half of the trucks potential, say drive it to the 500K mile mark, I will need a new one in 2025