Considering buying a 04 Ram Diesel... input appreciated

I am considering buying a new Ram ext cab 4x4 Cummins powered pickup. It will be my first new truck, and first diesel. I have always owned GM vehicles and been pretty happy, but i have an opportunity to get a green sheet price on any Dodge/chrysler product. I drove one the other day w/ the 600 engine and was pretty happy with the way it performed. I just want to get some feedback from owners to see if I should consider the Dodge truck for my next purchase. Any pros/cons? Any options I should get or not get? Fuel effiencency? Just a little feed back would be nice before I plunk down all that money on a new truck.

Thank's
Dan

I bought a used 3500 ram dualie 5 sp diesel last fall after driving both it and a new one. I couldn't afford the new one but...The 3500 is the best truck like this on the road. ( also my first truck) If you get a new one get the 6spd you won't be sorry. It can get better than 20 mpg. I get 19 1/2 to 20 with a 4.10 gear. I would prefer a 3.73 gear as I drive 110 miles per day to work. The truck rides nice, handles great, and will pull the bumper off a Ford. The motor is a bit noisy even the new one ( its better) is a bit noisy but so what it's a truck not a car pretending to be a truck. You will get used to the diesel smell (I hated it at first but it is better than gas) If you get a dualie the truckers on the road will give you a break, wave at you, an so on. Nice when you drive as much as I do. People will get the h..l out of your way when push come to shove. LOL. It can easily take up 4 parking spots at the mall, a bit hard to manuver in tight spots (look ahead and don't get there) a bit expensive to fix flats ( $29 at Sears for inside rear) needs a bit of care like poluting the enviornment by draining fuel on the ground every few stops, 12 qts of oil and 2 qt filter every so often, need 15-40 Rotella oil not available everywhere, need to watch fuel gage-not all stations sell diesel...some have o'size nozzels for big trucks only, don't back over kids bikes and skate boards (flattens them) need to allow it warm up in the winter (uses a bit more fuel), you will need to learn to "mount up" like getting on a horse (left foot first on the step), get used to talking trucks with other large light truck owners. Needless to say I like my truck. Like they say "you can have my wife and house but not my dog or my truck" LOL. Good luck on your new Dodge.

If you get a new Dodge don't get the leather (IMHO) as it doesn't hold up. Look around an 5+yr old cars and trucks. Get all the other stuff, get the Larami SLT or better, What ever stero, elect heated mirrors, sliding rear glass, might as well add a big chrome brush guard so everone looks at your truck, get a black one or dark color, get a tube side step...you will need it..Dodge is the highest of light trucks especially 4x4, get big tires or swap for Michlins (big ones). Chrome wheel trim, long bed, I think there is a HO motor 305 hp or better..get it, 6 spd, good bed liner, some cargo hooks or tie downs, power windows,door locks, extra towing package ( I think it is 11k load). Get some kind of mud flaps, All else is gloss. If you pull a big trailer consider a Gale Banks power adder...several levels. I don't know if there is an extra fuel tank but it would be handy if available. Wasn't on the new one I almost got. These are just my thoughts after 24k miles in 6 mo in mine. Good luck

If you buy a dually the truck drivers will give you a break? Please explain that to me, I'm a truck driver and I've never heard of this before...

That's interesting. For example I enter the freeway on a faily short ramp and I have had it happen that someone ahead of me is not accellerating too quickly and the big guys will flash lites and let me in line instead of cutting me off that cars seem to enjoy. Thanks big guys I appreciate it. Also changing lanes is much easier when dealing with the big guys than with small cars especially with the hot rod trailer. Call it common courtesey.
Hope you have fun with your new Dodge
bentwings

That situation you just described is exactly how everyone should drive. I wish more people did that. If a driver didn't flash you in then you'd be looking for a place to go when you run out of ramp. Some people would actually take the fender off of the truck rather than slowing down.

I come to a ramp, and people are entering, I'll move to the left. People enter beside me and either hang out beside me, or mash the gas and get moving. What they should do is let me get past the ramp so I can take the right lane back, and then they can pass me on the left side if they want to go faster. That's the way it should be done.

I don't think owning a dually makes the drivers let you in, I think it's just thinking, like you said, common courtesy. Pretty cool huh. Duallies are pretty cool though...