2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Why haven't you traded for 3rd gen?

[mberry]

My Opinon...

I test drove a couple when they first came out and liked them. Then a few weeks ago I went again with a friend of mine and was much less impressed with the performance. My '02 seems to have more "get up and go" than the '03 I drove. I know that can be fixed with bombs, but I was expecting more. I also drove a Ford 6. 0L truck and all I can say is wow. That was the fastest stock diesel truck I ever drove. I really like the 4 full doors of the Ford.



The biggest reason is the interior. I hate how close everything is to the drivers position. It's almost claustrophobic in there.



I really like the white face gauges and I like the exterior styling as well. While I don't mind the noise of my '02, I like the quietness of the new diesels. My neighbors complain (not that I really care too much) about the noise when I have to work weird hours. It's also a PITA to have to shut the truck off to have a conversation or order in the drive through. I'll agree with everyone else's statements about the 4 doors and leave it at that.

 

[TomGolden]

1. Can't get the HO engine in Kalifornia in any of the 3rd Gen trucks.

2. As so many have said, there is only about 4" more leg room in the rear seats than what I already have.

3. If I wanted a diesel that I can't hear, I would have stayed with Fords :-laf

4. Too much $$$ BOMB money in this truck, and you can't transfer any of them to a 3rd Gen truck/engine.

5. 3rd Gen trucks/engines are too new yet, not enough BOMBing goodies out there yet.

6. If I wanted a diesel that I can't hear, I would have stayed with Fords :-laf

7. Oh, did I mention that if I wanted a diesel I can't hear... ...



Tom

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

1. I don't like the interior on the 3g. The dash is way too mini-van like and with the windshield raked back as much as it is the visors feel much to close to me, also the roof line seems much lower. I like how open, spacious, and truck like my 2nd gen is inside.



2. I've put WAY too much time and energy getting my current truck the way I want it to start over again.



3. This one is nowhere near worn out at 140,000 miles. I feel like I've just gotten it broken in like a well worn pair of jeans.

 

[ndurbin]

I've test drove an 03 and an 02. both HO and 6 spd. only real differences were 03 was a "crew cab" and the 02 was an ext. cab. I really liked the 03 but if I wanted a quite diesel I'd buy a d-max or ford. and i really didn't feel like droppin 35k for a used 03 w/ 30,000+ on it.

 

[geusterman]

So the extra horses, quietness, stronger frame, bigger brakes, extra room, SRW 3500 and for some of you disc brakes, 6spd or tougher auto, VP 44 gone, are not enough to sway you?



There are so many little things--like no vacuum on the 3G for exhaust brake yet it does not need insulating to quiet it. Money saved because more horse is there and tougher transmission plus softer ride. Bigger tires and more load capacity. Just HOW much better brakes or frame strength I do not know.



I really like my 02 HO ST. I don't like its obnoxious noise or rough ride or VP44/lift or trac bar setup. But those are fixable with money but gone on 3G. Decisions decisions... . geusterman

 

[ndurbin]

look at how much it costs to fix the problems with your truck and how much it would cost to do the power upgrades and such then look at the price of a new truck.



You can do awhole lot to your old truck droppin the 30-40k into it then goin and buyin a new truck.



I wont buy a 1st run product again. learned that leason and wont do that again. If I get another truck it'll praly be another 2gen. 00-02.

 

[rashwor]

Like I said...

there are as many reasons to trade as there are not to trade. It's a choice.



Some devil's advocate for you. The point is, it is trade-offs. I will make the change, but why be in a hurry?



1) The 3G CTDs have a lift pump... built into the fuel filer assembly. Cheap, easy to change, lasts longer?



2) Who knows that the injector pump on the 3G CTDs will last any better than the VP44? It may; it may not? How easy is it to kill the 3G injector pump compared to the VP44?



3) I must have a DRW set up. Easy to find 17" tires for the DRW?



Time and miles will tell on all of these.

 

[KL]

I like the looks of the second generation better. I got a 02 because I like the suicide doors better then 4 doors. I don't have a family, so a bigger back seat is not an issue for me. Plus the new vehicles are to expensive if you are going to the factories genie pig. KL

 

[RT66DOC]

My first car was a '37 Chevy 2-door. Stovebolt six. In 1978 I bought my wife a Jaguar - XJ6L. Now it has 41K on the clock, remains pristine/gorgeous and purrs and sprints like the cat it is. I understand these inline 6 cylinder motors.



This Ram I have is also a classic (IMO) - ordered it from the factory - one of the first out of St. Louis. I am not impressed with the Ram/Cummins after the intro of the 24 valve. This is, of course, a personal preference and I understand the fascination some may have for more/newer/better.



Despite the KDP, lost 5th gear and precision engineered fuel gauge - been there, done that with all of them - I will keep this truck until I die. Maybe I'll get buried in it... with my dogs who are already over the bridge.

 

[athompson]

I bought my 02, even though it meant buying it 6 months before I was planning, for the following reasons (in order):



1) I don't buy any vehicle the first year or two after a major change. The 03s are, for all practical purposes, an entirely new truck.



2) The front axle is not IFS.



3) The 02 has Dana axles.



4) I like the looks of the 02. I don't like the looks of the 03.



5) I liked the Cummins better than the Duramax.



6) I won't buy Fords.



7) My last truck's transmission started whining and I didn't want to put any money in it.

 

[Cummins4Life]

My truck has alot more character, I'd rather put up with its few faults than buy a 7000lb minivan.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Body has not rotted off my 97' yet. Besides, next truck will be a baby Freightliner or a Navistar or something of that ilk.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by MGordon

Don't like the looks.



It dosen't sound right.



Don't like the white gauges.



Would have to start all over with accessories



I bought this truck with the intention of keeping it a long time and I just can't justify taking another big depreciation hit.

Nuff said.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

1. I haven't done everything I can do with this truck, yet.

2. It's not worn out, yet.

and

3. It doesn't need a computer to run. which means I can fix about anything on it.



Jim

 

[DWendt]

I belive just about everything has been covered on the 03 & o4's. I am currently looking for a second truck for business and want another 02' HO 6 spd. Dealer keeps trying to get me into a 03 & 04... ... ... ..... No thanks. Friend has a 03 and it is quiter

( yuck) and has great pick up to about 70 and then becomes a snail. It doesn't pull any bettewr than my 02', so why trade. I just about have mine set up the way I want it so why start all over again with a new one. My CTD has over 68,000 miles in less than 8 months and just keeps getting better. Personally I think the new ones look to plain jane, the 2nd G look more like a truck should. If Ford put the Cummins in there trucks then I might change for the full crew cab in the 550 series. Dodge has the 4500 and 5500 available in Mexico, why not here?



Derek

 

[SMorneau]

Why I don't want an 03.



I bought my truck to keep forever. It has 259k on it and it's in excellent condition for a vehicle with half as many miles. I would never get what its worth if I sold it. I have never ever had a vehicle that I enjoyed driving for more than 100k before I was tired of it. I still love to fire up the 96.



I still do not like the looks of the 03. They screwed up when they offered the phony wanabe crew cab. All they did was create an ugly extra cab.



The problems, or more importantly the fixes, are pretty much all known and most have been dealt with in my 96.



I wanted leather... for less than $850 I now have heated leather seats. Katzkins



I wanted a 6 speed so it now has a 6 speed with a 13" OFE clutch.



I wanted a better stereo now I have an excellent system.



My truck was paid off years ago. So the wife "looks the other way" when I do things like order the Ute bumper.



My truck is personalized and setup for what I use it for.





For a lot less money I can get some of the things that I dream about: 19. 5" tires and rims, a Ute bumper, and a T-rex suspension system.



That being said, if I have to get a truck due to a wreck or something and it had to be new, I would be looking at a real crew cab. If they get the 6. 0 PSD ironed out it would be my first choice. If I could find a realy nice 12v extra cab I would probably buy it before an 03.



None of the things mentioned in this thread make the 03 a bad truck, it's just not to my liking. The only thing I like better with the 03 is the ride and the T-rex would put that to shame.

 

[Big Dawg]

I have a 2002 HO. . Stock... I drove an 03 6 spd HO today.



2003:

Better brakes

Transmission seems like it shifts way smoother... Didn't have to hunt for gears

Tracks better...

Side Air bags (optional)

Better Headlights

Tow Mirrors are electric and heated



2002:

Classic look

Diesel Sound (This is a big deal to me) I swear there is a dog in my neighborhood that takes off running when my truck drives by...

Oil Filter More Accessible

Seems more like a "REAL" truck

Doesn't have that steeply raked windshield

I really do love my 02

 

[scbrown]

03' Body style is growing on me, BUT I can't get past that flat dash.

I have never put near 100,000 miles on any car or truck I have owned before getting sick of it.

Flipped 121,000 today and I still love driving it!!

 

[DKayser]

3G

I`m 6`3", I whack my head on the 3G`s. The windshield is way too laid back for my taste, I`m a mile from the base of it. Body is way too tinny. Frame is cool, new auto is cool, rest of truck is too high tech lookin fer me.

 

[catoiler]

Yep got rid of the 02 in favor of the 03. Only thing I miss about the 02 is the power but stock to stock the 03 is faster,now bombed thats another story! I'm 6'4" and have no problem getting in or out. The interior seems more roomy than the 02,Brakes no comparison! 03 stops like it should. 02 was kinda weak in that dept. Rear doors are better than the clam shells on 02(kids piled out the back one day and found out that 3 of them with both doors open was not working!kinda funny watching them try to jockey around to get out,bi$ched at me for parking so close to other car!Just once I'd like to see parking spaces that fit more than a mini cooper!)And the noise kinda nice not having to yell all the time,makes sneaking home late at nite much easer!Over all happy with the 03.