New 04.5

[DieselDan1]

I am going to order a 04. 5 3500 SLT Quad Cab LB SRW 4X4 "600" Auto. Am extremely excited about this purchase after reading all the posts in this forum.



OK, now the question: What options would you add if you could do it over.



Also to DieselDan with out the 1, I will be requesting a new nick so that no one mixes us up.

 

[David Muench]

Limited slip for sure. 4. 10 gears maybe. Still haven't made up my mind on the gears. The EZ made it drive well with 3. 73's and 315 tires, but I am not convinced it can tow well at those very low rpms in overdrive. I need more time towing stuff, and that won't happen any time soon (winter).

 

[DPelletier]

- *M9 Premium Cloth Faced Seats

- AGG Sport Appearance Group (available in limited colors)

- CVN Load Floor

- GXM Remote Keyless Entry

- AHC Trailer Tow Group

- ADB Protection Group

- XJL Shield - Front Protection

- DSA Anti spin Differential

- GFA Rear Window Defroster (not available w. slider)

- GNK Mirror - rear view, auto dim

- GPG Mirrors - Power, Trailer Tow, Folding

- LNJ Fog Lamps

- RAZ Radio - AM/FM Cassette, Compact Disc

Speakers - 7, Infinity

- RDZ Audio Controls - Steering Wheel Mounted

- SCV Steering Wheel - Leather wrapped

- XAP Pedals - Power adjustable.



My 2 cents worth. Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas

Dave



ps. The laramie package is nice. I would have liked the his/hers climate controls, but didn't want the elect trans case (I know, I'm paranoid!) and was too cheap to get the heated leather seats. If you get the Sport, there is no difference between a Laramie and an SLT on the outside. You can't go wrong and its all individual choice, but you asked!

 

[klenger]

See sig for my shopping list. I decided to go with the 3. 73 since the new engine has a bunch more torque and HP than the '01 with 4. 11's that I had. Tires will stay stock.



Don't forget to order the folding rear floor. It's about $1000 to buy the parts later.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I got the SLT with leather (which does not have the suede inserts) and it's nice, but if I had it to do over I woulda skipped the leather and gone with Katzkin leather interior. The rear seats only come with vinyl when you get the factory leather option. Katzkin also does perforated leather which would be nice around here in the summer on those 105-110F days.



Vaughn

 

[StephenThomas]

My rear seats aren't leather??!!! :--) :--) :--)

 

[DocDetonancour]

Katzkin?

What is it, Cat's skin seats?

 

[dnitzel]

If I were to order a new truck again, I would probably get and not the get the following:



MAYBE NOT:

Premium Cloth Faced Seats. In my opinion, the premium seats for the '03's was one of the few things poorly designed in this truck. The cloth is thin and they are not very comfortable. I have holes in my cloth seats already, 13K, and that's just from getting in and out. No knives, no burns, etc. I like the comment/idea about the Katzkin leather seats. Rear lumbar insert on drivers side power seat is just like someone inserted it into the seat without designing it into the rest of the seat. I'll thinking about replacing my front seat with an aftermarket seat.



Sport Appearance Group. It looks great in the right color, but I'm not nice to my truck, I take it off road sometimes. I've had it off road at least 500 miles, meaning off road, off trail "let's see if we can get up that hill, bust that drift and go through that sand" type. Trees and other stuff that you run over or hit scratches the paint. Chrome holds up better in this instance.



Premium stereo. If you are picky about sounds, save your money and by an after market set up for a little more. I think Dodge really dropped the ball on this. You can adapt the steering wheel stereo controls on an after market stereo with the right adapter. But if you are not picky about sound, then you may enjoy it!



Slate interior is hard to keep clean. Looks great, but it has to be vacuumed all the time.



Off road tires. Get the regular tires and buy the aftermarket ones, I like the BFG ATKO's in 285 size. If you get tires bigger than that, get 4. 11's.



YES:

- Remote Key less Entry. Works good.

- Trailer Tow Group, best on the market!

- Protection Group. Great tow hooks!!

- Front Shield.

- Anti spin Differential, best on the market (at least in '03). I must in my book. Don't buy a 2 wheel drive without one. Great offroad and in the snow/ice/rain.

- Auto dim rear view mirror. Works great, don't leave home without one!

- Mirrors - Power, Trailer Tow, Folding. These are the best idea since cup holders.

- Fog Lamps. Dodge stock headlights are a little weak, these help a lot.

- Steering Wheel - Leather wrapped

- 4x4 with manual shift. One fine unit that's EASY to reach and use. The 4 wheel drive is OUTSTANDING, especially with anti-spin. But it's personal preference.

- Quad cab

- 3500. It's gotta help resale, rides as good as the 2500 for only $500. Plus 2,000 payload extra. 'Ya never know when you are going to need it.

- Engine block heater. It's now an option?

- Body side molding. Great for those ricer doors and shopping carts at Wally World.

- Alum wheels. Nice units.

- Wheel liners/tubs.

- Ram/Dodge rubber splash guards.

- I like the sliding rear window. Some don't.

- On the accessories, be careful with lower cost items like side steps, bed rail covers. I was talked in to cheaper stuff, and got burned. I like the Putco stuff.

- Been real happy with the 48RE, so far... ...