Bill,
I have a '01 2500 QC SB 4X4. Love it!! Bought in March, already have 19K on it. It is loaded with everything except the heated leather. For some reason the heated seat is unavailable with the plow prep. Also no plow prep with Sport pkg, due to front air dam.
Truck is AWESOME. I bought the diesel, and will NEVER buy another full size pickup with a gas engine. The V10 has good power, is thirsty at the pump.
Dodge changed the brakes in '00. Fronts are dual piston calipers, rears are 1 ton drums. I believe the '01.5s are going to come with rear disc. My truck has the drums, and stops NOW.
The tranny's were also changed a little on the '01, or at least on the diesel. The pump pressure has been raised, and there is a thermostatic valve on the cooler. Previous models did NOT circulate fluid in Park, so when you thought you were cooling the tranny down, you were baking it!(thanx to THE LAWN GUY/JOHN D. for this info) Plow prep has an "overheat" light. Trans shifts firm/quick, hope it stays that way. I have been towing a 5Klbs trailer with ease.
Truck rides well, interior comfort is exceptional. Fit/finish has been very good. I was leery of buying the Ram after all the bad I had heard/read about them. The problem areas have been brakes/steering/auto trans on the older Rams. Dodge seems to have cleaned these up, althought I did adjust my steering box, it was loose from new. Took all of 5 minutes...BUT you should NOT have to do this on a new truck.
I almost purchased a new SD F350 Ford, but back to back test rides, and Ford's unwillingness to negotiate, made the Ram a better choice for ME.
I have not yet installed a plow, plan on using the Ford this season. The front axle rating on the Ram is 5200lbs, will carry Vplow easily.
My only complaints are the paint chips too easy, and my wife is always stealing the keys....LOL. She loves driving it!!!
Dave
[Edited by DaveO on 11-01-2000 at 08:33 PM]