sheath

In my case it turned out that I paid the amount we agreed to at time of order. I did buy an extra TPM at time of sale, so they added that part cost to the truck price, so I could just write one check. The agreement we made is that the dealer would let me know if there would be any reductions in price or increases, and we would confirm agreement upon delivery. Since I was in the position of not "needing" the truck I was totally fine with that. It was spec'd in a popular fashion with a lot of options, so the dealer was comfortable too. Either way we would both be fine. The dealer I worked with was very transparent and easy to work with. No funny business, from start to finish. If you have concerns, work with your dealership to put it in writing at the start. That protects you both. Hope this helps. Best wishes for a successful order, and quick delivery!

Saw this post a while back, which explains how to get info on the truck based on the VIN. Hope it helps. https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/251210-vin-assigned/?do=findComment&comment=2532840

Silver lining maybe? If demand for production goes down, it could positively affect the effort to get all these sitting trucks completed, and shipped. All the OEMs will get a pretty big pay day, when they can get them delivered. Sucks for me, as I just retired and am currently traveling around the country pulling a big 5th wheel. That is pretty small potatoes compared to all the folks waiting in a communication black out to get their trucks they need to put food on their tables.

Really bummed for all of you still waiting. It would be nice if GM would share a plan with a timeline. I wonder if they've put any information out for shareholders, on how they are working to resolve this? They've already paid for the materials and components, the wages & benefits, the cost of facility and environmental, and now storage fees to do these partial builds. So they've got a pretty big hole in their pocket book, since they don't get paid until the trucks are at the dealerships. These trucks are a big part of their profitability, which is a big hit. There are so many of these trucks parked needing various finishing parts, the logistics has to be a huge nightmare. Now they will probably need to hire and train everyone from parts procurement to receiving, to conveyance, to accounting, to the staff needed to install the components, Inspection & cleaning staff. Staff to organize and move the trucks. Staff to maintain the area they will do this work at. Staff to integrate outbound truck shipments. Vendors to support that staff... The list of what it takes to do this is huge, and that is just the GM/Ford/Dodge mfg side. All the component supply vendors need the ability to continue a ramped up production to meet current demand, and then ramp up even further in order to supply these additional parts, which may need a completely different form of shipment to GM. Sharing how they plan to accomplish this with a timeline, would sure help a lot of people. Most importantly all of you still waiting to get your trucks. But also stock holders, vendors and everyone needed to support this to final resolution. When this is done and the tents fold up, there will be another vacuum as all those people and companies will need to look for other opportunities to put food on their families plates.

Congrats on getting your new truck! Did you get the Snow Plow Option? I read something regarding the Upfitter Switches. If I remember correctly, if the options included the snow plow prep, the switch stack was installed, because the 5th Aux switch is designed to be used for the beacon light on the roof. I'm not sure if there are other options that would relate to a roof mounted light, or if there are other options that would affect it. I have the Snow Plow/Camper package option, and my switches were installed as well. Still have to install the rest of the kit. I agree with you that it would have been better installed during the build.

Keep digging that hole brother.

That just makes my point. The 6.4L Hemi was designed for automotive use, and repurposed for use in their trucks.

You're wrong.

I'm not forcing anything. The 6.4l hemi was designed in 2011, it was repurposed for use in their trucks in 2015. It is still a 6.4L hemi, with the issues that have been there since 2011. Both the 6.6L in the Chevy and the 7.3L in the Ford are specific to their medium duty trucks. Neither architecture is used in a car platform. That's pretty straight forward. You can argue to the cows come home, but you are still incorrect in this case.

That is akin to sayiing the 6.2L engine used in the Chevy was a completely different engine designed specifically for the 2500/3500. It wasn't, and neither is the 6.4L Dodge engine used in the 2500/3500. The Dodge 6.4L BGE is not a "completely different engine". It uses the same 6.4l architecture that came out in 2011. They added more nickle to the block, and changed the water ports for rigidity. Then added higher strength components for durability (simplified explanation). Hence why Dodge fans like me are pushing for a new engine to compete. Take the best of the Ford Godzilla (port injection), and Chevy L8T (ability to tow heavy on 87 octane), and resolve the ongoing 6.4L issues with a new design. Keep tech simple and cheap for fleet use. Both the Ford and Chevy, are new specific engine designs to meet the needs of fleet customers. Dodge is not... yet.

No it isn't. It is a derivative used cross platform with cylinder deactivation and start/stop tech, 16 spark plugs, etc.. It also has some real deficiencies that has plagued it from the beginning. The Ford 7.3L and GM 6.6L used in their truck platform is a specific engine designed for commercial customers.

I think you are right. "luck", good fortune, blessed, however one wants to say it, definitely played a part. I also think the dealer and i working together created part of that "luck". This is a high volume dealer who has seen their fair share of truck orders stuck in shipping. Through this "self education", the Sales Manager had a good feeling of what would and wouldn't get built, and shipped. We didn't force anything, and held off when specific options that were deal breakers (like the 5th wheel package) went on restriction. That patience (IMO) created the possibility for luck. On a side note, I had planned to cancel the order immediately if it went in to a hold for any reason. Based on what I'm hearing from forums and dealers, that is a complete waste land. Sincerely empathize for people who aren't in the position to be able to cancel those orders, and wish all the best resolution possible.

Yeah, the Owner's Manual says not to put ramp loads on the inner tailgate (the multiflex part). Doesn't even give a load rating, just says "don't do it". Something to consider would be to cut and zip-tie aluminum diamond plate to a couple of standard aluminum motorcycle ramps. If you get the reusable commercial zip ties, you'd have a pretty flexible system. The two 9' folding ramps I bought are rated for 750lbs each, and were about $70 each on sale. I like the way the fold in half. I've zip-tied them together for a makeshift "bed extender". that worked pretty good. Zip Ties, Bungy Cords and tie-down straps. Never leave home outwith them... lol Side note: the opening width of the Multiflex part of the tail gate on my truck is 50" wide. So if you get a single ramp it would need to be less than 50" to fit.

Deployed the Mess Containment System (aka Dog Seat Cover). Vailge Dog Car Seat Cover Picked this up from Amazon. It was the largest I could find. What I like about this is the ends zip up which will help protect the door panels, and it covers the seat with them folded, or down. So if there is a person sitting in the back, I'll just fold it to cover the seat occupied by the dog. Haven't put the dog in yet, but it seems pretty comfortable. Also came with a strap that clips into the seat belt for use with a dog harness.

My 3500HD 4x4 CC/SB is about 39" with the bed empty. Of course that will depend on the angle the truck is parked at. I have a preference to 9' ramps that fold in half lengthwise. But I just load dirt bikes, so I use light weight aluminum folding rung type. Good luck with your search.

I wonder if WT does that for better protection? May help keep mud out of the crack between the carpet and the kick plate. With my old Dodge, I was consistently having to get in there with a brush to keep winter slush from penetrating and rotting the rockers.

Very clean install. Looks way more expensive than what you paid.

That came out really nice. Looking at your truck it is very comparable to mine, sans the leather. So guessing the rear "wood grain applique" is based on the Leather Upgrade package.

Upper right side of that fuse box is a 50A fuseable link. There are three male spades. Currently the one spade you can see on the left will either be direct battery voltage or Accessory. You could use a male spade on the Battery positive spade with an inline fuse. Check to ensure the negative side of your tester is on a real ground (maybe go direct to Battery negative under the hood). I once tested a fuse box only to find what you did. I was dead certain the fuse block was dead. Then I realized the post I was using for Negative was a rubber isolator... DOH!!! lol Good luck! Side note: When you are done, it would be great to get your thoughts on install and your satisfaction with the unit.

Can't speak to the Z71 liners, but I like how the standard liners keep grip even when climbing in with wet boots. They feel pretty thin, so have no idea of longevity.

My '22 3500HD LT has the same trim front and rear. This truck has leather bucket seats, and both convenience packages, which may or may not, make a difference. Hth,

Thanks for the compliment on the truck. To support your thought, on page 228 of the Owner's Manual it states: " The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: * Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the first 800km (500 mi)...." Certainly I would not recommend anyone else follow my poor choices... lol

Picked up the truck from the dealership with a full tank of gas, and drove 360 miles from Murray, UT to Winnemucca, NV. 98% of the trip was on the highway with a max speed of 75mph. Filled up, but didn't top off (like TFL does), because I wasn't sure what the dealership did. Hand calculated fuel mileage as 14.19mpg. Clear weather, not much wind, temps in upper 40s. Next day Winnemucca, NV to Roseburg, OR was 450 miles of two lane roads. Nevada speed was just under 70, Oregon speed limit was a combination of 65mph and 55 mph. Climbed through the Cascades with the highest ascent being 6,100-ish feet, descending into Roseburg which is about 500'. Fuel mileage was 15.6mpg hand calculated (no top off). Weather was good until the west sice of the Cascades where it was raining pretty good. Both legs of the trip I used the cruise control as much as possible (I suck at maintaining a consistent speed without using cruise). The key to excellent fuel mileage is to drive slow, and only go downhill with a tail wind. I'm very happy with the fuel mileage. If I can average 7mpg when pulling the 5th wheel, I'll be ecstatic.

This is a "Cheesy, But Functional" mod. I'm not "married" to this, and would love to see what you all have done to accomplish something similar. I normally run with at least one dog in the truck, and they can get pretty muddy when we go hunting. Wanted a padded "flat floor" area that contains their "mess". This is what I've come up with, using the cushion from my old Dodge. I'll add one of those dog seat covers that attach to the front and rear seat head rests. Need to modify the cushion/cover, so that it can be removed 60/40 like the seats fold, in case there is a third passenger riding in the truck. Went to Wally-Mart with a tape measure after measuring the floor space with the driver & passenger seat set for fairly tall people. Spent about $34. The center cut out in the cushion is for an electric cooler that keeps drinks/sandwiches/snacks cool for longer trips. The blankets folded at the rear of the underseat bin, levels out that angle, so the cushion lays flat. There is enough room between the bins and the under seat storage to keep quick-grab stuff, like leashes, water, fire extinguisher, etc. The bins fit pretty tight side to side, so I'll need to lay a towel over the ends of the outer bins to keep from scratching up the doors. (last picture is how it fit in the Dodge with the cooler in place).

Thanks Sean. You are right, I have a lot to learn for sure. It's funny because reading what I wrote seems like I'm not impressed with the Chevy. But actually I am. The truck is pretty awesome. It just really surprised me how darn good that old Dodge is. My buddy back home has it currently. He's as picky as me, and he was also surprised. I'm looking forward to getting more engaged with this new truck over the next month, before heading out with the 5th wheel.