I am new here but have been reading all your threads for quite a few months now. very informative and have learned alot from this group.
I am ready to order a new 2005 SLT 4X4 dually in black with the optional leather interior, 3:73 LSD, 6 speed, and the SRT hood, in the sport package.
I do have a few questions for all you pros out there.

1) If I have a spray in bed liner installed and also a 98 gal. in bed fuel tank should I spray the bed first and then install the extra tank or install tank first and spray second?

2) I am in Wisconsin and wondering if i just drive 15 miles to work in the -20 F. temps if this is hard on the cummins? i would use the high idle and warm up at home for 10 minutes or so in that cold of temps.

3) I visited the dodge.com site and spec. out the truck and it will run sticker of about 45K
I am used to dealing with % off of sticker and always thought that 13-15% off sticker was a decent deal but in some of the threads I see some people were saying they got 7K-12K off of a 42-45K truck - Thats like 16% - 27% off sticker. Is this really realalistic?

4) I currently have a very clean 97 dodge 4X4 auto, SLT, sport package, 2500, with 80,000 mi and a V10 (luckily no tranny probs!) LT 285/75/16 new tires - new hoses and belts - all new brakes in last 3,000 mi. Do you think I can pull $9K out of it on a new trade?

5) I also would not leave the ******* with out adding the A-pilar gauges of EGT, boost, and fuel pressure.

Any feed back would be appreciated - and thanks for all the threads - very informative.

Scott.

 

1) spray first, tank second

2) Very short trips in cold weather are hard an ANY engine. You might get only HALF a million miles out of your CTD

3) I distrust stories I hear of 7K-12K off sticker. I got 6K on a leftover '02 when the 03s where already out.

4) If your '97 was a diesel, you'd get 9K for sure. V10, probably closer to $7800, especially with gas so expensive.

JMHO

 

Same as above, however my truck was stickered at 37,200 and I purchased at 28,200. I had no trade, no money down. Truck was an 04 and I bought it in November of 03. Could be dealer wanted to move it off lot due to the 04.5 with the 600 on its way to dealers around the country. I don't care if I got a 555 instead of a 600, I am all smiles with the truck. I did get two of them bidding against each other for my business !

 

down here, you can get $10+k off sticker... I've got 4 buddies who've done it on 3rd gen trucks! (lucky/rich bastids)

Forrest

 

spray first, tank 2nd

Those temps are not easy on any thing. Try to keep it plugged in as much as possible. And be sure to treat the fuel every tank, and keep a spare fuel filter with you.

You can get at least invoice plus rebate, just look up the invoice price, or have tommygun( www.newdodgeorder.com ) give you a quote. Then take it to your dealer and see how close they come to that price. low to mid 30s i would guess for what your looking for.

 

I believe you should try pricing over the internet before you go to any dealer so that you have an idea what sort of prices are both "good" and realistic. A good place to start would be Dave Smith in Kellogg, Idaho. Depending on the dealerships in your area, you may be able to save a considerable amount if you don't mind a weekend's travel. You need to put 5,000 miles on a Cummins before you hook it up to anything, and get to see some interesting scenery on the way.

I think that you will find that internet prices are at invoice, or perhaps invoice + 1%. At least that was my experience last Febuary.

 

wow 15 miles isnt going to be good on the cummins. even when i let mine warm for 5 mins or so, it still takes 15 miles of driving to get it to even hit 200 degrees on the engine meter, and thats at 65mph

 

plug it in

 

Thanks for all the input - it really does help. i think I will work the internet before I approach the dealers so I have my guns loaded so to speak.
If I am lucky enough to get one then I guess i won't mind a leaving home a little earlier each morning for a warm up trip before work!
Thanks again for all of your help!
Scott

 

I would drill all of the mounting holes, then spray the bed.