[AT] Semi-OT - Looking at Hemi hauler - bought it

[Dave Merchant]

We bought it 2+ weeks ago, wanted to put some miles on it
before reporting results.

Took it to our mechanic friend, very thorough inspection, I was there.
Very clean underneath, I suspect it spent the salt months
in the garage. It is clearly a special order truck, looking at it
I keep suspecting horsey folks, but may have been a boater.
Very luxo, 6 way leather seats, high end sound, etc,,
and for some reason, blue neon inside the cab???
Silver metallic, looks like the job boss's work truck.
My tall son is comfortable in the back seat, and still has
an 8 foot bed. You just need to plan ahead if you want
to turn it around..

Mechanic came up with a list of items in the running gear,
but the engine + tranny are excellent. Rear end is a 4.10.
Overdrive, I guess that's sorta like having a 2 speed rear end.

Needs outers + lowers soon, U-joints fairly soon, brakes eventually,
flush the pumpkin. Manageable stuff.

Took the report back to the dealer, got it down another $600 past
the $1000 the dealer had already conceded. $8250 price, total out the
door with tax + transfer $9000 even.

5 years old, looks brand new, 1 very small scratch on the
rear fender and some marks where it had a cap..

The Hemi is brilliant, schizoid personality.
Hums along the hiway dead quiet, 16.5-17 on real gasoline,
2 mpg less on gasohol. But if you punch it, it's a screamer.
It doesn't notice hills, and the brakes are awesome.

Drove it thru SW PA mountains last weekend to + from
Brownsville, most fun I've had driving since my sports car days.
It feels like a moonshiner, and being high up, you can see
around the corners better.

Still worried about 2wd traction, but it does have limited slip,
brand new Michelins (dealer installed before I saw it),
antilock, so hope for the best.

My wife's not so sure about it, she finally realized that if I
decided to buy a tractor or engine, I can easily haul it home.

Dave Merchant


At 10:53 AM 7/29/2008, you wrote:
>The newer hemi's have the feature of shutting down cylinders if you stay
>under 60 mph.  I'm pretty sure that 2007 was the first year that feature was
>available on the trucks.  We have an 07, has great towing power, under load
>we get about 12 mpg.  Empty we get 17 to 19 mgp (the higher range is if you
>keep it under 60)  I had always been a GM guy, but we really like our Dodge.
>Overall, I think you would be pleased with the towing capacity of that
>truck.
>
>Phil
>Courtland, MN
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Dave Merchant
>Sent: July 26, 2008 1:45 AM
>To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>Subject: [AT] Semi-OT - Looking at Hemi hauler
>
>Looking at a 2003 Dodge 2500, 5.7 Hemi, 2wd, crew cab,
>8' bed, 116K miles, pretty clean, just the start of some
>seam rust on the bed top.
>
>Brand new Michelins, load range E.
>Power everything.
>
>Hitch receiver + rather large electric socket there (didn't look at the
>pinout yet).
>In this area, I suspect it was used to pull either horses or a boat.
>
>Price from a well known reputable lot just under $9K, I think it's the gas
>guzzler stigma.
>Carfax came out good, going to get it on a lift Monday.
>
>Looks like a good tractor hauler to me, to replace my
>1987 Ford 1 ton dually with the International 6.9 diesel.
>
>Any opinions, problems?
>
>How much less pull will I get than the old Ford diesel?
>How many gallons per mile?
>
>Someone said this engine shuts off some cylinders for economy on the hiway,
>true/false?
>
>Thanks
>Dave Merchant
>
>Dave Merchant
>kosh at nesys.com
>nesys_com at ameritech.net
>dmerchant at layerzero.com
>
>http://www.nesys.com
>http://www.nesys.org
>YouTube: SteamCrane
>
>
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Dave Merchant
kosh at nesys.com
nesys_com at ameritech.net
dmerchant at layerzero.com

http://www.nesys.com
http://www.nesys.org
YouTube: SteamCrane