2004 prices, options & incentives?

[rmcnamee]

Hello all,

Well, after 2 weeks of searching, my dealer and I can't find the 2003 3500 I'm looking for , so it looks like I'll be ordering a 2004. The dealer said the prices shouldn't change, but he was unsure as to what the incentives will be on the 2004s. Anyone have any idea what the incentives will be? Any new options coming out in 2004? Any help/info would be great!



Thanks

Ryan

 

[NSperduto]

I';ve heard (but not from the dealer) that the engine heater will not be standard, it's an option now.



Also, hopefully the 04 auto will be approved for the exhaust brake. I'm in the same boat as you. I was told the same thing, they could order, but did not know the prices, but whatever it was it would be $500 over invoice (minus incentives I think) for me to buy. I was not ready to order, so I didn't go into deep discussion about it.

 

[Posm]

I ordered one this afternoon. The dealer still did not have prices. We agreed on $100. 00 over invoice so it did not matter much to me. He wanted to wait until he had the prices, but I wanted to get an early build date.

The new options are: No block heater and optional navigational radio. The block heater should be standard IMO. The truck is rated to start down to -10 with the new high pressure system.

The nav radio is over $1400. 00 other DC cars and the dealer did not think it would be cheaper in a Ram. I did not want the system for that kind of Change.



Bryan

 

[DBVZ]

See the note on exhaust brake from Carlton Bale. The 2004 will NOT be approved for an auto with exhaust brake until at least January '04. If you order before that you get the '03 automatic that can not have an exhaust brake, at least not without warranty issues. If you want the 6-speed, no problem.

 

[NSperduto]

Actually, I asked that question about the brake and if you read further down in that post, carlton had this to say "Assuming everything goes according to plan, which it may not, MY2004. 5 (Jan 2004) trucks will be built with the hardware and software changes. MY04 (Aug 2003) trucks will be built with the hardware and will receive the software in Jan of 2004, at which point they would be exhaust brake compatible. If anything changes, I'll let you know as soon as I can. "

 

[DLeno]

Any chance the cab lights on the 3500s are an option now? Those I can do without.

 

[DBVZ]

Thanks for the correction. I was so disappointed that I must have just missed that clarification.



On the 3500 lights, it is a federal DOT thing for the heavier GVW trucks. Not optional unless the federal rules change. Kind of like the third brake light issue when you add a canopy.

 

[Eric_77]

Clearnce lights are just that. They are required due to width which the SRW 3500 should not have them; they remove them from the tail gate why not the cab? I hate the orange toads on the roof. DRW they are required.

 

[DLeno]

nuts on the orange toads. yea i was refering to the short box 3500. really, the only difference between the 2500 and the 3500 short box trucks I think is the rear springs. or is there more?



Guess it boils down to the mfg process and the fact that all 3500s are treated equally. too bad. If they can remove the block heater from std equipment they can remove the lights from the 3500 SWB

 

[raychem]

so you guy know... . the clearance lights which are 5 across atop and rear onn all DRW trucks are used to signify that the vehicle is over 80" in width. That is mandatory by DOT and why all trucks over 80" have them. Good question though on the SRW models... . i'll have to reaserch that.



Richard

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by DLeno

Any chance the cab lights on the 3500s are an option now? Those I can do without.

Just take the bulbs out.

 

[DLeno]

well, yes, but that doesn't help appearance during the day

 

[nickleinonen]

i like the cab clearence lights, IF they have clear lenses and clear lensed amber LED's. so they are completely clear in day, light up at night. that's ok. but yeah, don't like the amber orange lenses at all...

 

[MojaveJoe]

Clear lenses and amber bulbs

OK... I give up,



So where would a guy find some clear lenses and clear lensed amber LEDs for the clearance lights on the roof and the back end of a 3500?



My new WHITE truck will look a lot better with them, I think.



Anyone have a link to a supplier and/or pics?



..... only 2 weeks left til I order... . Oo.

 

[Ladders]

Me thinks (trouble for me) that because it is a 3500 cab, it gets the lites since the line sheet lists it to be built as a 3500, regardless what is on the rear. Same reason all the fuel tank caps have the check eng lite warning.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I love my cab lights! Wouldn't think of not having them. They don't look that great during the day, but it's the look it gives your truck going down the road at night. It separates you from the wannabes



I saw an older Ram 1500 with cab lights the other day. Now that does *not* look good



Vaughn

 

[LightmanE300]

I'd be ****** if they came on my truck, they make it look like a friggin tow-truck! I think they look tacky as hell at all hours. Just my opinion... they dont come on 2500's right??

 

[Jeff Clark]

Originally posted by LightmanE300

they dont come on 2500's right??

Not unless you order them. Personally, I like them, but that's just me.

 

[Dean Upson]

I never thought those cab lights would arouse such passions . I have had 4 DRW's since 1986 and they have all had them, so I got used to them. I do like the newer style that have no chrome on them and not the old ones that looked like a rocket ship. Like them or not, they do serve purposes. They make you more visable in bad weather, and I seem to remember, years ago, that the snow plowing packages included them (I could be wrong on that score). Some like them and some hate them. I think they are . Just my opinion, but I think it makes my truck look like a truck . The cab lights are an option on the 2500 and 1500 Rams.



Dean

 

[lawdog1]

I vote "yes" to the over cab lights, think they add that little bit of, as Tim Taylor would say, "AARRRRUUUHHHHHUUUUHHHHUUUUU!" to your truck. I think to complete the 3500 package Dodge should provide an option where you could get some "factory" bull nuts hung down big and low off of the trailer tow package. That would show the world that your truck means business and has the "equipment" to back it up. Sorry Ford and Chevy owners, no bull nuts for you, but if you check out www.weaktruck.com, they will send you some cute furry little squirrel nuts for your rearview mirror for free!!



Seriously, only negative "real world" as opposed to "cosmetic" complaint I have heard regarding the over cab lights is water leakage... Little clear silicone caulk will fix that up quick.



Drive on Burly Dodge Owners!