My first post here,so a big howdy to all you Cummins lovers.I am thinking about trading off my ford V-10 crew-cab 4x4,the mileage aint getting any better what with these California gas prices and all.Test drove a 03' quad cab 2500 5 speed the other day and it felt pretty decent.My only concern is that now all they have in an 03' is the slush box and im a little concerned about it after reading some of the shuddering and hunting posts.I dont tow a heck of a lot but when i do its only about #9000.I want the best fuel economy i can get,and i am not sure about this combination for mileage and towing.Wondering if i should see another dealer for the 5-spd or just sit tight till 2004.5 for the H.O. and a six shooter.All replies appreciated.

 

If you are in California you are not going to get a HO. :'(
The only CTD you can buy there is the SO (Cali) @ 235 hp.

 

Yup,maybe so Supergewl,we will see.Looks like you have an early '03 since you have a 47 re with your S.O.Did you relocate from Cali to Oregon?Just wondering as you show the Cali version S.O. in your sig.Not that i am without options though,i have my father who lives in Nevada,and my father in law who lives in Oregon,and there seems to be plenty of H.O.'s in stock there.I just need to figure out the D.M.V. issues before i dive in.

 

Fencebuilder....I have a SO 47re low perfomance,california smog nazied truck and it pulls my toyhauler(which is for sale I might add) holds my Jeep, kids, dog and all the rest of the stuff and weighs 15klbs loaded...no issues...I too was leaning on purchasing out of state (relatives in texas) HO but didnt want to drive around calif with Texas plates and a cali drivers license..could be hassled if pulled over...(Nevada wouldnt be so bad as it borders calif)...you WILL like the truck check that LOVE the truck no matter which flavor you choose...I came from the PSD side and never looked back...these 3rd gen truck are WAY better in quality overall(IMHO) than previous models.....and the brakes!!!...PERFECT..no fade no shimmy perfect pedal feel,,very nice...
ok i am done! ;D

 

I test drove all sorts of powerstrokes and CTD's before I purchased mine. They were all auto's. I didn't like the hunting that they seemed to do. In OD, out of OD, in OD, yada yada yada. The Dodge seemed to be worse.

One test drive in that Patriot Blue HO 2500 6-shooter sold me; I bought it.

Now if you've got a lot of stop and go city driving, or maybe a young lady driving partner who doesn't like sticks, I'd look closer at an auto. At the time, Dodge only offered the 47RE; maybe the 48 is better.

Remember, its your payments; it boils down to buy what'll keep that smile on your face when you drive it. 11 payments later, mine still makes me smile.

 

[quote author=bulabula link=board=20;threadid=20416;start=0#msg191815 date=1065105391]
One test drive in that Patriot Blue HO 2500 6-shooter sold me; I bought it.[/quote]

I couldn't agree more myself. I am very happy with my 6spd. The NV5600 is a very nice tranny. Another note worth mentioning, is that this is a very forgiving vehicle to drive in stop and go traffic, even with a manual. You just let up on the clutch and the Cummins pulls you right along without touching the go pedal. You can creep just like the big rigs!

 

[quote author=ck1 link=board=20;threadid=20416;start=0#msg191804 date=1065103581]
Fencebuilder....I have a SO 47re low perfomance,california smog nazied truck and it pulls my toyhauler(which is for sale I might add) holds my Jeep, kids, dog and all the rest of the stuff and weighs 15klbs loaded...no issues...I too was leaning on purchasing out of state (relatives in texas) HO but didnt want to drive around calif with Texas plates and a cali drivers license..could be hassled if pulled over...(Nevada wouldnt be so bad as it borders calif)...you WILL like the truck check that LOVE the truck no matter which flavor you choose...I came from the PSD side and never looked back...these 3rd gen truck are WAY better in quality overall(IMHO) than previous models.....and the brakes!!!...PERFECT..no fade no shimmy perfect pedal feel,,very nice...
ok i am done! ;D

[/quote]Sounds like you got a good one there CK1.I tpp had a PSD a few years back (1997) and it was a strong unit after the bombing,but it rode worse than a lumber wagon.Im thinking about heading to Reno this weekend (-; for a little truck shopping,er gambling er,uh well just ferger it! .Thanks for the input.

 

[quote author=bulabula link=board=20;threadid=20416;start=0#msg191815 date=1065105391]
I test drove all sorts of powerstrokes and CTD's before I purchased mine. They were all auto's. I didn't like the hunting that they seemed to do. In OD, out of OD, in OD, yada yada yada. The Dodge seemed to be worse.

One test drive in that Patriot Blue HO 2500 6-shooter sold me; I bought it.

Now if you've got a lot of stop and go city driving, or maybe a young lady driving partner who doesn't like sticks, I'd look closer at an auto. At the time, Dodge only offered the 47RE; maybe the 48 is better.

Remember, its your payments; it boils down to buy what'll keep that smile on your face when you drive it. 11 payments later, mine still makes me smile.
[/quote]The Auto in any brand just dosent seem like a more than 50/50 chance at getting a turd.Hard to argue with the logic of the six-shooter,especially when it costs less.I hear the 48re is a better unit and has a taller final drive ratio,but the sixer is sooo simple and i would think a bit more receptive to bombing too,did i mention it costs less?I hear when shifted 2-4-6 its even easier to drive,did i mention it costs less?(-;

 

Looks like i am going to wait,as i got it from a reliable source that the 50 state H.O. IS a reality and we should see them arriving Feb of '04.Made my decision much easier.