I live in Calif. and just started looking at the 03 trucks. I test drove a 3500 SWD 4X4 long bed with an Auto Trans and a 2500 4x4 long bed 5 spd. They both were quad cabs. The specs I have found indicate the engines here have 235 hp and 460 pounds of tq. I would love the HO but will the difference be worth the risk of registration problems here in the land of eco-freaks? I have a brother that lives in Oregon so I may have some options. I don't plan to order mine for a few months.

 

I saw the photo of your new truck it looks great.<br><br>I guess it is the idea of not having the choice that drives me nuts. The HO has 305 hp over the 235 hp (+30%)and 555 lb of tq. to 460 lb.(+20%) I would also like the 6 speed. I will wait a while to see if anything changes. I am going out of state next month and I hope to drive an HO.<br><br>Thanks.

 

PHIL!<br><br>What are you doing yakking on here and not out fondling and driving your new baby?<br><br>I think I will sleep in mine the first night to let her know she is well loved ;D<br><br>Hunter

 

Be carefull if you use your brothers address the FINE if you get caught can be terrable and my buddy got caught with his motorhome within a year so they are watching my 2 cents worth.

 

Ya I know you are right. I hope Dodge and Calif. can figure out how to get the HO here. I can wait a while. :'( :'(

 

I think it's going to be available next year, after they put in EGR. I cannot confirm that though. Just another rumor.

 

[quote author=Hunter link=board=20;threadid=5676;start=0#50622 date=1034209996]<br>PHIL!<br><br>What are you doing yakking on here and not out fondling and driving your new baby?<br><br>I think I will sleep in mine the first night to let her know she is well loved ;D<br><br>Hunter<br>[/quote]<br><br>Careful, big guy. The CFO might decide that is a good place for you to stay. (Isn't that why we have a fiver???)

 

Read in the paper this week that the DOT (Feds) are going to challenge the Calif (Commiefornia) clean air act. They make the case that Federal regs preempt any state mandates. Makes sense, what if each state had their own silly rules, this could result in a 39, 16 or 23 state version. What a nightmare.<br><br>Lets hope the DOT prevails and forces Calif to go with the rest of the country for a change instead of the other way around. If that happens Dodge HO 6 spds will be available here, as they shoud be and specs will all be the same.<br><br>I'm rooting for the Feds.

 

Let's hope so. It sounds like the HO will be here 2004 or 2004.5. I just read about the new Ford deisel and it sounds like it has about the same performance as the HO and it is their standard model. It also passed Calif. specs. It comes with an Auto Trans that will compete with the Allison. That should put enough pressure on Dodge to do what they have to. I really like the Dodge but want the stock performance that competes with the other trucks.

 

RLS<br>Buy the truck under your brother's name. Register it to his addy with his name. Get insurance using same addy and name. Then drive it home. If anyone asks, he's on business trip and you're borrowing it. When you have 7500 miles, &quot;buy it&quot; from your brother.

 

I have looked into that. I may do it that way. I don't even think I have to buy it from him. I think I can just transfer it and save the sales tax(about $3,000). It's too bad Dodge and Calif. can't get things together.