Introduction and a XFER Case/ Warranty/ Dealer suprise

[AGray]

First of all, I would like to say thanks to all for a great forum. I joined back in early summer, sat there, lurked and learned. It's great to have a one stop location for all things important - first and foremost my CTD's, my guns and associated requisite hunting info, insightful political commentary, and even the random culinary expose (sausage gravy), and truely revealing portraits of true american (and other loyal Cummins owners') values through Doc's polls.



Nonetheless, headed on back into the back 40 (actually back 560) on Saturday AM with the '00 2500 - nothing abnormal until I was coming out of a ravine with a steep incline where I have to put into 4wd high to get up and out. . Got up and out drove another 200 yards, stopped, {as I always do - and yes I know i dont have to), and put it back into 2wd - no luck. It went into neutral - even though lever showed 2wd - back to 4wd high - still no luck. Thinking now Uh Oh. Repeated several times - still no luck - OH S . . Finally it went into 4wd lo and drove back to the barn I went.





Yesterday AM (Monday) drove at 24 mph in 6th gear via every back road that I know, the 8 miles to Flemington Dodge in Flemington NJ - expecting and knowing the worst - my transfer case was blown. I was sort of hesitant to go there - as the first time - the adjustable drop hitch was stolen off of the 3500 on the lot. Got there, checked in the truck and was told it wouldn't be until this morning until they could get it in. Rock in stomach was heading south, because-



38,700 miles on the odometer



UGGGGHHHHHHH



The phone rang an hour ago - ""Internal problems with the transfer case" - Rock hits bottom. Quoted price at 2940$$ - seems really high - and "there is only one in the states - in Texas" says Lance. ( I thought the 421 HD's were relatively common??) "The truck can be be ready by next Tuesday".



Me thinking: "No hunting this year except here at home" (All my saved up money is now going back to DC)





Lance: "Even though you're over: " WE'RE COVERING THIS UNDER WARRANTY" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



SIGN OF A TRUE 5 STAR DEALER !!!!!!





Regards,



Andrew Gray

 

[Wiredawg]

Real 5 Stars

Yep:



there are some real 5 Stars out there:



Crenwelge Dodge: Kerrville, Texas

Becker Dodge: New Braunfels, Texas

Waldorf Dodge: Waldorf, Maryland



All of these have given me 5 Star PLUS service and I'd buy a new truck from any one of 'em in a heartbeat.



After 7 Dodges since 1976, I'd say I'm a reapeat customer.



Wiredawg

 

[tjpatte]

Ya should of asked for a ATLAS Transfercase It can be had with a 4 to 1 crawl ratio and selectable 2 wheel low If ya didn't want it I would be willing to swap ya.



On a serious note, glad to hear that they came thru for you!



There are some really good dealers out there and when we find them we need to support them. I've been lucky here in San Diego with Carl Burger Dodge. I didn't buy the truck from them because of the sales staff (need to learn from the service staff ). I wound up buying my 98 from Whittier (100 miles away) because thier sales staff didn't fool around. I explained this to the owner (of Carl Burger) and informed him that it seems funny that you can have one group that pulls customers in (service, after the fact of buying) and another group (sales) that shuns them away. Kinda like putting the horse ahead of the carriage (sp?).



Case in point, my truck was 1 week old and I had the fuel guage problem. I took it to Carl Burger with the Whittier plate on the truck and told them my problem and they had NO problem with fixing it (didn't want to drive 100 miles to get it fixed). Since then, they have seen the stuff I've done to the truck and thier only question is "Well how does it work with this stuff and how did you hit that ?". A couple of guy's have 1500's and wondered about the front locker. I tell them the truth and it works out fine.



Have a good one.



Tom

 

[HC]

A couple of guy's have 1500's and wondered about the front locker. I tell them the truth and it works out fine.

Tom,

Tell US about your front locker! Likes, dislikes, effectiveness? Any performance problems noted on slippery stuff (like ability to steer?)? I've got a rear locker, but have been debating what to do with the front end where all the weight is anyway.

 

[tjpatte]

Hey HC,



I have a Detroit in the front (always pulling on power coasting off throttle) and the only time I notice (except from the climbing ability) is when pointing downhill and trying to backup and turning (get's kinda tuff). I've had the Detroit in for 30K and have had none of the problems that alot of people (including 4X shop's) said would happen. I'll tell you one thing, the difference is amazing in what you can do with a front locker. I've done alot of the trails here in southern CA (Truck haven, Superstition, Los Coyotes, Big Bear, Corral Canyon) an hopefuly the RUBICON in the next two years (need to some mods). And some day MOAB (might come before Rubicon because I could do it now).



As for the slippery stuff I don't know. Haven't been in the snow yet with my setup. I would get the manual disconnect setup (thinking about it) like the http://www.4x4posi-lok.com/ setup so you can have at least one tire directing your travel. I'll let ya know in a couple of months when I go Skiing.



I prefer the Detroit because I like the stoutness of it, and considering the amount of stress we put on the differential's of our vehicles I believe it's a wise choice. I'm just waiting for a Detroit for the rear and I'm there ( I know you can take a Dana 70 Detroit and drill it bigger for a 80 but, I worry).



Hope this helps.



Tom



If you have other questions let me know



My email is -- email address removed --

 

[klenger]

AGray



It wasn't just the dealer that treated you right, Dodge has to pay the claim. Sometimes they do OK.

 

[Texas Diesel]

That was a good call on the Dealerships part, glad they took care of you. I have always been treated right by my dealer too and would buy from them in a heartbeat. Benny Boyd Dodge in Lampassas, TX. Good to know who the good ones are.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Another good dealer

My local dealer in Minnesota is not bad but not great either. I spend winters in Arizona and I have had very good service from Bill Breck Dodge in Tucson. They fixed several problems under warranty and also fixed an annoying front axle leak that my local dealer tried to fix that kept coming back. Most of the snowbirds take their Cummins powered trucks there and I have not heard anyone complain yet. They also have a big rig diesel shop on site so they are not helpless if you have an engine problem. I'm not sure if they are 5 star or not but in my opinion they should be a 6 star.

 

[Hunter11]

Texas Diesel,



You are right about Benny Boyd Dodge, that is who I bought mine from and they are some of the best people I have ever delt with. I have also heard they have a great service department and a excellent diesel mechanic.

 

[Hale on wheels]

Isn't the xfer case covered under the 100k drivetrain warranty?

 

[Berserker]

Hale on Wheels,



Unfortunately it's not a drivetrain warranty. The 100k warranty only covers the Cummins. Not the Dodge.

 

[John Berger]

In a world of bad news, it is always nice to hear of a gem like this.

Good for you.

 

[Hale on wheels]

OH, then I guess that is good news. I was having a hard time believing a dealer would do something without being absolutely legally obligated

 

[BlueKnight]

Another great 5-star in NJ is Greenfield's located in Lawrenceville, NJ. They are open 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, and always do great work. Aways leave the truck as clean as when they got it too. Then about 2-3 days after service, you get a follow-up phone call to make sure all was done to your expectations.

 

[AGray]

I had always taken mine up to Decker Dodge in Hawthorne,NJ up north. Besides being an absolute top notch 5 star service dealer, Sue Decker Bibbo, the owner, is a close family friend - which can mean a couple "perks" here and there. My backup plan was to trailer it up there, if it hadn't worked out so well at Flemington Dodge. Given the quality I've seen out of Sue and her staff over the years, I'd recommend Decker Dodge in a heartbeat. And even better - Sue's mode of transportation is a somewhat BOMBED 3500 - brand new of course.

Andrew

 

[merryman]

Oregon dealer

The dealer in Coos Bay Oregon--Verger Dodge-- treated me real right recently, I could recomend them to anyone who happened to be in this area



Vaughn