Well, almost got to drive my new truck home

[JRS]

Work for a great company that paid for me to get a new truck. Spent several weeks hammering out options on the Dodge website. virtually "built" the truck and sent to dealer to order. Went to pick up truck today (my company had already sent in a check). Signed some paperwork, salesman drove me over to pick up my "free" 5 gallons of diesel. I'm looking over the truck and noticed the window sticker in the back door pocket. (while he's pumping the fuel) Uh-oh, 3:42 ratio, instead of the 3:73 I ordered. Mention this to salesman. Back to his office. He looks up stuff on the computer and says,"Oh, the 3:73 is not available with the 6 speed manual". I turn beat red, trying to control my anger. I finally calmly pull out all the e-mail's between his boss and I. There was one specifically asking them to order the 3:73 ratio differential. They returned an e-mail statement saying it was available and they had spec'd out the truck that way. His boss came in 15 minutes later and said they had made a mistake. They will change out the ring and pinions (4wd). "Go ahead and drive the truck home and we will call you when the parts come in". I left the truck there and took a taxi home.

 

[LRutigliano]

You are well on your way to having another "I hate Dodge trucks... " experience.



My $0. 02 worth... leave the truck as-is and look at it as its meant to be with the 3. 42 ratio. If you let the dealer change out both pinions to the 3. 73, you are almost guaranteed a lifetime (until you get so frustrated, you sell it) of problems due to retrofit/install issues...



It is ALOT of work to change out pinions on the AA axles. Its very specialized work with lots of critical measurements and checks.



If it were me, I would not go back. Its a well known fact that the salesman do not talk to the service or parts folks.



You are just tempting fate...

 

[JRS]

Good points, did not know this about the AA's. thanks.

 

[jjdiesel]

Smart move to take the cab... . give yourself time to consider your next move.

 

[rscurtis]

IMO, the AA axles are relatively easy to work on. However, LRutigliano is right in leaving it alone. The cost of the parts and the labor will consume most, if not all, of the dealer's profit on the deal. This assumes the job is done properly, no leaks and no gear noise. Stick with the devil you know.

 

[Grizzly]

You were right in not accepting it. Tell them to order another with the correct ratio or go to another dealer. It sounds to me like the dealer accept a truck that was already built and had the best fit of the options you wanted. They do that all the time. If you look at the window sticker closely you'll probably find other items incorrectly ordered.

 

[JRS]

Thanks for the input! Have a call in to the salesman and his boss to discuss. Since I keep a truck for at least 12 years or so, the best option would be to have them just order me another truck with what I want on it.

I found this odd: they did not offer to knock the price down if I would take the truck as is.



Thanks for the kudos for taking the cab. I felt driving off the lot in the truck would only serve to limit my leverage later. (ie, can't sell the truck as new to some one else because it left the lot)

 

[LBARTLETT]

when you're spending that kind of money get what you want

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

when you're spending that kind of money get what you want

AND, as delivered from the factory - NOT a "dealership rebuilt"!

 

[mcsinfl]

For whatever it's worth, I factory ordered my truck in 2004. The window sticker said something along the lines of "Made for My Name". In other words, the window sticker had my name on it. If Dodge still does that, that would tell you if they found a "like" truck, or actually ordered it.

 

[Regcabguy]

I ordered my '07 over the phone with an excellent Dave Smith salesman. Before it was ordered,I was sent an e-mail copy of the order for my review and the price clearly outlined. With my signed approval,the order went in. I screwed up and didn't get the side airbags even after reviewing everything. That was my fault. Get a new truck,the dealer should eat this one.

 

[JJPage]

I would like to know which Company you work for?:-laf



Good Luck, Hope it all works out for you.

 

[JRS]

natural gas equipment leasing company. took a chance with a small company, I was the first official employee. (besides the owners and their wives) I have the pleasure of working for decent men, and I have excellent technicians working for me. How long will it last? I don't know, but my wife and I will look back on this time and smile with fond memories. Life is good, so I will do my best to be grateful for what my family and I have.

 

[dieselboy1]

What do you do with the truck? I have the 3. 42's and would not have it any other way. I tow upto 10k lbs and it tows it fine. I would ask them if you can try it out for a while, and if you do not like it then get them changed. I bet you will find that you will like the 3. 42's.



2008 Ram 2500 SLT QC LB 6. 7L 6speed

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

What do you do with the truck? I have the 3. 42's and would not have it any other way. I tow upto 10k lbs and it tows it fine. I would ask them if you can try it out for a while, and if you do not like it then get them changed. I bet you will find that you will like the 3. 42's.



2008 Ram 2500 SLT QC LB 6. 7L 6speed

The nice thing about 3. 42 in towing situation, is the ability to drop down a gear under heavy load in steep grades, and still maintain good RPM and road speed - out in the flats, the ratio is much the same as an extra OD, and the torque of the Cummins handles it nicely.



I did sort of the same thing in my '02 HO 6-speed (3. 56 differential), the winding steep narrow roads here in eastern Oregon frequently force speeds down in the 45 MPH range - with a heavy RV in tow, 45 is too low a speed for 5th gear under load in the grades, but engine RPM is pretty high in 4th - so I went from 265 rear tires to 285's - and made lots of difference - I can easily cruise in 4th with plenty of reserve power and RPM...



An added plus, is the 23 MPG I get running empty out in mixed/empty driving, and 17 MPG towing the 5er in the same terrain...

 

[therabbittree]

I second that the 3. 42s would be much better then 3. 73 unless your hauling 30k all day. . I wish they still offered 3. 07 gears. . my 5speed is great withthat tow in 4th direct (65mph)and not od and get good fuel mileage. . if you want to go fast shift into 5th od and do 120plus. . another idea is swapping the whole axles out with another member who wants 3. 42's. . or another truck at the dealer with 3. 73's.

Go 3. 42 and be better off

Thanks,

Deo

 

[JRS]

Picked the truck up a week ago and have been driving it ever since. No issues with gear noise or groaning. Was impressed with service tech, no evidence was left on the differential covers or bolt heads that they had been removed. (scuffed/missing paint from sockets/wrenches) Ditto for drive shaft yokes, etc. In fact the drivetrain looked so clean, I checked gear ratio by using the math (tire OD, speed, rpms, transmission gear ratio) and it calculates to a 3. 73 ratio. (double checked speed with GPS)

 

[WMonroe]

Congratulations on the new truck. Do you have any pictures?

 

[AABEN]

I thank you would like the 3. 42 after you drive it. The new eng and more power will give you a very good ride. I wish my gearing was a little higher. You need to ask them what kind of fuel milage this gearing is getting on the road like you are going to use!==Good Luck