What to look for on Delivery

[LargoLes]

My truck is supposed to be here in 7 - 10 days. Just wanted to know what to look for before we take the truck off the lot. I know to look at the rear diff. fluid and the plugs under the cab to see if they have been taped. Any other things to look for at delivery? Any input would be great. Thanks

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Les,



Here's what I'd look for in addition to lube levels:



--> Double-check your order sheet and make sure all the options you ordered are actually on your truck. On mine they forgot the foglights!!

--> Make sure there's no dings or scratches in the paint. Check door, hood, bed/cab alignment, etc.

--> Test drive the truck to make sure there are no driveability or mechanical issues. If there's anything significantly wrong with it you don't have to accept it, or get in writing you won't accept the truck until X is fixed.



Good luck, bet you can't wait for it to arrive!



Vaughn

 

[MLee]

Re; what to look for

Les;

about a month ago, there was a post in the 3rd gen forum on this subject. It was about as detailed as you could get. probably take a HALF day to accept you new ride, by the time you were done. The dealership people would say "let us know when your ready to take it HOME".

ENJOY!

Marv.

 

[NSperduto]

any idea what the title of the post from last month was. I've tried searches, but didn't find anything.

I wish my truck would get here. It got to Baltimore on the 25th. Now I just need them to get it to NJ.

 

[LargoLes]

Thanks for the info. I'll do a search and see what I can find.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

How timely,



I called DC today and my rig is hot off the assembly line. Patience, patience... . patience.

 

[NSperduto]

You'll need alot of patience

My rig came off the assembly line 10/27 and I strill don't have it yet.



Nick

 

[LargoLes]

I found a check list on a search of the forum. I am not sure if this is the one that was talked about in a earlier post, but it is a long list. It is about 9 pages long. Take a look.



Encase I did'nt put the link in the rightway (first time putting a hyperlink into message) here is the site.



http://www.dodgeram.org/buying_info/Inspect.htm











http://www.dodgeram.org/buying_info/Inspect.htm

 

[MichaelAnderson]

look for thin paint, my door jams and door bottoms and rear window rail didn't get painted! wish i'd caught it and known then what i know now.

 

[JWChessell]

New Vehicle Delivery Checklist

I did the 9 page checklist on July. 29th when I took delivery of my new 2003 3500. It took 3-1/2 hours, including a 30 minute test drive. The dealer was very cooperative -- I gave him a copy of the evaluation form -- he put the truck on a lift and assigned a tech to help me whenever I asked for help.



After downloading the checklist from the web address shown in the post above, I e-mailed Dave Fritz, author of the checklist and asked about new items for the 2003 model. Here is his reply:



July 16, 2003:



"I have not revised the checklist because it still works for the 2003 models. I need to add:



"Test the function of all remote keyless/alarm buttons at a distance of 80' from the truck.



"Check the operation of the rear cargo storage and folding load floor in Quad-Cab models.



"Check the operation of the adjustable pedals over the full range of travel.



"With the key off, press the accelerator pedal slightly -- about 1/4" down, but make sure the pedal did not simply pivot on the arm -- then turn the key "on" and start the engine. Now release the accel pedal, put the truck in gear, and make sure the engine responds to the accel pedal.



"There have been some software problems in the ECM that completely lock out throttle control if the idle position switch is not closed when the engine is started. A TSB has been issued to address the problem for 03 models by relfashing the ECM. This sort of problem with the idle position switch has been around in one form or another since the release of the 24V engine in 1998. Before you take it home, use the test above to make sure your new truck will not leave you at the side of the road with an engine that will only idle. "



This is the third time I have posted this same reply to someone asking about a new vehicle delivery checklist, and where to find one? The checklist and the 2003 update really need to be posted where everyone can find it easily -- otherwise we keep reinventing the wheel. I"m not very computer literate. Can someone at TDR help?

 

[JWChessell]

New Vehicle Delivery Checklist

Also, I forgot to add:



Make up your own checklist for accessories not included in Dave Fritz' 9-page checklist, and for any dealer-installed accessories that your order.



For example, I ordered:



Real wheel-well liners. I included an item about appearance of the liners, obvious defects, and qualifty of installation by the dealer.



Sirius satellite radio: Assuming you have not already activated the radio via subscription with Sirius -- Take truck outside, tune radio to Sirius channel 184, and listen to see if radio broadcasts Sirius' stream of advertising.



Dodge Mopar full-truck cover: I did not have a separate check-off item concerning this accessory, which cost approximately $250. 00. Inside the dealer's showroom, we pulled the cover out of the box, stretched it full length on the floor, and checked it for stains, mis-sewn seams, tears, rips and so forth. We DID NOT check it for fit by puting it on the truck. 5 days later and 2000 miles away, when I installed the cover over the truck in preparation for storing the truck for 90 days, we found that the cover had been sewn too narrow, and would not accept both outside rear-view mirrors into the mirror pockets sewn into the cover. One or the other mirror would go into its pocket, but not both. I took a picture and sent it to the dealer from whom I purchased the cover. We're going to work it out, but it would have been much easier to resolve had I checked it on the truck when I took delivery.



Moral: Make a checklist for EVERYTHING included with the truck at delivery.

 

[NSperduto]

You are kidding with this list, right?



You want me to stand outside in December for 3. 5 hours checking all this stuff.



No thanks. I'll do a look for body/paint damage and then I'll take it home to my heated garage and look at it. If anything is wrong, I'll just schedule an appointment and let them fix it. It's not like they are going to fix anything I find wrond the day I pick it up anyway.



Nick

 

[MLee]

That might be all well and good,,,,,, BUT at least have them double check the fluids in the running gear before you leave don't take there word for it. you might have to pay to have this done latter.

just my penny's Worth.



Marv.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Look for scratches in the paint. After I got mine home I noticed someone had used a dirty mitt most likely containing a few small rocks that scratched the crap out of my paint.