My truck is at the dealer. 2 months and 2 days from order.

Here's the question: What should I check out before taking delivery? I want to make DARN SURE this is not one of the low-mileage trucks so I'll be checking the MPG on the overhead on the test drive. Can anyone recommend techniques that are reasonably accurate?

It is a 6 speed quad cab long bed 3500 SRW. Its an SLT with the Sport trim.. It's 2 wheel drive and has the anti-spin. I also has the trailer tow gp, security gp, load floor, aluminum wheels, light gp and the electric seat!

What noises should I listen for? What are the bad sounds to watch out for. (I'm hoping to hear the sound of a popcorn popper.)

Anything I need to look at carefully?

Thanks in advance!

 

1) You have the longbed and 2wd so you probably won't have the vibe. But, to be sure, take it out on the hwy and listen and feel at about 65mph-80mph for vibration/drone.

2) Cab smell - you'll probably have it when it's new. Mine is gone now and it only has about 1500 mi. You get it when the recirc is set to outside air - usually sitting in one place.

3) MPG is a crapshoot. No one has proven that the newer ones are better. My engine is a 3/10/04 build and it's not very good (13.4 city/16.4 hwy) compared to what others are reporting. To check on a test drive will be hard. Take it out to the hwy if you can and reset the overhead when you reach cruising speed. Then watch it and take it for what it's worth. You have the 6spd and 2wd so yours should theoretically be better.

4) Rear end howl - I don't have this so I can't comment on when it comes on but the test in (1) above should reveal it if you have it.

I can't think of anything else. The list is nice and short compared to the other two mfrs.

Just enjoy the new ride!

Neil

 

Truck might pull to the right a little... I know my truck is different from yours... My 2 cents.
Enjoy!!!

Jamie

 

Well it's sitting in the driveway now. (Got the puppy-dog close going on. )

It's a nice ride!

It's showing 16.6 at 65 on cruise and 15.6 at 70 on cruise on flat freeway. Overhead says 13.3 at the moment after driving it home. I'm taking it into town and back tonight. ~50 miles RT. I'll see where the average goes.

Nothing vibes, rumbles, rattles, squeaks or hums yet... ;-)
The roof lights look good.

Is it me or does this thing seem to stumble when I go to half throttle entering the freeway? Probably me. I'll have to get used to it I guess. More later after some grinnin'

Dave.

 

drive it watch the overhead for a little while just to see what the truck wants to run at don't get parinoid over low numbers after this point leave the overhead alone and drive 4-500 miles before looking at it should make you happier most important get it a good amount of work in the first couple thousand miles enjoy

 

Sounds exactly like mine. We're told that it will improve over the first 20kmi. I don't have the stumble. Maybe it's turbo lag you're feeling. Congrats on the ride. The more you drive it, the more you'll like it.

Neil

 

you got 1 of the best trucks out there for as dependability, it will get better with time and miles drive it like you stole it work that motor after all it is a true diesel motor tough and rugged.

 

I know that my 04.5 2500 4x4 LB quad cab 6 spd is reading about 15.5 mpg with mixed city and fwy driving.. I like that.. and can only see it getting better..
Scott

 

Check your power windows. Lots of complaints about them going up & down very slowly.

 

Just got back from my first highway trip. On the way back I set the cruise at 55 and reset the overhead. (Rural divided hiway, gentle hills.) 20.3MPG avg after about 30 miles. Upped to 65 reset and got... 20.3 mpg after about 30 miles. Upped it to 70, reset, and showed 18.5 after about 40 miles.

If the readout is anywhere near accurate, I am not complaining. Right now it has 480 miles on it, so I expect it will get better. Of course I usually like to drive 80, so driving 65 is tough going for me. It's especially bad because the truck has no problem going 80+ One thing is true, the more I drive it, the more I like it.

The windows work fine, the AC throws snowballs, the mileage is acceptable and the truck kicks asphalt.

I did notice that the level of noise in the truck is ever so slightly higher at 70 mph than at 65 or 75. As it is I can live with it. It's barely noticeable and I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been reading so much about the dreaded 70 mph vibe. (Or if I'd had the stereo on.) I hope it doesn't get worse over time, though.

Overall I give my new 2004.5 RAM 3500 CTD 6 speed quad cab long bed srw sport a 9 out of 10. I took points off for worries about the vibe and for not getting better mileage at 80+ MPH.

Enjoy!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NJMurvin
[B]1) You have the longbed and 2wd so you probably won't have the vibe. But, to be sure, take it out on the hwy and listen and feel at about 65mph-80mph for vibration/drone.

This is not necessarily true. My first 0-3 was a long bed, 6 speed, 2wd and it had the vibe.

Take the truck out, get to highway speed and look for avibe around 68 to 72 mph. It's either there or it's not.

As far as mileage goes. You can't tell that till you have run a few tanks thru it.

Good luck.