Marty, those steps serve two important purposes. One, simple steps for the women to get in and out. I had a loaner from the dealer for a couple of weeks that didn't have them and the wife and daughter both complained bitterly about getting in and out without them.
But more importantly, knowing just how fragile those long thin pieces of tin actually are, they are mostly there to remind me that YES, this is a NICE truck
. When I hear them starting to scrape, it just might trigger some faint response from whatever vestige of caution and common sense there might be hiding somewhere deep inside me. Then again, maybe not, they might just end up kinda bent
.
It's a 5.7 liter - a 350. Not a fire breather by any means, with only something like 395 HP and 410 ft/lbs of torque, it feels like pretty weak sauce compared to my last couple of trucks. But, it is what it is...
It rides so much nicer than my last couple trucks it isn't even funny though. Reminds me of driving a big Chrysler 300. Except I've never been in a Chrysler 300 with as nice an interior as this truck. You really ought to see the INSIDE. Holy cow, talk about NICE! Every time I get in it, I start talking like Mr. Roarke, mumbling about how my butt is swathed in
rich Corinthian leather...
. And the seats are ventilated too, when I turn on the AC I get a nice cool breeze blowing around my boys. Keyless entry - no buttons, just walk up and grab the handle and it automatically unlocks, push button start - I never take the "key" (which isn't a key at all) out of my pocket, 8 speed trans, I can start it or lock/unlock it from anywhere with my phone, big 8.4 inch screen for the backup camera and the nav, internet connected, voice controls for everything from changing the radio to sending a text message, separate 7 inch screen in the instrument cluster for all kinds of stuff like trans oil temp, fuel economy etc., Garmin nav, thumping stereo, built in iPod controls, real hardwood trim, heated steering wheel, power rear window with defroster, sunroof, etc., etc., yadda-yadda. I like...
Gonna take it out in the dirt and get it all filthed up good and proper on Sunday
.
- DAA