Well, I went out and bought me a tow rig today. Tired of driving to the trails in my trail rig... when it's running or even together. I alos needed something that could haul my small family and let me get a cabover camper or toy hauler eventually.
It's an 03 Ram 3500 Dually Quad Cab SLT Sport. Has about 27,500 miles and I got it for $24K from a private seller... no taxes! Never hauled anything more than a 24' ski/pleasure boat locally on a receiver hitch and I got one of the guys at TDR to pull a dealer service history on it... this guy has maintained this thing like I cannot belileve! I even got a few free oil change coupons from him so there's a couple hundred I'll save over the course of things.

This will also serve as my daily driver, but that's only the 24 miles a dat to and from daycare twice to drop off and pick up my little girl. So this should stay nice for some time.
Just thought I'd sorta intro myself to this area of the site and show you guys a pic of my new to me rig... which will be my ride up to W.E. ROCK World Finals in Vegas next month (unless I can snag the wife's Infiniti FX35, yeah riiiight). While not the best pic... I don't have any of my own yet as I go pick it up tomorrow.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=266815&stc=1&d=1160371697

sorry dont mind me let me just clean my monitor of:smokin: shwing
nice rige man

Nice- and it's a sport too:)

Lemme know if you ever need any diesel stuff- I've got some sport white bumpers laying around too- hopefully you won't need those

Sound like a sweet deal...Nicerig

Yeah... it's got a Cummins :smokin:
Just got off the phone with the bank and all is set to meet and sign papers this evening. That pupy'll be in my driveway tonight.

Ken, you gonna be in Vegas for World? I seem to recall that you're qualified?
What ya got for the CTD? Might be interested if I can hide the costs somewhere LOL

Yeah... it's got a Cummins :smokin:
Just got off the phone with the bank and all is set to meet and sign papers this evening. That pupy'll be in my driveway tonight.

Ken, you gonna be in Vegas for World? I seem to recall that you're qualified?
What ya got for the CTD? Might be interested if I can hide the costs somewhere LOL


Is it the '03 California model? If so, it's very much like mine, 235HP/460 ft-lb tq.
Mine has the NV4500 and does fairly well with a Lance Lite 915 and pulling a
trailer with my rig. Once my condo sells I'm installing a Southbend clutch and
an Edge Juice/Attitude.

Yup, 03 CA (damn you CA for screwing it up for us all!!).
I'm running an auto, though. After doing the research, the autos not only get better gas mileage (deeper overdrive), but they also last just fine on longer hauls. Whereas the in-town towing is where the stick shines.

Took the plunge into the deep end huh? Nice rig.

After doing the research, the autos not only get better gas mileage (deeper overdrive), .

hmmm, that's the first i've ever heard of that. My auto sure isn't getting any stellar numbers, that's for sure.

:flipoff2:

You're screwed now. No more relatively cheap maintenance costs, ya gots engine rattle and stink....and you're gonna love it.

Congrats!:D

hmmm, that's the first i've ever heard of that. My auto sure isn't getting any stellar numbers, that's for sure.
Never said stellar, just better than the stick :)

Maintenance costs... not that big of a deal to me... I build vehicles and have a good understanding of the Diesel process and Cummins motors after all this research (been searching for the vehicle for over a year). I've already got plans to replace the lift pump and move it from the engine to the tank as that's been known to be a problem.
At least it's not a 600 or 610... they have an extra injection cycle (one of the main reasons for the torque increase). But that extra cycle or whatever has caused injector issues. Not that I wouldn't want one of those engines.
Also found out that this series engine takes power adds better, and the longevity of the engine isn't as damaged by them... within reason... like other Diesels.

Anyone else here a member of the Turbo Diesel Registry? I signed up recently and have been rading of where about half my buggy fund is going :laughing:

Never said stellar, just better than the stick :)

Maintenance costs... not that big of a deal to me... I build vehicles and have a good understanding of the Diesel process and Cummins motors after all this research (been searching for the vehicle for over a year). I've already got plans to replace the lift pump and move it from the engine to the tank as that's been known to be a problem.
At least it's not a 600 or 610... they have an extra injection cycle (one of the main reasons for the torque increase). But that extra cycle or whatever has caused injector issues. Not that I wouldn't want one of those engines.
Also found out that this series engine takes power adds better, and the longevity of the engine isn't as damaged by them... within reason... like other Diesels.

Anyone else here a member of the Turbo Diesel Registry? I signed up recently and have been rading of where about half my buggy fund is going :laughing:

Congrats on your purchase. I'm a member of TDR... There are many TDR members here. I don't think you're going to miss the extra injection cycle. You'll get better mileage.

I'll bet any of you, from looking at my moniker here (custom title, whatever... below the avatar) can figure out who I am over at TDR.
The increased mileage is just one of the things I'd heard about when doing research. I originally was looking for an late '04 for the better pricing. Then I was going to complain of white smoke and get the 610 torque download (http://www.dodgeram.info/tsb/2004-index.htm or TSB#18-037-04, it also applies to the 05 and early 06, I believe) but I then found the injector and fuel mileage issues and steered toward the same generation, but without those hassles :)