Cross-Country Trip In My New Black 04 RC

[fun2xlr8]

Hey all,
Glad I found this little corner of the internet. I am about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. Hopefully I will make it back home alive. I just scored a killer deal on a black low-mileage regular cab SRT on Ebay. Problem is, it's in Kentucky and I'm in the Seattle area. *DING*......idea!! I should go pick it up in person instead of having it shipped out. That is, after all, what a true gear head would do, right? So, my flight leaves tomorrow night and I am way beyond excited!!
I am just wondering, since I have never actually even riden in one of these bad boys before, if there is anything I should know before heading out? I am no novice when it comes to fast cars and trucks, having built, raced, and driven an 11-second street legal 1970 Road Runner, among many other fast cars and trucks as well. But I am just wondering if this truck may have some wierd quirks about it that the general public is not privy to.
Any help would be appreciated greatly.

Greg

 

[RedRamRules]

The brakes are something you will notice when you use them, very good and grab fast . Otherwise it will be a car you will be in love with from the first time you push the start button.

Welcome to the forums, congrats on the purchase and have a great trip

 

[Django]

Congrats on your new BEAST...... Just don't expect it to rip your head off... after all it is a truck........Good luck on yer trip and welcome to the asylum.....

..Now go get a Paxton and you'll be most of the way home....:burnout:

SD

 

[fun2xlr8]

The brakes I can handle. My current (soon to be replaced) daily driver is a BMW 3-series. They are famous for their braking ability, so that part should be a smooth transition.
I am more looking for tips like..."the rear swings around under heavy braking to the right", or "you can't skip a gear on downshift"...any issues with that sort of stuff?

Greg

 

[fun2xlr8]

gonna start with the basics first....headers, exhaust, lowering, etc. But make no mistake, I have my sights set on a blower some time in the near future. Any plans for any company other than Paxton to be releasing one? I am not rich by any strech of the imagination, so dropping 7 grand on my truck all in one day, while certainly worth it from a power gain standpoint, is still a big chunk of change to part with for me. Mostly wondering if someone else may be coming out with a more competitively priced kit?

Greg

 

[silversrt]

Roe racing has a roots style due out soon.Not sure on a price point though.:dontknow:

gonna start with the basics first....headers, exhaust, lowering, etc. But make no mistake, I have my sights set on a blower some time in the near future. Any plans for any company other than Paxton to be releasing one? I am not rich by any strech of the imagination, so dropping 7 grand on my truck all in one day, while certainly worth it from a power gain standpoint, is still a big chunk of change to part with for me. Mostly wondering if someone else may be coming out with a more competitively priced kit?

Greg

 

[Kevan]

Greg- I just finished a 600 mile road trip in my new truck (05 RC, bone stock). For trips like this, keep your tank full! I didn't let mine get below 2/3 tank.

I averaged about 16 mpg the entire trip. I spent most of the time about 8-10 mph over the posted speed limit (I'm a bad kid...LOL), and rode 6th gear as much as possible with the cruise control.

DO NOT expect 3-series-type gas mileage. Not even close. As you're driving the gas gauge needle drops like Paris Hilton's panties. Ok, maybe not quite *that* fast, but you get the idea.

So, full tank as often as possible, and 5th and 6th with the cruise control.

If you're travels bring you through Columbus, OH, feel free to email or call.
Enjoy your new truck!

 

[Texas Yellow Fever]

Congratulations and welcome to our family. It sounds like there's nothing that we can tell you that you don't already know. Have fun, be safe, and give us a full trip report (with pictures) when you get her home!

 

[fun2xlr8]

Thanks for the advice guys. I hear ya on the full tank thing Kevan. I once drove a 454 Vortec Suburban across country. Same story, except that that thing had a huge fuel tank....46 gals if I remember correctly. I am assuming the SRT has something closer to a 25 gal? I will keep her full, especially since I will be lucky to stay within 15 of the posted limits. Going to be deliberately heading through Montana so I can open her up and see what she can do a few times. Gonna try to hit the govenor just for fun somewhere in that state. I am going through Ohio, but not near Columbus, thanks for the invite.

I guess not being able to tell me anything I don't already know is a good thing right Steve?....No surprises?

Thanks again guys, I'll be sure to post a full report of my misadventures when I get back.

Greg

 

[2ndchance]

Have a good trip and drive safely.

 

[Silverback]

Welcome to the site from another Seattle area member.

A couple things to watch for. The weight distribution (55/45) is not that bad, but we have a lot of unsprung weight, so the rearend can dance around on you if you are pushing it in a corner and hit a bump. Also, these beasts do not give you much warning that they are going to break loose. You want to make sure that you get your new toy home in one piece.

Have a great trip, and be sure to let us know how it went.

Just thought of something else. Some of these trucks can consume about a quart of oil per thousand miles. Keep an eye on the oil level.

 

[VipeMe]

Yeah, that is the biggest thing... Remember you are still driving a 5000+ pound vehicle... She may have the get up and go of a muscle car, and she can hang pretty good in the corners, but the one thing they don't like is BUMPS!!!!

 

[Marc T]

The brakes I can handle. My current (soon to be replaced) daily driver is a BMW 3-series. They are famous for their braking ability, so that part should be a smooth transition.
I am more looking for tips like..."the rear swings around under heavy braking to the right", or "you can't skip a gear on downshift"...any issues with that sort of stuff?

Greg

RedRamRules is right! The brakes can jump out at you if you are not use to them, especially if it still has stock pads. They are very grabby and as you know, once they grab you get thrown deeper into them!! Alot of peole noticed this on the 04's.

Just give em a little test before you get her up to speed!!:burnout:

Have fun on your trip and tak pics!!:rock:

 

[OCBob]

If you hit any of that wet stuff falling from the sky (I think they call it rain, but it's been a while since we have had any so I'm not sure LOL) be very careful. It's like pushing a pig around on a frozen lake when it gets wet. You may also have a problem with people staring and drooling as you pass them.

 

[FerrariTruck]

Well have fun with your trip home. The most important things you should worry about on your trip home need to be about yourself. If possible make sure you bring a co-driver and make sure you are well rested. I drove from dallas to La when i got mine which was a lil over 1500 miles. Secondly, as you are probably used to the stability of the 3 series dont be surprised with the wander the truck will have going down th highway. As far as hitting the limiter, i would reconsider until you get some time behind the wheel to learn how the truck reacts. Dont go past 100 and just get it home... get a valentine one radar detector..drink red-bulls...air down tires if it feels unstable to 34psi....have fun and take pics for a scrap book

 

[hemi killer]

If you drive thru Omaha Ne, look me up. Good luck and have fun filling her up with fuel.

 

[fun2xlr8]

Thanks for all the advise well wishes and words of wisdom everyone. I feel like I have a new home on the internet!!

Hey Silverback, what part of Seattle area are you? I am in Edgewood(near Puyallup). Do you take it to the track much? I am planning on hitting Pacific on the 15th.

Greg

 

[fun2xlr8]

Gotta GO!!! Flight leaves in a few hours!!!! YAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!

 

[Texas Yellow Fever]

Gotta GO!!! Flight leaves in a few hours!!!! YAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!

Be safe, have fun.

 

[Silverback]

Thanks for all the advise well wishes and words of wisdom everyone. I feel like I have a new home on the internet!!

Hey Silverback, what part of Seattle area are you? I am in Edgewood(near Puyallup). Do you take it to the track much? I am planning on hitting Pacific on the 15th.

Greg

Not that far from you. I live in Covington, near Maple Valley.

There are a few members that live in the Puget Sound area. Thesickness, Ram from Hell, and Dallas are here. We try to all get together every 3 or 4 months. In fact my wife and I just had lunch with Mikey (thesickness) on Sunday over at the Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor.

Next meeting will probably be at the Claim Jumper at South Center sometime in late August or early September. Let us know if you want to join us.