Ordering info & suggestions wanted

[gbraden]

I plan to order a 2003 DC but haven't been able to find a listing of available options, option packages, etc. Also will need the invoice prices of the basic truck and options.

I've tried the Consumer Reports, AAA, Edmunds, and at least one Dodge Corp. web site but none seem to be up to date on the 2003 Ram.



Here's what I plan to get:

2003 3500, DC engine (Calif. version), SRW, 4x4, 5-speed manual, 4. 10, long-bed, anti-slip, & probably other options. However, I don't know what options are available.

I will use the truck to tow a 10,000# or thereabouts trailer (haven't yet decided between 5th-wheel or conventional trailer)



This is to be my retirement truck for lots of touring around the US with our trailer.

My questions to you folks:

1. Any suggestions on where/how to get the prices info before I start talking to Dodge dealers?

2. Any recommendations as to what dealer(s) to go to? (I'm in San Diego, Ca. ) How much $ above/below invoice to expect to have to pay?

3. I do want a security system. Also, since wife has habit of rolling passenger side window down, want to be able to press one button on a keychain remote to set the alarm/disable truck, lock doors, roll-up windows or roll-up windows most of the way, but leave a 1 inch opening for hot-day ventilation. Unless Dodge offers a security feature not available from speciality shops, I figure I should pass on the Dodge security system and, instead, purchase a system from a speciality shop. What do you think?

4. Overhead console: I suppose this years' trucks have the overhead console that indicates outside temperature, compass bearing, mpg, etc. Do you know if there is more than one version? That is, is there a basic unit and a deluxe unit to choose from?

5. Seats: I want the 40-20-40 configuration. I live in a warm climate (San Diego, CA). Think that maybe I should stay away from leather as I would think it would stick to you on hot days. Also, are the more expensive seats with up-down, front-back, tilt functions that more comfortable than the more basic ones?(your opinion)

6. Outside mirrors: Should I get the Dodge mirror that you twist one-way for non-towing situations and twist the other way so as to make it extend out more for towing situations? Or, for about the same money, perhaps there are products on the market that are even better. What do you say?

7. Trailer hitch: Even if I get a 5th-wheel, I want a class IV trailer hitch. Does Dodge offer such a hitch? If so, would you get one from Dodge or get one from a trailer place?

8. Springs/torsion bars etc. : Are there decisions to make in regard to what springs/torsion bars, etc. to get? If they offer a Tow Package, I'll get it. Do they also offer "Camper Package" or some such that I also need to consider?

9. What other options do you suggest I get?



See, I have lots of questions awaiting your answers and suggestions. Hope y'all give me lots of replies.

Glenn

 

[klenger]

These are all my personal opnions, flame away if I'm wrong.



Get the six speed. I paid $5000 to trade a 6 month old 5 speed for a six speed.



Get the overhead console if you like gadgets. I like mine and consider it worth the money.



Get the towing mirrors if you are towing anthing close to 10,000 lbs, or are thinking about a 5er. The new ones are even power and heated.



I wish I had gotten the secruity system.



Get the hitch. The Dodge OEM hitch is a class IV hitch rated to 10,000 lbs (wt distributing hitch)

 

[gbraden]

Ken,

I've seen your posts before and was hoping you would see my message and reply. Thanks.

Lucky you lives in Ariz. As for me, I live in Calif. Our politicians say I can't purchase a HO/6-sp version of the DC. They force me to purchase a weeker, 235hp/460ft-lb, version with either the auto or 5-speed. Faced with that situation, I plan to go with the 5-sp.

Another obvious solution is to move out of Calif. That, I would dearly love to do. However, having 4 grandkids close by has kept us here.

Glenn

 

[vrabelm]

get the 6 speed don't even think about the auto transOo.

 

[klenger]

gbraden



That sucks (can I say that here?) Dodge needs to make the 6 speed an option with the standard engine if they aren't going to certify the HO in CA. I think I'd rather buy a used 6 speed and smuggle it onto CA than settle for a 5 speed.



Good luck

 

[gbraden]

Why such strong feelings of the 6-sp over the 5-sp? Is it because the 6-sp is much more beefier (heavier duty) or because of the gear ratios? As I understand it, 1st gear in both is the same gear ratio and the top gear in both is the same ratio.

Glenn

 

[krabman]

You can get the HO, there was a thread on dual registration in California and another state. That way you can get the HO and 6 speed and after a year you drop the out of state registration and just keep your California papers. You just need a good family member or friend in another state and your in there. A search should pull that one up. You can go over all the options at Kelly Blue Book, www.kbb.com select the build a vehicle link. The optional power trailer tow mirrors are pretty nice. I can see around my boat pretty well, my full on trailer mirrors on my old truck gave my a little more vision but not that much. I would take em. Since your getting the tow package you dont need to worry about the hitch, its included. You can pick one up for cost or very close to it without much effort. Pay any more and you paid too much. The security system from dodge is pretty lame, sounds like you would be better served in the aftermarket for what you want. Someone else will have to chime in on the seats and console stuff, I knew I wanted to get a loaded truck and didnt look at picking and choosing amongst the options. The camper package has been dropped and the 3500 comes with the overload springs standard, they are no longer available on the 2500. If you get the HO and the 6 speed Im not sure you really need the 4. 10 gears for that weight, perhaps some of the guys pulling the heavy stuff will comment on that. Happy hunting.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I have a 03 3500 DRW Qc 2x4 with a five speed Ca model. I towed 19,600 lbs with it yesterday. Can you say 65 down the hwy... ... ... Six speed is too close for me. I love the Auto in my 01. 5 . DTT does wonders to a stock trans... ... ... .....

 

[lawdog1]

Just a few comments...



I've got a 3500 4x4 SLT SRW on order. I got the 6' 3" bed (the short box) and it is my understanding that you have to go with the DRW to get the long box.



Further, I did not get the Towing Package. My neighbor has an '02 2500 and got the towing package, he says his came with a Class IV hitch (which is supposed to be rated to 8000 lb), but there was a catch. (FYI, my research indicates the '03 Trailer Tow Group has the same kind of hitch. ) Dodge says you can only tow 5000 lb. and have 500 lb. tongue weight UNLESS you use a weight distributing hitch... Then you are good to 10,000 lb and 1,000 lb tongue weight. Well, I find that to be unsatisfactory and so did my neighbor, what happened to 8,000/800 without weight distribution??? (He took his Dodge hitch off, ate the $250 option package price and spent another several hundred dollars to go get a capable aftermarket hitch with no BS restrictions. ) I mean a Class III hitch is rated 6,000 lb. and 600 lb tongue weight, so what is this Class IV with a 5,000/500 limit unless you go weight distribution??? Makes no sense, so I said forget it, I will get an aftermarket hitch. But then you have the thread about nobody selling or mounting any kind of non-5th wheel hitch to '03 Dodges HD's... I have got a while until I get my truck so hopefully that issue will be resolved by then.



As for the leather and other options, I wanted a boy dog truck that would satisfy my need for interior gadgets and that the wife would enjoy riding to church in (at least once she finishes complaining about how high off the ground it is. ) That said I did not opt for the 4. 10 or the electronic shift on the fly. I just don't tow heavy enough to justify the 4. 10 vs. the extra RPM's and the electronic shift on the fly... just an electronic circuit to short out when it counts and the lever has always worked for me...



Just my opinions, but we all know what they say about opinions...

 

[Dean Upson]

Get the six speed if you can. If you get the Laramie package you get a ignition key with a chip in it that in my opinion beefs up the rather basic secutrity system. I believe you get this with the package that also includes leather seats. My new truck came in yesterday and it has the new leather seats with the suede panel in the back and they are really good looking and imo again they are very comfortable. I really like leather and others really hate it, I think that the suede will not be as "sticky" in the hot weather, again only available in the Laramie package. The Dodge site gives pretty good and up to date info on the available options and the list price. They also have a pretty good towing guide that pretty much will tell you what you can tow with a given truck. Beware of rv salesmen!!!!! most will sell you anything they can regardless of whether or not your truck will pull it safely. You should seriously consider an exhaust brake if you plan to to a heavy trailer. Finally, I found that Air Springs were a wonderful add on when towing a heavy load, you can inflate as much air as you need to keep the truck level and I found this great, your empty ride suffers a little (you do let all but 5#s of air out when empty). The air springs require drilling at this point, but they will no doubt come out with a Dodge friendly hookup. Another alternative are Timbrens that don't require drilling and need no air added, they basically are a huge rubber shock that replaces the rubber jounce bumper. From my own experience, the 4:10 is the way to go towing a heavy trailer, there are disadvantages to them, mainly your rpms at highway speeds are higher.



Dean

 

[vrabelm]

Originally posted by gbraden

Why such strong feelings of the 6-sp over the 5-sp? Is it because the 6-sp is much more beefier (heavier duty) or because of the gear ratios? As I understand it, 1st gear in both is the same gear ratio and the top gear in both is the same ratio.

Glenn

if you plan on towing and have to climb any hills you have a beter selection to keep the engine from lugging or over speeding thats why tractor trailers have 13 speeds

 

[ladyjaine]

Options

I got some of my invoice information from the msn. autos site. They are't perfectly up to date and they don't have all of the options, but it is a place to start. Then I went to a dealer with an experienced salesman and got chatting on the other options that were out there. They will tell you all about them if they think it will help the sale.



There are some potential hiccups with aftermarket remote starter systems and the Dodge Sentry Key security system. I believe they can be overcome, but haven't heard back of success with the workaround yet. You don't sound like you want a remote starter system, but you might have a similar hiccup. Check with the place that sells the aftermarket systems and ask specific questions about the Sentry Key system conflicts.



I'm a skinny, long legged person. I love powered seats. For long distance drives, being able to nudge the seat around in different ways adds greatly to my comfort. I don't need to get it exactly perfect and then never move, I need to move it around to different places to avoid wiggling in the seat. I also hate to do a lap-dancers hip wiggle at 60MPH on a manual seat. I have a degree in rehab therapy and took classes on fitting chairs to people. Get the powered seats.



I am not towing regularly, possibly once a year. I got the towing package. I rent trailers and I will be using different sizes. I'm not handy with wrenches and don't know wiring. I wanted to be able to hook up a modest size enclosed trailer to move stuff to encampments. What I got will meet my needs.



I'm in a Southern state and I currently own a car with leather seats. I don't stick to them, I use the AC. I condition and clean the leather regularly and it's getting pleasantly darker with age. If I carried kids or pets, I'd cover them. But I'd still have leather seats. Just yum. FWIW, I also always carry a towel in any car I drive. Useful for spills, mud protection, padding fragile purchases and whatever.



I haven't seen any options on the console, it seems to be a yes or no option. I will use the garage door opener functions. I will use the trip computer and the compass functions. I want the console.



I looked at the standard mirrors and the Dodge towing mirrors. The Dodge towing mirrors were so much better than the mirrors that I have currently on my car that I chose them without looking at any other mirrors. I went for the powered option, too.



On the test drive, I noted that first gear in the 6 speed is not one I use for around town driving. The middle gears are quite close, I can get exactly to the ratio and RPM I need in traffic. The shifting was easy, no heavy hand required. Excellent, since I'm a card carrying wimp. On the highway with the 3. 73, I was ok, but I wouldn't rule out a mild BOMBing for later. I wasn't looking for 7th, but I've heard guys with the 4. 10 sometimes do.



I've got a list of things that I will add, but an option I'm still considering is more driving lights. I'll have to see what I hate and can live with once I get the truck and run it in my driving conditions.

 

[klenger]

Two reasons for the 6 speed:



1) No 5th gear nut problem (although this might be fixed by now)



2) The spacing between 2 - 3 and 3 - 4 on the 5 speeds is too wide if you are towing heavy, especially in the mountains. The RPM band for a diesel is too narrow (IMHO) for the wide spaces. If you are towing (especially up hill) you need to max out the RPMs in 3rd gear, and then you find you are still lugging the engine when you hit 4th. Even empty, the 6 speed is sweet.



3) Yes, the 6 speed is a more heavy duity transmission. It weights about 160 lbs more than the 5 speed.

 

[krabman]

I read somewhere that the weght was 192 for the five and slightly over 400 for the 6 speed.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Why do so many folks "order" a new truck? I've always just visited a few lots or called around untill I found a truck with the equipment I want.

Not knocking anyone here - just curious.

 

[kkirkpatrick]

That's a very good question. I guess we must like waiting and getting the run around on shipping.

 

[lawdog1]

I ordered mine because I found someone who would give me exactly what I wanted at a price I was very pleased with, without having to physically go into a dealership and deal with the rip off artists, I mean sales personnel. I deal with dealerships only if absolutely necessary because I can't stand people who don't know the product they are selling and/or lie with a relatively large frequency. So in general my patience runs very thin in car dealerships. Plus I am kind of a picky person, everytime I go to a car dealer the car/truck either has too few or too many options or is the wrong color, etc. When you order you can just what you want...

 

[Prairie Dog]

klenger, You can add the Dodge security system module at any time. If your a do-it-yurselfer, it installs behind the speedo/tach assy in about 20 minutes ('03 only). This is also where you put the keyless entry module. After that you'll have to take it to your Dodge dealer and he will use his scan tool to "tell" your computer it's present. The local dealer charged $35. 00 for this service. I don't know how much the security module goes for but the keyless entry module is $100. 00 . The kits come with easy instructions.



Lawdog - Good point, I guess I'm just a pushover for a good lookin truck!

By the way, your missing out on some great drizzle here. Hope your not suffering too much in the sun there!



Scotty

 

[krabman]

I went the Kellogg ID route. With 1600 vehicles on the lot I was able to find one with exactly the options I wanted, none of the options I didnt want, in the right color and drive away. They are the highest volume Dodge truck dealer with good reason. You buy at cost, no haggling. If you want any accessories they will mount em while you fill out the paperwork. That paperwork gets done quick and when you hop in to drive away the tank is full without having to ask. No B. S. plain and simple. People have been telling me to buy over there for years and now that I have I will never go anywhere else. I am not affiliated with them in any way and I can not reccommend them enough, the first time I ever left a dealer without a single complaint.

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by Prairie Dog

Why do so many folks "order" a new truck? I've always just visited a few lots or called around untill I found a truck with the equipment I want.

Not knocking anyone here - just curious.

I wanted a very specific truck that I haven't seen anywhere, lot or otherwise. Plus, back when I ordered, there were no trucks on any lots. .