Why I don't want a 3rd Gen....

[EBottema]

First of all, a 3rd gen is a great looking and overall is a nice truck, not bashing anyone or their truck here... now back to business!



Personally, I would not want to own a 3rd gen. Sure they are comfy and nice looking trucks but they are not enough truck for me. Too much car like quietness!



Cons:

Its a diesel that sounds like a gas motor... yuk!

Way too many electronics for your own good...

Complication = shorter life span = higher future mateniance costs

Thin sheet metal

Poor gas mileage becuase of all the extra junk on the engine

More trim pieces and little nick nacks to break and wear out, as we all know Dodge stuff isn't too high on the quality scale for their products

Hydroformed frame that can't be welded on (Hmm whats the point of that)



Give me a 2nd gen anyday over that.....



Erik :-laf

 

[lmills]

hmm. How about the pro's over the year you are driving? You covered the con's like a biased news reporter.



Let's see.



1. 450-500 hp with just two boxes.

2. Far better brake design than ever before

3. Steering is better than any previous years

4. Option to turn power back to stock for engine longevity and drivabilty in bad weather at the flip of a switch.

5. Remember the track bar on your truck?

6. Four doors that can each be opened individually





I can go on, but I think the last line in your signature says it all

 

[jsimpson]

Erik, following your logic a bit further, you should sell your second generation and get a first generation. Now THER'S some thick sheet metal, truck noise, simplicity, and dependability for you! But why stop there, a horse and wagon is the ultimate expression of back to basics! As for me, I like my third generation better than my second generation (excpet for the auto over the stick), and I liked my second generation better than my first generation (except for the thinner sheet metal). By the way, the bed and tailgate of my third generation are substantially better built than thoset of my second generation.

 

[Bertram65]

Why do you think anyone cares why you don't want a 3rd gen truck? Go post in the 2nd gen forums about your dislike of the 3rd gens, not going to get much support here. Seems like flame bait to me.

 

[rbattelle]

Erik, some of your comments are uneducated and ignorant (those that aren't are just opinions). If you feel the need to come to this forum and "stir the pot" so you can feel better about yourself, so be it, but please be more careful to clearly label the fact that you are not spouting facts, but rather opinions.



What, may I ask, is your motivation for making that post? What are you trying to accomplish here?

 

[TCDiesel]

Engine Electronics are far superior to 2Gen"s. Maintenance Will be Less, Not MORE .

 

[Rman]

TWest, could you elaborate on the electronics being superior? I'm not questioning the statement, just want more specifics.

 

[Billy Golightly]

Cons:

Hydroformed frame that can't be welded on (Hmm whats the point of that)



Erik :-laf

Thats interesting for you to say that, considering a goosneck hitch is welded onto the frame of my 3rd gen.

 

[jochocki]

Seems funny, my 3rd Gen gets 25 to 26 mpg, calculated by hand, empty at 65 mph and 12. 5 mpg pulling my almost 6 ton 5th wheel at the same speed. My 2nd Gen did NOT meet those numbers. Plus I gained 4 wheel disc brakes, 4 full doors, an upgraded heavier duty transmission, and stronger frame.



White 2003 4X2 2500 HO, auto, 3:73, running boards, tank vent kit.

 

[TCDiesel]

TWest, could you elaborate on the electronics being superior? I'm not questioning the statement, just want more specifics.

www.boschusa.com





Type in: common rail,First link

 

[klenger]

I don't want to sound like a smart a$$, but if you don't like electronics, stay away from computers and the internet.

 

[rbattelle]

TWest, could you elaborate on the electronics being superior? I'm not questioning the statement, just want more specifics.

An example I like to cite is the distributorless ignition system on many modern gassers vs. "old style" distributors with vacuum/mechanical advance. Can anyone argue that DIS is not better? Similarly, can anyone argue that a jerk pump is less complicated than a common rail pump? I don't think so.



Much like computers, I think electronics sometimes scare people who are only accustomed to seeing purely mechanical systems.

 

[TCDiesel]

Hopefully, I will Have some ECM:s 03/04/04. 5 For Marco In a couple of weeks. The search for these are Rare to Find, I also hope that Marco Has greater success with these than he had with the 2GEN:s, And that Marco"s Mad catcher From what I heard is a good setup.

 

[DPelletier]

Well I must say Erik, you really stepped in it this time! Your post serves little purpose and I agree it is baiting. This topic has been covered in several threads in both the 2nd and 3rd gen forums in the past. A couple of things to keep in mind;



- lifespan is directly related to power. IF a 3rd gen engine is going to fail (on average) before a 2nd gen engine it will be because it makes more power. Much more in some cases. If you Bomb you '96 to have equal or more power than an '03 HO or 600, then expect your longevity to suffer accordingly.

- Yes there are more strict emmissions controls imposed by government and earlier engines didn't have to comply to such strict regs, and mileage has suffered accordingly, BUT you have ignored several advantages of the 3rd gen trucks such as;

- No VP-44

- more power

- quieter

- much better quad cab

- WAY better steering (this one item is probably enough for me to buy a 3rd gen all by itself)

- better brakes

- higher GVWR



We could go on, but like I said; it's all covered in several other threads. You really should have known.





Dave

 

[PHX ATC]

I've got one of each. So what are you saying? I'm bipolar?

 

[Guest]

First of all, a 3rd gen is a great looking and overall is a nice truck, not bashing anyone or their truck here... now back to business!



Personally, I would not want to own a 3rd gen. Sure they are comfy and nice looking trucks but they are not enough truck for me. Too much car like quietness!



Cons:

Its a diesel that sounds like a gas motor... yuk!

Way too many electronics for your own good...

Complication = shorter life span = higher future mateniance costs

Thin sheet metal

Poor gas mileage becuase of all the extra junk on the engine

More trim pieces and little nick nacks to break and wear out, as we all know Dodge stuff isn't too high on the quality scale for their products

Hydroformed frame that can't be welded on (Hmm whats the point of that)



Give me a 2nd gen anyday over that.....



Erik :-laf

These are the kind of posts that makes people look like idiots... .



I have a new 600 and it took a while but Im starting to enjoy it more and more w/ mileage. I had an 02 that was heavily bombed and sounded sick(straight piped) so I do miss the flare there, but the improvements in braking and steering alone are hands down winners... Oh and as far as mileage, my last 30 gallons went 579 miles, so I cant complain.



Where the hell did you get thin sheet metal my 2nd gen was the same as this one.



I would take the hydro frame any day, who the hell is out there welding on frames??????





I have room to talk here because I have had both Gens.

 

[jsimpson]

25-26mpg? I get 14. 5 with my third empty at 65. I got 20 with my second. Of course the second was single cab 2WD 5 speed, and the third is quad cab 4WD, auto.

 

[EBottema]

First of all, as I said in my post, I was not bashing anyone or their trucks.



AS I STATED IN MY FIRST POST, the pros to the 3rd gen were the comfy factor. Which means the quad cab seats more, the seats are more comfortable, fold flat floor, center console can hold more.



From what I have read, you are not suppose to weld anything to the hydroform frame, never said you can't but there is no reason to have this hydroform frame.



Sure, a first gen could also be considered a forever truck like the second gen, unlike the 3rd gen.



You are absolutly right, I did forget to mention that Dodge designed a very flimsy bed on the second gen trucks, so the third gen would be superior in that area.



Well are you sure your getting 25mpg? That sounds a little much. Sounds like something my friend told me in high school about his El Camino, ooohh it had 600 horsepower... . But it all came without proof



I am very disappointed in you guys. Some replied with well mannered posts and made good comments. The rest of you decided it would be fun to be rude and blame me that my truthful statements got to you a little bit. My point was not to flame anyone AS I STATED IN MY POST. Maybe the rude ones should read the post next time. It was intended as a debate... .

 

[EBottema]

I don't want to sound like a smart a$$, but if you don't like electronics, stay away from computers and the internet.

Was that comment needed? What point are you trying to prove? I was not talking about personal computer, I was talking about trucks. Stick to the topic and maybe next time try not to be so rude.

 

[EBottema]

These are the kind of posts that makes people look like idiots... .

I would take the hydro frame any day, who the hell is out there welding on frames??????

.

First, don't you think many of our trucks get hitches installed on them? Many peopld like welding them on, correct? I guess I could say people that make uneducated replies like this look like idiots? But I'm not going to do that because I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt on that one. I am very disappointed in you all. I thought you guys were a better group of people who didn't get a kick out of bashing someone's comments.



And don't even go there trying to say oooohh you stirred the pot, guess what, your starting to sound like a politicion that doesn't want to get to the truth of the matter.