Picked up a 2004.5, 3500, automatic, 4 door short bed, 4x4 Cummins last week. What a different truck it is from my 03 dooley duramax (keeping it too).


The good: Like the engine, seems to be much more responsive at off idle and mid range. Very peppy. Like the solid front end, rides as good as my 03 chevy 4x4, and seems much more precise on the highway. Wish Chevy would have gone solid front. Sits much higher too. Paint quality is much better than Chevy, much clearer and vibrant. Seats are firm, seem to hold you in better. Electric shift on the fly seems to engage and disengage easier (instantly). Brakes are superior IMHO. Higher pedal and more capacity. AC will freeze your a$$ off. Drove back from Texas, over 100 outside and I was wearing a sweater in the truck. Bright headlights. Great gages, the white face is very easy to read, cool how it goes black at night. Hey, its got a lift pump! Good, one thing I won't have to add.


The bad: Interior is spartan, no DVD or XM option (how horrible to have to listen to FM, ugh), and the 4 speed auto, although shifts very crisp, needs two things: An extra gear and it lacks the automatic down shifting found in the Alison (which I love). Geez, it holds 12 quarts of oil, I thought 10 was a lot with the dmax. Small back seat, dodge needs to make a full size 4 door option.


For long trips with the kids, the Chevy wins hands down for creature comforts. I also am getting between 18 to 21 mpg (hand calculated).


The Dodge on the other hand seems to be easier and more responsive around town, touch the gas and it goes, feels better off road. Steady state Mileage on the freeway is low 15's (disappointing), hope that will improve with mileage.


Guess I'll have to start reading the Dodge section now with a more open mind...


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/312_4.jpg


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/4AZ_1.jpgEdited by: hasselbach

Dodge sure makes a nice looking truck.

If I was to make a move, it may be in that direction. IFF the Duramax ever gets totaled. But until then, Ill stick with what Ive got.

Congratulations!
Very similar experiences to mine. I have 6000 miles on mine and it has really come along. It really seem to run quite a bit smoother than when it was new. Must be breakin.

Somw of the first things I noticed was how well it rides and the tight turning radius.


Good looking truck! Any mod plans?Edited by: hoot

Must be breakin.



Hoot, see when you drive a dodge you've got breakin on the mind. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif Maybe you meant breakin in? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

Hey Hoot You got you a buddy to talk goats with knowhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Geno

Hey Hoot You got you a buddy to talk goats with knowhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Geno
Yeah but his buddy is smarter. He kept the Duramax to tow the dodge to the shop. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Hey Hoot You got you a buddy to talk goats with knowhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Geno

Yea we can talk about youhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

Yeah but his buddy is smarter. He kept the Duramax to tow the dodge to the shop. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif





hahaha.. actually its to go to the GM dealership and get those injectors for my friend's duramaxes!!Edited by: hasselbach

Phew! Feel the love http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif


Good looking truck. The red color is very nice.


Mileage does improve over time. Just got back from a 2000 mile trip and seen a .5mpg difference from when I left. It seems like the rpm's dropped after some time also. I noticed that at 65 mph i'm running 1900 rpm's. At 75mph 2250-2300 rpm's. At 75mph I was getting 16.5- 16.9 mpg. Got over 600 miles on one tank of fuel. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif Currently have 6800 miles on the truck.

Nice truck,red is awsome.


I noticed while towing my TT yesterday the trans does downshift when the tow/haul button is on,my tranny seems very smart if that is the right word to use,it shifted when it needed to.I was totally off guard with this transmission,I was expecting it to be like the 47RE and it isnt even close,it isnt the best,but it is surely MUCH better than the previous version.

Hassellbach,


Congratulations on the Cummins. As you have so stated, it's different in many ways.


One thing you will like is the ease of service compared to the Duramax. The fuel filter, oil filter, oil pan and the two lube points all seem designed to make sense. Find an inexpensive source of Fleetguard filters (stay away from the dealers), get a couple of practice changes under your belt and you will appreciate it even more.


Keep us posted on the comparisons.

Hasselbach,


I am thinking in the way of the Dodge or GMC Crew because I have three kids. (6,3.5,and 2) They love to cruise the beach with me and the EC seems a little tight. They also want a window they can roll down. Will the Dodge be sufficient or go the GMC? I like the Dodge warranty better as I plow snow and I like that Dodge offers a prep package for snow plows. The GMC crew does not with the diesel and I will have to install the plow myself and pray that GMC covers everything like it should. Thanks for the input. You and Hoot got me thinking...

For plowing.... Dodge ... I have plow prep with my Quad Cab diesel. Solid front axle, higher stance and much better turning radius clinch it.

The back seat isn't tight for kids and unless they've driven in a larger crew cab, they won't know the difference. I have a 12 year old daughter who complained the first week but has forgotten since. Back windows roll down fully and they do have a rear slider window option. There are 2 cup holders in the center on the floor and three shoulder harness seatbelts. Seat bottoms fold up and back revealing enclosed storage areas and make sure you get the fold flat floor system. It's so cheap as an option and adds a flip down floor that really enhances storage when you don't have passengers back thier. It also works on either side so you can do half cargo and the other passenger. It's a 40/60 split rear so you can choose 2 passengers and small cargo or one passenger and large cargo. Similar to the GM configuration except GM drops the seat backs down. Very convemient and well thought out. Up front the center seat has a latch and lifts to reveal a nice size storage area. There are a lot of people out there that don't even know it's there. The drop-down console is huge, has a large firm flat top and is designed to accomidate a laptop inside. There is a power outlet INSIDE.

Is is basically a crew cab but with a little less room than the GM.Edited by: hoot

I have had 2 adults in the back seat on a 50 mile drive and no complaints,granted it isnt as big as the other two but it isnt like sitting in an extended cab either.


Hoot,my truck has the ST package so I dont have that center storage,but I can assure you I will have before summer is over,I have been looking around for a new seat,it is a nice touchhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif