Pulled The Trigger On A New Truck Today!

[RaymondSmith]

My name is Ray Smith and I have been lurking on this board as well as a few others for about four years now. I want to thank the folks here for helping me decide on a new Dodge. I have been wanting to get a Diesel for quite a while now. My current commuter rig is a 92 Toyota 4X4 that I bought new. I figured I would replace it when I wore it out. The problem is that even at nearly fourteen years old and with 180K on the clock it still looks and runs like new. Another problem I’m dealing with is that I also have a boat that tips the scales at 7500 pounds. I currently tow it with my wife’s Durango. Even though the Durango has enough power, I don’t feel it is safe in the event I need to accomplish an emergency maneuver.



About a year ago I decided that I would go ahead and replace the Toyota with a heavy duty pick-up to solve my towing safety issue. I haven’t had a car payment in years and being that I am what I call house and kid poor I wasn’t too excited about starting one up again. My first thought was to buy a low mileage 2001 or 2002 second gen. At the time I was spooked by the injector problems that the new gen HPCR engines were having so I decided to stay away from them. I also figured I would be okay with a slightly used GM as long as it had the 8. 1 gasser and the Allison transmission.



A couple of weeks ago GM came out with their employee discount sales campaign that put the cost of a new rig in line with what I was looking at for a used rig. I found a nice 2005 GMC with the 8. 1 for about 5K under invoice with the employee discount and rebates. I figured that before I commit, I would go to my local Dodge dealer (Topping Dodge in Enumclaw) and see if they could come close.



You could tell they weren’t very excited when they found out that I knew about the GM offer. I explained to them that I would be a simple sale. I already had my own financing and would not complicate the transaction by including a trade. They said to let them find a truck that I was interested in and then they would see what they could do in terms of a discount.



They found a truck that I liked but it had a few more options than I was interested in. This is what it was.



05 2500 SLT club cab short box 4X4

Bright White / Silver two tone

Automatic

5. 9 H. O. Cummins

Light Group

Protection Group

Anti-Spin Differential

Electric Shift 4X4

AM/FM/CD/Cassette

Infinity Sound System

Rear Slider

Off-Road Tires

Power Trailer Tow Mirrors

Trailer Tow Group

Fold flat rear floor

Side body darts

Fog lamps

Engine block heater

Front Hood Protection Shield

Add on Mopar alarm system

New Tires for as long as I own the truck.



The price I paid was $35655. 00 before T&L. I figure that this is about 3K +/- under invoice. Not quite as good as GM but still good enough to get me in the truck. The truck still needs to be detailed and they need to put the add on Mopar alarm in. I’ll probably pick the truck up on Tuesday or Wednesday.



I don’t think I’m going to go too crazy on the mods. At this point I can’t afford to. I figure my first mod will be a TDR sticker along with a NRA sticker. Next up will be some sort of bed liner. I will eventually need some sort of entry step and maybe some mud guards. At this point I don’t think I’m going to mess with any engine mods. The HPCR fuel system still has the heck spooked out of me. If I have any engine issues I don’t want to have an argument over what may have caused them. Before I heard it run in person I thought about changing out the muffler just so it would sound better. After hearing it run I think it has a nice growl to it so I’ll leave it alone for the time being.



Anyway, I have rattled on too long as it is so I’ll stop. I just want to say once again, “Thanks” to everyone on this board. It is unbelievable how much I have learned from you. I really think everyone here has guided me to make the right decision.



Take care!



Ray

 

[fj40dave]

Welcome to the gang Ray..... and congratulations on the new truck!



Give the local chapter a look:



www.nwbombers.com



Bomb party up in Arlington this weekend - wish ya could have heard about it last week!

 

[Matt400]

Hey Ray, Welcome to TDR. Your truck sounds just like my 03 except I dont have:

Light Group

Electric Shift 4X4

Infinity Sound System

Rear Slider

New Tires for as long as I own the truck.



I do have a rear window defogger & heated mirrors.

What is in the light group?

What is up with that free tires for life deal? never heard of such a thing.



Sounds like you got a great price with all the options you have.

 

[BILLUA]

Ray, congrats! Nothing like a new truck! Now, the cheapest be mod that you can do is Spooled ups fuel tank vent mod! It is about 35 bucks and worth 150! You will see why you need it the first time you fill your truck up. The extra 4 gallons is nice too!



Congrats again,



Bill

 

[RaymondSmith]

Thanks for the welcome guys! I just saw that my personal information to the left is not showing up. I have no idea how to turn it on either.



Dave, thanks for the NW Bombers tip. I live down around Lake Tapps which is about 30 miles south of Seattle. Anacortes is a nice area. We always stop there for fuel in our boat on our way to the San Juans.



Matt, The truck has plenty of options. I could have lived without allot of them, especially the electronic 4WD shift. This late in the model year you are just at the mercy of what is out there on the lots. Here is what is in the light group.



ADA Light Group

Includes ash tray lamp, front dome lamp, underhood lamp, auto dimming rearview mirror and dual illuminated vanity mirrors. INCLUDES GNK.



The tires for life is just a gimmic that this dealer uses. I tried to have them give me cash instead but they wouldn't. Basically they give you new tires when yours wear out for as long as you own the truck. There are allot of stipulations though. Here they are.

Vehicle must have all service and repairs done at dealer.

Must follow factory service schedule.

Alignments every year or 15K miles.

Normal wear only.

Tires will be replaced with like tires not necessarily the same brand.

Tires must be replaced by the dealer.

Labor not included.



We'll see how this works out. I always have my service done by the dealer. (Their service department is excellent. At least they have been with the Durango. ) As much as these tires cost it might be worth it. On the other hand, their idea of worn out and mine might be different. I won't drive around on tires with shallow tread even if they are "legal". Hopefully the service department will work with me on this like they have on other items. Like I say, they have been pretty fair so far.



Regards,



Ray

 

[KBennett]

Welcome and congrats on the new truck!



I came from the same background. I had a Tacoma that I felt would be unsafe pulling a 4000lb trailer so I bought the Dodge and never looked back.

 

[Razkul99]

Congrats and welcome... post a pic already!

 

[BIG BOB]

Dave, thanks for the NW Bombers tip. I live down around Lake Tapps which is about 30 miles south of Seattle. Anacortes is a nice area. We always stop there for fuel in our boat on our way to the San Juans.

Raymond,



There are alot of NWBombers in your area! The Bombers are a great bunch of guys that like to help others! Bombs away!

 

[Yo Hoot]

Welcome!!!!



Looks like you got a great price!



I was in Enumclaw years ago during one of the fairs they have there.

 

[RBritt]

welcome to the world of dodge cummins diesel power. i'm 5 months into my first one, and i enjoy each time i get into it for a drive. you'll love the way it tows!!

 

[tschwab]

Ray,



Congratulations, sounds like a great truck... . and of course you picked the right color! If you can, try and buy your diesel at the Flying J at Port of Tacoma exit off of I-5, usually always the best price and they pump massive amounts of diesel from that site, so it is always fresh.



You will love the power of these trucks and IMHO, there is no need to BOMB the motor, you have plenty of power at 325/610 and the peace of mind that your warranty is intact.

 

[Hercules130]

I just went from a 98 Tacoma reg cab to my quad cab and i would do it again in a heartbeat. one easy mod you might want to consider in the rear fender well liners.

 

[LDobie]

Congrats Ray, the options are just about right, if you are spending that much $$$, get the good stuff. The radio and speaker upgrade is night and day. Do you have the audio controls on the wheel?? After having them, I couldn't go back, they are so nice and convenient, you might want to see if you can get them added if you don't have them already. Awesome color combo too!!

 

[RaymondSmith]

Razkul, I would be happy to post a pic. I have two problems though. The dealer has to install the alarm so it will probably be about Tuesday before I get the truck home. The second problem is I’m not sure how to post a pic. I can take a picture and get it on my computer but that’s about it. I haven’t figured out how to shrink it down and post it to the forum. Gotta love a rookie!



Big Bob, I think I remember a white 2nd Gen at work with a big NW Bombers sticker on the back of his canopy. I work out in the Frederickson area which is just southwest of Puyallup. I’m going to have to really keep my eyes open now.



Tschwab, Thanks for the diesel tip. The Flying J is not too far out of my way. As long as we are on the subject, I have always used Chevron gas in my gas rigs. I have done some research and found that Chevron has a pretty good additive package. Maybe it is just luck but I have never had any injector problems even on high mileage rigs. I’m curious if there is a diesel equivalent to Chevron gas? Maybe something that contains a good additive package? I certainly wouldn’t mind paying a few cents more a gallon if something like that existed. I also think you and I are on the same wavelength as far as the bombs go. Once the warrantee is up I would be interested in looking at bombs that help with economy and longevity. If they happen to help the power than I figure that’s just a bonus.



Hercules, I take it that the rear fender liners enclose the open areas of the rear fenders? I have not seen them so I have no idea what they look like. Do you think if I went in and asked the parts guy for rear fender liners he would know what I was talking about? Were they stock on a certain model year?



LDobie, I don’t think I have the radio controls on the steering wheel. I have only driven the truck on a 45 minute test drive so I might have missed them. I know the cruise control buttons are there. Where should the radio buttons be in relation to the cruise buttons?



Thanks again guys for all the input. I really appreciate it!





Ray

 

[tschwab]

Ray, as far as a brand name diesel with a good additive pkg goes, my understanding is that diesel does not need to meet the stringent requirements as gasoline. You would be wise to run additives with each tank yourself, I do and it is cheap insurance. I currrently use Stanadyne Performance Formula with each tank. There are many brands out there besides Stanadyne, like Redline, Power Service, Lucas, Howes and others and you will find many opinions. The biggest decision you need to make, is whether to use a "demulisfier" like Stanadyne or an "emulisifier" like Redline or a "solublizer" like Power Service and to discuss the positives and negatives of each is a whole new thread. Which a new thread concerning the above seems to pop up about every couple of months. I have a call into Bosch (who is the manufacturer of our HPCR fuel injection system) to get their opinion on this, I will let everyone know, once I get their responce.

 

[Matt400]

I have a call into Bosch (who is the manufacturer of our HPCR fuel injection system) to get their opinion on this, I will let everyone know, once I get their responce.

Cool, more good reading. Remember this post?

 

[tschwab]

Cool, more good reading. Remember this post?

Matt,



Thanks for reposting that, yes I do remember it. I think most of us are in agreeance that a fuel additive is needed. My question is whether it should be an emulsifier, demulsifier or solubilizer? That is the question I have for Bosch when I talk to them. Unless I missed it, I did not see anything in the previous post from Bosch addressing this?

 

[Matt400]

Unless I missed it, I did not see anything in the previous post from Bosch addressing this?

No. . that article just covered lubricity issues.

 

[SHyans]

No. . that article just covered lubricity issues.

Deja Vu all over again..... :-laf

 

[tschwab]

Well, Bosch never called. Figures they don't want to go on record. I e-mailed them once asking for their opinion on Emulsifier, Dmulsifier or Solubilizer, No reply, e-mailed them a 2nd time and received an e-mail saying they could better answer my question over the phone. Great - I called Friday afternoon (west coast) and had to leave a message, about 10 minutes later a receptionist called back and said she would have tech help call me back on Monday, what time would be best, told them anytime, she asked what the question was, I tried to explain and I am sure she had NO IDEA what I was talking about. Bosch tech never called. Seems they are about as bad as Cummins as far as going public with a reccomendation.