I can not find any info on WHY it is not available in CA. Can I buy it out of state and bring it here?
WARLOCK
12-11-2002, 12:07 AM
It wont pass CA emission test, as for the other, I don't know.
sillsmack
12-14-2002, 05:48 PM
Well, no matter, it isn't available with an AT anyway.
If I buy the 3500 SRW I like, I think I'll go with the Cummins LO/Auto and pay a visit to BANKS and get some toys to tweak the LO to near HO levels.
HOWEVER,
The fact that Dodge doesn't offer the AT with the HO suggests that Dodge doesn't trust thier AT to stand the strain an HO will put upon it.
So,
If I tweak a LO to near HO level I will probably run the risk of bombing the AT with all that extra power.
EXCEPT,
I'm a recreational hauler. I use my truck to haul a heavy 3400lb truck camper and pull my 4500 pound Jeep around the west.
I don't work it hard except when going out to play. So if I was to keep the AT limitations in mind and take it easy add additional trans oil coolers and service it as it should I may be able to make the AT last.
Maybe.
christian
12-14-2002, 05:56 PM
sillsmack,
I don't think its that the automatic could not tackle the torque... I think it's merely that they did not have the time to develop an appropriate "valve train"... there is a section of the tranny that programs-in the shift points on the mechanical side - that plus the electrical side. I'd guess an auto will be available for 04 but have not made any queries on that; just guessin'.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good Dodge!
:D
ZS TOY
12-14-2002, 11:05 PM
Originally posted by sillsmack
Well, no matter, it isn't available with an AT anyway.
If I buy the 3500 SRW I like, I think I'll go with the Cummins LO/Auto and pay a visit to BANKS and get some toys to tweak the LO to near HO levels.
HOWEVER,
The fact that Dodge doesn't offer the AT with the HO suggests that Dodge doesn't trust thier AT to stand the strain an HO will put upon it.
So,
If I tweak a LO to near HO level I will probably run the risk of bombing the AT with all that extra power.
EXCEPT,
I'm a recreational hauler. I use my truck to haul a heavy 3400lb truck camper and pull my 4500 pound Jeep around the west.
I don't work it hard except when going out to play. So if I was to keep the AT limitations in mind and take it easy add additional trans oil coolers and service it as it should I may be able to make the AT last.
Maybe.
Well just for your information the HO Diesel is available with the Automatic now. We have allready ordered a couple.
BenZ
ZS TOY
12-14-2002, 11:07 PM
Originally posted by cam440
I can not find any info on WHY it is not available in CA. Can I buy it out of state and bring it here?
I believe it is because CA and their emmisions crap is a joke.
Also NO you can't buy one out of state and bring it in. When you go to register the vehicle it must pass the CA Emissions test.
We just sold a customer a truck that DC said would pass CA emissions test and they took it to their daughter in CA. She just tried to register it and CA says that it will not pass their emissions test. So needless to say we are buying the truck back.
BenZ
ZEN
12-17-2002, 01:52 AM
ZS TOY sorry but wrong. You can buy a HO and bring it in to California and register it, the only thing is that you have to pay $500 extra to register as an non-Cal emissions vehicle every year which would come out to about $1000 yearly to register. BTW this is also tax deductible.
dodge_em
12-17-2002, 09:18 AM
The automatics are somewhat of a weak link in the drive train. My '01 is somewhat modified, and according to the specs on my mods, is putting out more horsepower, and far more torque than an '03 HO. I play hard with my truck, and have seen no problems pulling 10,000 pounds behind it. But I let up on the throttle just a little during shifting, so that the torque converter isn't shifting under Wide Open Throttle (WOT) with the kind of power it is developing. I have put about 60k miles on mine since the modifications. I will probably upgrade the torque converter and valve body in the future. My own 2¢ is to get the engine that is available in your area with the transmission you want, and then modify it. You can modify it a little, and get the numbers at or above the high output for relatively modest amounts of money and effort.
I don't know much about California emissions, other than the fact that they are obnoxiously over regulated. Factories puke out far more emissions than vehicles, but vehicles are easier to restrict. Without really inciting a political battle, I am glad that I don't live in a state that is so liberal and governmentally controlled.
I will say this about modifications. Research, Research, Research. There are more brands and varieties of modifications that can be done than you will really realize until you start to dig. People will want to jump in and say "You need to get Brand X product!! You won't believe the increase!!" And they are probably right. But do a little homework and pick out the mods that fit your budget, your driving style, and your present and future needs. There are a lot of distributors and salespeople for various products that cruise these boards and try to sway you one way or the other. I am not one of them. I would be happy to answer any of your questions as honestly and as completely as I can. If I don't know the answer, I will try and get it for you and get back to you.
Good luck with your truck, and have a Ramtastic Holiday Season!!
ZS TOY
12-17-2002, 09:34 AM
Originally posted by ZEN
ZS TOY sorry but wrong. You can buy a HO and bring it in to California and register it, the only thing is that you have to pay $500 extra to register as an non-Cal emissions vehicle every year which would come out to about $1000 yearly to register. BTW this is also tax deductible.
The truck that we sold was a 4.7L 1500. I am just saying what the CA dept of Trans told us. Maybe it is different for the Diesels?
BenZ
kilrcalikawi
05-08-2003, 03:45 PM
As far as I can tell if you are a california resident you cannot purchase a new vehicle out of state unless it has california emissions equipment. I have not found anything that relates to diesels however. The dmv website http://www.dmv.ca.gov has a link to the california air resources board in the registration section on buying an out of state vehicle, the information is about as clear as mud, and it says nothing about diesels so I still don't know. Try it and let me know how it turns out, I want a high output too, or else I'm going to have to buy a ford :-P
