Just wanted to introduce myself to everyone here. I bought an '05 2500 Quad Cab Shortbox 4x4 a couple weeks ago, and have been enjoying it a lot. First, some background information.
I am 23 years old, Canadian, and work as an environmental consultant in the oilfield in western Canada. The main reason I took this job was because a 4x4 truck was a requirement, and owning a new truck was pretty much my only goal for as long as I can remember. I don't think Mom and Dad know that, but it's the truth. Anyway, I am often the first one onto a location and the last one to leave, so I need a good, capable truck that can handle 75,000 rough kilometers a year. So last November I leased an '04 Chevy 1500 Crew Cab Z71. Don't bother tellng me I screwed up, I know I did and have since fixed the problem. It was a great highway truck, and if I wasn't using it for work I would have kept it. But after 9 months and 35,000 km, it got a loose feeling in the front end. Turns out the upper and lower ball joints on both sides and a CV joint were gone. This was the reason I was looking for to step up to the diesel I'd always wanted.
So, off to the Ford dealer I went. They had a real nice dark blue F-350 Crew Cab Lariat on the lot. Ford trucks are the most common in the oilfield, and I knew it could handle the abuse I would give it. We have an '85 6.9 and a '97 7.3 at home, and had a '95 7.3 before the '97. But, Ford wouldn't finance me, and I was pretty sure my bank wouldn't, so I thought I was out of luck. I figured I'd give the Dodge dealer a try, just to see what he said.
Well, wouldn't you know, I got approved. Surprised the hell out of me. I took a beating getting out of a 36 month lease with 29 months remaining, but I would have paid at least that at the end of the lease. So, now I've got a silver Dodge 2500. It's an automatic, SLT, quad cab shortbox. There's lots of Dodge trucks in the oilfield, although not even close to the number of Fords, so I feel safe that I can make the truck work. I don't carry or pull heavy loads (so the diesel is much more want than need), I just need a heavy truck that's up off the ground. I think I've got that now.
So far I've got 4800 km on it. Last Friday I took it into Diesel Performance Specialists in Lethbridge, AB for a new cold air intake and exhaust. I got an S & B intake, and a resonator in place of the muffler. The shop said I could get more performance and sound by gutting the catalytic converter, but I left that be. I'm not sure what warranty implications that would have, I don't know if I believe their claims, and regardless of the previous two uncertainties, the catalytic converter was put there for a reason, and that should factor into the decision also. I've only put probably 400km on the truck since then, but according to the overhead computer, my mileage has increased from 17.4 to 19.4. Plus, it sounds much better. I haven't decided if I need a programmer yet, so performance upgrades are probably finished for now. But, I do need a new set of tires, since the BF Goodrich Rugged Trails aren't cutting it. The trails I drive on are too rugged.
So, there's my introduction, and what I drive. I have no complaints about it so far (except maybe the front cupholder and ashtray). I can't think of any questions I have right now, but this looks like a place where I can get answers I need, not like some of the forums I came across that put power ahead of practicality. And maybe I can answer some of your questions too.
I would include pictures of it, but it's just a stock silver truck, just like the millions you see out on the roads every day. I had no idea there were so many silver Dodges, did you?
I am 23 years old, Canadian, and work as an environmental consultant in the oilfield in western Canada. The main reason I took this job was because a 4x4 truck was a requirement, and owning a new truck was pretty much my only goal for as long as I can remember. I don't think Mom and Dad know that, but it's the truth. Anyway, I am often the first one onto a location and the last one to leave, so I need a good, capable truck that can handle 75,000 rough kilometers a year. So last November I leased an '04 Chevy 1500 Crew Cab Z71. Don't bother tellng me I screwed up, I know I did and have since fixed the problem. It was a great highway truck, and if I wasn't using it for work I would have kept it. But after 9 months and 35,000 km, it got a loose feeling in the front end. Turns out the upper and lower ball joints on both sides and a CV joint were gone. This was the reason I was looking for to step up to the diesel I'd always wanted.
So, off to the Ford dealer I went. They had a real nice dark blue F-350 Crew Cab Lariat on the lot. Ford trucks are the most common in the oilfield, and I knew it could handle the abuse I would give it. We have an '85 6.9 and a '97 7.3 at home, and had a '95 7.3 before the '97. But, Ford wouldn't finance me, and I was pretty sure my bank wouldn't, so I thought I was out of luck. I figured I'd give the Dodge dealer a try, just to see what he said.
Well, wouldn't you know, I got approved. Surprised the hell out of me. I took a beating getting out of a 36 month lease with 29 months remaining, but I would have paid at least that at the end of the lease. So, now I've got a silver Dodge 2500. It's an automatic, SLT, quad cab shortbox. There's lots of Dodge trucks in the oilfield, although not even close to the number of Fords, so I feel safe that I can make the truck work. I don't carry or pull heavy loads (so the diesel is much more want than need), I just need a heavy truck that's up off the ground. I think I've got that now.
So far I've got 4800 km on it. Last Friday I took it into Diesel Performance Specialists in Lethbridge, AB for a new cold air intake and exhaust. I got an S & B intake, and a resonator in place of the muffler. The shop said I could get more performance and sound by gutting the catalytic converter, but I left that be. I'm not sure what warranty implications that would have, I don't know if I believe their claims, and regardless of the previous two uncertainties, the catalytic converter was put there for a reason, and that should factor into the decision also. I've only put probably 400km on the truck since then, but according to the overhead computer, my mileage has increased from 17.4 to 19.4. Plus, it sounds much better. I haven't decided if I need a programmer yet, so performance upgrades are probably finished for now. But, I do need a new set of tires, since the BF Goodrich Rugged Trails aren't cutting it. The trails I drive on are too rugged.
So, there's my introduction, and what I drive. I have no complaints about it so far (except maybe the front cupholder and ashtray). I can't think of any questions I have right now, but this looks like a place where I can get answers I need, not like some of the forums I came across that put power ahead of practicality. And maybe I can answer some of your questions too.
I would include pictures of it, but it's just a stock silver truck, just like the millions you see out on the roads every day. I had no idea there were so many silver Dodges, did you?
