Need help with option package

[TowPro]

I am getting ready to order a new truck and am confused with these option packs.



Sport: Now I understand the sport, I have a 2002 Sport. Everything is the same color (bumpers, grill, side molding, etc) I wanted the sport for the bucket seats, but they don't come with the 6 speed.



Big Horn value group:

Thunder Road Value Group:



Besides adding a bunch of options that I would be adding anyway, is there any difference in these 2 value groups?

 

[BHolm]

The brochure sure makes it confusing doesn't it. I don't think those packages add anything meaningful unless you want the chrome badge on the fender. SLT's are already pretty loaded and Laramies with the H package are totally loaded. I am looking at a Mega with the Laramie H which leaves the Nav system, sunroof and dvd player as options. I am getting 2 of the 3, I can read a map on my own

 

[KCJackson]

Big Horn value group:

Thunder Road Value Group:



Besides adding a bunch of options that I would be adding anyway, is there any difference in these 2 value groups?

Those groups are regional - Big Horn is west coast, Thunder Road is east coast, plus there's Lone Star for Texas... they are otherwise identical.

 

[TowPro]

Thanks everybody. We stopped and looked at a thunder road tonight. Since the sport can not have buckets with a 6 speed, I guess the only difference between the sport and the thunder road is the sport has a painted grill where the TR has a chrome one? In 2002 the sport included 4 headlights over the SLT, but it looks like they all have 4 headlight now?



I have not even looked at the engine specs yet. All I know is it will be a Cummins. I think I read its over 600 ft lbs torque now? Man, this should be fun!



I will have to do a search on how to track the truck. Is there a number I need when we order it for tracking?



Thanks!

 

[GAllen]

TowPro, The Big Horn group was good value and contains the following, on a 05' anyway.



Tow Hooks

Fog Lamps

Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel

Sliding Rear Window

Trailer Tow Group

Class IV Receiver Hitch

7-Pin Wire Harness



Got all this stuff for $255. 00. Much cheaper than if purchased as seperate options.

 

[EBottema]

If you dont mind me asking, any reason for dumping the 02 for the new 06?

 

[BHolm]

If you dont mind me asking, any reason for dumping the 02 for the new 06?

I guess the 2nd gens have some merits but jeez, have you spent any time in a 3rd gen? How about WAY more power, much quieter, HO/automatic combo, much better brakes, more room inside, better ride and handling.....

 

[TowPro]

My 02 is a dually with auto trans. (the trans sucks) I was driving a 98 Jetta Diesel as my daily driver and the Dodge for towing and when ever I needed a truck (or wanted to drive something fun). At the time I bought the 02 I was a consultant and was driving up to 200 miles per day so having both the truck and Jetta made sense. 2 years ago I took a full time Job in Center City Phila, and I take the train to work. Now between both the truck and Jetta I only drive around 12,000 miles per year. I kept running the jetta because it got around 42mpg and was paid for. Last week some lady rear ended the Jetta and its tottled. With what the insurance co is paying me I can't replace the diesel jetta. Even if I could replace it, I would be buying someone elses problems. I have done all the maintaince on the Jetta (131K miles), but if I buy someone elses High mileage car, I might be opening a bad can of worms.



The dually don't fit in parking spots in the train station, and my camper tonge weight is around 2300 lbs so I really don't need a dually anymore.



So I relized I could take the insurance check from the jetta, use it as a down payment and trade in my 02 on a new truck. The savings on insurance alone by parking the jetta will pay the difference in fuel needed to drive the new truck!



We went out and looked at some more trucks today.

I am almost ready to order. Here is what it looks like I will order

Laramie 3500 single rear wheel with 2BH package, 6 speed, mineral gray, leather, power tow mirrors, anti-spin, 3:73, trailer tow (with no clearence lights!)



Now my question is what does this electric rear window look like? Does it go straight down or does it have a center section that slides to one side? It looks like if I add rear window defroster it eleminates the electric rear window?



I never open the rear window because it sucks everything into the cab. Plus it has dowls holding it shut so nobody can break in. One problem is my daughter sites in the middle rear seat and she is getting tall enough to band her head on the sliding window catch.

If you dont mind me asking, any reason for dumping the 02 for the new 06?

 

[EBottema]

Might be cheaper to do the transmission upgrades for your truck. The 02 is a good year. If your dead set on the 06, don't for for the rear electric window. It will end up breaking and costing to much to fix out of warranty. I bet the thing will end up leaking too. M slider in my 96 leaked and now im putting a solid glass in. More security also...

 

[TowPro]

I was just looking at the option again, by adding the electric rear window defroster, it gives me a solid rear window (non opening), plus saves around 80. 00.



As far as the 02, its not only the transmission, I can't fit the dually into parking spots and this will be my daily driver again. Plus I want to get rid if the 4:10's. I had a 98 CTD before the 02 with a 5 speed and 3:55's. man I miss rowing!

 

[BHolm]

The power sliding rear windows have been successful on the aftermarket for years. I have a buddy that does auto glass, he has installed hundreds of these things without a problem. I have the slider on my new truck and so far I really like it. I don't live anywhere near a city so security is not an issue. The window, BTW, slides to the side.

 

[TowPro]

I ordered the truck last night! I did not want the power slider, or any slider for that matter and by ordering the rear window defroster it got me a just plain rear window, with wires all over it. Now the waiting game starts. That's alright, it gives me 8 weeks to settle with the insurance co on my 98 Jetta that got rear ended.

 

[PWitteveen]

"Big Horn value group: "

The Big Horn group also includes a snow plow prep package, at least it did on mine.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

The sliding window is a nice feature, and as mentioned, they've been in the aftermarket working very reliably, from what I understand. They slide sideways. I don't remember about the package you're getting (28h?), and if it has leather and seat heaters. If you're getting the heaters, then you're losing one of the cubby holes. That being the case already, it's not as bothersome to get the power sliding window (losing the cubby for one switch). As odd as this may sound, one of the reasons I didn't get the power slider is that I didn't want to lose the cubby for just the power slider switch.

For 2006, the Snow Plow package was available with the Big Horn package, but it was not included with the BH package. For the stiffer springs, I think I should have ordered the Snow Plow package (if it does, in fact, come with stiffer springs).

From what I remember reading in the literature, the only difference between the Thunder Road package and the Big Horn package is that they are simply named differently for different geographical regions.

 

[EEdmondson]

EBottema hangs around the 3rd generation threads because he has, "3rd gen envy"

 

[Grizzly]

I ordered the truck last night! I did not want the power slider, or any slider for that matter and by ordering the rear window defroster it got me a just plain rear window, with wires all over it. Now the waiting game starts. That's alright, it gives me 8 weeks to settle with the insurance co on my 98 Jetta that got rear ended.

You done well, let us know when you get it and post some pictures.