Well, I've had about enough of my POS Ford, and since I had so much good luck with my V10 Ram, I'm trading for a new Cummins 600.

So......I just ordered one right at dealer invoice less incentive; Dodge (in the Mid-Atlantic Region) is currently offering $2000 rebate + 0.00% for 48 months. Usually it's one or the other - deal was too good to pass up.

Ordered 3500 SRW 4x4 48RE Cummins 600 SLT in Silver Metallic with Taupe Cloth interior.

My dealer will put the order in on Monday, he is a high volume dealer here in SE PA, and says he has plenty of allocation. Hopefully, he said he'd also have a VON for me. About 8 weeks he said, but hopefully sooner. I can't wait.

 

Good going! I ordered mine the last day of 2003. I called the dealer this week and got the VON. Then I called DC and got a VIN and projceted build date of 01.21.04 and projected delivery date of 02.13.04. So now we both sit and wait.

I think they put yours on a boat and ship it to Baltimore. Mine will be put on a train and shipped to Southern California.

jr

 

So it looks like from order to delivery about 6 weeks. Well, I get to figure out everything I'm gonna put on it: gauges, tonneau, bedliner....

 

Well...to be candid, I am thinking these dates are optmistic. I suppose that the delivery date will be more realistic when building has actually started.

So, you are going to use you waiting time thinking of how to spend more?

jr

 

Wexman,

Congrats!

My 03 actually hit the lot a few days before its projected delivery date.

Don't count on a dealership to make sure the fluids are topped up (mine was low on transfer case, and both axels).

Though accessories are a personal preference, I would really recommend that you get the rear fender liners, and the service manual when you pick up the truck (and can talk them into a discount).

Jeff

 

Good tip. No liners there when delivered?

I had read about the fluid levels when the 3G trucks were new last year, but that talk had died down, so I thought maybe they were being delivered properly. I'll make sure and have them checked prior to my taking delivery.

 

I have had chevys and fords.No regrets on buying this 2004 ram H.O. 2500.Nice handling,stout truck.coobie

 

Cool wexman. I ordered mine on 1/14/04, so ours shouldn't be too far apart in the build process. This waiting is killing me and it's only been 3 days. I will be spending my time trying to sell my Ford; don't want to trade it in unless I have to. I've already got a pretty good list of things to buy for the Dodge.

Jeff in TD,
How much does the service manual cost? Thanks. I plan on keeping my Dodge much longer than I did my Ford, so the manual will probably be real nice to have.

 

I found the CD version of the shop manual on Ebay for $25. Although a book is easier to flip through, and have on your fender when you're working on your rig, the CD version can be "searched" and it was also a lot cheaper.

 

I don't know what the service manual costs, as I made them throw it in with the deal. The sales agreement lists the cost of the truck, licensing and title, delivery, totalling to the price we agreed on, and only says that mudflaps and manual are included. It is a pretty nice, two volume thing, and I would guess it would be $80 or $100.

Mine was an early 03, so there wasn't a Chilton's or other quality book out there yet. Issues of low gear oil may also have been resolved by now, but I would sure check it.

One other thing I would suggest getting is an exhaust pipe extension. Unless something has changed, the stock pipe will make soot stains on the quarter pannel and bumper. I just ordered one from Geno's and posted on a thread discussing them. ("Need some help on accessories please" by PapaPerk).

You guys remind me when I was looking at carhaulers going by, and driving through the dealer's lot every day waiting for my truck...

 

The exhaust will be one of the first things changed out.

 

Could someone enlighten my ignorance about fender liners? Purpose, need?

jr

 

Jamar,

Would have replied sooner, but had to restart my computer as I was having trouble getting the reply to upload.

Essentially on a stock, late model truck there is nothing to keep the rear wheel from slinging rocks, salt, and grime under the body of the truck. There is a small plastic shield behind each wheel, but that's it.

For about $80 you can get a kit that contains two black plastic tubs and mounting hardware. The stock shields come out, and the tubs go in, resting on the lip on the inside of the wheel well. They attach with sheet metal screws going through factory holes on the lip which thread into metal clips that attach to the edge of the plastic tubs. There are also some screws that go on the inside, into factory holes on the framework under the bed.

Here's a photo of one in place. The hole cut in this one is something I did for access to the release lever for my hitch.

Jeff

 

Looks like something I should look into for my new truck.

We have snow but not the salt problem here in California. I think I would have some concern about rust behind the liner. Some years ago when undercoating was first popular, cars with undercoating rusted through first because of pockets of corrosive material held next to the metal.

If this protection is important I wonder why it would not be provided in the first place?

Anyone ever try spray in liner in this area of the fender?

jr

 

Essentially, without the liner the whole underside of the bed is open above and ahead of the rear wheels, so I don't think you could easily or cheaply spray bedliner up there. (Assuming I understood what you meant).

The way the bottom of the side of the body curves in really makes it catch and retain piles of gook without the wheel liners in place.

The plastic tub meets the metal lip quite closely, so hopefully it won't allow much grit or water in between. Still, I frequently hose off the undercarriage.

"Why isn't this protection provided in the first place?" My sales guy said it was stock a few years ago. I suspect it was a cost cutting measure, like no key lock on passenger side, and no underhood light (apparenlty now part of an optional lighting group on 04).