Well, Stud II went into service Sunday night. 1,300 mile turn, cold & snowy with a strong headwind going out empty. Returned with 8,500 lbs. behind me.
First, I have to say that I haven't been in anything newer than my 04.5, except an 06 HEMI rental for a week. So some of the things I mention might have already been available prior to the 07 model.
Secondly, I was definitely impressed with both the 6.7L & the 6spd. auto. I think Dodge might have gotten it right this time as the 6spd. auto with the driver selectable shift points is a great match for the 6.7L with 4:10 gears. Of course fuel mileage sucks right now. Best I could get empty was 13 m.p.g. hand calced & 9.5 m.p.g. coming home with the 8,500lbs. Have to get a few miles on him to loosen him up. 75m.p.h is right at 2,000 r.p.m's, the top of the efficiency power band. The truck ran consistently strong, out-performing my "screamer" 04.5. The tranny shifts are smooth and I just love the extra shift before the TQ locks up. Of course the exhaust brake was a kick, don't really need it but it was fun watching the looks from the 18 wheelers as they heard the brake kick in going down the hills on I80.
Thirdly, I think Dodge must be listening as quality inside the cab is very much improved. Very quiet compared to my 04.5. A lot less wind noise. See alot more weather stripping and sound insulation. Seats are more padded, harder & less sculpted than the 04.5. Took a little getting used to. My back didn't seem to hurt as quickly though. Also, something small but it appears someone is devoted to detail, the windshield wipers have a delayed response when using the windshield washers. This way the windshield actually gets wet all over before the wipers come up. Of course I had to pump the tires up as they only had 40 p.s.i. when I picked it up. Went over a couple of bridge expansion joints and thought I was going to get DW again. Pumped the fronts up to 60 p.s.i. and it rode a lot better. Have to get to the rears now.
Many other positive things I could mention. So, as I said earlier, at this time I am pleased with the new beast. We'll have to see about durability & reliability over the long haul. 2049 on the clock & heading for that magical 200k miles.

 

I got the same truck except black. I have found that I get the best milage if you always keep it in tow/haul. It doesn't lug the motor. Ive only put 670 on it so far

 

Well you guys get some mileage on those babys so I can get some more fuel milage figures!!

Congrats to both of you guys!!

 

Duckbill, I'm envious!! Once I decided to get a new truck we looked for over two weeks to get a black one. I first started out looking for an 07, 5.9. My only criteria was 5.9, 4:10 gears, Laramie with leather. Couldn't find one with the 5.9. So I said let's embrace the future and get the 6.7L. Still could not locate a black one. So, metalic silver it is. I guess it's growing on me. I did notice that my female friends and family members REALLY like the silver color. It's only for 2 years anyway as I will not try to take one of these trucks over 200K miles again. The money I put out in repairs from 200K to 330K on my 04.5 could've made a very healthy down payment on this one. Good luck with yours.

 

That is funny because I was looking for silver and settled for black. More options than I was lookiking for as well. Mine has the NAV, sunroof, leather,dual climate,step bars etc.

 

You guys oughta trade trucks!

 

Scott - I will be looking for Stud II in June, I will be in the Pottstown area, I have family there.

 

I was thinking the same thing!! Trade now before you put to many miles on them.

 

Probably too late to trade. Got 3,500 miles on him already and only had him for 6 days. By next week he'll be up in the 6,000 range.

Truckman - hey let me know when you're here. If I'm home we can trade road war stories!!

 

Hi all, just want to add my experience today.

My dealer had a 3500QC 4x4 SRW 6.7 & 6 speed auto, Laramie in gorgeous Red sitting in the lot.

First off I drive way too fast all the time, but mine is a 2wd.

Very impressed like all others with fit & finish and both Cummins and auto. This thing had only 30km on it when I got the keys. 2 hours later it had a lot more km's on it. Smooth shifting and very quick, maybe quicker than my 04 (with a chip). Cruising at 2000rpm put you at 125 km / hour, very nice. Top speed was 170km/hr, maybe only 168, but that was at 2700rpm only. I felt the fuel supply was restricted.

Since I drive my 6 speed daily and have done so for 450000km by now, I am not used to a 6 speed. But I would by this one.

Really liked the + & - on the shift lever.


Oh yes, this one was $67+ CDN.



Nice and quiet ride but a noticable sunroof whistle started at around 140km/hr.

 

took mine on a 1500 mile trip to big bend this weekend, ran good, except for a scary spell about 30 miles west of fort davis..... truck was bucking like a bronco, idle was terrible, like it wanted to stall.... nursed it back to town and ate lunch, made a few calls and found the drain off valve.... drained some water out from the separator When fueling in fort stockton, stay near the freeway... got 13.0 mpg for that tank.... other two tanks averaged 14.5 and one got 16.6. The exhaust brake was pretty nice riding down the mountains out there.