Buying a new truck

[Ronstar]

The wife’s parents estate finally settled and the home and acreage finally sold and divided. There was enough money for us to purchase a new truck to pull the camper and other needs we have for a truck. So let the story begin.
Sat down on the computer and built a truck from the ground up just to see what MSRP would be, ouch. We knew we could do it and estimated we could comfortably outright pay 3/4 of the final cost and finance the last 1/4. Sat down on December 10th and ordered it, my first truck new and what I wanted from the ground up! Color, options, capabilities, the works……. Again, ouch.
2023 Ram Bighorn 2500 4WD with the Cummins diesel. I was notified on Dec 19th the order was placed in the queue and started into production the last week of January. Took six days to build and on February 2nd I was notified it was built and ready to be shipped, estimated delivery to dealer was March 24th. Then it went deathly silent.
Ram had a safety recall on the grid heater relay for trucks built prior to Feb 1. Damn…. Factory working on a fix but no one knew if they were going to pull them back into the factory to fix or send to dealer and fix there, still no answer. This weekend I checked the status and its moved back to April 11 delivery, dealer also shows delivery window of April 5-11.
Its kinda like metal detecting…… hoping for that first gold coin but the wait is killing me!

Premium cloth heated bucket seats with heated steering, Level 2 interior, power mirrors and windows (including rear window) Alpine speakers with subwoofer. OffRoad package, SnowChief package, BedUtility group (spray on bed liner and LED lights), RamBar with four 5” LED lights forward and two facing reverse, bed extender rack. Nice thing about the SnowChief package is six prewired dash switches. Im having the top LED lights wired to the first two switches so dash remains clean, the other four are for later goodies.

I may never get that first gold coin but by damned I’m getting that first golden truck.
(Pictures are from the computer mock up of the build, minus the RamBar)

 

[Elmy]

The wife’s parents estate finally settled and the home and acreage finally sold and divided. There was enough money for us to purchase a new truck to pull the camper and other needs we have for a truck. So let the story begin.
Sat down on the computer and built a truck from the ground up just to see what MSRP would be, ouch. We knew we could do it and estimated we could comfortably outright pay 3/4 of the final cost and finance the last 1/4. Sat down on December 10th and ordered it, my first truck new and what I wanted from the ground up! Color, options, capabilities, the works……. Again, ouch.
2023 Ram Bighorn 2500 4WD with the Cummins diesel. I was notified on Dec 19th the order was placed in the queue and started into production the last week of January. Took six days to build and on February 2nd I was notified it was built and ready to be shipped, estimated delivery to dealer was March 24th. Then it went deathly silent.
Ram had a safety recall on the grid heater relay for trucks built prior to Feb 1. Damn…. Factory working on a fix but no one knew if they were going to pull them back into the factory to fix or send to dealer and fix there, still no answer. This weekend I checked the status and its moved back to April 11 delivery, dealer also shows delivery window of April 5-11.
Its kinda like metal detecting…… hoping for that first gold coin but the wait is killing me!

Premium cloth heated bucket seats with heated steering, Level 2 interior, power mirrors and windows (including rear window) Alpine speakers with subwoofer. OffRoad package, SnowChief package, BedUtility group (spray on bed liner and LED lights), RamBar with four 5” LED lights forward and two facing reverse, bed extender rack. Nice thing about the SnowChief package is six prewired dash switches. Im having the top LED lights wired to the first two switches so dash remains clean, the other four are for later goodies.

I may never get that first gold coin but by damned I’m getting that first golden truck.
(Pictures are from the computer mock up of the build, minus the RamBar)

Wife bought me a new Black Ford f-150 for my birthday march 25th, in 2020.....I have 4069.4 miles on it now.
Plastic bed liner...folding top and tinted windows....4 door...
You got a nice truck....enjoy it while you can....
E L M Y

 

[Ronstar]

The old truck is a 2001 Dodge 2500 diesel we bought used in ‘04. It averages 5000 a year but thats mainly because it is a super plain jane. A/C and cruise control are the only luxuries it has…… old truck being gifted to the youngest son who is a diesel mechanic in the Denver area.

 

[Elmy]

The old truck is a 2001 Dodge 2500 diesel we bought used in ‘04. It averages 5000 a year but thats mainly because it is a super plain jane. A/C and cruise control are the only luxuries it has…… old truck being gifted to the youngest son who is a diesel mechanic in the Denver area.

Very nice....I Gifted my 1967 mustang and a starcraft bass boat to my oldest son.....I have a 2018 Honda crv for daily driving.....
Can't seem to use all my toys anymore so letting some go....boy is close to Lake Erie , Ohio....hope he can use it as much as I did !

 

[Ronstar]

Well you didnt say ‘67 FastBack…… that could be some serious $$.

Just notified a little bit ago the truck was shipped out March 15 and expected ETA of April 11. Now the wait begins…..

 

[Ronstar]

Got notified the truck has been shipped and on its way to my dealer!!!! Now three weeks of sweet dreams!!!!

 

[autopilot42]

I have a feeling the whole car and truck thing is a setup and will never go back to the way it was. Alot of this covid mess was probably made up. If our supply chains are that fragile we as a human race might not make it. I am happy for you to get your truck. Alot of things seem quite funny at the dealerships . My last corolla was ridiculous and am sure things will not change. A self made crisis so some may gouge . Sad affairs going forward for our children. If it has not been worked out buy now it will never be maybe by design. Who knows. Nothing much has changed and covid is a thing of the past. Humanity at its best.

 

[Picketwire]

.I have 4069.4 miles on it now.

You are gonna wear that thing out running the wheels of it like that! LOL Looks like you are almost due for an oil change.

 

[MuddyMo]

Congrats on the new ride, sound great!
In 2021 I tried ordering a maverick hybrid. No Hybrid engines so they weren't taking orders
2022 I tried again. No orders for ANY mavericks. Later that year they took orders for 5 days. I heard about it on the 6th day. (Those orders to this day have not been built)
2023 they said they're not taking orders but call march 1- Nope still not taking orders.
Used 2022s are selling for $8k more than new ones. When a dealer gets one they are selling them for $10-15k over list.

 

[Ronstar]

My first inclination was to build an EcoDiesel but about a month earlier Ram decided to jump on the electric bandwagon and discontinued Eco orders. It would have fulfilled my needs plus it got around 26 mpg on the highway.
Since that my only option was into Heavy Duty line and the big diesel is getting 18-20 highway. I drive the truck a bit more than Elmy, well at least at first. . Rather have the power in the end game.

 

[Elmy]

You are gonna wear that thing out running the wheels of it like that! LOL Looks like you are almost due for an oil change.

Got my first oil change this January....good for another 4 years now. Someone else can add the miles to a decent truck later on.

 

[laplander]

The dash switch package gets used daily on my 3500 to operate the hydraulic pump I installed, great idea!
HH Jeff

 

[autopilot42]

All I want is a 2.7 for the Tacoma with an extra cab that is all I need. I have a small boat and don't want anything bigger. Just trying to survive.

 

[autopilot42]

I will end up paying the same for a six and tro off road package very sad

 

[autopilot42]

We have been screwed buy the car companies. They will keep the flow of vehicles done to make more money. Screwed everyone else. Nice folks. Scamerica at its best.

 

[autopilot42]

If some can make a buck they will. How long this will last we will see. Thanks whuan flu

 

[Justme]

bought a ford ranger 4x4 last week. Its a 98, has a new crate engine, i got under neath, just light surface rust, so i sprayed everything with fluid film. Took 4 cans. Took both seats out, took all the carpet out, (i think carpet in a truck is not wise) sprayed truck bed liner on the floor. Doesn't look too bad

 

[Odanscoils]

bought a ford ranger 4x4 last week. Its a 98, has a new crate engine, i got under neath, just light surface rust, so i sprayed everything with fluid film. Took 4 cans. Took both seats out, took all the carpet out, (i think carpet in a truck is not wise) sprayed truck bed liner on the floor. Doesn't look too bad

What's fluid film.
Recently picked up a 99.
Though up here in Ohio rust belt.
I have to patch up the frame. And replace some panels.

 

[autopilot42]

bought a ford ranger 4x4 last week. Its a 98, has a new crate engine, i got under neath, just light surface rust, so i sprayed everything with fluid film. Took 4 cans. Took both seats out, took all the carpet out, (i think carpet in a truck is not wise) sprayed truck bed liner on the floor. Doesn't look too bad

Seems like a great thing to do I will get some for my 1991 4x4 surely will help.

 

[autopilot42]

I need a clutch soon and beaches garage said he would do it for 750 .seems reasonable. If I had a lift I would try it but the trannny and transfer case is heavy you need a stand.