Just picked up an '05 2500 4x4 CTD NV5600. I test drove 2 at separate dealers, the dealer I bought from made a much better offer on my trade and had a better looking truck (light almond metallic w/chrome v.s. white/no chrome). Anyway, I noticed 2 differences in the way the two trucks ran; 1) White trucks engine idled dead smooth, almost like an electric "buzz", ran on the road the same way. Almond truck (the one I bought) has something of a cadence to it at idle, sounds and feels rougher under accelleration (plenty of power though--whew!), and runs-on very briefly when I shut down. I know this is all very vague and subjective, but any thoughts out there? Thanks! Charley
THese trucks have their own personalities. I have a 2001 Dodge Cummins 3/4t auto and my dad has an '02 DOdge Cummins HO 6spd dually. There are little things that are different about them when they are almost the identical trucks. 1. My motor sounds just a little different. Diesels have that "marbles in a bag" clangy sound in general but I almost notice my dad's to be a little louder. 2. My seat is softer than his. Both of our trucks have identical buckets, both wrapped with black leather, and both have nearly the same mileage....yet I have a softer seat. 3. His A/C seems to get cold just a little quicker than mine. 4. I get 20-21mpg at 70mph with my truck yet my dad can barely manage 17mpg at anywhere from 55-70mph. 5. When I hit the cruise it holds the pedal down. My dad's truck pushes the pedal all the way back up. I'm actually suprised you found difference on trucks with no miles since I figured the differences started happening over mileage, what the truck does, how it's treated, etc.. I figured the slightly more clangy motor of my dad's was from 100K of pulling the Rockies with a gooseneck. The PO of my dad's truck lived in CO and pulled a gooseneck. It has a gooseneck hitch and an exhaust brake, I would guess it has seen some serious use. On the other hand, my truck has been babied for 113K. It probably never even saw a trailer until I bought it at 101K. My PO just commuted with it. Anyway, from what I just mentioned, I thought they gained their "personalities" of mileage but I guess not.
I logged 280 miles at the end of the day (today) and things are smoothing out. Threw in 16oz. of PS/MMO (4oz. MMO, 12oz. PS) as soon as the dealer lot was out of sight! I'm really impressed by how well this truck is built and how nice it is to drive. I'd heard mixed things about Dodge trucks, but the '04/'05s seem to be getting good reviews. I didn't think I'd be quite as impressed with the truck in general (interior, ride, handling, quality, etc.) as I was with my '01 Super Duty, but I actually like this more! The Cummins is more motor, IMHO, than my 7.3 was (although it served me very well), and I like it more with every mile. Can't wait to tow my tractor now that I'm in a real truck again! waytogo Thanks to everyone for providing their experiences at this forum (and at Ramdiesel too!). The education helped me make a great choice. Charley
Yeah, they are really nice trucks. Some people still remember the old Dodges and think they are the same.... Their quality really stepped up in '98 IMHO.
Theres a night and day difference between my grandfathers 99 and my 03. 02 for 1500's and 03 for 2500+ is where the quality changed. I can barely drive the 99, it drives me nuts.
To each his own. Maybe your grandfather's truck needs some track bar work. My '01 is just as nice as an 01 GM or Ford, and I had the chance to compare it too. I personally think they got a lot nicer when they changed the interior and got rid of the chrome metal mirrors. I like the high back one piece seats in the late 2nd gens better than any other seat I have sat in, but I'm also 6'4" so the hi back really fits me well.
His is 2wd, no tracbar. And I'm talking alot more than just how it drives... The rattles, the radio, the steering, the brakes, the fit and finish of all the interior panels, etc.
I had a 2000 Dakota, which I think is the year Daimler influenced the design. There was a night and day difference between that truck and a 2000 1500 I borrowed as a loaner. The Dakota seemed tighter knit, no squeeks or rattles, handled well, great motor (4.7), etc. This implies to me that Daimler positively influenced the engineering of the big trucks later. Anyone know?
