Gotta come clean...I used to one of those guys that would never own one of those "clattering diesels". I happened upon a 97 Powerstroke at an auction which I "accidently" purchased for my work fleet. Oh man...could that thing pull! The problem is the "F" word printed on the hood and tailgate, as I ride for the brand (See profile). As soon as I thought I had the means I went to my friendly Dodge dealer and drove one with the HO. As I suspected, I was infinately pleased, had to have one....I am rambling here, but I have to do something to somehow be involved until mine gets here...the wife and kids have said they are sick and tired of looking at pictures, listeneing to stories about "The mayor of truckville", slowing down and paying homage to Dodge Ram billboards, hearing the technicle specs of the the new HO, etc. etc...

 

Sounds like me! I have a stack of magazines, brochures, catalogs, computer wallpaper, even a wave file sound recording of the diesel turbo on my PC!! I had been wanting one for about 5 years, and in 2001 I almost bought one, but a friend who works for DC (electrical designers for the cab interior) told me about the plans for the 4 door QC, so I waited 3 more years. I leaned toward a full CC Ford at first (3 yrs seemed long), but with my experience with a Ford minivan and station wagon from Ford I decided to wait. Yes, I almost bought a Chevy too [undecided], but getting on this forum helped me make the right decision (not that most on this site are biased toward Dodge ) <br> I finally got one about two months ago, and everytime I get in it I get a big grin on my face ;D<br>Sometimes I start the engine and walk over to the exhaust to listen to that sweet diesel tune. OK, I admit I might be a little too carried away with this truck. I have to be really careful sometime, because my wife seems to think she now has the truck to compete against. <br>So far I've been lucky and haven't had ANY of the problems that some of the people are talking about. I also paid a $1000 under invoice for mine. ;D (not including the rebates) ...that' another long story.

 

Old School,<br>You poor baby - - you got it bad. And there is no shot for it, other than the fumes of diesel coming from a Cummins - - the PS just doesn't get it. If the fever gets too high, the only temporary cure is to go down to the Dodge dealer and pet a few gorgeous trucks. Soon as the fever is down and you won't hurt the wifey and kids, go home, take a cold shower and go to bed. Hide under the covers and giggle. <br><br>Welcome to the site. There are a bunch of sickies on this site who can help calm you - - at least they will understand your problem and not hassle you. Have fun.<br><br>HaveNewTruckAndNowWellBob

 

(Picture: A group of people sitting in circle on folding chairs, I<br>proceed to stand up) &quot;Hello everyone, my name is Jim and I have a Cummins diesel addiction :P&quot;<br><br>I have only had this truck a week and it is simply awesome. It feels so powerful its like getting a piggyback ride on Godzilla! But yes, the waiting is the hardest part. Before my truck arrived, my wife was starting to develop a thousand yard stare from me going on and on about my ordered truck.

 

;D How bout this one. I kept telling my wife my 2000 C***Y 4X4 little gas burner was knocking and had metal flakes in the oil and didn't want to pay for new motor for it and told her i was sick of gas rides and SHE tells me go get what you want so this is what I got (Check Sig.) Pretty Good Wife I have to say.

 

It doesnt end when your truck gets in. Then you get to bore everyone with how great your truck is. Not to mention all those pretty, at least in a Tim Allen sort of way, accessories that have to be bought. Quite a few people will get bored hearing about those. Then you will go to a dyno day somewhere and take a spin in somebodys bombed truck and decide you need more power. Having got more power you will bore everyone telling them about how much power you have...

 

Old School,<br><br> Just to help you out------- I picked mine up today in Worland. Fuel computer said 18.5 in the 100 mile drive over to Buffalo. If that turns out to be accurate, I'll be tickled. From the flats up to the pass at 9,600 feet and back down. I can't believe the power this truck has!<br><br> This is my first diesel ever and first manual transmission in a truck in 20 years. My last two rigs had auto transmission problems. My latest pickup, a 2001 1/2 ton GMC 5.3 V8 with 30,000 miles, has never seemed to shift right. But, if it doesn't throw a code, the dealer can't tell there is anything wrong. So, I thought I'd give the 6 speed a try.<br> The Dodge drives so much better than the GMC Smoother. Handles potholes, auto gates, etc. much better. I can't believe a 3/4 ton can ride this nice. I told my wife I was going to sleep in it tonight<br><br>Bob<br><br>Bob<br>

 

I was the same way. First test drove a 3500 SWB QC SLT HO/6spd back in October and had the wants ever since. Drove my wife crazy! About 4 weeks ago my wife said she will divorce me if I didn't buy the Dodge like right now! So I went looking and bought one the same day. ;D <br><br>MikeyB

 

Ahh yes, the fond memories of waitin' for my baby to arrive. Spending all my hours on the net, stroking the glossy brochures and magazines, drooling so much that I could've put a St. Bernard to shame, and the dreams ... waking up all giddy like a kid on christmas morning!<br><br>But now it's here and I can't drive it enough ... I still feel like a kid on christmas morning that got the biggest best present in town! ;D

 

[quote author=crabman link=board=17;threadid=14266;start=0#134189 date=1051850078]<br>It doesnt end when your truck gets in. Then you get to bore everyone with how great your truck is. Not to mention all those pretty, at least in a Tim Allen sort of way, accessories that have to be bought. Quite a few people will get bored hearing about those. Then you will go to a dyno day somewhere and take a spin in somebodys bombed truck and decide you need more power. Having got more power you will bore everyone telling them about how much power you have...<br>[/quote]<br><br>DON'T drive a truck that has been bombed. You will lose it. Sleeping in the truck with nothing to eat or drink. Your family moved you to the garage because of you constaint ramblings. It aint pretty man. :<br>DM01

 

Old School, welcome to the CTD anonymous club. HaveNewTruckAndNowWellBob is correct about the temporary fever cure. An occasional &quot;test drive&quot; during those petting sessions will help as well. It can get worse, though, if you have to sit in an office all day and don't get enough daily driving fixes for the ongoing addiction!! It is deprivation syndrome, man; seeing the truck parked in the lot (or just thinking aboutit) and not being able to go drive it some more... <br><br>You will love it when you get it. Enjoy.

 

Many of the cars and pickups around where I live are of the smaller Japanese or German variety. My Ram towers above most them. My wife says they feel threatened when I come up behind them and move over quickly. An American friend down here tells me that my truck &quot;makes a statement&quot;. All part of the package of enjoying my truck. ;D<br>Some bombing coming next month or if the parts arrive early, maybe later this month.<br>Nearly hit one of the rice buckets a few days ago when a female driver driving on my right suddenly turned left in front of me. For the first time I used my brakes to the maximum!Was surprised as I hardly heard the tires but sure felt that pedal pulse! This car was so close that more than half of the car disappeared from view in front of me. I was braced for the impact. &gt;<br>In short, love my Ram!! Love to drive it!! Best truck I ever owned, although my old Dakota with the large V8 and 5 speed was close.

 

Can a woman throw her 2 cents in here? My hubby is mechanically retarded, so I am on my own here. I was definitely a daddy's girl growing up. My Dad used to drive for Standard oil, retired with them and went on to long-haul driving for a good number of years. My best childhood memories are shifting that big ol' beast for my Dad, the smell of diesel, and hanging out in the sleeper while cruising down the road. I loved the truck, the road, even the truck stops. Even had my own CB handle and got to be quite infamous on some of our routes. I spent every summer I can remember, until high school, on the road! I vividly remember the first few drives in his fresh off the line Peterbilt ;D ;D<br><br>Long story short, FINALLY traded up my girlie Durango for a 2003 HO 6-speed. Every time I start her up I smile from ear to ear and think of my Dad, now long gone. Don't even get me started on the smell, sound, and &quot;vibe&quot;, not to mention being the biggest, toughest &quot;girl&quot; on the road. Although, I have to say in Alaska there are a lot of women driving Dodge diesels. And my husband isn't passing on the legacy, so I have to step up for my 3-year-old son. He too will have the bug ingrained in his genes and grow up knowing if you're going to drive a truck it has to be a diesel. I've already told my husband that when our son is grown and gone I'm getting my commercial license and taking to the open road behind the wheel of a big rig. For now, I'll settle for my Ram.<br><br>Like my Dad used to say &quot;Cover me. I'm changing lanes.&quot;<br><br>See ya on the road!<br><br>

 

[quote author=BigMama link=board=17;threadid=14266;start=0#134837 date=1052077055]<br>Can a woman throw her 2 cents in here? My hubby is mechanically retarded, so I am on my own here. <br><br> Don't even get me started on the smell, sound, and &quot;vibe&quot;, not to mention being the biggest, toughest &quot;girl&quot; on the road. <br><br><br>[/quote]<br><br>Hey cool a (deleted before the moderators got to it) who likes diesel trucks. Welcome to the board. Glad you like your truck. Reading your post reminded me of when I was working for F*rd. The POS Contour came out with the 4 cyl engine. They had a brutal vibration in drive at a stop light. I was in the service area one day and a lady brought her car in for one of the many recalls those cars had. She mentioned the vibration at idle and said &quot;don't you dare fix it either&quot;. She wasn't kidding....<br>Oh BTW nice comment on the hubby...