Missing Something ????

[lawdog]

Well we finally got a nice day and I got to wash my new ride..... However, while washing, I discovered something odd. I noticed that there is no close-out trim acroos the top of the windshield. There a trim strips up both sides but nothing across the top, just a raw glass edge (smooth) and then a small gap then the roof starts... . Is this normal or is my truck missing the trim piece ????

 

[EBarnes]

missing something

none on mine either!!!!!!

 

[WildWilly]

lawdog, My truck is the same and a friend of mine also is the same. It looks pretty clean to me, so I'm assuming that it is suppose to be that way, unless someone tells us different.



Bill

 

[lawdog]

Thanks.....

Must have been another one of those cost cutting moves... . lol

 

[stick]

Mines the same way, but there are a couple of other things i'm missing so far. Like two screws that hold the grab handle on the drivers side rear door, and the sixteen rubber gromets that go under the doors between the frame and body. They had tape over the holes from the factory.



Stick

 

[JFirebaugh]

Cost savings - Missing Body Plugs

Originally posted by stick

Mine's the same way, but there are a couple of other things I'm missing so far. Like ... ... ... and the sixteen rubber grommets that go under the doors between the frame and body. They had tape over the holes from the factory. Stick

Stick,



Don't feel alone! Mine was built 5-8-03 and I've already ordered some "Body Plugs" for the 1. 50" x . 75" oval holes. I too noticed the "cheap" black tape on my truck when I was scoping out the area for my Mopar Premium Running Boards! I thought, boy, either a cost cutting move, or they ran out of little plugs and didn't want to stop the production for that. Well, your story proves that it was not the latter!



The silly part is that that these Body Plugs can be found filling up two holes on the rear inside edge of the rear doors!!! Their D/C P/N is 5257081. They list for 49 cents each, but my Parts Guy offered them at 35 cents, since I ordered 20 of them. Ooops, this is not a good P/N as these plugs are 1/4" too long!! Sorry about that Guys! How stupid to just use tape as eventually it will loose it's seal and already looks cheap! DC, Ww CTD owners DO look past the rear edges of the doors! We look everywhere!!!



I also couldn't stand the A/C condensation running out of the drain tube at the firewall onto the frame! Does anyone have a factory hose going from the drain stub and re-routing the condensation water??? I bought a formed heater hose from NAPA, P/N 9812, (one end has a pre-formed 90 degree bend) and slipped it on the drain stub. No clamp is needed as it's a nice snug fit. Then I routed the hose along the frame (away from the exhaust pipe) and down through the existing holes in the flange that supports the cab (there's a big rubber donut there & it's located under the floorboard, about where the passenger puts their feet). I have also ordered from my hardware store a couple of plastic, 1" clips with a double-stick foot (remember, don't drill any holes in the frame if you like your warranty!). Trim off the 5" excess hose end with a diagonal cut, and you are done!



The only downside besides are fact that D/C should have done this in the first place, is the fact that NAPA's hose is reinforced and cost me $14. 69 when you don't need a reinforced hose (I tried).



I will be giving mine a bath tomorrow for the 1st time. I can't wait to see the gap at the top of the windshield! Anyone have a P/N for the windshield gap?



John



My windshield gap is only about 1/8th of an inch. not as bad as I had envisioned.

 

[Ladders]

I would thing that the "gap" part # would be: GAP-000000000000001. none. missing



SOTSU!

\\BF//

 

[Blakers]

Cost cutting

How about no paint on much of the running gear? Transmission and both driveshafts are all bare metal and rusting. Lots of other bare steel parts waiting to rust too. Mine will soon get a coat of new black paint on the bottom. Then a good coating of oil before winter.



Blake

 

[lschultz]

If they would get rid of the idiots that come up with these so called cost cutting ideas they would save more money and have more satisfied customers

 

[Blakers]

A friend of a friend of mine works at Cummins in Jamestown, New York and his sole job is to find ways to cut corners and save money. I guess he saved them a lot of money by just making the fins in the intercoolers thinner.

 

[Dean Upson]

Double-edged sword



It all boils down to money. The question becomes not just how much for the manufacturer to cut but also how much the consumer is willing to pay.



Dean

 

[kbarlow]

The glass installer that worked on mine said all the 2003 trucks are missing the top trim and if you have to replace the windshield it is a PITA.

 

[lawdog]

Plugs.....

I just checked mine... It was built in April 2003 and it has (8) plugs down each side under the doors on the back side of the rockers...

 

[CKruse]

Mine was born on May 9th. O yeah, I've got the tape:mad I believe the part number mentioned above is wrong though, those are plastic plugs like you see in the rear doors. The ones on the backside of the rockers are supposed to be a rubber plug with a lip around it. In any event, I agree the tape won't cut it. I will try to get the correct part number and then post it for all. I believe I'll be asking my dealer to pick up the tab on these.

 

[stick]

They must have run out of plugs that week, mine was built May 8.

I got the plugs from the dealer yesterday and they said the would let me have them at dealer cost, and I said I don't think so, I wasn't the Mexican that left them off at the factory!

The part number for the plugs is-04860953AA



Stick

 

[CKruse]

Got the straight deal today. Stick's part number above is correct. My parts guy said he will get with they salesman and they will take care of it. They were somewhat embarrassed and apologized several times. I said no sweat. Thanks for the heads up on this one guys. Hope I can return the favor.

 

[JFirebaugh]

Body Plug

Thanks Stick,



The P/N I gave was incorrect as it is 1/4" too long. I have edited my post accordingly! My only excuse is that initially my dealer told my wife that "there were no plugs for these body holes". She thought at the time that it was strange that the guy didn't even look into it before replying! Nice treatment of a woman, don't you think? (She's not "blonde" and has two Masters Degrees!)



After that I saw the oval plug on the rear of the doors and went for it, obviously, without measuring. I guess I'll have to get my eyeballs re-calibrated! Sorry Guys, I hope I didn't mess anyone up with a bad P/N.



This afternoon I will go order 16 of the P/N you supplied ... from the other Dodge dealer in Sacramento!!



John

 

[stick]

Talked to a friend today, and his dad's single cab just came in, and sure enough it had the tape too. They said they looked around the lot, and about half the trucks had the plugs, and half had the tape. Makes you wounder if they are trying to delete these also.

Maybe this is some kind of "Wounder Tape". Or it might have an option code for the 04's.



Stick

 

[Prairie Dog]

No, it's a new and improved racing tape - it makes them faster!