My Truck is Here!

[David Muench]

My truck is in! 2 days short of 4 months since I ordered it. I get to go see it tonight!



Oo.



But I told them I wouldn't accept it until they changed out the transmission check valve. I doubt I'll be taking delivery till next week.





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sigh. A defective 50 cent part holding up a $39,000 vehicle.

 

[krabman]

congrats, hope the wait isnt too long. Why do I have this feeling your not going to be getting much sleep tonight?

 

[Task125]

congratulations,

I was hoping mine was going to be in today

any day now.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Bummer

Congrats but a bummer you have to wait. I know we both ordered our trucks at the same time and you have waited sooooo long only to run into this. Keep the faith, at least you can go over and drool on it.



Casey

 

[kkirkpatrick]

Glad to hear that it is in. It made it in pretty quick after it finally shipped. Mine just came in yesterday and had a lot less distance to travel. Too bad about the valve, that's a bummer. I got the 6 speed and it is quite a difference from my 2001, going to take some getting used to.

 

[David Muench]

I went down and saw it. Oh man, I love it. Started it up to hear it run and all, but didn't drive it since I didn't want the killer check valve to strike. Speaking of which, they expect the valves early next week, so with any luck I should have it home by then. I'd of taken some pictures, but it's still covered in snow and plastic wrap.



Can't wait! Oo.

 

[David Muench]

Welp, I'm gonna pick it up this afternoon. I've been doing more research on the check valve, and I am pretty convinced that my truck probably already has the replacement part. I can find people who have had the valve replaced going back into earlier November. So here's hoping. . Glad it has a transmission temp light.



I'll post some pictures of it tonight or tomorrow.



Can anyone with the service manual (haven't gotten mine yet) tell me where the valve is on the transmission? Is it up near the cooler, or is it on the transmission end of things? On the outgoing line to the cooler or the incoming line from the cooler?



Thanks. .

 

[jcarver]

Congrats David! Your truck sounds similar to mine, if it's not too much trouble let me know what the first digit of your VIN # is. I am curious because it seems that the automatic diesel 2500's are being built in St Louis, and I am expecting mine any day. If you got yours, maybe mine will be in soon! Also, I'd like your impression of the S/O diesel/automatic trans performance. The only one Ive been able to drive was a 6 spd/ HO.

Thanks in advance...

 

[David Muench]

I love it! It's everything I had hoped it would be so far. . It was definitely worth the wait.



I hope to take some pictures tomorrow.



jcarver: First digit is 3, mine was built in Mexico. Mine's a 3500 SRW. So far I really like the automatic. It definitely needs (and will get) some luvin from DTT or ATS, but so far my impression that this 250hp/460tq truck is less powerful (by a little) than my 245hp/505tq 2001. 5 HO, but overall a lot faster simply because of the automatic shifts. The 3. 73 gears are great too, my 2001 had 4. 10's which were only nice when towing heavy.



I've only got about 15 miles on it so far, got the husky liner mats in and rear wheelwells in, tomorrow the husky mudflaps go on.



I think we're going out to dinner just so I can drive it some more.



My only negative so far. . What happened to the sunglasses holder? I looked up at the console and was shocked not to have one. .

 

[Casey Balvert]

Ahh. The man is in LOVE. I hope the first date goes well.

 

[bipit]

David,



The valve is located on the passenger side of your engine, it is in a cooler line that runs straight down infront of the torque converter bolt access plate. I was a little concerned about mine also so I stopped by the dealer, and mine didnt come up in their recall, so hopefully you will be okay. I picked mine up in Oct.



I miss my power too, and all my 2000 DRW had was 275's and an edge ez, oh yea a ProLoc converter too, but I pulled that out before I turned my old girl in. Hopefully soon I will have a reason

to put my ProLoc in my new truck, I dont know how much more of this I can take. :{ :{ :{

 

[David Muench]

Here's the first pictures of it:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&albumid=539



Got the husky liner mudflaps and floormats in, that's about all.



Still lovin it!

 

[Dean Upson]

Nice Baby, Dave.



Dean

 

[David Muench]

Thanks. I think I am going to order an Extang tonneau cover for it next week, the snapless kind. .

 

[OHale]

Wow, Dave, outstanding truck!



Now I understand the recommendations for the graphite/slate! That's gonna be my choice too.



Many happy miles to you!

 

[David Muench]

Thanks. It really was worth all the #@$%!.



The interior compliments the graphite too very nicely, I would of taken some pictures of that but I was freezing my ass off taking those in the wind.



The sport option is great too. I am even starting to like the wheels. I also like how they've toned down the badging a lot. It doesn't even say Sport on it anywhere (the 2002 1500's did on the C pillar). Most of the badging is on the tailgate.



Temperature this AM was -2F, and it caught me by surprise so I didn't have it plugged in. Started up like a champ. That high idle feature is great since I don't have an exhaust brake any more.



I was seriously going to put stacks on it too, but now I find myself changing my mind. . I just like the clean lines. And if I don't do stacks, I can get a flip up tonneau easier. And I really like the slash cut tip on the factory exhaust for some reason. . Maybe I'll just straight pipe it.



What I'd love to see is someone to come out with a partial exhaust kit that replaces from the turbo to behind the muffler where it's 3. 5" pipe with 4", but retain the over the wheel and exit bit. Maybe even a straight pipe, for a reasonable price. Hint hint, vendors.

 

[Dean Upson]

Dave,



The truck I tried out in October looked just like yours and I tried to order one in a Dually that same day and couldn't get the Graphite. I got silver with the graphite interior and really like it, (especially with the dirty road conditions right now). I would really like to see a Dually Laramie Sport, it would be a sharp truck.

I had a camel leather interior in my 98 and it was more user friendly than the graphite to my Golden Retriever that is in the truck whenever I am. Those golden hairs require a lot of vacuum use . Good luck with your beautiful new truck.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

That dark grey interior does work well with Border Collies though.



Cheers, Casey

 

[OHale]

Dean,



When you go to dodge.com and build a truck I noticed it won't let you order a long-bed 3500 SRW or DRW with graphite. If that is not a glitch it looks like one can't get graphite on a long bed. The silver is good too.



That's the only thing I'm still waffling on, long or short bed. Seeing David's pics has pushed me back in the short bed camp for now.



Better make up my mind!

 

[krabman]

I got a 3500 in graphite in my driveway and saw long and short boxs in that color at Dave Smith so Im assuming its a glitch. The configurater thing at Kelly Blue Book www.kbb.com is a little better and as a bonus gives you the dealer cost at the same time.