Building my new 2022 2500 Ram
I am wanting a new Ram but since I’m spending over $60k for a Gas 2500 I want it to have what I’ll use but not the crap I won’t be using. So I built my ideal 2500 in a Big Horn and a Laramie but nowhere in the country does these particular trucks exist. I am considering a Laramie vs Big Horn. Here are the builds I would want.
Now if I order it today they said it “should be” ready in 23-26 weeks.. DANG! That’s a long time. So I either have to sacrifice something that I want for something that is available or just drive the beater for almost 7months which would be August 2022 by the time I get my truck if I order in Jan. Now it “may” exist somewhere in the country but the silly Ram Truck Build Search only will go out 250miles from my zip code. I was told I can go to a dealership and talk to them and they have the ability to do a nationwide search. I attempted to work with a salesman from Al Serra in Grand Blanc but after an email he stopped responding completely so trying another dealership. I feel Al Serra is just too big of a dealership to care. For them its about quantity of sales not quality. Still need to compare the differences but for now let’s talk about the options I selected.
POWERTRAIN
- ESB:6.4L V8 Heavy Duty HEMI® MDS Engine [Standard]
- DFX:8-Speed Automatic 8HP75-LCV Transmission [Standard]
- GVW Rating – 10,000 Pounds [Standard]
- DSA:Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle [$495]
- DME:3.73 Axle Ratio [Standard]
- BAJ:220-Amp Alternator [$145]
- XEA:Tow Hooks [$100]
PACKAGES
- Bed Utility Group [$845]
- A83:Level C Equipment Group [$4,195]
- ASH:Night Edition [$2,895]
- ARC:Off-Road Package [$495]
- AD6:Premium Lighting Group [$795]
- AM8:RamBox Utility Group [$295]
- AD2:Snow Chief Group [$905]
RAM BOX Utility Group [$295]
So when I brought up that I want the Ram Box on my truck, people thought it was stupid. How I look at it is that its a great place to store items like tow ropes, tools and anything else since you don’t have many places to put those things in a truck. It utilizes the space in the bed of the truck that really doesn’t get used which is in front and behind the wheel well in the bed of the truck. This is typically when you get a load of dirt or rocks in your bed its where the extras get stuck and its a pain to get out. With the Ram Box you have a box (no hidden corners for dirt or rocks to hide). I also get the comment, but you won’t be able to haul your four wheeler. As the pic below shows, you can fit a four wheeler in the bed still since the space between the wheel wells is still usable space.
Standard Headlights vs. Premium Headlights
This is sorta confusing since I really couldn’t find much about the differences anywhere on the internet. So not sure you can tell the difference but here is what I can see Premium Headlights
EXTERIOR
- PW7:Monotone Exterior Colors:Bright White Clear-Coat Exterior Paint [$0]
- MM8:Stripes & Decals: Decal Delete [$0]
- Lighting:Clearance Lamps [$95]
- ANT:Lighting:LED Bed Lighting [$165]
- LNJ:Lighting:Front Fog Lamps [$195]
- LPD:Lighting:Center Stop Lamp with Cargo-View Camera [$345]
- WF3:Wheels:20-Inch x 8.0-Inch Black Painted Alum Wheels [$0]
- Tires:LT275/70R18E OWL On/Off-Road Tires [$295]
- Tires:LT285/60R20E OWL On/Off-Road Tires [$0]
- XB9:Pickup Box Features:RamBox® Cargo Management System [$945]
- CS7:Tonneau Covers:Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover [$695]
- XMF:Bedliners:Spray-In Bedliner by Mopar® [$600]
- APA:Additional Exterior Features:Monotone Paint [Standard]
- MWH:Additional Exterior Features:Rear Wheelhouse Liners [$195]
INTERIOR
- *MJ:Five-Passenger Seating:Premium Cloth Bucket Seats [$295]
- UBL:Entertainment:Uconnect® 5 Nav with 8.4-Inch Touch Screen Display [$795]
- RC3:Speaker Systems:9 Alpine® Speakers with Subwoofer [$595]
- GFA:Windows & Locks:Rear Window Defroster [$195]
- LHL:Additional Interior Features:Instrument Panel Mounted Auxiliary Switches [$145]
- JKV:Additional Interior Features:115-Volt Auxiliary Front Power-Outlet [$210]
- LSA:Safety & Security Systems:Security Alarm [$195]
- XBM:Safety & Security Systems:Remote-Start System [$295]
- XAG:Safety & Security Systems:ParkSense® Front and Rear Park-Assist System [$395]
REFERENCE
RAM ORDER PROCESS AT THE FACTORY
Stage 1
BB: Review by fleet department, the order is now being processed.
BD: Special equipment processing. This is where things like snow plow prep etc get checked. Special items.
BE: Edit error
BG: Passed edit n/a for schedule. This is where the order can sit and wait for things like low volume paint where there needs to be x number or similar orders
BGL: Edit ok parts unavailable
BX: Passed edit available for schedule
Stage 2
C: Sub firm – Tentative schedule Now the factory knows about the order. The plant can see the order at this point but it’s not fully committed to building as the supplier may or may not be able to get parts to the plant to build the truck. I am not sure of all the details on this state yet so I can’t comment further.
Stage 3
D: Firm schedule – dealer has allocation and all parts available. Your order now has a name instead of a number: A VIN! Materials should have been ordered by this point if all goes well.
D1: Gateline schedule – scheduled to be built. The date is set for your truck to be built. The plant knows when it should have parts sequenced for building and it should start to be built within 48 hours of the date set.
Stage 4
E: Frame – Metal is welded together to form the body and frame. The body is inspected at the end of this step to ensure it’s within tolerances.
F: Paint – The metal is coated, primed, sprayed, clear-coated, polished, inspected, and hand finished if necessary.
G: Trim – The engine is installed in the chassis, the interior is installed, the chassis is mated to the body, the bed is put on. At the end of this, your truck is built.
I: Built not ok’d – Your truck goes through a battery of shakedown tests and measurements are taken to ensure the vehicle looks and performs as expected.
J: Built ok’d
JB: Shipped to Upfit Center – The vehicle is sent off site to have a spray liner put in, steps, etc.
JE: Emission check
JS: Shipped to storage – Some of you call this “Prison”. I like to think of it as QA trying to ensure you get what you expected. Typically if something happens or is found in the I step (or even a previous step), it goes here to get checked and fixed. A panel looks off color, a part on your truck was in the same batch as a bunch of failed parts, a light doesn’t turn on, etc will all cause the truck to get sent here for a detailed inspection and fix. Another reason it can end up here is either the dealer has asked to have the trucked delayed (it has a full lot and can only handle so many) or it has a special event coming up. Typically that isn’t done on a sold order. It can also end up here at the start of a model year where production is ramping up but the vehicle has not be released (or certified) for shipment. Nobody likes the vehicle to be in this status as you don’t get your truck and Chrysler doesn’t make money.
Stage 5
KZL: Released – not shipped
KZM: First rail departure
KZN: First rail arrival
KZO: Delayed/recieved
KZOA: Plant holds
KZOB: Zone/distribution holds
KZOC: Carrier delays
KZOD: Carrier holds
KZOE: Mis-shipped vehicle
KZOF: Show/test vehicle
KZOG: Damaged vehicle
KZOH: All other reasons
KZT: Second rail departure
KZU: Second rail arrival
KZX: Delivered to dealer – only one that you really care about as that means it was delivered to the dealer.
Stage Canceled
ZA: Canceled, the dealer or you have canceled the order
ran into an interesting find today when i plugged my escort 360 max radar detector into the 12v outlet on the dash and it was o
powered on and the truck was off.
On my particular Ram 2500, Under the hood on the drivers side in the fuse box, I just had to move the fuse from F90 to F91 which meant moving the fuse from the right to the left i. the same three prong holder. Now it’s off and only comes on when acc is on or truck is running.
here it is…
already spent the $1000 to get it undercoated by Line-X (touch up every 2-3 years with cost of material only with an estimate cost of $50-$100)
already bought weathertech mud flaps to keep the stones from chipping paint on the rockers
already bought weatherTech floor protection (this was an obvious need when just stepping in the truck the floor mats were disgusting and dirty)
purchased carhart (cover craft) deluxe seat cover for the back seat for when we bring the dogs camping.
purchased n-fab steps to help when my back goes out
so what’s left??
eventually it would be nice to convert my hitches to 2 1/2” shank so i don’t need the silly adapter
i’ll probably add some logos
wheels and tires but that’s a ways away… especially with the cost of fuel.
Dealership sent some drivers down to Assembly plant on jefferson and picked up several trucks the dealership has been waiting to be delivered.
Went to CU and picked up cashiers check.
Got my appointment for 5:45pm at dealership today to pick up my new truck.
Tomorrow at 8:30am I drop my truck off at LineX for there Lifetime Rust Proofing for a little over $1000
Are you going to follow the break-in process when you get your truck?
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS — GASOLINE ENGINE
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and should be avoided.
Yea I’m going to follow the rules. It also says don’t tow anything for the first 500 miles and when you do don’t drive over 50 while towing for the first 500 miles of towing.
That depends on when I get my truck since I’m going camping and pulling my RV for Memorial Weekend.
So the verbiage from the manual that you posted sure is confusing….
Obviously a lot of gray area. It reminds me of some tests I took in school that many of the answers looked correct but you had to think like the teacher to figure out which one was the answer they were looking for.
My Toyota Tundra Owners Manual states for Break-In
Crazy rules. It sounds like to me to not get on the expressway for the first 1000 miles to avoid that constant speed for extended periods and avoid extremely high speeds. Also drive a mix of country and city roads but avoid sudden stops and sudden acceleration.
Week 16 (2022-05-06): Called my salesman and asked him if the system is working with the thoughts I was going to escalate to management to help me find my truck. Robert said the system came back online either last night or this morning. He see’s its in a parking lot here in Michigan waiting for delivery to dealership since 04/24 😡
Robert mentioned that “sometimes” they are allowed to go pick the truck up and bring it to the dealership. He stated that the delivery guys are short handed and they can’t keep up with the demand. Robert is going to ask management to see if they can work out something to get the truck themselves. “Suppose to” let me know.
Week 16 (2022-05-05): Contacted the FCA chat on ramtrucks.com and asked Emily the status. She replied with FCA’s system that tracks the status of an order is still down after three weeks of being down. Surprising it takes so long to get to the dealership. Might be calling my salesman since he told me 2-3 weeks once in shipping status and we are now 4 weeks.
Week 15 (2022-04-26): FCA’s system that tracks the status of an order is still down. Now their system has been down for a minimum of a week. I’m guessing someone doesn’t know what they are doing that supports that application. This is where someone couldn’t walk the walk or back the talk. So we wait…. unknowing of where the truck is or its status.
My guess today will be no earlier that May 05th but I should probably plan on May 10th.
What is frustrating is many people that ordered their trucks a month later are already getting there’s in.
Week 14 (2022-04-21): truck is on 2nd train (KZT: Second rail departure)
No one, not dealership or online chat is able to look up location since there system that tracks vehicles movement has been down for 3days now and checking today its still down so Dealership and FCA chat has no way of telling.
Only two more status’ to go
KZU: Second rail arrival
KZX: Delivered to dealer – only one that you really care about as that means it was delivered to the dealer.
So while I wait for my truck to show up (which mind you I’m starting to get impatient since many people that ordered there truck AFTER me are getting it so I believe the issue I have is the dealership I ordered it from is small and the dealerships they ordered it from are HUGE) time to look for accessories.
I need rear seat cover to protect the rear area from my two dogs and I have had and really like covercraft/carhartt ( Part #: GTD4190COBK ) around $540
Also need WeatherTech mats to protect the front and rear floors ( Part Number: 441545-1-2IM ) around $225
Since I will have a Big Horn no option to add the Mopar (AMP Research) steps I want to add them which in looking at the Mopar site, the factory Mopar Power Steps are compatible with the Big Horn.
Week 13 (2022-04-11): truck is still on 1st train (KZM: First rail departure)
When contacting the FCA online chat they confirmed estimated arrival to dealership is May 10th 2022
Week 12 (2022-04-06): truck is still on 1st train (KZM: First rail departure)
Week 10 (2022-03-21): Still in D1 status and ship date is still March 25th with a minimum of two weeks ship time. I am starting to think they aren’t updating the status since its been in the same status for 4 weeks
Week 9 (2022-03-15): Still in D1 status and it still has a ship date of March 25th with a minimum of two weeks ship time.
Week 8 (2022-03-08): Still in D1 status and currently has a ship date pushed out to March 25th with a minimum of two weeks ship time.
Week 7 (2022-02-28):Updated to D1 status and currently has a ship date of March 6th, 2022 (possible two week ship time minimum)
Talked to the dealership about extended warranty and they mentioned they have been using one company for years and years which they say is WAY better than the RAM extended warranty.
This company, CNA National out of Florida, offers an 8 year, 140,000 mile bumper to bumper extended warranty for around $3000 which covers everything but wear items. So electronics, suspension, engine, trans, etc.. all covered with a low deductible if you go to another dealership but if you go to Rehils (where I ordered the truck) then they waive the deductible.
Week 5 (2022-02-14):Still in status D today and the “guess” I am given is due to the truck drivers protesting
Week 3 (2022-01-31): Got a status today and its in D status and I have my VIN but no ETA for shipment.
Week 1 (2022-01-19): Ordered Truck!! Robert (salesman) said to check back every two weeks for a status on the build. I did get confirmation his manager did submit the build to the Mexico build plant.