Went to the dealer last night to look at a 2500 HD. Took a test drive in a 2500 long bed 4WD Laramie Longhorn. What a beautiful truck! The interior can't be beat. All leather, the smell just get's me going. I have always loved leather and wood. It was the cherry red which is OK, but I think I prefer another color. So, the four of us pile in, and we take off. OK, take off isn't exactly how it happened. This truck is S L O W. Granted, this is the 6.7 liter without the 800 option. Wonder if that would make a difference? Maybe my memory is jaded, but my old 2004.5 with a HO 600 seemed a lot peppier than the 2011. Ok, maybe I'm just used to the Hemi in the 1500, so on we go. Bumpy, bumpy bumpy. Holy cow, there was almost constant body movement. I understand it's a HD, I've had one before, and I don't think I'm that wimpy. I take several 3000+ mile each trips on my Harleys every year. This was a rough rider. I wonder if a 2WD would ride any smoother? Overall, the fit and finish was perfect.

When I got back to the dealer, however, I was surprised that I didn't have the feeling that I HAD to have it. I fully expected to be blown away and willing to pay over MSRP for a new Laramie Longhorn. It didn't help that the salesman sat there and lied and said the 800 option wasn't shipping yet. I lose respect fast when someone lies to me. Now I'm wondering if I'd be throwing my money away and not be happy.

 

Honestly, When I got my Laramie I was un-impressed at the get up and go and overall power. Once I did the deletes to the truck I instantly fell back in love with it. It is like a whole new truck and I am smiling ear to ear now.

 

you have to remember that dodge has the ECM programmed to not unleash the full power of a new truck until 1000 miles. mine was night and day, could even feel it when it rolled over 1000 miles on my way home from buying it.

but like ZeroTolerance said, deletes are your friend. I am running the smarty jr beta and am liking it. will be running over 3k trip in 3 weeks and not going to delete the truck until I get back from my trip. I want to get good mileage numbers for the beta test with full emissions equipment on. plus will be pulling a small open flat deck bike trailer with the harley and headed to montana to get a new matco 6s tool box.

 

I think it's because your use to the Hemi engine. I also had the 2004.5 and now a 2010. There is a night and day difference between the two. This one rides nicer but has a softer suspension and easily sags. It had been a while between the two trucks so when I got back into a 2500 I couldn't remember if my other trucks was as bouncy. It was I had just forgotten how bouncy it was. Now the truck doesn't seem bad at all. It's all what your use to.

 

Between my 04 short box and the 2011 long box dually... I would pick the 2011... It feels a little sluggish but in all respect i think puts the power to the ground smoother... The new one rides a bunch better BUT it is a longer truck......

 

BULL!!!

My truck has ran great since mile 12 when I got it from the dealer. I almost instantly hooked it to my trailer so I could break it in the way I was going to use it. 46K miles later in 14 months and it runs the same now as it did then.

Of course mine would also run with my Brother's 09 LMM Duramax, so maybe I got a very good one.

Chris

 

call bull if you want. just telling you that those were the words out of the district reps mouth (in 2 different districts).

 

That might be the adaptive learning transmission ecm. That suposedly takes about 500 miles to adapt to your driving.

 

I don't buy it...district reps have told me lots of things over the years from all different companies. I have also seen nothing in any Cummins software, my Chrysler Wi-Tech software, or anywhere else for that matter that says anything about a 1000 mile break in de-rate period.

I have also never noticed anything similar in ANY of the new trucks I've driven in the last 10 years...and with all the vehicles we buy for the store, it's been a few!

I still call Bull!
Chris

 

The truck feels a lot more sluggish on the low end than the old ones, I imagine it is part of the computer system not allowing too much soot, or fuel into the cylinders. If you really punch it it will get up and go pretty good.
Delete it and you have a whole new truck.

 

I agree with this statement. Putting a trailer on it and pulling heavy does wonders..... It's unbelievable the difference that you get after a good long heavy pull.

 

I heard diesels don't need "break-in" periods. Good to go off the showroom floor, but they do run their optimal at about 50,000 - 100,000 miles

 

if I am wrong I am wrong. going to contact the rep and ask for proof. if i can't get it i will bow and say I am wrong

 

No, they don't need a break in period. If you use them for what they are for, they will come to life quick. Better fuel mileage, performance, etc. The only thing that used to need some miles on it is the rear end. 500 miles to be exact to wear off the gray sealer they sprayed on the ring and pinion. That is why everyone complains about the factory fluid fill after doing the first 15,000 mile maintenance. All that gray crap is in the fluid.

 

No idea if you are wrong. Put a heavy load behind it and see what happens...