What is up with this ??? I (finally) crawled under Smoke today just to say hello. I was greated by a bright orange driveshaft and trans case &gt;:( I really don't remember any other vehicle having that much rust on the driveshaft. I realize the trans case is case iron but so is the engine block and its not rusty. What gives? Is this a Florida only problem or what?<br><br>The Boss Hog<br>rusting away in Florida

Florida my foot. &gt;:( Imagine what is happening up north with the salt all over the roads. [yuk]<br><br>I was a little surprised when I crawled under mine. You would think they could shoot those parts with a good self-healing type coating to protect them. I don't want those gators getting a bad opinion of the White Ghost when they wander under my baby. JMHO, whatever that is worth. ???<br><br>ConcernedBob<br><br>

It's all in your perspective, my friends. ;D<br><br>What you consider to be rust, Dodge considers to be a patina - a lovely natural coating appearing as the metal matures.<br><br>Dodge, and many other vehicle makers, claim the rust is merely a cosmetic issue and will not weaken the thick parts in question.<br><br>This free therapy and information is provided as a public service by Utah Bill. Any similarity between thoughts expressed and reality are most likely due to coincidence.<br><br>Best to y'all<br>Bill :)

Bill: [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Utah,<br> Let me guess, in 1965 you owned a lovely 1957 VW bus painted a light green with big red and yellow flowers painted on it by someone named &quot;April Rain&quot;. ;D Am I close? Do you still have it? Mine has patina'ed so much that it is now just a orange spot in the back yard :(<br><br>Peace and Love . . . :-* :-*<br><br>The Gentle Hog<br>(lost in the 60's)

Well Well. Looks like another thing that I have to look for prior to turning over my money.

The list keeps growing.

Let's see now
Front driver seat
Cost of exhaust brake increase
Hitch availability
Lube levels
Frame durability
Box not on straight
Rear of my RV pin hitting the tailgate when slider engaged
Paint too thin
Mystery dash warning lights that have no rhyme or reason for lighting up for 1/2 of a second then going out.
The overhead computer shows -- from time to time.
Rust

What have I forgotten?

Kenr,<br> You forgot to add mystery dash warning lights that have no rhyme or reason for lighting up for 1/2 of a second then going out.

So added. Look again.<br><br>The list gets longer. :D :D

KenR.......please explain the frame durability issue. Mine's started to squeak a little. ???

<br>KenR.......please explain the frame durability issue. Mine's started to squeak a little. ???<br><br><br>Squeak. I didn't know about that one. :o I won't add that to the list until I find out more about it. Tell us about it.<br><br>The frame durability issue is an unknown factor to me. None of us know what is down the road concerning this new frame. Dodge says it is stronger. I say it is cheaper to build that is the reason for them selecting it. How do you straighten it in an accident? There is just a lot we don't know.

hey kenr, for what it is worth, mine is running like a champ no skwaks at all and according to friends and family i am a very, very picky person. could not be happier. ;D

hey kenr, for what it is worth, mine is running like a champ no skwaks at all and according to friends and family i am a very, very picky person. could not be happier. ;D


That's super and I am happy for you. I also know without a doubt you are not the only one that is happy. Also keep in mind that I am also just having some fun at the same time chasing this thing. If you don't investigate, you might be sorry.

I am not trying to down the Dodge because I am a loyal owner but I read so much negative stuff from these forums you can start getting gun shy.

I have owned the 1989 (Diesel); the 1994 Dodge V10 (was a Lemon and re-purchased by Dodge), the 1996 Diesel that I currently have and have been satisfied other than the V10 problem. I am not buying the Dodge, I am buying the Cummins.

I am having a lot of problems over coming the short bed limitation/hitch install problems that was caused by DC, first by creating the short-short bed, secondly, not issuing guidelines for installing hitches. Also the exhaust brake price increase that came out of nowhere, plus no one at DC will tell you if the 48Re will take the exhaust brake. They just don't talk to their customers.

Lastly, I am just collecting a list of thing that I need to be looking for for my PDI and again, having fun doing it.
:D ;) :)

I am happy with mine. My truck pulls my trailer with ease, it is a trailer pulling machine no doubt about that at all.
I think humorous gripes about the nit picks on a truck are a fine way to deal with them. If every new truck buyer came in to the dealership with a list of concerns based on current owners comments that would be a good thing for all of us.
I would have hated to be the guy that figured out about the short bed and a sliding hitch. That would have been awful to find out after setting everything up.
Randy

See what I mean, a lot of individuals are happy with the truck. No doubt about it.<br><br>Still you have to approach anything you purchase with &quot;Buyer, Beware&quot;. Each person's approach and way to deal with it is different.<br><br>I have ordered the Short Bed and am finding out with my investigation and my situation (my rig setup) I will probably hit the tailgate when the slider is activated by one inch. There are ways to solve the problem but as least I know going in what I am faced with. This does not mean that everyone will be faced with the problem. It depends on your RV's extended pin. When I ordered it I was not aware of that.

KenR, you mentioned Daimler-Chrysler unwillingness to &quot;talk to their customers&quot;. How true. I have asked several questions of Dodge Canada and rarely do I get an answer; they hide behind their dealers &gt;:(. I get told over and over to contact &quot;one of the members of our highly skilled and knowledgable dealership network&quot; [yuk]. Sorry DC, I cannot begin to compare the amount of knowledge on this forum to that of any &quot;5 star&quot; dealer to which I have spoken. By the way, do any non-5-star dealerships exist?

Right on dealseeker. <br><br>I got on the chat line at the DC web site and ask them the question about the exhaust brake and the 48RE and they referred me to the dealer for the answer. The dealer certainly does not know. At this time, it appears no one knows.<br><br>You are also correct about all the 5-stars around. The only 5-stars around that deserve it are the senior members of the forums. They have more knowledge of the vehicles then DC has.<br><br>By the way, isn't this just the greatest forum. We are all sharing ideas, helping others, gaining knowledge and having the best times of our life doing it. At least for me that is true.

Ken &amp; Deal,<br> Just for the record, it is possible for a dealership to lose its 5-star rating. I was lucky enough to order my truck from one that lost their 5-star after I ordered the truck. They are also the one's who put 10W30 in my truck &gt;:( <br> Also for the record, I am VERY happy with my truck even with its rusty drive shaft ;D. If I had it to over again, I would buy the exact same truck again but just from a different dealer.<br><br>The Boss Hog<br>still looking for a knowledgeable dealer

KENR<br><br>Add to your list the overhead computer shows -- from time to time. ::)

;D Cummins clear coats the engines before they are shipped to Chrysler. That's why you don't see reust on the block. In earlier years they were painted black, but for 2003 Chrysler wanted the clear coat instead. Actually, I like the looks of the clear coated engines.

I wondered the same thing about the rusty transmission and driveshaft when I took delivery of mine. It amazed me how it could be built and arrive at the dealership in less than a month and already have the rusty parts. Could this be the rainy season in Mexico and are they storing the drive train parts outside? ::)

Any unpainted metal will rust in a heartbeat. I threw on a couple of cans of rustoleum and now it looks fine. Jeff

back to the rust topic....<br><br>I looked under my '03 today to see what it looked like. I've had it about 1.5 mo. now &amp; it still looks like it came from the factory, all shiny, no rust on the drive shaft or trans. or anything else.<br><br><br>I guess it has to do with the fact that we haven't had any moisture on the roads since I got it except for the 2 weeks we were out of town. That 10% humidity really keeps even cast iron from rusting very fast. I'm sure those of you along the costal parts of the US really get hammered with surface rust.<br><br>I think I will clean everything off and do a quick spray job with high temp clear to at least the drive shaft &amp; trans. to keep it that way.<br><br>Kris

KenR question?? Why do you think a boxed and hydroformed frame is weaker than last years??????????????<br>IMHO a boxed frame is much better than a open frame and hydro forming is not a cheap process and is a better method of frame bending than using a hydraulic press. I really believe that you got bad info on this.

Hi BYURAM. <br>I never said it was weaker. This is what I said.<br><br>&quot;The frame durability issue is an unknown factor to me. None of us know what is down the road concerning this new frame. Dodge says it is stronger. I say it is cheaper to build that is the reason for them selecting it. How do you straighten it in an accident? There is just a lot we don't know&quot;.<br><br>My big concern with it is, I don't understand why the big problem exist that prevents drilling the frame on the top and bottom and this is what clouds the issue in my mind.<br><br>My mind is not closed to learning more about it. 8)

:o Frames are made to perform at a spec. for load factors.<br>If you drill holes you have made changes to that spec.<br>Hole drilling can also cause damage :'( to the frame and let cracks form. :'( You and I both know that no one ever overloads there trucks-Right ???<br>Holes can be drilled if it is done properly. ;D

KenR You are avoiding my question. You said it was cheaper for DC to build this frame. On what basis do you make this claim?? What is your fabrication background to make such unfounded statements.<br>Drilling holes is a separate issue. You can see the same disclaimer on any 18 wheel tractor frame.<br>I am sorry but I strongily feel that you are making a false statement about cheap frames.

Ken,<br><br>You need to look at the engineering aspect of a frame. The major stress is on the top and bottom of the frame. The deeper the frame, the stronger, but don't drill the top or bottom. Simple stress problem. Hydro frames are repaired in accidents by replacement of sections. The cost of the equipment to hydro form a frame is quite expensive, but produces a stronger frame yet lighter in weight. The best of both worlds.<br><br>Bob

My big concern with it is, I don't understand why the big problem exist that prevents drilling the frame on the top and bottom and this is what clouds the issue in my mind.

You should never drill or weld to the flanges on a frame rail, even on a class 8 truck with 110,000 psi frame rails. On a truck frame the flanges (top and bottom) are either in tension or compression so anything that would alter the composition of the metal (holes or temper changes caused by the heat of welding) would be bad. This is by no means exclusive to Dodge or hydroformed frames. This is especially true of any frame whose primary member is an open shape like I beam or C channel. There are specifications that allow drilling and welding to the web.

Cheers

<br>KenR You are avoiding my question. You said it was cheaper for DC to build this frame. On what basis do you make this claim?? What is your fabrication background to make such unfounded statements.<br>Drilling holes is a separate issue. You can see the same disclaimer on any 18 wheel tractor frame.<br>I am sorry but I strongily feel that you are making a false statement about cheap frames.<br><br><br>Hi again BYRAM<br><br>I certainly have not avoided anything. Your originally question was &quot;Why do I think the frame is weaker, etc.&quot;. My answer was &quot;The durability issue is an unknown issue to me, etc. and never did I say it was weaker&quot;.<br><br>Your second question was &quot;I said it was cheaper for DC to build this frame&quot;. What is wrong with that statement. Never have I said that the frame is weak or cheap. I think that companies look for ways to increase their bottom line.&quot;. If they didn't they would not remain in business very long. That's my opinion. Frequently, companies charge extra for items that were included the previous year. One example that comes to mind is the Upgrade interior seats. I was told by my dealer that the flat-floor was included last year and now it is $100 extra. Last years LE model becomes a CE and the LE becomes the XLE. <br><br>You are saying that the building process of this frame is not a cheap process. I will respect your statement. Your last statement in the first paragraph was not called for. As I said earlier &quot;My mind is not closed to learning more about it&quot;. Enough said.<br><br>FIVER BOB, BRDIESEL and Nevada. I hope I did not leave anyone out.<br><br>So noted. Thanks for your input. I am still open to learning.<br><br>The checklist was really started as a joke by me after the rust was reported. My early on statement was &quot;Also keep in mind that I am also just having fun at the same time chasing this thing&quot;. I certainly don't have any intentions of ruffle any feathers.. <br><br> :) ;) ;D 8)

Hi KenR:<br><br>As a fellow gulf coasty, have you done anything to your rig to combat rust? I'd hate for my truck to rust away from the engine.

<br>Well Well. Looks like another thing that I have to look for prior to turning over my money.<br><br>The list keeps growing.<br><br>Let's see now<br>Front driver seat<br>Cost of exhaust brake increase<br>Hitch availability<br>Lube levels<br>Frame durability<br>Box not on straight<br>Rear of my RV pin hitting the tailgate when slider engaged<br>Paint too thin<br>Mystery dash warning lights that have no rhyme or reason for lighting up for 1/2 of a second then going out. <br>The overhead computer shows -- from time to time. <br>Rust<br><br>What have I forgotten?<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Yep lemme see:<br>all little chicken s*it problems (if u call any ofthem problems)<br><br>Powerstroke list:<br><br>Injectors bad putting fuel in crankcase (love to see those bearings in 50k)<br>Oil leaks<br>Romp Romp<br>Stalling at lights<br>Quiting at side of the road<br>No dealer/Ford cooperation in fixing these trucks (at the dealers for weeks straight)<br>wrong dipstick in tranny causing overfilling and [yuk]ing on the floor<br>ICP (whatever that is) should buy a case you will need them<br>Dodge &quot;problems&quot;<br>Hitch availability is fixed (pullrite)<br>Exhaust brake I agree is a kick in the pocketbook<br>Lube levels PDI<br>Box alignment PDI<br>Frame durablility-gimmie a break-no its terribly weak-better go buy a Freightliner FL50<br>Pin hitting your tailgate-well be careful then ;)<br>Paint too thin ???<br>Dash lights going on-yep better cancel the order<br>The overhead computer-just a gaget anyway [eyecrazy]<br>Rust on the driveshaft-ahh yeah okay :'(<br>What have you forgotten? To relax and enjoy the truck. Best one out there right now. <br>Oh yeah here catch, its a grain of salt [laugh] [laugh]<br><br>

[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] Spots - Great Post -- ROTFLMAO - So True [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Rust on the driveshaft? [laugh]

Post this over at the Ford 6.0 forums as the new Dodge's worst problem, and then watch 'em :'( . Come to think of it, post any of the issues mentioned here, over there, and watch 'em [yuk] .

. . . . rust on the driveshaft. . . . :P

I've said it all along: the new Dodge trucks look like German sports trucks made by Mercedes Benz. You guys are proving it by acting like new Mercedes owners. (And the new trucks were just starting to grow on me. . . . )

GP ;)

<br>What is up with this ??? I (finally) crawled under Smoke today just to say hello. I was greated by a bright orange driveshaft and trans case &gt;:( I really don't remember any other vehicle having that much rust on the driveshaft. I realize the trans case is case iron but so is the engine block and its not rusty. What gives? Is this a Florida only problem or what?<br><br>The Boss Hog<br>rusting away in Florida<br>My truck has this exact same thing, and I took it in to Dodge because it looked pretty bad to me, but they said it was normal and they are not going to do anything about it. I even took it to the service manager and he told me the same thing. Mike

Man Does my 100,000 Mile bumper to bumper sound good or what. ;)Thats when I'll start to worry.

Man Does my 100,000 Mile bumper to bumper sound good or what. ;)Thats when I'll start to worry.


I think you may be a little confused about your warranty [eyecrazy].That is unless you got an extended warranty that you payed $$$ for.

My truck is 3yr/36,000 bumper to bumper with 7yr/70,000 powertrain and 7yr/100,000 for the Cummins. Which compared to other truck brands is SWEET ;D.

If you did get 100,000 mile bumper to bumper for no $$$$ then you are a lucky dude.

Mine had rust the day i picked it up... i didnt like it, but i didnt really think anything of it ::)

KenR,<br><br>What is the problem with the front seat ?<br><br>And I'll add one to your list !!! How about build the dam truck and ship it in a reasonable amount of time !!!!!!<br><br>Still waiting...lost all sense of patients ! <br><br>

Wow the warranty in Canada from Dodge is 7 years or 115000km which I think is about 70000 miles.
Then the Cummins warranty on top of it.

I think the warranty is 36/60 in Canada, 7 years/115kms powertrain and 7/160 Cummins with a deductable of 100.00<br>Brakes (including rotors) are covered 1 year 20,000kms.<br>HTH

Going to Kellogg, Idaho to pick up my new truck and found out I can't take spray cans on the plane. Oh well have to find Wally World some where in my travels.<br>Phil