My Dilema!

[Vatsa]

Hello all,



New poster but a long time reader and I have some questions that I sure would like some input on please.



I am considering ordering a 2004 3500, I will spare you all the details for now J. I have been reading the posts and there are a lot of rumors about a new engine for 2004, which might be released in January 04. My plan was to order a new 2004 in February or March but I am deeply concerned about the possibility of getting a re-designed CTD.



My dealer has found a 2003 with almost all the equipment I had wanted. Flame red 3500 Quad Cab SLT 4WD LB DRW 6 SPD HO, 3. 73, with the premium taupe cloth. My wish list items that are missing are: dimming mirror, sport package, protection package, leather wrapped steering.



I have found an after market leather wrap for the steering wheel that I think I can live with. I have decided that I can live without the sport package, it does have the body moldings. The dimming mirror is a crisis! Seems like a small thing I know but hey, we all love our own little things about our trucks and this is one of mine. Lastly, the protection package is the biggest worry because I am not really seeing any after market skid plates.



My questions are:



Does anyone know if there any after market auto dimming mirrors?



Does anyone know of any after market skid plates?



Finally, considering all the issues would you go for the 2003 a little bit early or wait on the 2004?



Thanks for any input!



Brian

 

[D.Hirtle]

Definately go with the 03. You can get a dimming mirror for very little $. With the incentives on the 03 I don't see where you can go wrong.

 

[Dean Upson]

Get the '03, sounds like a sweet truck .



Dean

 

[CIverson]

I added the auto dimm mirror to my 03. It cost 90 bucks from the dealer and the plug and everything is already there. Just find it taped to the headliner, plug it in and bolt it to the windshield. And it's all done.

 

[y-knot]

NO,NO,NO... ... Don't comprimise, get the truck the way YOU want it, not the way some bean counter ordered. Trust me, there is nothing like ordering your truck, you decided on the options, you decided on the color, and transmission. You picked what you wanted, and that feeling stays with you every time you drive it. Whats the hurry, what ever the wait , it will be worth it. I don't give darn what anyone on this site has to say about this, The truck YOU order is special. It is special because you made it special. I ordered my dodge in earily may and took delivery on october 14th, and yes that day was truely special!

 

[HEYBOSS]

Originally posted by y-knot

NO,NO,NO... ... Don't comprimise, get the truck the way YOU want it, not the way some bean counter ordered. Trust me, there is nothing like ordering your truck, you decided on the options, you decided on the color, and transmission. You picked what you wanted, and that feeling stays with you every time you drive it. Whats the hurry, what ever the wait , it will be worth it. I don't give darn what anyone on this site has to say about this, The truck YOU order is special. It is special because you made it special. I ordered my dodge in earily may and took delivery on october 14th, and yes that day was truely special!

Amen, bro. I did the same and love it.

 

[Rosco]

Vatsa, If you order a truck now you may well get the "emission compliant Cummins". If you can live with that then order one up. If you don't want the emissions, fear not. You can get both the skidplates and the mirror from your dealer.



Due to hold ups at the factory I was forced to pass on my ordered '04 for a "lot" truck. Yes, I will lose the leather wrap wheel, rear defroster, tow mirrors and Flame red two tone paint. Instead, I get the 6 disc in dash with Infinity, Alloys, snowplow prep, sliding rear window, and clearence lamps. Also, The truck is silver which was my second color choice, so with the trade off's I don't feel like I made a sacrafice. Finally, to top it off I can add the tow mirrors at a later date when their needed.



Basically, if you feel this truck is a "sacrifice" don't buy it. But, if your like me and can live happily with the truck then go for it.

 

[MO'Donnell]

Adding the skid plate, dimming mirror and leather steering wheel wrap may well cancel out the savings. You may get the Emissions version of the Cummins if you order, but incentives are going up not down. If you put a deposit down when you order, you are guaranteed the price at the time of the order (providing you take delivery within 7 days), and you get the better of either the incentives when you ordered or when the truck arrives. They cost WAY too much to 'settle'!

 

[KCJackson]

Strictly for financial reasons, I'm waiting to order an '05. But just like I did with my 96, it will be spec'd right down to the Mopar accessories. When you're spending this kind of money, you get the truck you want, not a compromise.



One reason for buying the new "emissions" engine will be its likelihood of running properly on the new ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel that is being phased in. If you plan on keeping the truck a while, this may be an issue, as all diesel will be ULS by 2007.

 

[Ladders]

The only advantage I can "pass-on" is that the invoice/sticker (retail price sheet on window) has a little statement that says:



"This vehicle was built especially for

YOUR NAME HERE"



It also arrives at the dealer with a "SOLD" sticker on the lower drivers side windshield. Yes, it was ordered the (almost) way I wanted it. If I would have know they were gonna add the lite group I would have waited, BUTT I am NOT sorri with it as it is. Made some changes to it and THAT made it even more "personal" (have 2 underhood lites & black grill instead of chrome).



Now its yours and can you "live" with the options that are missing? Your money not ours... ... .



You will get both sides of the story here (as you know from reading) and its still YOUR decision. (I'm just glad that I dont have the 1st year EGR to deal with - YES, I did think about the ULS and figured i'd cross that bridge when it gets here - The MAN up there may pull my # before I have to worry about it - so I'm enjoying it NOW )



just another CHEAP opinion worth about 0. 015$



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Dean Upson

Get the '03, sounds like a sweet truck .



Dean

I have to amend (amen). I must agree with others that there is nothing like havingyour own truck built to spec. I have done that with just about every new vehicle I ever bought. However, if that '03 is exactly what you want except for the $90 mirror, I'd still go for it if it feels right to you. Don't "settle for it". .



Dean

 

[Vatsa]

I appreciate all this input!



There have been a few new developments and I will be back on later to post on those updates. Right now I am out the door to head over to the dealership and try to close a deal. I am optimistic it will happen today but as a realist I suspect it will be Monday.



Wish me luck.



Brian

 

[DirtyDodge]

Summit sells auto dimming mirrors:

CIP-36300 Compass and Light $189. 95

CIP-36400 Compass and Temp $199. 95

CIP-36500 Compass, light, and Temp $229. 95

I am sure others sell them too, not sure who though. If dealer sells for $90, I would go with that.

Derek

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

As stated above, if the truck is not what you want, don't get it. I passed on two 2003's because I didn't want red

Let us know what you want, because it may be out there. For example, when I was searching about 3-4 weeks ago, I found two red '03 SLT, 4x4, LB, QC, HO 6 speeds, tan interior. One was sport with premium cloth, the other leather with silver below the belt (2 tone). These sound like what you want Oo. Oops, they're not duallies. Actually, what you found is pretty close, and it is there NOW, and you can test drive to be sure there anren't any flaws that might cause it to sit in the service bay for days or weeks.

The rebate is lower on 2004s but Kelley blue book will be higher. The 2003/4 305 hp engine is a proven product. By the 2004 model year, I think DC has worked out the few issues people have mentioned on this forum, as mine has none of them (except the clutch disk buzz at low rpm).

 

[DocDetonancour]

DirtyDodge ?

in your post you mention "summit". I heard of some cool leather seats with the "summit" logo. Any seats in the vendor you mention? thanks, Doc

 

[DirtyDodge]

Doc DeTon,

I see here in the catalog some leather seats, but none with the summit logo on them. S&S has two styles, luxury and sport, ranging in price from $899. 95 to $1299. 95. Smittybilt has seats from $589. 95 to $689. 95. Both companys styles are for full size truck that have the center console with storage compartment that flips up and down. I considered puting a set of these in my old 92 cummins before I sold it and bought my 02. Anyway hope this helps.

Derek B.

 

[Vatsa]

I wanted to thank everyone here for their input once again.



I stated, in an earlier post, that there had been some new developments and I would post them later so here goes.



The flame red 2003 that I was hot after ended up having $4,000 worth of after market products on it and 1,500 miles, so I passed. My search for a 6 spd HO continued.



After posting on this thread I received an e-mail from a member stating that if I was really serious about buying a truck right now he could transfer his employee discount to me, with the condition that the truck had to be bought in October. He works for the factory in Michigan, where the 1500’s are built.



I skeptically got the details from him and decided to go for it. This new time frame ruled out ordering so I found a pat blue 2004, on the internet, that was mostly equipped the way I wanted it. I headed out to look at a pat blue truck at a local dealership. After inspection I decided I liked it so I headed home, planning to call my local dealer in the morning and try and get the blue 2004.



On the way home I passed a new dealership that is not listed on the internet. I decided to stop and browse, since I was there. I saw a white 3500, with the sport package and it really caught my eye. Upon closer inspection I realized this truck was a 6 spd HO and was a 2003. After the initial shock of seeing a stick on the floor wore off, there just are not any 6 spd’s decently equipped around Oklahoma City, I noticed the slate gray interior. I was sold on the spot. My current truck has slate gray and I love it, it makes me feel cozy as well as hiding imperfections quite well.



I got the employee discount code from the TDR member and told my local dealer to get this 2003. After a lot of hen hawing, feet dragging and skepticism they called the correct number at Chrysler and received the approval code that gave me the employee discount and the rebates. They just completed the trade for it today and I just got back from driving it for about 1 hour. I left it at the dealer so they could clean it and put on some after market items I purchased. I will pick it up at lunch tomorrow.



I checked for all the vibrations and problems around 1800-2300 RPM’s in all gears and heard nothing so I am pretty sure it’s good to go. The truck was driven up from Waco, TX, in a dealer trade the day I saw it so it has 800 miles on it. I am thrilled!



I consider the deal I got to be phenomenal and it is completely the result of this forum and a certain giving member. The truck stickered for $41,500 and I got it for right at $30,500. I would love to post his name here so that he can get the credit he is due but I do not have his permission to do so yet. I will refrain as I do not want him to get “bombed” with PM’s.



I will post pics soon. Sig is updated!

 

[DirtyDodge]

Congratulations... Sounds like you got the deal of a lifetime!