New Truck Has Arrived, But It's The Wrong One

[Matt42]

Some months ago, my office ordered a 3rd Gen to replace the massively unreliable Chevy 6. 5 we've been using, when it ran. The story:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...=74084&highlight=have+you+hugged+your+cummins



This isn't my truck; it belongs to my employer, and it had to go through a central purchasing system. We were asked to provide ordering specifications, and we outlined a 3500 4x4 quad cab SRW 3500 with 3. 54 axles. (It's 3. 54, I think, definitely not 4. 11. ) In the specification papers, we specifically stated that dual rear wheels would be bad because of the rough country use, and that 4. 11 axles were not appropriate for fuel economy reasons. (Our equipment trailer weighs in at 6,000 lbs, max. ) We also asked for a few other things, like cloth seats.



We got some of the "other things," and it's definitely a Quad Cab. Unfortunately, it's a DRW with 4. 11 axles. Obviously, this was ordered by the Department of Unpleasant Surprises instead of the usual people.



So, a question: For those using the 3rd Gen trucks with dual rear wheels, have you had problems with rocks getting caught between the rear tires and ruining them? I think the new truck has LT-235/80R17 tires on it, but I'm not sure. This truck will be used on mine roads that are in good to appalling states of maintenance.



Thanks. I'l have more questions as the situation unfurls. Sample question: How can we fit a SRW service body on a DRW truck?

 

[bpenrod]

Sounds like your dealership was inexperienced, like mine was. I too ordered a SRW 3500 QC SB. When they tried to place the order they couldn't find the DRW DELETE option. After a few days of trying to contact Chrysler (the girl on the phone said they don't build thaty truck!) I finally figured out that all short box 3500's are SRW. If you order the long box the dealer then need to check the DRW DELETE option to make is an SRW.

 

[klenger]

This is why it's a good idea to ask the dealer for a copy of the order sheet after it is placed with Dodge to compare it with what you wanted. Better to find out when there is something you can do about it.

 

[DPelletier]

FWIW,

The 3rd gen trucks have 3. 73's or 4. 10's, no 3. 54's (or 3. 55's). Personally I am really glad I got the 3. 73's, because mileage really drops off over 2000 rpms on the highway. I don't think I'd get the 4. 10's unless I ran over 20,000 lbs GCVWR. If the truck isn't going to be driven much over 55 mph, it might not be a big deal. As far as the DRW's go, if they're going to put a service body on it anyway, it wouldn't take that much to convert it to SRW as the slight difference in axle width would probably not be noticable. New rims and remove the front hub adaptors (or get new front rotors).



Dave

 

[Matt42]

Thanks. The ordering of vehicles passes thrugh so many hands, that it's amazing in some ways that we got a truck instead of a Yugo. I wish I'd known about the delete DRW option. That might have survived the ordering gauntlet. The idea of removing the front axle spacer and replacing wheels & tires is interesting. Does anyone know for sure how much narrower the DRW axle is?



I am taking this kind of philosophically. We did get a Dodge, after all. My boss is not so calm about it. It's annoying when it happens at 115F outside, but getting rocks caught between the rears has always assured that I have tires with fresh tread back there!

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

If you have'nt already taken the truck I think you should just say no. IMHO there is no sense trying to modify it into what you want. Since you have the SRW service body get a SRW with the 3. 73s. They shouldn't have any problem selling the DRW with 4. 10 to someone looking for a towing rig.



Another option is to get a DRW service body and sell the SRW service body. A DRW on the mine roads with a 4. 10 sounds okay to me.