3G Review-None for me thanks

[EScott]

Dave Smith Motors had a sneak peak event for folks to come out and look at the new 2003 2500 2X4 Hemi and 3500 4X4 Cummins. While I understand that what I saw could very well have been a pre-production unit and some changes may be made here are my observations. Please keep in mind that I went with a very positive attitude.


Ground Clearance- Um I gotta question. Is DC going to advertise the "Lower Step In Height" of their new line of trucks? Why is this so freaking hard to understand. Trucks (4x4's in particular) are never to have the cab floor below the center line of the axle period. Go look at a 2002 3500 4X4 the cab floor is damn near level with the top of the wheel! Note to DC you shoulda left it alone fellas.

Backseat Legroom- Why did it take this long to roll out a true four door cab only to make it the same freaking size as my quad cab? With the front seat all the way back my knees are still smashed way to far into the seat back (I'm not quite 6')

No Lid Clearance- All the Rednecks, Hillbillys, and Cowboys are going to have a lot to complain about. I couldn't get in the seat with out taking my hat off first. The cab seems to be about 6" lower than the 94-02 model in relation to the top of the seat. Note to DC whenever building pickups think about men in hats FIRST everyone else comes after that.

Noise Binkey- I couldn't help but notice that although the new Cummins is considerably quieter (can talk next to an idling engine now, not exactly an improvement from my point of view) one of the items that wasn't present was the underhood noise blanket my truck has... I hope this was just an oversight on the demo truck.

Handholds/AlcanHandles/OHS#$tHandles- Alright this is getting to the point of comic level humor. Who other than the 'vertically challenged' needs a freaking handhold at the 4' level? Please put them in the roof where they belong or don't put them in at all. I do suppose that after a few to many OlyPops a fella could use those lower handholds to go from being on his knees to in the seat but that's not a selling point is it?

Underseat Storage- HOLY LACK OF FORESIGHT BATMAN! Where am I supposed to put my gear now? There is NO read NO, NONE, NACHO, NATHAN, NO underseat storage in back. They did put this really "Super" fold out thingy that makes the back area into a one level cargo area. I'm not sure what marketing weenie thought that deleting the underseat storage made sense but he ought to be shot for listening to the "Urban Cowboy" set. Pickups need a place to store: Recovery Gear, Survival Gear, Tie downs, etc. Before anyone goes running their mouth about bed boxes doing that sorry nope, I need all 8' of my bed.

Rear Swaybar- I don't honestly know if the trucks they had up there were fully loaded, but neither had the swaybar that DC has been putting on the 2500/3500's with the camper package. Seems like I remember they didn't offer it on the 94-95 trucks either so if this is a delete perhaps you'd be wise to wait for DC to come around on this one.


Conclusion:
I'm much more particular about what Dodge pickups I will own. I can say with conviction I will NOT be buying a 2003+ 2500/3500. If DC does the right thing and builds a 4500/5500 for the US with a true 4 door cab perhaps I'll come back to the fold but as of right now DC has lost me as a customer.

Because most of you don't know me very well I will explain that for me to say that I won't buy a new Dodge pickup is a big leap. I am and have always been a Mopar man to the core, I have always believed that Dodge built the best pickup on the market. I have NEVER been afraid to go toe to toe and debate the weaknesses of "Brand X" as compared to Dodge. Sad sad day my Mopar brothers and sisters.

Useful range of Dodge pickups is now defined as 1944-2002...RIP Dodge Trucks

Erin