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

[Tomscreek]

I have an 01 I bought new and now has 50,000 miles. I do like the 03's but not bad enough to cough up a lot of money for the difference. I've meticulously maintained and cleaned mine so it still looks new. Actually I like the suicide doors on mine. I use it a lot by myself for hauling stuff and if I had the 03 doors I'd have to walk around the door all the time to get stuff in and out. My daughters are fairly young and fit in the back seat with room to spare. The engine has remained bone stock and pulls my heaviest trailer, a 4 horse goose neck, like it's not there so performance is not an issue. I do like the quieter engine in the 03 but I can live with mine. My biggest issue with my 01 is the steering but for around $1000. I plan on fixing it with the steering stabilizer, aftermarket track bar, and steering shaft and bilsteins next summer.

 

[Black Cloud]

Well I'm fairly new to the Cummins world as I purchased a 2000 last month. I looked at buying a new '03 but sticker shock set in. So I looked for a used one and I ran across the Dodge on vacation and a wire transfer sent me driving it back home. I plan on keeping the big dually for a while. I like the looks of the '03's and who knows maybe when prices drop I'll find myself in one.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Why would we?

Hate the looks, the engine is a joke. If you're gonna get a diesel, be proud of it and get one that you can hear. I drove a $45,000 HO truck that is comprable to my 2001 and I would keep my truck even if someone offered to give me the 2003. The motor doesn't impress me at all. It can barely be told apart from a 4-banger standing right next to it.

 

[Kalaehina]

I just wish they were a little freakin louder! I was at an airshow last month and there was an 03 coming in the show area on the tarmac, I excitedly told my cousin that "whoa here comes an 03 diesel, c'mon let's hear that Cummins", so I stood there waiting as it came past us, and then waited to hear the engine... ... ... ... waited and waited until it was right in front of me about 2 feet, THEN I heard it . I looked at my cousin and said "ahh??".

 

[pwr2tow]

1. Economics, The truck is paid for and $5,000 has bought me everything in my signature plus graphics plus a whole lot of accessories not listed.



2. Three years ago when the dealer and DC voided my warranty (dealers fault, another story in its self) I told them I would never buy another Mopar product. I keep my word.



3. Ford or Chevy have not come out with a truck I like yet, but one day they will and it will be good bye DC.



Don't get me wrong, I love this truck now that I have it the way it was advertized to do from the factory.



Ron

 

[rmrc]

A new truck is totally out of the question mainly due to finances. I could never afford to buy a new truck at this point in life.



From another perspective,,,, I happen to like the 2nd generation styling better! My truck is in great condition so I'll just keep up on her maintenance and repair and replace what's needed as time goes on!

 

[Hammer]

My answer on this or to this question can be said in two easy to make comments.....



1st one-My self repair notes for anything that contains computers is a REALLY BIG HAMMER swung very forcefully upon its non-computing,non-cooperating electronic,have to be a rocket scientest to fix the dern thing and has anyone seen the wiring deal where one light goes out they all go out junk. Real trucks have 12 valves and stick shifts,not computer scanners to tell you what needs done to it. .



2nd one-On a serious note,When Ma Mopar killed the true Crew Cab they almost killed my lust for their trucks. Having wore out a older crew cab(440,stick dualy,non-air truck) towing waaayyy to many miles with a long 5ver and a sprint car in tow we had to upgrade as it was beginning to become untrustworthy. It meant a trip to the dark side(phord) and a long relationship with Sheik Habib as that truck would pass anything but a gas pump. Yes,they got rich off of us, the oil barons did. With that happening and my dismay for no MOPAR REAL CREW CAB being assembled we ended up with a stout first gen later(try to fit a whole crew of guys my size in one of those and be comfortable(think thats why I got away from that deal,too many trips to chiropractor). Nope while I love my second gen I'll not settle at Ma Mopars half hearted attempt of a "crew cab or 4 door",so its easy,No REAL CREW CAB,no new truck for me.



Heck of it is,if you ever get to chat with any of D-C's people they will tell you there is no market for a CREW CAB TRUCK. Hmm,,,I only can say you are missing the boat and offer a trip to any short track in America or Canada or most any weekend dragstrip to see what they are using for tow vechicles. You'd think that this or pics of this would speak louder than any consumers words... . Andy

 

[bombero]

Save your $$ for 06. A Hummer with a Cat+Allison

 

[hammersley]

who in their right mind would want a

CAT?????????????????

 

[C Schomer]

The 3G just doesn't do enough for me to want payments again and like the others said - "why start over"?? My 97 was and still is my dream truck. I'm waiting for a common rail 8. 3 that hasn't been screwed over by Detroit to repower an MDT with. Craig

 

[Mundgyver]

I remember when Toyota built the Land Cruiser. Not the yuppie version we see today that never sees dirt. I'm talking about an FJ-40 with the straight 6, with your basic Spartan accoutrement's. Tough as heck and if you could not climb the hill in 2nd low, nothing would.



I have the same feeling about my 2001. I wanted a diesel, not a yuppie Chevy or wannabe diesel Ford, but a true Cummins diesel.



I now have that and it fits my needs. It's fun to drive and I enjoy working on it. I have it built my way, not the factory way. I like the sound of a running diesel with the turbo whine. The truck is built up to last me until I can no longer drive. That will be in about 30 years I think. My FJ-40 is 27 years old now.



New trucks are nice, but then they are like wearing a good pair new of jeans. Stiff when you get them and not very comfortable. Eventually they break in and feel right. But it takes a long time.



My truck feels right just like my old FJ-40.

 

[mputnam]

The reasons I won't buy a 2004, 05, 06, 07, 08 or 09:

1. Dodge doesn't make a true crew cab.

2. My 2000 3500 has only 55,000 miles on it. Its not even broke in yet. Going for a million miles.

3. To set up my truck the way I need it, takes alot of money and time.

4. I don't care about quiet, its a diesel truck!!!





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2000 3500 Western Hauler Bed, 275hp injectors, US Gear overdrive, PACBrake, 25,000lbs Reese Fifth hitch, TST Box, Box Oxe Vac/Hyd Braking System for the 40Ft Royals International Homestead Fifth Wheel

 

[Bova]

It took 2 years alot of trial and error (read $$$) to get my truck where its at. To start over now is insane, unless I was to find someone to buy my 2nd gen for$70,000.

 

[RCapehart]

When the 2003 trucks came out I went to the dealer and checked them out. After looking it over real good I requested the the salesman get in the back seat and tell me if he would enjoy riding there for say 2-weeks and 3000 miles on a vacation.



He said that he did not think dodge thought of that when they designed it and that the seat was not comfortable.



My truck is is still like new and does everything I need it to so I will not consider trading for a new dodge until they build a "true

crew cab".



Ron

 

[daveshoe]

I don't think I could go through all that crying and whining this soon just to get a new truck. Finally she said ''go wipe your tears and buy the dern thing!'':{

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

There is no way on this great earth that the boss (wife) would let me buy bombs for it after paying mucho grandes for a new truck, so I'll just keep the one I've got and try to make it what the factory couldn't. Besides that if I bought a new truck she would want a new vehicle too, she owned three different cars while I owned my 1st gen truck. I can't afford that, we need to start wearing things out instead of replacing them out of boredom it is an awful waste of money.

 

[RoryTek]

Hey I know of a cheap way to make your truck sound like an 03, might be better than $40k purchase.

http://www.atpwrap.com/dodge_ram.htm

As far as the rear disk brakes I think EGR has the fix. http://www.egrbrakes.com/index-main.htm



I love my 97 12v 7100 3500!

 

[klenger]

we need to start wearing things out instead of replacing them out of boredom it is an awful waste of money

I agree. I've spent a lot of money trading vehicles too soon. Need to learn to be satisified with what I have. On the other hand, I sure would like a 2004 3500 SRW HO/6 speed Quad Cab 2WD power heated towing mirrors, quiet, ...

 

[DennyDay]

Attitude

Chrysler, Damler or whatever they are called, attitude toward their customers, is the reason I won't be buying an 03,04, 05 etc.



Denny

 

[geusterman]

Having a 2002 with the stuff already in signature and more to go brings some economic thinking here. An 2004 ST HO/6spd like my 2002 is $32,500 in Kellogg ID. In order to make my 2002 quiet takes $1200 in ATP wrap, lots of cab sheets and labor. Say $2000 for getting quiet. My HO has a VP 44 which requires a pusher pump. I like the FASS. Say $3-500 for that. I have and Edge EZ and should have 3 guages. Pillar mount with labor say $400. A brake upgrade to 04 is what... $1000 with labor? If I could make openable rear windows... now wouldn't that be something?... . for the kids to shoot out of... instead of pulling the paneling and unscrewing the glass... I would pay big for that. I can't improve my 02 frame like that cool one on the G3's which are perfect for a flatbed... nor the longer springs and better ride (which is why I bought the Kelderman for my 02). I can learn not to knock my head on the shrunk opening with the 4" shorter door (width) and smashed down windshield... in time. I could sell the Kelderman (+$600) although it makes my camper level at the touch of a button. Rancho's and steering stabilizer stay and I move the GV over. Sell the EZ (plus $300). I can move the Ricksons over. Then there are track bar costs... . Hmmmmm.

$2000

$500

$400

$1000

$600

$400

About 5 grand, which is the hit I would take on selling the 02. Or so. The dealer says he cannot keep the used Dodge Cummins around. So demand is good.....



Anybody else see the beauty of this when I go talk to my darling wife???? geusterman