Might order one, suggestions please

[JLinder]

Here's what I'm thinking...



2500 Std Cab 4x4 SLT

HO Cummins

48RE

Protection Group (tow hooks and skid plate)

Limited Slip

Clearance Lights

Leather wrapped steering wheel

Trailer Tow Group

Electrochromatic rear view mirror

Power folding tow mirrors



Haven't decided on a color yet, but I'm thinking about graphite, black, or white. Definitely single color, not two-tone.



Did I miss anything important?

 

[Dean Upson]

Folding rear floor and heated seats .



Dean

 

[Dean Upson]

Oh yeah,



A silver truck .



Dean

 

[tpicard]

J,

Check into premium seats, I believe thats the only way to get the under console storage, and in my option that is a must. My 2 cents.

Terry

 

[DBVZ]

I ordered about the same package in the 3500 DRW. If I read you right you are getting the regular cab with the 8' bed and 140. 5" wheel base. The heated power folding tow mirrors are great. I ordered it with the standard tires, and they seem to be aggressive enough for my needs. Be sure that a load capacity of about 2500 pounds is enough for your plans. It wasn't for me, and the 3500 regular cab SRW, which should have a load capacity of about 3200, is not being produced (only on the QC), so that got me to the 3500 DRW. Everyone has their own preferences, but since you asked:



Order the hood air deflector (I forget the name of it). It is a chrome accent at the front of the hood that deflects air up over the hood. Very nice.



Personally, I did not think leather heated seats were necessary, and did not order the sound system upgrade, electric shift transfer case or alarm system either. It's a truck, and the SLT sound system with CD is quite good in a truck with just a front seat. As often as I need 4x4, I can pull the floor lever just fine.



If you stay with the 2500 you have some wheel options I did not have. I like the chrome wheel covers with the rest of the chrome accents on the SLT. The SLT package gets you a lot of great standard features.



Consider Patriot Blue. With the chrome wheel covers and hood it looks great. I may add some Westin chrome step bars. I also put on a color matched cab high canopy. Finally, get exactly what YOU want. You may have the truck for years, and regrets about what you could have and should have ordered will last a long time.

 

[Rosco]

I just wanted to correct something that DBVZ said. The chrome wheels are not wheel covers. They are actually chromed steel wheels. I have the alloys on my truck now but after seeing the chrome ones I like them better so I ordered them on the new truck.

 

[JLinder]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[VietDoc]

I think you can only get heated seats with leather and leather means Laramie pkg?? But I agree with Dean -- having a warm seat will waiting for the heater is sure nice, not to mention it was mandated by the wife!



More agreement with Dean -- Get the rear seat flooring!!



I would consider Cast Aluminum Wheels. Our '99 steel ones were out of round and tweaked. Dealer wouldn't do anything about it as I found this out at 12,000 miles. Claimed I might have hit a curb or a chuck hole. For a different reason they did put on after market Al and they are great!



Depending on your use or need you can get one of the following, but not both... . Heated rear window or sliding rear window.



I think the clearance lights you want are the Roof Mounted ones... The wife & I don't like them, but can't do much 'cause we ordered a 3500.



Having had the keyless remote entry and then going back to our daughters car while we wait our '03... . I wouldn't be with out one.



One more item is a dealer item... . The '03's don't have an inside rear fender well. Others has said gravel/rocks make a horrible noise not to mention tearing up the paint and inside of the bed & fenders.



doc

 

[Sawbones]

Leather seats are an option with the SLT, still waiting to find out if you can get heated leather power seats in the SLT.

 

[gthiessen]

James you can not get the heated seats in the SLT. You have to jump up to the Laraime Pkg.

 

[athompson]

Get the 6 speed

Why would you want to be the guinea pig for a new Dodge automatic?

 

[JLinder]

Why would you want to be the guinea pig for a new Dodge automatic?

I don't mind being a guinea pig... Also, 6 speeds are to slow.



I like the truck I have now, except for the transmission. You just can't make a manual truck run the quarter as well as an auto unless you've got some serious HP. Even then, you'd be much faster with an auto.



It's a sacrifice I'm willing make.

 

[boathead]

Didn't realize they made these to run in the 1/4 mile!

GET A STICK..... LOL!

If it isn't an Allison, I'm sticking with the 6 speed.



Sport Package if you like color keyed rear bumper, grill and fog lights?

How about a 3500 SRW? For the money, I think it's well worth it



whaddaya think?



A boat guy out of his element... .....

 

[Rosco]

Re: Get the 6 speed

Originally posted by athompson

Why would you want to be the guinea pig for a new Dodge automatic?

I did not consider myself as a guinea pig when I ordered my new 48RE. This transmission is not a "new from the ground up" unit. Instead, Dodge just remedied all the 47RE woes. Somewhere on this site is a teardown of the new transmission and in my opinion it's pretty stout.



As far as the Allison goes, I don't think it's an awsome transmission. Rather, it's an adequete transmission that relys heavily on the name "Allison" to boast it as superior unit.



Give the 48RE a chance, It may only be a 4 speed but I think that it might just be the most durable of the three.

 

[VietDoc]

Well Stated!

Rosco,

I completely agree!



I think I read another thread that Dodge decided the Allison would not hold up to the Cummins Power.



When I researched the towing capacity Dode rated the 48RE higher that the Manual transmission's, but that is due to the extra weight of the manual trans... .



On another thread there is a Cummins employee who works with the Exhaust Brake (Carleton ??). He has lots of positive info about the auto & e-brake, just waiting for Dodge to approve the match up for warranty. I will hook up the e-brake even if Dodge doesn't approve it. If I blow the transmission then I will look for an after market.



doc

 

[DBVZ]

Originally posted by Rosco

I just wanted to correct something that DBVZ said. The chrome wheels are not wheel covers. They are actually chromed steel wheels. I have the alloys on my truck now but after seeing the chrome ones I like them better so I ordered them on the new truck.

FYI The 3500 DRW comes with steel wheels and chrome full coverage "skins". They are nice, but they are wheel covers. You have some options with the 3500 SRW or 2500, but the DRW is kind of limited because of the hub offset and the space between the duels.

 

[Rosco]

My apologies, I did not read into your post enough to see that you had a dually. I thought you were talking about the 2500/3500 single wheel chrome rim's.



I do like the '03 wheel skins. I think there smoother than the second gen ones.

 

[ladyjaine]

Your truck sounds similar to what I ordered. I also got the trailer tow mirrors and the Laramie package. I'm happy with the heated leather seats. It takes about 8 miles for me to get cabin heat and I'm a weather wimp.



You might want to think about Nerf bars, running boards or steps. If not for you, then for passengers. Boosting friends into the passenger seat is not my idea of fun.



Whatcha gonna do for the bed? Spray in or drop in? Rails? Tonneau? Hitch? Planning on towing anything regularly?



Don't forget your TDR sticker!



Jean