WOW!!! My New Truck is Great

[Archive]

I have been reading TDR and following these forums since April when I joined. I considered either Ford or Dodge. I knew I wanted a Diesel. After going to the Dodge dealer in May and getting to drive 2500 with the HO Cummins and the 6 speed trans. I was hooked. I went home and did my research and decided what options I wanted and went back to order my new truck. Unfortunately I just hit model closeout and had to wait to order. I followed the Waiting club topic in this forum and told the dealer to try ordering on July 11. My truck was shipped on August 10th and I picked it up from the deal on August 23rd.

I was really worried after reading about all of the problems. So far no problems. Just One great Truck. For anyone out there who is worried by all the postings of problems, I thought it might help to hear from someone who has had a good experience. I must admit I have been searching for all of the problems I have heard about here. I was really worried about steering wander, but as far as I can tell I do not have it. In fact while driving at night in a really bad rain storm I hit several very deep (water sprayed up on to the windshield) areas of water on the road. There was no warning because of poor visibility (it was raining very hard). The truck stayed straight and helped me keep control. If I had been in my car I would have had a real fight on my hands, but the truck was great.

I have 750 miles on my truck so far and it just keeps getting better. Part of the improvement is more my getting used to the engine and transmission then actually improvements in the truck. At first I was really worried about lugging the engine. Then I did some searches of the forums and archives and realized that this wonderful truck quite easy to drive. I got 15 Miles to the Gallon on my first half tank because I was taking the RPMs up to almost 2300 in each gear before shifting, even though I was running empty (no load). Once I started shifting on how it sounded things got much better I just came back from a trip to South Carolina which was about 500 miles round trip. This time I got 18. 5 miles per gallon on the computer and close to 20 when I divided the gallons by the miles.

I am really having a lot of fun with my new toy.

------------------
2500 QC SLT+ SWB 4x4 ETH/DEE 3. 55 Limited Slip, Flame Red , Line-X, Black Westin Nerf Bars
Soon Rancho 9000, Roadmaster Active suspension and Grover air horns, Northwest customer Mud Flaps, ARE Fiberglass bed cover

[This message has been edited by coolhand (edited 09-04-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

coolhand, congratulations on your new truck and welcome to the TDR. It's good to hear you're happy with your truck. It sounds like a nice one. I've had mine for about 4 weeks and could not be happier. BTW, GO TARHEELS #ad
#ad
#ad
.

------------------
2001. 5 2500 QC, ETH/DEE, SLT plus, LWB, 4x4, solid white w/agate leather, 3. 55 LSD, camper/trailer tow, 241HD,TT mirrors, 4 wheel disc brakes

[This message has been edited by Bill (edited 09-05-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Congrats...

The travel computer is mostly for entertainment purposes... I wouldn't risk running out of fuel based on its output. I'd rely on on the tripometer.

Enjoy!

[This message has been edited by Mad Max (edited 09-04-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Congrats, Coolhand! You made an excellent choice! I've had mine for two years now with no problems. I love it to death! They will get MY Dodge/Cummins when they pry my cold, dead hands from around it...

- Tim


------------------
1998. 5 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 SWB, Light Driftwood, Agate Interior, 3. 54 anti-spin,
Automatic, 24-Valve ISB minus turbo baffle ring, K&N Air Filter, Westin Chrome Nerf Bars,
Edelbrock IAS Shocks, 265/75R16 BFG All Terrain T/A's, and always lookin' for more!

 

[Archive]

COOLHAND --- Congratulations on your new truck --


I had mine for 3 months and it just keeps running, driving and shifting better -- 16500 miles now - today I was traveling down a Interstate Hwy in MEXICO and had a ford 4X4 Gasser running right behind me. We were both speeding and I got the impression he wanted me up front to risk the fed police . I didnt think he should get a free ride so I stepped it up to 100mph after 5 minutes he dropped off. maybe he was running hot. . The cummins was just purring at 2600 rpm with the temp right in the middle . . It was 100deg outside. truck was going straight down the road even with a mild crosswind... I ran that way for 30 mins then figured I did'nt want to get a ticket. .
My wife never even noticed she was reading a book. #ad

LOVE MY TRUCK #ad
#ad
#ad


P. S. I figure my mileage was around 12 or 13mpg at 100 mgh

------------------
"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

[This message has been edited by KWIKKURT (edited 09-04-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

KWIKKURT, how spendy is diesel in your neck of the woods (desert)? Do you guys have the high oil price blues there?

I've always wanted to have 3-4 weeks off work and do a major road trip across Mexico. I'm not sure where you're at but I'd travel down the west coast (do the Copper Canyon RR), explore around the mountains between Guadalajara & Mexico City, then work my way east to Veracruz & Yucatan peninsula, etc. I would even like to drive to Guat. city like I did in '87, some of the most scenic countryside I've ever seen but the Pan Am highway is an axle buster if I've ever seen one! #ad
They weren't too bad in Chiapas (southern Mex)if you stayed on the main road.

Vaughn

 

[Archive]

21,000 miles and it just keeps getting better. I would'nt change a thing.
Big A

------------------
'99 3/4 24 valver Quad,auto,KN stock, westin powder black pushbar,and soon VA CPC

 

[Archive]

Congrats Coolhand! Good choice!! I've had my truck a little over a week now, 600 mi. of driving pleasure!!! Got 19. 7 mpg on the first tank.

------------------
2001. 5 2500 ETH SLT QC SB 3. 54 Hd 241 Camper, tow, Dark Garnet Red

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie:
KWIKKURT, how spendy is diesel in your neck of the woods (desert)? Do you guys have the high oil price blues there?

The price of PEMEX Diesel is $4. 05 pesos per liter there is 3. 785 liters to a gallon which converts to around $1. 69 per gallon

The Quality seems fine (I was in charge of fuel quality control at a Aviation FBO Company for ten years)as Pemex has been upgrading and building new stations every other town.


COOLHAND ... . Keep On Truckin..... #ad

 

[Archive]

coolhand:

Welcome to the TDR and congratulations
on the purchase of your new Dodge Ram
Diesel!

I live east of you down here on the
coast. I travel to Raleigh on a
regular basis as my son goes to
college there. Maybe we can get
together sometime. Another TDR
member who is also a good friend
of mine is Pete Peterson. He lives
a short distance from me over in
Jacksonville. I met him through
ownership of our Dodge Ram Diesels.
Needless to say this is a great
organization!

As I read your post I definitely
could relate to all the rain we've
had! It has been raining down here
for four days straight! Also, I
think you've found out that you
need not worry about "lugging"
the Cummins Diesel Engine. I run
my truck extremely hard especially
when towing our racing trailer up
I-40. If you see a red 4X4 Extra
Cab towing an identically colored
racing trailer on I-40 at 70+ that
is probably me.

Anyway take care and good luck. I
will try to e-mail you!

-----------
John_P.
graytank@msn.com

------------------
Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Pump Mods, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[Archive]

Congratulations coolhand. Best of luck with new truck. Great to hear of no problems as others have posted.

 

[Archive]

coolhand,
congrates on your choice of a fine truck, I too am very pleased with my mine and I think most people fall into this category.
You brought up a good point about people reading these forums and being scared to buy a Ram for fear of problems. The TDR is a great place to discuss our beloved trucks but it can also make certain problems seem like they happen on every truck out there. I personally know 6 other people with late model diesel rams and they all love their trucks and talk them up every chance they get, combined they have had few problems with them.
My point is that EVERY brand has some problems with some trucks but I think the vast majority of people here would highly recommend a Ram diesel to someone looking to buy a new truck. I have and will continue to recommend them and my truck is not "perfect" but its close and should be soon.
You can always tell the guys with a Cummins under the hood they have a big #ad
on their face. Enjoy the ride!


------------------
2001 black dually,4x4, 6 speed H. O. ,loaded up and then some!

 

[Archive]

Coolhand, your truck sounds nice.

I am also very pleased with my new truck.
2001 ETH DEE. 2500 miles on it now. I recently made a 600 mile trip at 22,000 # total gross (two antique John Deere tractors on a 25' gooseneck). Got 14 mph going, 13. 7 mpg coming back.

This thing has plenty of power at that weight. Best tank empty has been 20. 4 mpg
(not by computer). No steering problems I have read about, transmission shifts great.
I traded a 99 24V auto. for this truck. Big difference in power, also engine is louder. Not a single problem so far, I'm pleased. :}


2001 ETH-DEE 2500 SLT LWB 4X4 3. 54 LS
Light Driftwood, totally stock

 

[Archive]

#ad
Cool, I have had my 2001 for a month now and LOVE it. Steering is much better than my 95 2500 (and that one was good). I found no rut tracking, semi wind sway, etc. I have about 3500 miles on it and 2000 of those loaded at 19000# (camper and cargo trailer)
I have less power than my BOMBED 95 but it does quite well.


------------------
1995 2500 5 spd bombed. 2001 ETH 3500 stock. 1972 1066 International Harvester 414 ci diesel pulling tractor.
GONZO

 

[Archive]

Congrats Coolhand,

Same here, 20k miles now, no probs. Love mine too. You made a good choice.

------------------
2k, 17k miles, QC, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54,285/75r16 bfg/at, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in", popup cmpr, 9000 lbs. 15-16. 5 mpg's. VA, DD1's, PS Boost module, DD Elbow... also, Nitrous Oxide piped direct into the block (stealth - to keep the warranty), Propane Injection, Ceramic pistons, ported heads, twin turbos, 10 gallon per minute fuel pump, ECM right out of Don Garlit's Top Fueler (he gave it to me) (for letting him ride in my truck), Super Modified DD1 Injectors ("Hand Honed" with a 1/4" reamer & my 12v Makita). More BOMBING to come!! After I think of whats next...

 

[Archive]

Same here "coolhand"

I too was undecided between the two. The interior fit & finish, intergrated seatbelts in the seat and rear leg room were the biggest features I preferred over the ford.

The knock / cackle ongoing problem and lack of committment by fomoco to fix it, was the mechanical reasion I choose the Dodge.

So what my diesel truck sounds like a diesel truck . . at least it doesn't sound like a school bus! #ad


I too was concerned with all the negative posts about the problems BOTH brands web sites had . . but I did my homework . . took my time selecting a vehicle . . and so far (knock on wood) no problems and extremely satisfied with my purchase.

Im a new Dodge owner since April . . never owned anything other than Fords before this. Two oil changes and 12k miles later . . all I can say is . . it just keeps getting better! #ad


Getting 16ish city . . 20ish highway. (manual calculation) Power increase was noticed by my significant other after about 10k miles. She came in after a drive and asked "Did you spend more money on your truck? I can tell it has more power . . you must have bought one of those things off the web page" #ad
NOT . . it just gets better with age.

No steering wander, brake fade, no warped rotors. Most importantly, no PSD Cackle! #ad


Guess Im one of the few lucky folks to get a quality product, and for that I'm thankful!

Keep enjoying your new machine . . welcome to the TDR (Don't be a stranger) and good luck with your rig!

Michael

------------------
00 Driftwood 2500 ST QC ISB LB 5spd 3:54 LSD Tow & Camper Groups

my photos