6 Year Lurker, Pays up and orders 2 new CTD's

[nauidvr1]

Hi all,

Just wanted to introduce myself and say Hi. I have been lurking on this board for the last six years waiting for my 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 4x4 Sport Gassser to finally die (well almost). I have been reading the board nightly for the last 2 years and the wealth of information here is astounding. I have learned so much, which has helped me in purchasing these trucks. I am an ex-Cummins technician (worked for Cummins-Onan on there BIG generator sets) and know my way around a turbo diesel fairly well.



I have been working with Tomeygun since Saturday trying to put together a deal on 2 new trucks. While Tomeygun had the best pricing, I also had to trade in two trucks with this deal. Just didn't want the hassle of trying to get rid of 2 140,000 mile gassers after I bought 2 new CTD's. That is the ONLY reason I am not ordering from Tomeygun. He worked hard to find me 2 identical trucks for my business and just when we thought we were going to have to order them, Tomeygun found us 2 trucks, but with trying to trade the old trucks and picking up the new trucks it was just not worth the savings for me. It worked out to less than $100 per truck after flights, fuel, food & tolls.



TomeyGun has been great throughout this ordeal.



So now for the specs on my 2 new trucks - If anyone has any opinions on anything else I should order, please feel free to suggest away.



MSRP was $43,625. Invoice of $38,975. They priced out 2. 1% below invoice at $38,157 before rebates. After $2500 rebate and $500 Farm Bureau, price is $35,157 before trade ($3,818 below invoice 9. 8%). Trade brings it down another $5500 to a total before taxes, title, & tags to $29,675.



Equipment Description

DH8H41 Dodge RAM 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4

2UG Customer Preferred Package

ETH 5. 9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine

DG8 4 Spd. Automatic 48 RE Transmission

PX8 Black Clear Coat

APA Monotone Paint

*M9 Prem Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat

-DV Dark Slate Gray

CVN Folding Flat Load Floor Storage

HNK Engine Block Heater

6F2 Paint Order Code

DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle

AHC Trailer Towing Group

AGG Sport Appearance Group

GFD Rear Sliding Window

ADB Protection Group

GPG Power Trailer Tow Mirrors, fold-Away

YEP Manual Statement of Origin

TT5 LT265/70R17E OWL On/Off Rd Tires

ADA Light Group

SCV Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

XJL Front Hood Protection Shield

3VT Customer Preferred Discount

NAA Federal Emissions

Rear wheel well liners



All suggestions welcome - so suggest away!



Thanks,



NAUIdvr1

 

[Will24]

Congrats and welcome to the TDR!





-Will

 

[Tomeygun]

Hi all,

TomeyGun has been great throughout this ordeal.

Equipment Description

DH8H41 Dodge RAM 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4

2UG Customer Preferred Package

ETH 5. 9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine

DG8 4 Spd. Automatic 48 RE Transmission

PX8 Black Clear Coat

APA Monotone Paint

*M9 Prem Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat

-DV Dark Slate Gray

CVN Folding Flat Load Floor Storage

HNK Engine Block Heater

6F2 Paint Order Code

DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle

AHC Trailer Towing Group

AGG Sport Appearance Group

GFD Rear Sliding Window

ADB Protection Group

GPG Power Trailer Tow Mirrors, fold-Away

YEP Manual Statement of Origin

TT5 LT265/70R17E OWL On/Off Rd Tires

ADA Light Group

SCV Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

XJL Front Hood Protection Shield

3VT Customer Preferred Discount

NAA Federal Emissions

Hi, me again



IMO, I would go with the defroster as opposed to the slider (i used my 02 slider once, and that was to retrieve locked-it keys)

THats when I realized how easy I could break in my truck



my 03 has a solid back glass (like a defrosting one would) - you better break it to get it



ANd, I like the factory security alarm... If you dont mind the sentry key ($30 a piece )



Other than that, I say go for RED!!!

 

[nauidvr1]

Tomeygun,

I think your a bit biased on the Red color! That was my second choice, but since I have to order might as well get the 1st choice color.



I won't be getting the security group (key), as I like to install remote starters on my trucks and the bypass device used to get around the fact that the security key is not there, is a pain.



I will consider the rear defroster. Do the QC new trucks need them, being that the back window is further away from the heating system than in my current 2nd Gen Gasser Club Cab? Has any one really had to use them in a mild climate? I use my side mirors more than the rearview, do to having a DARK tinted cap. We always have a cap (shell) on the bed with a slider too. Was thinking about the one time I also had to break in to my own truck (current gasser) thru the slider, but then I also remembered that I have opened the slider to stick long materials thru (trim moulding from Home Depot). So it may be more usefull to me than the defroster.



Opinions please.



NAUIdvr1

 

[DocDetonancour]

Never needed a rear defroster here in Spudville. Doc

 

[nauidvr1]

Doc,

Thanks for the info. I did not think that in MD where I live I would need a rear window defroster - never needed one so far. It only gets cold here for a few weeks at most, and we usually get snow dumped on us real good (10-36 inches) once per year.

 

[nauidvr1]

Does anyone know, if you do not order a sliding rear window or a rear defroster, does the solid rear glass come factory tinted (dark)?



NAUIdvr1

 

[BStoecker]

My '04. 5 came with a plain glass rear window after the dealer screwed up my order input. There is no tint on it... It is a big pain in the rear driving at night with the millions of people driving with mis-aligned headlights. Go for the defrost and tint...

 

[nauidvr1]

If the solid rear glass doesn't come tinted then I'm going for the tinted slider.



Thanks for all the input.



NAUIdvr1

 

[Tim]

Get a 6 speed, forget the auto.

 

[Tomeygun]

If the solid rear glass doesn't come tinted then I'm going for the tinted slider.



Thanks for all the input.



NAUIdvr1

Yeah, whatever you do, Get something



Because you are right, if you buy NO options on the back glass, you get it clear... And thats no good, so atleast get the slider (BTW, it is a single pain glass, so it is quite a bit harder to break in, from what I hear)

 

[Tomeygun]

Get a 6 speed, forget the auto.

I agree, ditch the auto if you can

 

[nauidvr1]

I went back to order this morning and added the rear wheel well liners and got a few more dollars of the dealers hold back. I edited my post above to reflect the money changes.



Just can't do the 6-speed. The area we live in is hell with traffic. And any tranmsission has got to be better than the POS that is in the 1997 gasser, that I have had rebuilt 3 times.



I did order the tinted slider, but if worst comes to worst, I used to tint windows professionally and can make it darker myself.



NAUIdvr1

 

[Tim]

Just can't do the 6-speed. The area we live in is hell with traffic.

Can't be worse than Chicago and I have no complaints. We're talking about a 6 speed truck that can take off in 4th gear.

 

[nauidvr1]

Can't be worse than Chicago and I have no complaints. We're talking about a 6 speed truck that can take off in 4th gear.

Washington DC/Baltimore area & Chicago - yep both have bad traffic.

 

[tschwab]

The rear window comes tinted when you order the defrost. BTW - I like the 48RE in its stock form (motor & transmission). These trucks with 325/610 have plenty of power stock and the 48RE is as smooth if not smoother than the dmax/allison I test drove with a buddy who was looking. Tows the 5vr great also.

 

[nauidvr1]

Looks like my trucks are due to leave the Saillito Plant via rail car on March 8th. Dealer said they might be in before March 31st?



I am getting so excited, already got BOMBing parts coming in for them!



NAUIdvr1

 

[ppfd]

Washington DC/Baltimore area & Chicago - yep both have bad traffic.

I was up in your neck of the woods this past summer. Stayed in Aberdeen, I have family in Glen Bernie. My wife being a county girl had never seen 6 lanes of traffic running about 70 mph! I made her drive the trip, I think she pooped her pants when we hit Balto :-laf

 

[nauidvr1]

ppfd,

Yep, I live 10 miles south of Aberdeen. It has gotten to the point that when I have to be some where for a job in the morning, I just tell them that they'll see me after traffic and I stay where ever I'm at until after the evening traffic rush hour(s). I refuse to sit in traffic for several hours per day.



NAUIdvr1

 

[Elite1]

Go for the factory chrome billet grille option, I thought it was well worth it. My wife really enjoys the seat heaters...