Fine-tuning my 3500 options list

[gbraden]

I'm planning to soon place an order for my retirement truck, a 2003 DC 3500, Quad Cab, 4x4, anti-slip, manual xmission, SLT or Laramie, etc.

So far, I'm undecided on a few things and ask for your opinions/information.

1. (AGG) Sport-appearance group -- From what I can tell it includes front and rear bumpers the same color as the rest of the truck plus fog lamps. Also, it appears that the trim around the front grill, and maybe the grill itself, is the same color as the truck.

I'm sort of inclined to NOT GET THIS OPTION. I like chrome bumpers & grill. Maybe I'm missing something. What's your opinion?

2. (XJL) Front hood protection shield. It's not expensive, still I don't understand what it is. Do you know?

3. (GPG) Power Trailer Tow mirrors. I assume these are the ones you turn 90 deg. for towing. Are they heated? Literature is not clear on this.

Thanks,

Glenn

 

[klenger]

The towing mirrors are heated and power for 2003. Get them.

 

[Dean Upson]

Glenn,



Hope this will help a little.



1. The painted grill comes with the sport package, if you get the Laramie package you get the painted grille (minus the billets) and a chrome bumper. The Laramie comes with a whole bunch of other goodies as it is the most plush of all the models. The no chrome look sort of grew on me, but we all have our own tastes.



2. The front hood protection shield is a wind/bug deflector either in chrome or the color of your painted grille. Either you like it or you don't. I got it, I think it looks good. It does protect the hood somewhat. There is no protective film applied to the hood as has been reported in other threads. If there is film on the hood, the dealer put it on.



3. The power tow mirrors are heated and they are great in my opinion. Others may not like them. All a matter of opinion.



4. Good Luck



Dean

 

[Task125]

OK,as far as the sport I did not like it,no side molding,painted bumpers,and grill painted also. some colors look alright with it.

with the laramie,chrome bumpers chrome center painted outside grill,and body color painted door molding,

the slt gives you chrome bumpers ,full grill in chrome,and body side molding is black.

tow mirrors are great power and heated.

I think the hood shield is a sticker that covers the hood. to keep it from getting chipped up.

I like chrome also,thats why I went with chrome rims. liked them better than alum. Mike

 

[Task125]

sorry dean I type slower than you.

 

[jdh63]

Info

Here is what I know for what it helps.



1) Sport group. You are correct that the bumpers and the grille are all painted body color. There is a different grille insert in the sport package, it is chrome horizontal slats instead of black honeycomb. This package is a personal preference, get what you like. I like the sport look but bugs and rocks do more damage to painted bumpers than they would to the chrome bumper.



2) Hood Protection Shield. I have not had the hood protection shield but did order it with my new truck. I have noticed quite a few paint chips on the hood and roof line. This deflector should help reduce these paint chips by redirecting the airflow over the hood and windshield (I think).



3) Trailer Tow Mirrors. If you tow anything at all the stock mirrors in my opinion are inadequate. Get the tow mirrors and I believe they are heated.



Hope this helps.

 

[jdh63]

Slowest

Dean and Task,



I'm slower than both of you!!

 

[crebelein]

my personal thoughts are that you should go w/the hood protection (i wish that i had, now i'm getting it via the parts department) and the mirrors.



as far as the sport/laramie grill/bumbers go... i don't like the difference in the look. i went w/a black truck so the added chrome gives it somewhat of a 2-tone look. a look that i really like (especially w/a black truck).



there are other things that i'm not to fond of when it comes to the laramie as well, the lack of a manual transfer case is the biggest. however, i have heard good things about it, it's just not for me.



hopefully nobody will take offence to what i've said... this is my personal preferance and why i orded my truck the way that i did... trust me, i still drool when i see a sport/laramie/(insert other option different from my truck) drive by...

 

[Task125]

I thought there was two options with the hood,a bug or air deflector and the hood film.

I got the bug/air deflector,and love it.

 

[DBVZ]

Other option ideas:



1. Protection Group - cheap skid plate protection for the under side.

2. Security Group - I opted not to buy from DC, and will install an after market system with more features for less money.

3. Hood Shield - I ordered it. Not expensive and may protect the paint.

4. Sport Package - I prefer the chrome look also, so did not get it. The front chrome will go well with the Westin step bars already in the garage ready to install.

5. Trailer Tow Mirrors - a great deal. I ordered them. I tow, so the Trailer Tow Group was a must-have also.

6. SLT or Laramie - I thought the price was a little high for some features I didn't "need" to feel good about my truck. SLT has a nice package, and I like the exterior better than the Laramie exterior. To each his own. I didn't get the radio upgrade or steering wheel radio controls either, because I am not into big sound in my ear or trick features that will be difficult to keep working for 10 or 15 years. (this is my retirement truck also).

7. Stuff I want to add, includes an Amsoil bypass filter, gages, exhaust brake when DC says Ok with the 48re, and mud flaps all around (about $90 from the dealer).

 

[Dean Upson]

Mike,



That film is put on by some dealers, it is not offered as a factory or DC option.



Curt,

I hope no one would be offended by anyone's personal preferences in their taste. Henry Ford made 'em all black and I guess that stopped a lot of arguements. I think my truck looks great and if everyone elses looks like &^*%#, that's their problem.



Dean

 

[nickleinonen]

when i get mine, it will be a sport version, and i will try and have the dealer swap the grill inserts from a non sport laramie so i will have a sport with black honeycomb inserts instead of the chrome bars... [i don't much fancy chrome... except on wheels]

 

[Casey Balvert]

Personally I think Henry Ford had great taste..... in color options. See what I mean?



#ad

 

[Dean Upson]

Casey,



Bright Silver Metallic hadn't been invented in Henry's day. :-{}



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

Dean,



Since you were around back then I am surprised you didn't tell Henry about Bright Silver. But I guess you were too young to know better.



Casey

 

[Dean Upson]

Glenn,



This is the Laramie Sport with the front hood protection. It is similiar to Casey's except it is Bright Silver Metallic.



Dean

 

[Badunit]

While I like the appearance of the sport group, I was afraid the painted bumpers would get scratched like they do on my Durango. I went without the Sport group for this reason.



Go with the Laramie package. It comes with some nice goodies. One of them is the two-zone AC system which helps to prevent arguments.



Make sure you get the fold-flat rear floor. Very nice.



Leather seats to prevent shocks when you get in and out. Plus you can get the heated seat option which I find great on cold mornings before the truck is warmed up.



While I love black (and had two black trucks prior to this), it sure shows scratches easily. Silver seems to be much better in this respect. White would be best but it's usually the color of construction vehicles, which mine is not.



Get the HO engine.

 

[ntenna]

Now to confuse the Sport /Laramie issue, you can buy/order a Laramie and put in the optional Sport billet grille bars from Mopar. Then you have a body-color grille surround with the big chrome cross-bar in the center of the grille and chrome horizontal bars. That's what I did.



Yet another look for the '03. I'll post it next time the sun shines enough for a picture.



But you have to drill out the honey-comb so there's no going back.



To each his own!



JH

 

[crebelein]

Originally posted by DBVZ

Other option ideas:



1. Protection Group - cheap skid plate protection for the under side.

2. Security Group - I opted not to buy from DC, and will install an after market system with more features for less money.

3. Hood Shield - I ordered it. Not expensive and may protect the paint.

4. Sport Package - I prefer the chrome look also, so did not get it. The front chrome will go well with the Westin step bars already in the garage ready to install.

5. Trailer Tow Mirrors - a great deal. I ordered them. I tow, so the Trailer Tow Group was a must-have also.

6. SLT or Laramie - I thought the price was a little high for some features I didn't "need" to feel good about my truck. SLT has a nice package, and I like the exterior better than the Laramie exterior. To each his own. I didn't get the radio upgrade or steering wheel radio controls either, because I am not into big sound in my ear or trick features that will be difficult to keep working for 10 or 15 years. (this is my retirement truck also).

7. Stuff I want to add, includes an Amsoil bypass filter, gages, exhaust brake when DC says Ok with the 48re, and mud flaps all around (about $90 from the dealer).

sounds like we think a lot alike... i could say "ditto" to most everything is that post (except the retirement thing... i'm only 23 )...



1) ditto

2) ditto

3) damn i wish that i would have ordered that... getting one from mopar...

4) ditto

5) ditto

6) ditto, besides if i want to spend $600+ on a stereo you can bet it's gonna be an alpine w/infinity or momo speakers...

7) ditto, cept for the 48re, i don't know how to drive an automatic...



anyway, back to the subject...



if you ever think that you might want the fold flat floor, get it now... it costs nearly $1100 from mopar to add later!

 

[lawdog]

I just have to add my wishes here..... I am hoping to order a 2004 as She will not let me get a new one now I like the Laramie apearance, but I DO NOT like the fact that all that money and the kids have to sit on a VINYL rear seat. . DC is too damn cheap to make the rear seat Leather as well, which stinks. . SO I want a LAramie with Cloth interior