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

[CStewart]

Reason for no new truck

My 98. 5 was made in the USA in St. Louis MO. To the best of my knowledge all the new Cummins equipped trucks are made in Mexico. The only reason I bought my VW was because nobody made a diesel powered car in the USA. If I were to buy another truck, which is unlikely because I like my 98, it would be whatever Ford I have to buy to get the Cummins engine. As far as I know the Big diesel Fords are made in the USA.



Chris



This ought to stir some people up

 

[RBrunson]

I like the looks better and I waited too long to get this one, besides the wifey says if they don't come with lighted vanity mirrors on both sunvisors, she dosen't want it.

 

[WMonroe]

Right now money is the only thing holding me back from getting a new one. Although I do like the sound of mine wayyy better than the new quiet engines.

Will

 

[Warpig]

2nd gen for me

I love my 2nd gen 2002! To each his own, but I like the looks and sound of the 2nd gen. I have nothing against 3rd gen. Dodge trucks except the style of the front end, and the quiet motor.

 

[djbobo]

I didn't trade but I still wanted one BEFORE they made the cabs even bigger. Any bigger and it wouldn't be a TRUE quad cab. Thankfully the rear doors are still small enough to clear other cars when parked next to when small kids open them. ( not as good as the earlier gens. -- but way better than the Ford/Chevy crew cab rears )

I see a number of people that have posted earlier here now have them also.

I love my true quad-cab Way to go Dodge!!!



dj

 

[barbwire]

WELL!!!! I am not the least bit sorry about getting the 04. I LOVE the quiet power. The 04 will pull the legs out from under the 99. I also like the fact that when I push the stop pedal on the 04,IT STOPS, without comlaint! I do not miss taking the 99to the shop at least once a year to have the poor excuse of a trans. (5 sp. )worked over . The list goes on & on.

However, there are styling differences I liked in the 99 better. And it is hard to swallow the monthly cost of the 04. But it has been much more dependable in my opinion. The only problem the 04 had in 68,000 miles of constant towing has been a lift pump.

So, to sum it up, "I say, to each his own"

 

[WBusa]

1. My first car was a '56 VW Bug. Although I wasn't (and still am not) particularly mechanically adept, it was such a simple vehicle that I could fix anything on it that needed fixing. As gassers became more and more complicated, electronic, and computerized, I lost that. My '95 Ram has that same simplicity... its just a bunch of horses bolted to some wheels... and once again I can fix anything that needs fixin'. For a living I work with my head, and hardly move a muscle, so I consider tearing into my Ram on a near-nightly basis to be a lot of fun, and therapeutic. I'd lose all that with a new model.



2. Let's see... paid $10K cash for the truck, and have since dropped about $2K on fixes, bombs, and tools. That same $12K would buy me, what, about 1/4 of a new truck? No thanks. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, and go into debt, it will be for a Jag.



3. Like me, my '95 has the "character" that comes only with age.



4. This thing is a work of art, flaws and all. It deserves to be kept up, and kept on the road, as long as possible. In contrast, a new truck would just be a ride. My goal is to keep this baby runnin, and lookin good, until it classifies as a 'historic vehicle'... hey, I'm half-way there!



5. TDR is a fabulous resource... with a few clicks, I can learn everything that might/could/will go wrong with this baby, and what to do about it before it does. It'll be another 5 years before we have the same level of insight into this new generation of Rams.



6. My wife would kill me if I traded in 'her' truck!

 

[cyborg]

The DR front end has grown on me.

But I like the suicide doors. Dodge should offer two cabs, Quad with suicide hidden doors, and Crew with four doors.



I was reading a post about problems with the common rail system. Quiet would be nice, as long as I don't have to sacrifice power or reliability.



2Gen seem more truck like

 

[SnoKing]

I will probably buy a 2002 at some point, have been lusting after the ETH/DEE for some time now. I like the 3rd gens OK, wish they had been a full crew cab though.



I doubt I will ever sell my '97, it has been nice having a reliable truck with no payment for the last few years. I specifically bought the 12V to get the mechanical pump and minimize electronics, someday it might be a valuable feature having a diesel that can run so many alternate fuels without engine or pump damage.



At some point will probably put in a 6-speed, still have BOMBing work to do as well. But truthfully in stock form, the truck has done a great job for me. Hauls my camper effortlessly, pulls a BIG horsetrailer full of horses with no fuss, gets good mileage and is very comfortable to drive.

Mike, if you want a front axle disconnect CAD, get a 2001. 5.



1. Disc on the rear.

2. Fender liners

3. Hood insulation.

4. CAD



=2001. 5 "Best of bred"



SNOKING

 

[Mike Ellis]

My Dad bought a 2005 2500, I have put several hundred miles on it on a couple of long trips. My opinion of the beast has risen many a notch, wish I could justify buying one for myself now



Likes:

- The power is awesome, way stouter than my poor old stock '97. It is quiet and the handling is car-like, in fact driving it is kinda more like driving a 60's big-block musclecar than a truck. Put your foot into it and . Too quiet for the real muscle fan though, needs a set of glass packs :-laf :-laf

- The 4 doors are pretty useful, it is tight back there for grownups but just fine for the kiddos.

- The mirrors are much better than my '97

- Auto transmission seems to be working pretty good, no problems with hookup or feeling "slushy"

- Chassis is much stiffer than my '97, seems really stout

- Brakes are pretty stout



Dislikes:

- Dash configuration, I still like the 2nd gen dash layout better.

- Too quiet!

 

[SnoKing]

Spend a little time on the 3rd Gen forums and read all about the drive line issues that are occurring! Lots of vibration issues, and DC is having trouble correcting them. SNOKING

 

[Jefff929]

trade 2nd gen?

1 Bombs cost :{ I've put some work into my truck.

2 If I can hear the 4x4's tires in the next lane going down the road, I think I can get away with an ME kit.

3 dual zone air is worth trashing a really great rig? not!

4 the new body style and gauges haven't grown on me yet.

5 If I really wanted to I could get better than 325/600 out of the '01. :-laf

 

[SnoKing]

1 Bombs cost :{ I've put some work into my truck.



5 If I really wanted to I could get better than 325/600 out of the '01. :-laf

Well after looking for a month of so for that right left over 2004. 5, I dumped 8K in my 2001. 5 for a complete DTT transmission with Billett's, smart controller, Comp, injectors, exhaust brake, track bar kit, another gauge, etc etc.



I could not be happier with the results. Probably could dyno those numbers at the rear wheels. Tows 11k 5er great now. Drives like a big block gasser sports truck. And it is paid for. Only has 32K on speedo!



SNOKING

 

[bmoeller]

Pretty much what everybody has said, but I'll repeat my version for the heck of it.



I don't WANT one. Because:

The interior is too mini-van like. The 2g dash/controls etc was near perfect--why did they screw it up? White gauges-just dumb designer-had-to-change-something-to-sell-a-car-crap.

Yep.

The engine? Yep, they're making good power

But, I make more.

Quiet is not needed or wanted by me.

'Nuff said.

The money? I don't have the cash in the bank to do the trade if I wanted to. Credit is out of the question--not financially sound to finance depreciating assets.

Mine is paid for.

My truck is FANTASTIC. And I'm not through BOMBing it yet. I'm just getting it tuned up and dialed in. My truck looks better, has better interior. Doesn't drone/rattle/or leak--and NEVER, EVER needs to go back to the DC store.

Just needs a transmission, a couple new seals on the T-case, and the rear axle pinoin seal is strating to weep.

When I buy another Cummins Pickup, it will most likely be a 12v/7100/ 4x4.

Preferably a 12v/5spd, or at least a later 24v 2g, with a R. A. S. P.

 

[WantaCummins]

I seriously thought about it recently as a local dealer has a few factory damaged 04. 5's They have scratches that I feel will come out with a good wet sand and buff. I could get a slt Quad Cab auto for 30K, sticker is 42K+. Major reason not getting the 04 is the possible vibration problems and other minor problems that plage the 3rd gen. Although not as bad as the 6. 0 Powerpuke ( I am a true Ford Guy see sig. . ) . Dodge still has a front end design prone to death wobble and other alignment issues. The 3rd gen are like all the other trucks too yuppie like. Everything seems cheap. When i get in my 97 it just seems old mainly because it has mechanical injection. Much like my 97 F-350 that has leafs and manual hubs and a body design that dates to 1980 with a basic chassis that is like the 1st ford 4x4 from 1959. Neither of them have dual zone ac, heated mirrors, adjustable pedals or back up beepers. . But they have what made a truck a truck Beef!!! and ease of maintainace and modification. I hope Ford does with their trucks as with the Mustang and t-bird bring back the retro styling !!! Make it a 73-79 Style with 12valve Cummins power and I'll be the 1st to buy it no matter what the cost. Until then i'll live in a pre 97 world both Ford And Dodge

 

[bkroupa]

I did some research here & decided to buy a low mileage used '98 12V QC instead of a newer truck. Reliability, ease of maintenance, & personally I like the looks of the 2 gen better were my reasons. With the 25k I saved, I'm having fun upgrading anything about the truck that I feel needs it.

This board has been a great asset, knowing what areas may need attention & what the best repair/upgrade is.

 

[rrl989]

My biggest fear in "upgrading" is that I will repeatedly have to go through the dealership again to fix all the minor initial build & warranty problems (Back and fourth, over and over, parts, trim, seals, etc, never stocked - Did it with my 98)



Also, I does seem that I may end up with problems the dealer would not be able to, or be willing to resolve, these trucks have become quite complicated since I bought up one of the last 12V's. Other than an overdrive unit bearing, I don't think I did too bad as far as "out of pocket" $$ for 100K miles.



I really think I did okay with this truck. Has never left me stranded. That said, I originally figured I would easily get 300K miles out of it, I just never thought it would take me 20 years to do it. I do have the "bug" and have been considering a replacement "just because", Thats why I've always been a TDR menber. I even looked at new Ford SD F350 Ouch!



Ron

 

[SnoKing]

My biggest fear in "upgrading" is that I will repeatedly have to go through the dealership again to fix all the minor initial build & warranty problems (Back and fourth, over and over, parts, trim, seals, etc, never stocked - Did it with my 98)



Also, I does seem that I may end up with problems the dealer would not be able to, or be willing to resolve, these trucks have become quite complicated since I bought up one of the last 12V's. Other than an overdrive unit bearing, I don't think I did too bad as far as "out of pocket" $$ for 100K miles.



I really think I did okay with this truck. Has never left me stranded. That said, I originally figured I would easily get 300K miles out of it, I just never thought it would take me 20 years to do it. I do have the "bug" and have been considering a replacement "just because", Thats why I've always been a TDR menber. I even looked at new Ford SD F350 Ouch!



Ron

I have been really lucky with my 2001. 5. It has not had to have any dealer work (except high idle flash) in 3. 5 years and 32K. Knock on wood - Chris, knock knock. I have spend a bit of time on the 3 gen forum and now am glad that I kept my 2001. 5. Having owned Honda Cars for years, I do not have the dealer service gene developed to any extent, and would not handle trips back and forth to dealer very well. I hate it when someone heads out of site with my stuff to work on it. SNOKING

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Sorry 3rd genners, but all things considered, my '02 is definitely a KEEPER!



When I see a Ford or GM truck - or a 3rd generation Dodge, I acknowledge that they are "nice looking" trucks - but THEN a 2nd generation truck comes into view, and all I can think is, now THERE is a CLASSIC!



I view my 2nd generation truck in much the same light as a 55-57 Chevy - or perhaps one of a few other recognized and valued classics. Sure, they all have varying faults and flaws - JUST AS DO the 3rd generation stuff - but the total package, and it's wrapper, is one that will remain mine for the long haul!



I bought my '02 to AVOID the 3rd generation stuff, and have NEVER regretted my choice!

 

[diesel DOG]

The duallies are all made in Mexico so I will never consider one. I guess I will go FORD after this. I have an 04 Excusion and it is fast and no problems so far. I am really a Chevy guy but don't want an Izuzu engine. I like my 01 and the door set up. If I want to look in the back for something I don't have to jump around the door. I had some problems with this truck but it is near paid off. I really bought it because of the Cummins which has been great the past 70,000 miles.