i sat in one of the new 05's last week, and i have a couple of complaints.
the design is nice (not as nice as the Gen III, but it'll win over buyers),
but they took a couple of steps back-wards. first, why'd they do away with
the rear disk brakes? it doesn't make any sense! 17" drums may be huge,
but people aren't going to care about the stopping distance of the drums,
even if they are superior. they're just gonna care that the truck has
"4-wheel disk brakes." a big failure in my opinion.
second, the interior is WAY TOO CHEAP LOOKING. the door handles remind me
of Astro vans from the early 1990's. also, the instrument cluster is way to
simple for me. i like having my speedo and tach the same size.
finally (and most important to me), the interior, while larger area wise, is
smaller in the most important aspect for taller guys (like me, at 6'4). the
sloping windshield is now lower, so instead of looking out of the center of
the windshield (the proper place to be looking out of, as you have enhanced
visibility as well as no distortion), guys my height are forced to look out
of the top of the windshield. i sat in a truck with the power drivers seat,
and tried lowering it all the way, and no luck. i guess they didn't design
the truck for the taller people in our society.
on a positive note, the one i looked at had a 4.7L, and was equipped with a
9.25 rear-end, which was a pleasant surprise. anybody know if the 8.25 is
still available, or has it been done away with? also, i liked the new
"Magnum V8" badge on the truck (it was originally on the concept version of
the 2002 Ram, but was never included).
Gabriel Couriel
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net]On Behalf Of Bernd
Ratsch
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2004 11:51 AM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: Re: DML: RE: 05 Gen IV's Have Arrived
True on the handling...
'05 models use a coil-over system on the front and a (slightly redesigned)
rear suspension. It's definitely a nice improvement over the Gen-III's, but
will definitely take some getting used to on the front-end design.
- Bernd
>From: Gary Hedlin <garyhedlin@sbcglobal.net>
>Reply-To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
>To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
>Subject: Re: DML: RE: 05 Gen IV's Have Arrived
>Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2004 22:42:44 -0500
>
>
>I will admit, even with the 4.7 the 05's didn't seem as quick as a gen3
>with
>one. But the 05's are a bit bigger and heavier. Also the 05's seemed a
>lot
>more stable and rode better. The truck just seems balanced....just the
>right power for the size. :)
>
>I'm looking forward to getting my 05. I think people are just too used to
>the gen3's, thatıs why everyones so iffy about the new ones.
>
>Gary
>
>
>
>
>On 9/25/04 10:07 PM, in article BAY9-DAV23oPXCFbN4T0000f47b@hotmail.com,
>""Bernd D. Ratsch"" <fasstdak@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > I drove one on a new vehicle prep (4.7L) and wasn't too impressed with
>it -
> > older 4.7L dak's are quicker. One other item, the shifter (even with
>the
> > seat all the way down - power seat) still hits my knee (I'm 5'10") in
>"L"
> > position - a bit uncomfortable. The grill takes some getting used to as
> > it's laid back more than the Durango, but otherwise...very nice
>redesign.
> >
> > - Bernd
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> > [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Terrible
>Tom
> > Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 9:16 PM
> > To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
> > Subject: DML: 05 Gen IV's Have Arrived
> >
> >
> > Stopped by the local Stealer after work tonight - - ohhhh boy.... they
>have
> > 4 new shiny Daks on the lot. All club cabs, all 4x4's all V8's with
>autos,
> > one red sport, one black sport, one SILVER SPORT, and a white SLT.
> >
> > I will be heading over there for a test drive of the SILVER DAKOTA
>Monday.
> > (twitchs) me liiike - - but I don't think I could bring myself to trade
>the
> > Ram in for one.
> >
> > --
> > Terrible Tom -- AIM & Yahoo Name: SilverEightynine
> > http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/
> >
>
_________________________________________________________________
FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar get it now!
http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Oct 01 2004 - 11:38:59 EDT