I had a visit from an old friend yesterday. We haven't seen each other for almost a year so there was a lot to catch up on. Somewhere along the line we began to discuss vehicles and the subject of my truck came up.

He was pretty amazed when I shared that the vehicle is largely "fly by wire" and that things aren't always as they seem. I told him about the night I found out that the outside turn signals and the inside indicators aren't coordinated. It blew him away when I told him that I could no longer hit the horn button twice for a quick "beep beep" as the computer ignores the second switch event. Then there was the news about the throttle. He just couldn't imagine that the pedal could ever "feel" right.

After we all came back from dinner I asked him if he wanted to try the truck and see what he thought. His present scoot is a GMC 1/2 ton 4X4 from the late 90's in very nice shape. I figured we'd both learn some things, and was I right!

Tom is a farm boy, so he had no problems with the bigness of the RAM. I was surprised at how quickly he adapted to the 6 speed, but that's where it all ended. I'd forgotten how well (and quickly) the RAM responds to steering input. He liked the handling, but just couldn't believe the truck was so agile. We sort of jerked from side to side up the road because of his excess inputs.

He also had a difficult time believing there was a solid axle up front as it far outclassed his IFS. Tom's impression of the solid axle and ladder suspension was very positive.

Next was drivetrain (I know... I'm not supposed to mention it here). He was absolutely impressed with the quiet. How could a diesel be so silent? The next part, though, may be the most important...

No matter how hard I tried to tell him, Tom was always a gear too low. I told him that it wasn't that the truck wouldn't do it, it was more that the truck would do it better in a higher gear. Tom admitted that he was having difficulty believing the speedometer when his backside seemed to be telling him something else entirely. The ability to flat out accelerate in overdrive up a steep hill below 2000 rpm's was something he just couldn't come to terms with.

The bottom line is that our trip taught me a few thing and reinforced others.

1. Our trucks are a quantum leap ahead of anything from the past. Many of
us are forgetting what agile vehicles these are (for 7000 lb. monsters).

2. I can begin to understand why some complain about fuel economy. V-8's
(especially gassers) are so different than our I-6 CTD's. I keep rpm's below
2,000 if possible because I'm aware of the torque and power. A V-8 jockey
doesn't feel right unless he's twisting up to 3000 rpm. Drive a CTD like that
and she gets mighty thirsty, but she'll do it.

3. IFS is a joke. It neither rides better nor handles better. Our RAMs are
pretty well designed. They're quiet and comfortable... And powerful!
The added weight is a non-issue.

4. The "fly by wire" accelerator... He never even mentioned it.

We both had a good time and both learned a lot. I'm guessing that when he replaces that old gasser this spring that it might just be with an oil burner. I wouldn't even be surprised if the new truck has a Cummins up front.

 

There's nothing like spending time with an old friend and learning something as well. All in all new vehicles are very amazing with their engineering.

 

I traded in a 98 GMC Sierra for my Ram, and I can say, That in my opinion, The IFS in that truck rode alot softer than my Ram. It might not have been as heavy duty, but it didnt take bumps, and bounce around like the Ram.

As far as you saying about the computer cancelling out the horn, thats a new one for me!! LOL Just today, I gave a guick "toot-toot" with the tip of my index finger, I got the 2 toots out of it..... The other thing is I know what your talking about with the blinkers, lol. First day I was driving it home, It bugged me out a bit, I never seen a vehicle with outside directionals not in sync with the dash indicator, To this day, I show friends, and they find it funny too!!