Sam Memmolo
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TDR - How It Happened (gift giving Ideas) I don't remember exactly why I happened to be at Cummins South one day a few years ago, but that's where I met Robert Patton face to face for the first time. He seemed to be an average, yet aggressive and knowledgeable diesel guy. Once we started talking, he wore me out about Dodge / Cummins Turbo Diesel pick up trucks. As I drove home in my trusty Silverado gas job, I thought, why would anyone want a monstrosity like that ?? Having to chase around finding fuel that reminded me of the old range oil stove that heated the kitchen on those cold New England nights back home. As a kid, my job was to carry the two and a half gallon range oil can about two blocks down the street to a place called Brown's variety store. There for approximately fifty cents, Mr. Brown would fill it, and I would carry it back home. I would smell that stuff for days, because as any kid would, I somehow got kerosene all over myself. Funny how a smell can trigger memories of things so far in the past. I also asked myself, why would anyone want all that noise and smoke. Sometime later, Robert and I met for lunch at a Cajun place in town, and after lunch I had my first experience with a Dodge Turbo diesel. Admittedly is wasn't a long drive, but I wasn't sold. I jumped back into my Chevy, and off I went with the 5.7L barking the tires and looking good. I was a real Bowtie fan and nothing could change that. Amazing how things evolve. This past season on "Shadetree Mechanic", Dave Bowman and I built a street rod out of my 1954 Chevy pick up truck. This is now a full custom show vehicle with all kinds of glitter and paint that puts the Crown Jewels to shame. Of course now I needed an enclosed car hauler. I put a deal together with a local RV and trailer center that sponsors my Atlanta radio show. By now you probably know where this is going. I took delivery of my 3500 pound trailer and immediately realized that with a 3500 pound truck loaded inside, that I needed more truck outside. Off to the Chevy dealer I went. The dealer principal and I are friends, and he steered me away from the GM diesel to a Vortec 454. Lot's of power, but fuel economy was not one of it's strengths. Now what ?? Was it possible that I would have to consider a Ford with a Powerstroke ?? No, I couldn't even think about a Dodge. I had spent too much time making fun of Dodge drivers. Cummins is a great engine, but it's not in a Chevy. Here I was, Mr. Indecision. Then it happened. In casual conversation several weeks prior, I mentioned to a friend in the wholesale vehicle business that I would probably need a bigger truck. Sure enough, it happened. Jeff Keifer called me and said, "I found just the truck for you, just traded at the local Dodge dealer". "You'll need to act fast, or it will be gone". I called my wife Diana and asked her to rendezvous with me for lunch the very next day. We drove on over to the Dodge place, and there it was. A Big, Black, and loaded 1997 Dodge 3500 Diesel extended cab dually 4X4 SLT with leather, power seats, trailer tow mirrors, and a camper package. It was awesome. I was hesitant to even drive the thing. If I were buying new, I would not get a black truck. I would not buy a 4X4. I would really have to think about going back to a five speed manual after driving an automatic for so long. I was making excuses, and justifying not buying a Dodge. Then it happened. I put on dark glasses, (to be incognito) and hopped up into the Dodge. Diana is tiny, ( five feet, ninety pounds) and she was overwhelmed with the large cab. We fired up the Cummins, turned out onto the freeway and away we went. All of a sudden, it hit me. I was enjoying this truck. Okay, so it was black, and okay, so it was a 4X4 with a manual gearbox, I LIKED IT !! The next move was to call Robert Patton and arrange a meeting to let him see the thing and advise me. He was super accommodating, and we met over a plate of grilled salmon for lunch at LongHorn's. He was impressed and said, "You gotta get this truck". (I didn't expect anything less.) "Let me drive it" We swapped trucks, and headed west on I-20 a few exits. When we stopped, I told him the history of the truck. (Well maintained at the dealer by a guy who is lucky enough to buy a new truck every year, hauled his prized horses in a gooseneck, and was really picky about his truck.) Robert was excited at the possibility that I was really going to make the move up to a real truck, so he put me over the top with a Turbo Diesel Register denim jacket. The deal was cemented, and I haven't looked back since. Except to see over eight thousand pounds of trailer in the mirrors that I don't know is there. In less than two months, I have driven over five thousand miles, lots of which involved trailering, and I've had a blast. I have eaten crow from my Chevy friends, but not one of them has even attempted to put my Dodge down. We did a brake job on the dually on "Shadetree Mechanic". I have installed new Monroe Sensitrac Gas shocks, new Ferodo America Selectra SD pads and linings, flushed the hydraulic system, and added a five inch chrome tail pipe tip. The brake show is loaded with tips on how to do it right, and how to save money. By the way, the Ferodo Selectra SD friction materials are truly superior to anything I have ever used. They are specifically designed compounds for severe service, and are expected to deliver almost three times the life of OEM pads. They are also quiet as a mouse. I immediately felt the difference in stopping distance and smoothness. The Phoenix Systems Injector tool belongs in every Shadetree and Professional tool box. They have several different levels from the Professional kit we used on the show, to the basic kit for occasional users. It's the most trick tool I've seen in years. My dually also came with diamond plate running boards, Dodge mud flaps front and rear, Fog lights, (Factory) and an Infinity sound system. I can't wait to get up each day, open the cab slider, and motor on down the road. The Infinity million speaker audio system is superb. The six way leather faced drivers seat is super, and with the overhead compass / outside temp deal, and electrochromic rear view mirror, I'm a driving fool !! All you Chevy and Ford drivers need to use the right lane on hills when towing. I think those trucks should be placarded on the visor. Something like this: "Beware of Dodge Turbo Diesel on Hills!" I've learned the best locations in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama for buying diesel, and getting the best cup of coffee for my cup holder. This is living. Ask Me About My Truck !!!!!!! Did I mention a 355 Posi rear end (DANA 80), Tilt, cruise, and A/C.......... I'm talking to you here, .... Pay attention!!! Sam Memmolo
Monroe
Sensitrac shocks
Ferodo
America Selectra SD Brake pads
and linings.
Phoenix
Systems Phoenix
Injector
9am – 11am Eastern Time. 1 800 355 3597
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