After lots of research and reading on different boards, I have decided to ask for a quote (moving to negotiations stage) for an '03 HO<br><br>Couple of questions:<br><br>a. I did not drive a 6 speed but that is what I want. My wife is concerned the clutch will be hard to depress and she asked how many miles between replacing the clutch. Help!<br><br>b. I am ordering a truck that I will keep until the body falls away from the engine. I want all the bells and whistles.<br>Tips on what to order that is not on Kelly Blue Book build or Dodge's site for building? I am requesting a Jake brake, for example. What else as I only get to do this once and then live with it 6 years.<br><br>c. Has anyone heard any tips; such as, March will be a better month for deals, etc. <br><br>Thank you in advance for your assistance. Give me your .02 please.<br><br>Dan

 

LoneRanger, the '03s I have driven the clutch was very nice, not heavy at all for a HD truck. I liked how the 6-speed shifted. But I would highly recommend trying one before buying, you're making a big commitment.<br><br>As far as options, make sure you get what you want beforehand, 'cause it's easier than adding later. For example I'd recommend the trailer tow package, the flat rear underseat shelf, and rear sliding window. Also seriously consider the towing mirrors, those are slick units, if you think you'll tow much. I plan to get these goodies if I order a '03.<br><br>Regarding incentives, I've heard some rumors about financing incentives (low percentage). Also there is $1500 cash back going on, but in many states it's $2000 so go to www.dodge.com and click on &quot;Power Days&quot; and enter in some zips codes to see where the $2000-back locations are. This is good 'til 2-28-03.<br><br>Have fun!<br><br>Vaughn

 

[quote author=LoneRanger link=board=17;threadid=10902;start=0#103988 date=1045104197]<br>After lots of research and reading on different boards, I have decided to ask for a quote (moving to negotiations stage) for an '03 HO<br><br>Couple of questions:<br><br>a. I did not drive a 6 speed but that is what I want. My wife is concerned the clutch will be hard to depress and she asked how many miles between replacing the clutch. Help!<br><br>b. I am ordering a truck that I will keep until the body falls away from the engine. I want all the bells and whistles.<br>Tips on what to order that is not on Kelly Blue Book build or Dodge's site for building? I am requesting a Jake brake, for example. What else as I only get to do this once and then live with it 6 years.<br><br>c. Has anyone heard any tips; such as, March will be a better month for deals, etc. <br><br>Thank you in advance for your assistance. Give me your .02 please.<br><br>Dan<br>[/quote]<br><br>A. Clutch is easier to depress than most trucks I have owned...not as easy as the cars. But the smoothness is akin to a hot knife through butter. If you wife is short in stature, opt for the adjustible pedals as well as the tilt steering wheel. IT will aid her driving ability. I have owned 14 cars in my lifetime, all of them with manual transmissions. All of them I kept to at least 100,000miles, some closer to 200,000mi and I have never replaced a clutch. 1 Turbo yes (out of 7 turbocharged vehicles), clutches no. <br><br>Clutch wear is actually based on driver abuse and truck use. IE: if you tow all the time and are always among traffic lights, it will wear more than if you are on the interstate in top gear all the time. The clutch is a wear item, but minimal if you are an easy driver. My travels are always mixed, 30 miles stop and go, 30 miles on the interstate.<br><br>B. A Jake you wiill only need if you are going to tow close to max limits. The engine has some compression braking and I find myself slowing from freeway speeds on the engine and aerodynamic drag (0.56 CoFD = yikes!) and then using the brakes from 40mph down as I get closer to the traffic or traffic light.<br><br>What I would opt for is the Dodge Accessories: <br>-molded mud guards for the rear wheels<br>-running boards with the integral molded front wheel wheel guards (or nerf bars with the separate molded front wheels)<br>-Bed Rail protectors if you want to do hauling<br>-tonneau cover if you do limited bed hauling<br>-bed mat or box liner<br>-definitely a tailgate protector.<br>-front hood protector (chrome, it looks way cool).<br><br>The wheelwell and low body accessories protect the body from stone chips and also help ingress and egress from these Rigs, especially for the ladies.<br><br>The tonneau in combination with the bed mat or liner protect the bed. The tailgate protector protects the gate and top rail from those loads that rest on the top of the tailgate.<br><br>To me I do this with ever truck I own and everyone is amazed with the quality of the truck after 100k miles.<br><br>c). The best tip is negotiate your best deal and then look at fininancial options. Sometimes it is better to take the 1000 cashback (roughly equal a percentage point) and low finanicing from other banks such as Chase Manhatten or others. Some offer 3.9 on the heavy duty dodges for up to 60 months if you get good credit and the dealership participates in the banks programs. So with the financing and cashback it is really equal to 2.9 financing. IT is all a numbers game and get the dealership to be really spefic on what they are offering. To me...the DC 5.9% is bull$hit.<br><br>I think it will be a while before you see the cut throat competitiveness that GMC Chebby and Furd are currently offering as the Ram is really really popular. The dealership I bouth mine from had 10 HO 6gear CTDs in december. Now only have 1 SO CTD auto. Mine was dealer swapped.

 

Thank you both. That is the kind of specifics that is appreciated.

 

One thing that I like to get when I order a truck is two tone paint on the bottom. If you are going to keep it a long time touch ups of rust and stone chips is much easier when you have two tone. <br>My truck is a 6spd and my wife is 100lbs and short(er). She has no problems with the clutch or trans, although our car is easier for her. Adjustable pedals would have been a good option. Power seat if you and your SO need different heights for driving. Wish these things had memory seats like the BMW.....(oh yeah get the heated seats) ;D ;D<br>Engine brake is also good for warmup if you are in a cold climate as well as towing. <br>I also have never had to replace a clutch for wear. One release bearing self destructed, was a faulty part. Last truck had 260 on it. Car currently has 170. Clutch life, as mentioned, is related to driving style. HTH<br><br>Paul<br>&quot;03 HO/6sp quad sb

 

My wife is 5'2&quot; and loves to drive the 6spd HO. Just make sure you get the adjustable pedals. It's cheap at $106 invoice, and well worth it. Paula says that you don't know how nice it is to be able to sit back more than 4 inches from the steering wheel. And the pilar isn't in the way. We both think manuals are the cat's meow. Between the power seat and the adjustable pedals, both of us are very comfortable driving.<br><br>Options I'd not live without: adjustable pedals, tow package, tow mirrors, premium seats and fold-flat floor, rear slider, anti-spin rear.<br><br>We also got the security package, which gives us a 5% break on insurance, plus I like keyless entry.<br><br>And after you get it, add mudflaps and rear wheel liners.

 

Lone Ranger,<br>If you can afford the Laramie package, it will include just about everything others have recommended plus a bunch of other stuff. It does not include towing package, towing mirrors or exhaust brake. I added up the extras I wanted by ordering separate and I got more for less with the Laramie option.<br>Bob

 

The clutch on my truck is easy to work, although the length of throw is unusually long...adjustable pedals and 6-way seats are a must with a petite wife like mine...Ben

 

[quote author=FiverBob link=board=17;threadid=10902;start=0#104305 date=1045173221]<br>Lone Ranger,<br>If you can afford the Laramie package, it will include just about everything others have recommended plus a bunch of other stuff. It does not include towing package, towing mirrors or exhaust brake. I added up the extras I wanted by ordering separate and I got more for less with the Laramie option.<br>Bob<br>[/quote]<br>I am going with the Laramie package, 410 gears as much study here, and then I am debating other extra's to buy now. Mud flaps for sure. I plan on painting the underside of the truck at the dealers prior to driving it. I did this with my 1990 and the frame and that is still great. I just take rustoleum and give the non-painted surfaces a good coat after taping off moving parts. I also never replaced the brake lines on the 1990 thanks to the paint. Wish the manufacturers would do this because the salt in the Northeast is wicked. Anyhow, trying to decide what else to order.<br>clearance lights<br>extra set of rims for the winter tires <br>suggestions?