04 Grill on a 03

[radar doctor]

I'm buying a 03 and i like the 04 grill, it has a better looking chrome grill. i ask the dealer about it and they say they can be changed out. They want right at $400. 00. Now they tell me there is only 3 of them in the us and they are spoken for? Can this be true? Any suggestions? What about Mudd Flaps for the 03??Any ideas on this? I also heard from a guy that i better buy a 4X4 instead of a 4X2 as i had planned. He said i wouldn't be able to get rid of it when i traded? Is that what the TDR people Think???

 

[crabjoe]

When you say 3 of them, are you speaking of the Billet grill (Chrome with horizontal lines)? If all you want is the Billet grill, you can get them from any dealer parts, Geno's or a bunch of online parts stores. No way would I pay $400 for it. I've seen them going for around $90 and I hear installation is a snap, like 15 mins.

 

[SRadke]

I haven't seen the diffrence between the two grills. There are aftermarket inserts available if they are more what you're looking for.



I have DuraFlap muid flaps on my 03. I like how they look. These are the same flaps they sell at the Les Schwab stores (at least the ones around here). There is a picture in my readers rigs album here.



Buying 4x4 is good insurance. When shopping for a 4-8 year old rig you'll pay about 5k more for 4x4. I think that is about what it costs on a new one. On the other hand 2wd gives you fewer moving parts, better fuel milage, and a rig that's easier to get into. That is your call. Good luck.



-Scott

 

[DJaquez]

You can order the grill insert from Dodge for approximately $85. To install it take the entire grill assembly off your truck (5 nuts on the top and 4 bolts on the sides) . Lay on a soft surfact to prevent scratching. Using a small punch push out the centers of the retaining pins. You must buy 22 of these they are PN 5073327AA. Remove and replace the grill insert install the new pins in place of the ones you removed Reinstall the grill assembly and smile. I did this to mine - Grill insert was given to me by a guy that took it off his sport truck.

 

[VStahl]

I would recommend an actual billet grille insert, not the mopar plastic billet. the actual aftermarket "billet" are made of aluminum and will hold up to a dove or pheasant that would go right thru a plastic one like the mopar. Plus, my opinion is that the aftermarket look better. look at my readers rig pics, one of the pics is of my aftermarket "billet" grille. I bought it thru www.4wheelparts.com and gave $100 for it. It bolts in place of the honeycomb. Took maybe 20 minutes to istall and i think it looks great and is better protection of the radiator fins when a bird flies in front of you.

 

[Moterhead]

4X4 vs 4X2? Good question. Do you have any need for a 4X4? Looks like about a wash on return on investment. $5,000 more initial cost and $5,000 higher resale value was cited by a previous poster. Also, the disadvantages of 4X4 were cited. Advantages are obvious. My new '04 is a 4X2. I have absolutely no use for a 4X4. I live in the Florida Keys, don't off road, pull a TT in improved areas only. Why would I pay the extra money and have to put up with the rougher ride, reduced fuel economy and higher profile just to get the same money back at resale time? But, JOIBO! You pays your money and takes your pick. Your truck, buy what you want and can afford and worry about resale when that time comes.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Billet Insert

SRadke, your grille looks great, and I'm amazed you found one for that price. Every aluminum billet grille insert I've seen is like $189 and up! Thanks for the info!



Vaughn

 

[SRadke]

That's VStahl's grill but your right, it does look great.



-Scott

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Doh! Sorry VStahl, thanks for setting me straight SRadke



I looked around on the website but cannot find the grille insterts online Guess I'll have to call them.



Vaughn

 

[SRadke]

I sent them an email. Looking forward to the response.

 

[BIG BOB]

What about Mudd Flaps for the 03??Any ideas on this?

The only one! NorthWest Custom! Get them in Stainless Steel!



http://www.omnicast.net/~nwcustom/mudflaps.html

 

[VStahl]

billet grille info

Thanks for the compliments guys, I really like how the billet grille cleaned up the looks of the front of the truck.

I will post reply tomorrow when I get home and take a look at my receipt and get you guys a part number on the billet grille, the salesman I dealt with, and a contact number for him.

 

[VStahl]

billet grille part number

the part number is PRE 805040. Bought it from www.4wheelparts.com at phone number 972-578-7825.