Over lunch I went down to the Dodge dealer and test drove a '04 2500 SLT 4x4 QC HO/48RE truck. I have driven older 12V cummins motors, and a Duramax. I was amazed how good this truck was.

Power was there, right there, no wait like the 12V cummins had. Also since the motor doesn't rev much it was quicker than I first thought. I'd look down and be doing 60. Wow.

Quiet, no gear whine, like the Duramax I drove had. Shifts were firm, borderline harsh, but it was still a bit cold.

The interior was really nice. Nothing fancy, but comfortable.

There was more noise that I would have expected but it wasn't loud. Maybe the cooler temps? The engine was just starting to move the temp gauge when we ended the drive.

Ride was really good. Firm, but not harsh. The road was bumpy too. The steering was great as well. No wander over bumps like my Jeep had. Quick ratio, smaller than I expected turning radius, felt really good.

Sorry, these are all things you probably already knew. But the '04 really blew away my expectations. Then on my way out the dealer offered an OTD price on the thing that's ~1000 less than invoice (my reverse math), rebate taken into account.

 

Im scratching my head about this 16V you say youve driven... ??? To my knowledge, there is no such animal. Theres a 12V and a 24 V. The 03/04's are still 24V....

 

Sorry, an in-the-brain typo. Was thinking of the pre-ISB 12V motors. Many years back drove one, keeping in mind it would have been my daily ride I didn't find it to be responsive off the line. Sort of lurched into the intersection, then the boost built up and it started to accelerate. It took planning to pull into traffic with it.

The '04 was NOTHING like that. Didn't want to be abusive, but it was still impressive.

 

Me to doc i am rubbing my eyes

 

Sorry again for the typo guys. Tough crowd.

 

Steven

I bought my 03 cummins in dec 02. My brother in law drove mine a couple times and he bought one. His brother in law drove his and he ordered one , i think his is an 04 and he should have it by now. The moral of the story stay away from the cummins, or else you might be driving one.

 

Sorry Steven...didnt mean to come across as a know-it-all. Just sounded that way.

Are ya getting a 3 rd gen???

 

Our trucks are very loud when theyre cold and get very quite when they warm up.

 

Call me sick, but I wish mine would sound like it does cold all the time ;D. You should hear my rig w/ a cold start @ -10*.
Sounds like a 2nd gen ;D-Steve

 

Speaking from experience...If your talking about it, it's pretty certain, but if you've driven it....well let us know what color, etc. you get. You will not be disappointed.

 

I've got a stack of old TDR's from around '98 when I was looking at a CTD. I want a full sized pickup, and IMHO diesel makes sense. But I couldn't justify it in '98, nor in '01 when I drove the Duramax. The diesels continue to require fewer and fewer compromises. Important for a weenie like me who doesn't really "need" but more want's. Tho we have thought about a truck camper or RV trailer at some point.

The next car purchase comes up in the next year or two when my wife's Civic needs replacing. She'll get the explorer that she so loves, and I'll pick up a pickup. The Civic is a good car, and will probably now run forever. But we're at the point where each repair it needs makes us think. It's holding it's value pretty darn well too.

The offer the dealer threw on the table really has me thinking. It's not the right truck for what I'd want, but it's a really good deal @ ~33500 out the door. And yup, once you drive it, it's hard not to want it. Really floored by how good it was.

 

Steven, don't settle, get the exact truck you want! Unlike some vehicles, its relatively easy to get a good deal on these trucks. You can go to many dealers and pay dealer invoice minus incentives without much argument. Just my .02

 

I bought the exact truck I wanted for 3000 under invoice.
Shop around.

04Ram2500,HO,auto,4X4,Qcab,SB

 

I do think I'm going to order it, I'm really in no hurry to buy. Want to get past the holidays, recover from that. And I think I'm going to start driving the civic, get a better feel for how it's doing.

This truck was about a grand under invoice, plus another 2500 less than that (incentives). Good to know the deals are good. The truck was pretty basic. It didn't have the load floor, nor the towing mirrors. I know both could be added.

Curious about some options. I'd prefer not to just check all the boxes. But on the other hand many of the options seem helpful.

I know I'll want a 3500 SRW 4x4 SLT, graphite or silver, power bench seat, steel load floor, LSD, 3.73 gears, HO, 48RE. tow package, tow mirrors, off-road tires, protection group, security group, block heater, fog lamps, rear window defrost, light group, power pedals...

Anything there trouble prone?

What about:

- OEM stereos. The upgraded units are about $700, is the quality good? I prefer OEM stereos and would like the steering wheel controls. But the cost does seem high if it's not good quality.

- Aluminum wheels. I don't have a strong prefrence for these over the steel ones. Will one last longer? Is one lighter, maybe rides better or something? Or is it just a look thing?

- GPS Navigation. Normally I'm all over toys like this. But it's $900! How is the mopar unit? Anyone have it?

- Offroad group. Any good reason for this?

- Side airbags? Safety first right?

I'd plan on adding a spray in bedliner and aftermarket heated seats.

 

I think my truck is basically what yours is listed, except mine is black, sport package and 6 speed. I didn't get the offroad package though (b/c 4.10 gears). I rather have 3.73.

Stock radio is good enough for me...does the job. I'm sure the Infiinity is better, but not the $700 + better.

When this stock goes, I'll put something nicer in.

But I don't think you can get the steering wheel controls without the infinity upgrade though.

Boss