OK folks, here it is.....

04.5 RAM 3500 4x4 Quad Cab SLT Long Box
Black w/Dark Slate Gray

Optional Equipment:
Premium Cloth 40/20/40 w/Power Drivers Seat
Light Group
Protection Group
Sport Appearance Group
Trailer Tow Group
Folding Flat Load Floor Storage
6spd Manual
Anti-Spin Differential
5.9 Cummins 600
Sliding Rear Window
Power Folding Trailer-Tow Mirrors
Engine Block Heater
AM/FM Stereo with 6-Disc CD changer
Infinity Speaker System
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Control
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
LT235/80R17E OWL On/Off-road Tires

I am able to draw some direct comparisons, since I drove my '00 2500 CTD/5spd SC/LB to Kellogg, ID and drove the new ride back.

RIDE:
I read somewhere that someone thought that the 2500's are set up to carry a load, whereas the 3500 is set up to tow. After my trip, I tend to agree. All the way up there I felt like I was bouncing around on the road the most of the trip. I have always felt like it rode much better when I was coming back from Home Depot with a load of rock, soil and lumber. On the way back, the 3500 felt much more controlled and refined. Don't get me wrong, it still bounced around, but not as much or as severely.

POWERTRAIN:
The 600/6Spd is a very nice combination. I never felt like the truck was lugging or lacking more power. The 5Spd always had a problem with the shift from 3rd to 4th, it always felt like the change was too severe and dropped the vehicle out of the optimum RPM range. The transmission is still a bit stiff when I shift, but I am sure that it will smooth out with more miles and shifting. I've got a build date of 6/04 on the engine, and the mileage on the way back was 14.3MPG. There was an upward trend on return trip, so I can see this will also improve over time.

INTERIOR:
Overall, I can't find much to complain about. I really like the adjustable headrests, since the old seats never supported me head or neck while I drove long distances. OK, one small complaint...the center console. I really think reducing the overall size of it was a mistake. I never could fit my laptop in the old one, but this new one is just a waste of space. It won't hold all of what my old one held, and that is a bit annoying. ;-) Load floor is going to be nice when I get to use it, but no chance yet. The rear underseat storage is nice, but my old behind the seat trays held more too. The sound out of the stereo seems to be much crisper, and the sound quality seems to be better too, at least to my ears. I like being able to load the disc's into the stereo head, vice a remote box. Also the steering wheel controls ROCK!!! Ok, another small b*tch...why aren't there mats for the rear seating area??

EXTERIOR:
I can't tell off the bat, but the paint seems to be a bit better. It looks like it may hold up better over time. The overall fit and finish seems to have improved over the years. I do have the gasket that is getting pinched in front of the drivers/front passenger doors. I know there is a TSB for this, but I'll let it tear before I take it in. I really like the step area on the front bumper, now I can stand on it instead of the tires <grin>.

I will be purchasing some Husky Liners for the front and rear in the near future, and I have an appointment for an OTR Line-X on Wednesday.

 

That's a sweet looking truck.

 

Very Nice I really Like the Black But I think I like My Red Better Check mine out in my photo gallery.



Big Ed

04 3500 Quad Cab SLT Laramie Flame Red 4x2 Four-Speed Auto trans.

 

Beautiful truck.

 

Just took ownership of mine last thursday and LOVE IT. Mine is almost like yours except I have the Patriot Blue and chrome everwhere.

 

Pretty truck. No hills in the background, close to the airfield?

 

AWSOME

 

Gorgeous truck stinger. Mine is the white sport, with a 48RE - other than that - we're the same.

Good taste.

 

No, about 300 yards from the beach!!

 

I have a little comparison also between 01 HO 3500 and 04.5 325 3500 both 4X4 and 6 speeds.

Engine: towing same 5er GCW 19000lb - 04.5 outpulls the 01 by a couple of shifts on same route, very impressive. 01 HO same trip does 2 mpg better and empty about 3 to 4 mpg better.

NV5600: 04.5 smoother than 01HO. But I think the HO runs 100 rpm less than the 04.5 at same speed.

Ride: 04.5 much smoother than 01 by far but the springs look the same as my 01 but may be 1" or 2" longer.

Steering: 04.5 I no longer appear to be a drunk behind the wheel.

 

Very nice truck.. Ive got a 2500 in a 6 spd, the 600 is a great motor, and the shifting will get smoother.. I got my truck with 24 miles on the clock, and shifting was tough at first, but it got better, and now its smooth as butter, Ive got about 2600 miles on the truck now. BEAUTIFUL truck.
Scott

 

Very nice! Mine realy is just like yours, even the color. I traded my '03 with the 48re after it (trany)blew up towing. The 6sp/600 combo is much better. BTW I am seeing 19 mpg combined city and highway. No mods.

 

I was pretty sure that it would, but it is still a bit of a b*tch. The last two mornings going to work, finding 5th has been an effort each time.

 

This is something that I am shooting for. But, to be honest, I'll be happy with about a combined 17. That is what I was getting on the Y2K, and it had two fewer wheels.

It is nice to see that some people get some really nice economy. I am glad to see that I am not part of the crappy economy crowd.

 

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET TRUCK!!!!!