ok, so I've been window shopping around recently, and have been on here for a while. I've had guys tell me Dodge Sucks, go with Ford, I've had guys say Fords Suck, stick with Chevy's at least, and then of course there's all you guys who say everything sucks but Dodge

I got off work early on Friday and stopped by the middle of nowhere Dodge dealership on my way home, and test drove a 3500 Mega Cab. all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I was extremely impressed. The turning radius, acceleration, overall handling, yeah, I think I fell in love...

So that being said, and after poking around here for a while, I'm seriously looking into financing (don't need advice on that right now), But I still got a few newbie questions.

1. I don't foresee hauling on a regular basis, but, I am military and may decide to move myself in-between installations. I am thinking of sticking with an Auto Tranny as I haven't driven stick in years, and the focus of sticks seem to be for hauling. (yes? no?) but then comes the question, what is this ratio you are talking about (4.10 vs. 3.83??)

2. The dealer (obviously) told me that there was no need to 'chip' these trucks as they were great stock. he said something about chips having a "spot" in them where acceleration falls off and then picks up again, due to emissions standards? I understand that the chips control fuel and other systems, to focus more on pulling or acceleration or mileage...?

3. Dealer also said that the pipes on the back were 4" already...?

4. What do you guys have in your trucks (non-chip, filter, exhaust--wise) that you like / dislike. (aka Big Horn Package, SLT package)

5. What are the basic, right off the floor, good idea things to do? Heater block cable, wheel wells for the back, tow straps?

6. Is there anyone in the Milwaukee area (or close to) that I could meet up with and get some hands on practice?

Pretty much looking for an information dump, but I've never had a truck before, I'm driving a beater POS right now, but I want something good, that will last me, that I can use (and abuse if needed) and keep rolling. I trust that the answer is a Dodge.

Robert

 

It doesnt matter if ur going to actually us it or not,,, Just buy it, mod the krap out of it, and burn up everything on the road. The exhaust is 4" from the factory, so I never saw the need for an entire exhaust sytem. I ended up dropping the cat and removing and replacing the muffler with a aero turbine. Bully Dog programmer, K&N intake,,, and some cosmetic stuff. Trust me, your gonna LOOOVE these trucks.

 

 

I agree with Donny... drive it stock, you'll love it. if you like your wallet, dont EVER drive a modded one. it's addicting!

 

auto and 3.73's is all you will ever need. . .and if you like your wallet heavy DO NOT ride in a modded truck. the BOMBing world is a slippery slope that is quite addicting and can lead to your wallet being VERY light.

under stock conditions these trucks are great. nearly 20mpg if not more depending on how heavy your right foot is, but still have the ability to smoke the ever living crap out of the neighbors modded mustang. . .he hates me now

 

ahahahaha, would have loved to seen that one against the stang...

 

I have to agree whole heartedly.
For a few years, I have refused to ride in my brothers BOMBed F-250 (the 7.3 liter variety) because I knew what would happen to me. I made the mistake of riding in it last weekend....[sm=badidea.gif]

If his can do that after a mild bombing.... My Dodge is going to be downright EVIL. [sm=badbadbad.gif]


It is now just a matter of WHEN not IF.[sm=helpout.gif]

 

let me put it like this. . .the mustang crowd in town knows who I am

I had just gotten the TST hooked up right(had the cam and crank sensors reversed like an idiot) and was cruiseing through the north/south drag in town in 4th gear, decided to have a little fun by myself and put the TST to 5/3 (115hp/180tq) and put the skinny pedal on the right to the floor, not knowing there was a rouche mustang that had just pulled onto the road. well. . .he thought it was a race. I heard something, later realized it was him at the next light, but by the time I hit 6th I was already doing 80 and he was getting smaller and smaller. at the light his jaw was on the floor, he said he just put in a new program for his blower, but now he's gunna need to invest in some giggle gas to catch me now I told him I'm still stock[8D]

now my neighbor has a GT and I followed him out of the hood a few weeks back. not long after pulling out of my subdivision the road goes from a 2 lane to a 4 lane, than a quarter later it goes back to 2. . .dont ask, GADOT at their best. anyway when the road goes to a 4 lane there a light, perfect placee for dragging. well, he kicked it out of the hood sideways and I follow suit with a massive cloud of black death from my tail pipe. and I easily catch up to him, then I see he goes into the right lane, even though it ends in the quarter, I go in the left. he's revving like he's wanting some. I imagine it was frfom the way I cought up with him. Now, real quick before I go any farther, my neighbor is in his 50's, and he has a kid my age. . .now back to the story. TST is on 3/2 for mileage tests, and I know from the past my clutch cannot hold anything over 5/3 so I go 4/3. the light on the other side turns yellow and I hear him revving it up a bit, I follow suit tach it slowly to 2300, put her in 4hi and 3rd just to make sure I get all available power to the ground. light hits red and Ive got the heel of my foot on the brake and I start letting out the clutch for a boosted launch. she hits 10 pounds quick and I can feel the back tires begining to turn under the load. light turns green and we are off. I take an early lead but he makes up since I have a 3 foot shift throw into 4th and he is once again breathing the black cloud of death. I go to 5th and I can hear him realy trying now, that gt's got it's throat wide open sucking in what air there is that is comeing from my exhaust. as I hit 6th gear and he succums to the black cloud of death he pulls in behind me. to this day he realy doesnt look at me much, but he does wave hi atleast when we do meet.

now, some of this story might have been a bit exagerated, but I did beat him fair and square.

 

Bwahaha. I was heading out to pick up my Daughter from her moms the other night when I see a Vette being followed by an earlier non supercharged Cobra Mustang. As luck would have it I had the Bully set to Crazy Larry. I know the vette is going to hand me my behind, but the Mustang is another story. We get to a stretch of road where it narrows down from 3 lanes to 2 right at a light. I pull up into the 3rd lane, middle lane is some guy in a Blazer, left lane is the Vette with the Cobra behind it. I switch into 4x4, do a little brake boost, light goes green, and im gone, really gone. I let up a few minutes later and look in the mirror and I see both cars coming thru the smoke. At the next light I had to turn and they were going straight, but the looks on their faces was priceless. I bet they never expected a Diesel, especially one as big as the Mega Cab, to launch and pull like that LOL.