The wait has ended.

[EEngel]

Well guys,



The new truck arrived Monday morning at 4:45am. Had to laugh, I was on my way into work and I passed a car carrier and it had a silver ram on it. I didn’t think there was anyway it was mine, but the deal called at 8:00am and said it would be ready around 1:00. Very hard day at work…. Just couldn’t get much done.



Here is some dates for people who have orders in.



Ordered from MN dealer: 01/14/04

D1 status (scheduled 4 build): 02/12/04

KZ status (plant release): 02/26/04

Loaded on railcar (Larado TX): 03/04/04

Rail interchange (Chicago IL): 03/10/04

MN drop-off (Cottage Grove): 03/20/04

MN dealer: 03/22/04



Dealer did the 315/70/17 swap for the BF rugged trails and adjusted speedometer for $352.



Rocker panels did have the tape, and the plugs have been ordered (he paid).



Rear well liners were installed ($110). They look good, but I liked the stock ones on the 2001 better. The new ones come in near the inside of the tire about 1 1/2 further.



Got the mud flaps / bug shield / vent shades on last night. Hope to get the Advance cover on tonight (I will post on the install and fit). Line-X is scheduled for Monday next week (over the rail and nerf bars).



Initial impressions (coming from 2001/H. O. /6sp/Edge EZ/AFE):



1. Damn this thing is quiet.

2. Rides like a dream, the handling is far more responsive, and the suspension seems stiffer but provides a much better ride (I’m sure it will loosen up).

3. The ****** that designed the gas fill system needs to be shackled under water and forced to breath through a straw for a few hours.

4. Acceleration is VERY smooth (have not really got on it yet).

5. The shift pattern is much tighter and far more user friendly.

6. On the first 120 mile drive to work this morning, the over head read 15. 5 (this is with winter blend and 26 degrees). I topped off the tank with a 5 gallon can, so I will post an accurate MPG when this tank is gone.



Overall, I think I am going to VERY happy.

 

[XcumminsX]

CONGRATS!

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by EEngel

3. The ****** that designed the gas fill system needs to be shackled under water and forced to breath through a straw for a few hours.

Is this a matter of the filler hose being too small? Anyone try to retrofit a 2G filler system in their 3G? I love the way I can fill my '99 at the 'big truck' pump in about 1 minute... I guess this won't be possible with my new truck...

 

[EEngel]

Big Pump

JeepDude,



You could still use the big pump for the first 25-28 gallons. On the remaining space, I would starts ducking for cover when the truck drivers behind you start shooting.

 

[OHale]

Oo. Congratulations!



Thank you for the ship data. I am in day one of my vigil.



I am going to get line-ex also.



BTW, I like the MOPAR running boards but they are too expensive from the dealership ($700 not installed. )



Does anyone know who makes them so I can buy them directly (cheaper)?

 

[EEngel]

OHale - Line-X

I'm not sure how much you use your bed for hauling tools and such, but on my last few rams I went over-the-rail with the Line-X. It worked very well in stopping tools/tool belts from scratching the heck out of the rails.



I also had them spray the nerf bars. This is definitly a great thing in the rust belt. It was also considerably cheaper to get a powder coated tube and have it sprayed than to buy SS.

 

[EEngel]

Thanx Nick

Hey Nick,



Thanks for the congrats.



Remember I was so ****** about the fold-flat-floor. Well I said something to the owner of the dealership about his employee not letting me know about the restriction (he said no fold flats with sports), nothing about the premium seats. I also said I was a bit ****** that I didn't get the center front seat storage. I told him it would have made a great place to put the pistol when I wasn't carrying it. Well, the owner did the best he could. He got me a set of the locking flat covers for the cargo area under the back seat.



Anyways, he said they are on order.



When are you getting the FASS system?

 

[XcumminsX]

Re: Thanx Nick

Originally posted by EEngel

Hey Nick,



Thanks for the congrats.



Remember I was so ****** about the fold-flat-floor. Well I said something to the owner of the dealership about his employee not letting me know about the restriction (he said no fold flats with sports), nothing about the premium seats. I also said I was a bit ****** that I didn't get the center front seat storage. I told him it would have made a great place to put the pistol when I wasn't carrying it. Well, the owner did the best he could. He got me a set of the locking flat covers for the cargo area under the back seat.



Anyways, he said they are on order.



When are you getting the FASS system?

I am gonna get the FASS system ASAP. I decided im not allowing myself buy anything else untill i get all the stuff i bought so far on. . Just yesturday i ordered my scotty 3 should be here friday or monday



Nick

 

[OHale]

Thanks for the recommendation EEngel,



The line-x fellow I spoke to down in Portland (Maine) really sounded sharp. I've seen some of the older Rhino linings and they were a bit faded.



I won't be getting tubes but I can probably think of a few things to have them zap with line-x.....



Gee it's been a whole day! Isn't my truck here yet???:{

 

[wyosteve]

OHale, there have been several sets of Dodge oem nerf bars on EBay recently. They sell for around $350. Also, I've seen two fold flat floors for sale on EBay for $200-300.

 

[OHale]

Thanks wyosteve,



I'll check ebay out. I will be getting the fold flat floor but the boards would definitely be cheaper.



I've put my new truck specs in my sig but it doesn't show for some reason... . I need to fix that!

 

[EEngel]

OHale - Line-X

OHale,



My neighbor had the Line-X spayed on the lower foot of his truck on both sides. He had an issue with chips (on the farm and all the gravel roads around here).



It looked really nice (red truck). He has had it for 4-5 years and there is no sign of any damage.

 

[OHale]

Hi EEngel,



I had asked the local dealer about doing the fender wells and the rocker panels. He said he couldn't do it because of the high pressure and temperature. From what you report it sounds like he just isn't familiar with how to do it. There is another dealer over in NH and I may give him a call.



Great idea, thanks!

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by OHale

I had asked the local dealer about doing the fender wells and the rocker panels. He said he couldn't do it because of the high pressure and temperature.

So just out of curiosity, what did he say the pressure and heat would do to the rocker panels that it won't do to the bed or bedrails? That makes no sense to me. Definitely have another line-x dealer look at it, because it is definitely possible. I know people who have had their ENTIRE Jeep coated, inside and out! One thing to make sure of is that whoever installs it preps the body very well all the way up to the line where the line-x is going to be cut. With that much upward facing exposed edge, you may have peeling issues if they did it the 'easy way' and didn't sand all the way to the line... definitely not an issue if prepped right tho.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Local auto trim dealer said a lade pulled in with the ENTIRE TRUCK LINE-XED!!!!!!!!! THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE____. To each his own, at least it won't chip from every stray sunflower seed.

 

[OHale]

Hi thejeepdude,



He didn't say it would harm the rockers just that they felt they couldn't mask the area properly and would get the spray on other surfaces. He specifically mentioned a concern about getting line-x on brake lines, cables, etc.



I think they just don't know how to do it, and I'd rather somebody beg off than do something nasty to my fine, fine truck!



Interesting idea about coating an entire vehicle. My '95 dually still looks great but would definately have the Road Warrior look if I line-x'd the whole thing... ...

 

[EEngel]

OHale - Line-X

OHale,



I just looked through my quotes. The dealer here wanted $575 to do the rockers from the body line down on the 2001.



I remember talking to him about it, he said they would just mask everything off and there would be no problem.



I was VERY happy with the over the rail liner he did. It never peeled/chiped/flaked in 3 years.



If the clown you went to was unsure of the process or had any question in his mind about doing it, GO SOMEPLACE ELSE. I don't think there is much of a second chance at getting it right.



I am going to call the local guy today and get a current price.

 

[OHale]

EEngel,



Great advice. The line-x fellow did mention he has done a lot of work for some Portland contractors and commercial businesses. I had thought about calling some of them for a reference and after our discussion I will definitely do so now.



I agree, this truck is a major expense for me and the line-x will be there for the life of the truck (hopefully. ) I keep my vehicles just right and I'm not going to start out with a mess.



In his defense, this dealer is probably just fine but I will check his references. I don't want to blast him unfairly. I spoke to the owner on the phone and he was very sharp and was quick to list the names of companies he has done business with.



However, I'll drive as far as I have to to get the work done properly. Thanks again for the information and advice.



FWIW the Portland dealer quoted $450 for the short bed over the rail treatment. There is also a $20 off coupon on the line-ex site.

 

[EEngel]

OHale - Line-X

OHale,



I just got off the phone with the Line-X guy here. $375 for the shortbed, $75 over the rail, $100 for the nerf bars, and $525 for the rockers.



Sounds like you have the same deal there. Remember, they have the ability to add color to the mixtures. You don't have to get black.

 

[OHale]

Originally posted by EEngel

OHale,



I just got off the phone with the Line-X guy here. $375 for the shortbed, $75 over the rail, $100 for the nerf bars, and $525 for the rockers.



Sounds like you have the same deal there. Remember, they have the ability to add color to the mixtures. You don't have to get black.

EEngel,



Thanks for the info. My truck is (will be) black so that's what I'll get in the bed.



Everybody tells me its a great product.