Or first impressions of the 03 :-)<br><br>Stats first:<br>03 3500 4x4 SLT Reg Cab Dually<br>HO/6 speed<br>3.73s<br><br>1) Handling: Amazing. I dunno what Dodge did under the front end of this truck, but its tight. For a 3500, this truck is nimble. Turning radius is unreal. When parked on a shoulder you can crank a U-turn on a 2 lane road and end up in the other lane without touching the ditches on either side.<br><br>2) Power is misleading. The torque curve peaks so fast that it feels like a dog after 2000 RPM, but when you look at the speedo, its not ******* it. You're moving out pretty good, for a stock diesel. The 3.73 gears have probably made a difference, and now I think I'd be comfortable recommending a 5 speed for guys. That 4th gear that was so useful in the 01/6 spd is now a little out of place for casual cruising around town. So that means the 3rd gear on the 5 speed is probably right where you want it.<br><br>3) The white face gauges look cheap, but at night they are really nice. The white face disappears, and you are left with soft red pointers, and green lettering thats very easy on the eyes. Still got the rip yer eyeballs out high beam indicator though. Yeesh.<br><br>4) Stock CD just plain sucks. Muffled sounds. Makes Hank sound like someone's smothering him with a pillow.<br><br>5) Behind the seat storage is immense, but I don't know why they got rid of the storage shelves and replaced it with that massive tray. I want my shelves back :-(<br><br>6) The power trailer tow mirrors are nice.<br><br>7) The new Cummins definitely runs quieter than the old one, but when the RPMs come up, you know its a Cummins :-) Turbo whistle is definitely more noticeable on this truck than on the old ones. Best of all: No cat, no resonator, no sensors on the exhaust system at all. That monster muffler<br>will likely get eaten soon, and replaced with a smaller Allied resonator. The 4&quot; system that Dodge tucked onto the truck actually looks like some thought was given to it, instead of the dogs breakfast on the previous model years.<br><br>8) A pile of storage areas inside the cab. Pockets everywhere. And not a single one of them useful for anything.<br><br>9) The A-pillar isn't too bad at all on this truck. Now its the back pillar (B-pillar?) thats a pain in the neck. Its massive. Shoulder checks are a thing of the past with this truck. Its mirrors or nothing. Backing out of a parking stall can be a bear.<br><br>10) The hour meter is cool. About time Dodge, although it should be easier to get to.<br><br>11) Braking is good, but not much better than my 01.<br><br>Rod

 

Good info Rod.

 

How many blue sheep fit in behind the seat? ???

 

I dunno, I'm still cleaning up after Scotty's attempt to stuff penguins back there...

 

So thats where they went!

 

Ok. I'm ready! Kinda looks like me too.