Truckman Reborn...

Click here for Update #1...

Click here for Update #2...
Click here for Update #3...
Click here for Update #4...
Click here for Update #5...
Click here for Update #6...
Click here for Update #7...
Click here for Update #8...
Click here for Update #9...
Click here for Update #10...

Those who have followed the saga of Truckman and his trucks through the withering debacle bringing the loss of his beloved Dodge/Cummins know of the heartache that was left as he was compelled to say goodbye to his 15 year relationship with what was much more than just a means of conveyance...Regardless that he was not motionless as he still retained his Dodge Challenger, there remained a profound sense of loss that only those who truly love their trucks can feel when fate snatches away the one which was expected to last as long as its driver...Even though the Challenger was a satisfactory ride for Truckman, and carried him from point "A" to point "B" in style, and with power to spare, something was still missing...History shows that Truckman is always happiest and most productive when a soul-satisfying truck awaits his touch in his driveway, especially if it is powered by a Cummins diesel...

The Challenger was not only stylish, with the potential of travelling just as fast as Truckman desired, it drew attention wherever it was parked, and even returned admirable fuel mileage under an admittedly light foot...But something was missing...One can become accustomed to climbing up to the driver's seat instead of sitting down in it, and the feeling of command from the higher position is undeniable...Being able to look to either side and have a panoramic view of the world behind through large, upright truck mirrors instead of the smaller more aerodynamic side mirrors furnished on the Challenger lends to a sense of security in knowing all that is behind and around the driver of a truck...And as thrilling as it was to hear the roar of power from the Dodge Hemi engine through the Magnaflow dual exhaust, nothing could quite erase the satisfying rumble of a Cummins diesel engine...

As it finally dawned on Truckman that his soul could not rest without another truck, he began the quest to find a replacement for his lost love...It soon became apparent that the 2003 Dodge was truly unique in its equipment and low, well-maintained mileage as absolutely nothing was available to match it anywhere at any price...Truckman decided to broaden the scope of his search into other manufacturers, and other engine/transmission choices, but nothing seemed really right...At the same time his thoughts drifted back to another long lost truck which served its purpose so well, the 1973 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup employed as his gunshow truck when he was an independent firearms dealer...The "History" link above can provide a description...It was strictly utilitarian in purpose and appearance, but was also one of the most reliable trucks ever with never even a hint of trouble...It took me wherever I needed to go, and hauled anything I asked it to...

Therefore I began to look at Dodge diesels in a more practical way...Not really needing all the latest in electronic gadgetry, and not being the flamboyant type with the need for the Laramie or Texas Edition Bighorn trucks with the accompanying high price tags, I began to look at the lower priced (and lesser equipped) ST and SLT packages...There are plenty out there to choose from, some with over a half million miles on them and still running, but obviously tired...Finally, after searching repeatedly in a 500 mile radius, I located one less than a mile from home at Weisner Buick/GMC where I had bought many vehicles in the past, and also introduced several new customers for their auto needs...This was a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 ST originally built as a Cab & Chassis for upfitting with a custom bed...Carfax confirmed that it had only two owners since its original sale at Tomball Dodge (then also a Weisner dealership)...It was a corporate truck fitted with a flatbed and used for local deliveries in San Antonio/Austin...From there it was sold to an individual in 2016 who drove it to Montana for work, and returned to Conroe to trade it in on another at Weisner in 2018...It was obviously well cared for with no signs of neglect nor abuse...

It is a single cab with seats for two and a middle jumpseat/armrest...It was originally specced with few options or creature comforts, but in addition to the standard power steering, power brakes and air conditioning, it does have AM/FM/CD radio and cruise control...A 52 gallon fuel tank means fewer stops to feed the mighty 6.7 liter Cummins diesel...This newer engine features a variable vane turbocharger with built in exhaust brake...A test drive confirmed it has all the power needed to keep up with traffic anywhere...One concession I made to my practical side was to accept the six-speed Aisin automatic transmission in place of my former manual shift...I'm already becoming accustomed to it although I still have a tendency to reach for that non-existent clutch pedal and shift lever...This is also a two wheel drive model, but in all fairness, I only needed the 4WD of my former truck twice in 15 years...Being specced as a cab & chassis, it was built with a super-strong solid tube axle in front in place of independent suspension, and industry-standard straight frame rails to accommodate upfitters...

I took delivery yesterday after negotiating a fair price with my salesman, Vince Taylor, who as always was willing to jump through hoops to please a customer with no rush, and no pressure...The Challenger was also taken as a trade at a fair price...Due to the previously talked of visibility issues between it and my trucks, it had received a scrape in a minor fender bender, for which I took the penalty in the negotiated trade...My next stop was CC Plus to get my XM radio installed (already tuned to my customary Radio Classics channel 148), and then to top off the fuel tank with fresh diesel...Today I drove it to Kustomwerk Paint & Body to schedule getting the paint refreshed on the flatbed...Other improvements are already beginning to take shape in my mind as I prepare for what I hope to be another long love affair with a truck...I look at this one as a combination of my beloved 2003 Dodge Laramie and my ever-dependable 1973 Chevy...The roll-up windows, manually adjusted towing mirrors and hand-operated  door locks remind me of the old Chevy, and the power and sound of the Cummins diesel bring a smile to my weathered face as I drive off into a new adventure in motoring...

With 145,200 miles on the odometer as I took delivery, the Cummins is fully broken in and champing at the bit for the highway...As with each of my 16 previous purchases at Weisner dealerships, this being the third one negotiated with my friend Vince Taylor, I look forward to crossing several more odometer thresholds in my new ride...

Photos may be seen here...

Addendum: In a move that has become commonplace with Traveler's Insurance Co. they again made an error in insuring my new ride...While reviewing my new policy and insurance card, my eagle-eyed staff noticed that the truck was listed as a 1998 year model instead of the correct 2009...A call was made and the mistake was corrected to reflect the change...Although this was clearly a blunder on the part of Traveler's since the year model should have been taken from the supplied VIN, and since Truckman told them the correct year in the first place, the Traveler's representative put the blame on the manufacturer because they had changed their name from Dodge to Ram in 2009, apparently confusing the folks at Traveler's who have only had the ensuing nine years to update their database...Their apology came in the form of an increase in price for my policy since the truck is now newer than they had thought...Arguing the point seemed fruitless, and Truckman decided his time would be more productively spent in locating a more competent insurer...

More articles concerning Transportation/Motorsports...