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Luxury Laramie Edition

90K views 745 replies 57 participants last post by  Arth 
#1 ·
Hello all! Welcome to my build page (well, building page). LOL

My goal with my new rig is to chrome it out to be the best damn looking Laramie in the Basin (live just south of SLC).

This is her window sticker:
Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4
Mineral Gray Metallic
Dark Slate Gray
Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
Floor-Mounted Shift Lever
Heated Second Row Seats

5.7L V8 HEMI (Love this part!!)
6 Speed Automatic

Standard Equipment
Power Adjustable Pedals w/Memory
Security Alarm
Trailer Tow Wiring w/4 pin Connector
7-Pin Harness
HD Engine Cooling
Advanced Multistage Front Airbags
Supplemental Side-Curtain Front & Rear Airbags
TPMS Display
Remote Entry
Electric Shift on Demand Transfer Case
Parkview Back up Camera

Interior
Second-Row In-Floor Storage
AC w/Dual Zone Control
730N SAT/CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/NAV
Alpine Surround w/9 Speakers & Subwoof
Heated Front Seats
10-way Pwr Driver w/Memory & 6-Way Pwr Pass
Front Center Seat Cushion Storage
Memory for Radio, Driver's Seat, Mirrors & Pedals
Heated Steering Wheel (very nice feature! no more gloves!)
Wood Grain Instrument Panel Accent
Deluxe Door Trim Panel
SiriusXM Travel Link/1Yr Sub
SiriusXM Sat Radio/1Yr Sub
Uconnect Voice Command w/Bluetooth
40GB Hard Drive with 20GB Available
Steering Wheel-Mounted Audio Controls (a must have)
Rear 60/40 Split Folding Seat (This is NOT true.. they only flip up.. they DO NOT fold down! :4-angermax:)
Power Lumbar Adjust
115V Aux Power Outlet
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Sun Visors w/Illuminated Mirrors
Rear Power Sliding Window

Exterior
20inx9in Aluminum Chrome-Clad Wheels
Dual Rear Exhaust
Lower Two Tone Paint
Bright Grille
Body Color/Chrome Door Handles
Accent Fender Flares
Halogen Quad Headlamps
Fog Lamps
Chrome Exterior Mirrors
Power Multi-Function Mirrors w/Manual Fold-Away
Exterior Mirrors w/Heating Element
Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors
P275/60R20 BSW All Season Tires

Optional Equipment (the fun starts here!)
Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
Floor-Mounted Auto Shift Lever
Heated Second-Row Seats
Ventilated Front Seats (woo baby.. up the neder regions! :SHOCKED:)
Customer Preferred Package 25H
Protection Group
Tow Hooks
Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
Front Suspension Skid Plate
Monotone Paint (had to have this.. trade in was two tone..not a fan anymore)
Body-Color Fender Flares
Front and Rear Rubber/Slush Floor Mats
3.92 Rear Axle Ratio
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
Power Chrome Trailer Tow Mirrors w/Manual Fold-Away
Power Sunroof
Chrome Tubular Side Steps by Mopar
P275/60R20 OWL All Season Tires
Remote Start System (omg.. the best!)
Class IV Receiver Hitch
Trailer Brake Control

More pictures to come!
 

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#386 ·
Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'm going to go and talk with them Monday and insist that they take the brow off and do it the way I requested to begin with (and that they AGREED to!) when I dropped the truck off.

I have been looking over the pics and even went out and sat in my truck for a bit and I cannot get over how it cuts right through the logo. I. Just. Can't.

I paid for this and so it should be done how I want it done. There is no trail leading back to them. If I get a ticket or whatever I will be responsible. So they should have no problem doing what I want.

And about receipts vs. legality.. I do have a lifetime warranty on the work. I suppose you can call it a 'gentleman's agreement with a lady'.. they swear I can return if ever a problem arises.
 
#387 ·
I really think it wouldn't bother me so much if it wasn't for the logo on the windshield. If it wasn't there, this strip install would not be an issue at all. But they don't seem to think the same way that I do. It looks TERRIBLE! You can't just cut through an existing logo and expect it to look good! Ugh.
 
#390 ·
Called the tint shop and spoke with the manager today. I expressed my disappointment in the eyebrow strip and how I'd like to have them redo it that way I asked them to in the first place. He said he's had buddies pulled over and ticketed for having tint below the AS-1 line. I told him I want them to either 1) redo it the way I want them to or 2) pull it off and give me a refund.

I go in on Wednesday to discuss the details of how I want it. And, if we can agree and he can do it my way, I'll drop the truck back off at 6pm when they do their tint jobs. If not, I'll have no strip but will have my cash back.

Either way, I will get what I want. Strip right or money back. Period. I'm sticking to my guns on this one guys! :gun:
 
#392 ·
Called the tint shop and spoke with the manager today. I expressed my disappointment in the eyebrow strip and how I'd like to have them redo it that way I asked them to in the first place. He said he's had buddies pulled over and ticketed for having tint below the AS-1 line. I told him I want them to either 1) redo it the way I want them to or 2) pull it off and give me a refund.

I go in on Wednesday to discuss the details of how I want it. And, if we can agree and he can do it my way, I'll drop the truck back off at 6pm when they do their tint jobs. If not, I'll have no strip but will have my cash back.

Either way, I will get what I want. Strip right or money back. Period. I'm sticking to my guns on this one guys! :gun:
What does he care? It's a cash transaction that won't come back on the shop. I think he's trying to cheap out on you. Get it done the way you want it. Tell him that's why you're paying cash. No paper trail... no liability.
 
#391 ·
Shoot I always stick to my guns. Sometimes I get carried away.. One's you pulled the trigger once.. anyways.

Yeah get what you want and get it right. Always. Otherwise, as we have seen, you will always be unsatisfied.

Keep at them. Keep up the good work! :smileup:
 
#393 ·
I just had my truck inspected 2 weekends ago and failed inspection because my eyebrow tint was 1.5 inches below the line. It did cover the entire RAM logo and looked good but I knew if I had it redone by that stupid line I would be hating the way it covers half of the logo. Good luck with getting yours taking care of.
 
#395 ·
So, did you have to remove the strip then? If so, did you get it done again after passing inspection?

Utah requires safety inspections for registration. However, they have a certain schedule for this requirement based on model year. From the state website:

"Beginning January 1, 2013 a safety inspection will be required each year for a vehicle that is 10 or more model years old on January 1. For a vehicle that is less than 10 model years old on January 1, a safety inspection will be required in the fourth and eighth year."

So, going by that, I can pay for an eyebrow now and keep it on until 2016. If I can't pass inspection, then I'll take it off, pass, then have it reapplied and then be able to keep it again until 2020. My local shop only charges $35, so it's cool in my mind to pay $35 every four years. There's not many other things in life that cost so little yet last so long. :) I'm willing to take my chances.
 
#394 ·
have you considered vinyl eyebrow? as a last option.. you can have them cut it to cover the ram...
 
#396 ·
From what I've heard, vinyl strips are solid with no light passing through at all. I am wanting a strip to help filter sunlight, not block it out altogether.
 
#397 ·
you are correct... if its not what you want, then its not what you want haha..
 
#398 ·
Im with KA1, i just want something to block out some sun not everthing. Everyday my drive to and from work is into the sun and my limo tint was perfect but dealership said that that was ok just to long. During the following week i had my dad help me remove it. I havent had it retinted yet because im not sure what i want to do yet., since it wont pass like it was and i dont want it to cover only half the RAM logo (common sense will tell you that doesnt look right)
 
#399 ·
That is what mine looks like right now and my common sense is screaming!! Which is why I'm making the shop redo it my way or take it off and give me a refund.
 
#400 ·
they should be able to custom cut it to cover the entire center piece where the ram is.... if its there from factory what does it matter if is blacked out? ( tint covering it )
 
#401 ·
If I understand what you are saying... I would have a tint strip identical to what I have now (in the most recent pictures I posted) but with a dip in the center to cover the Ram logo in its entirety? Basically, the bottom of the strip would be straight from driver to passenger side but with a bulge or dip in the center?
 
#402 · (Edited)
This is what you get when you stick to your guns! :D
My eyebrow is fixed and just the way I wanted it to begin with.

The shop manager told me his guys would be at the shop ready for me at 6pm. I get there and the place is locked up, no one around. I call the manager but get voice mail. About 20 minutes later, one of the techs I met last Friday pulls up. He and I chat while we wait for someone to come and let us in.

The tech, Robert, tells me that Michael (the owner/manager) does this to him all the time.. tells Robert to do a job legal, even though Michael knows it is not what the customer requested. So, Robert and I go over my Ram and discuss exactly what I originally told Michael that I wanted. (Why Michael would tell his techs to install the eyebrow legally after they had just installed illegal tint on the front windows is beyond me LOL!) Robert does say it looked odd to him when he was installing it last Friday (where it cut through the logo) but did it that way because he was told to. He said he was glad to see me come in and have it fixed.

Apparently, Robert works at one of the dealerships in town installing tint and does work at this shop on the side. Let me say he is very knowledgeable and got right to it. He spent a little over an hour applying the new eyebrow.. measuring more than most others probably would. The result? Pure awesomeness!

These pics suck as the shop has horrible lighting for taking pictures. I know how much we all like pics though, so I did my best. I snapped the last picture at the gas station.. somewhat better lighting. I'm driving to Cheyenne tomorrow so it may be a day or two before I get better day shots up but these should give an idea of how it looks now.





 
#408 ·
Yes, and I requested this knowing it would be low.. perhaps low enough to not pass inspection when the time comes. But like many others with illegal tint, it's a risk I'm willing to take.
 
#410 ·
Just when I thought my truck was done going to the dealer....

I noticed my fender flares are beginning to separate from the body.. all four are separating at varying degrees from barely noticeable to what the heck. Dealership said they needed to take pics so I took her in yesterday for a photo shoot. I am supposed to get a call next week with what they hear from Chrysler. The service department isn't sure if the flares are covered by my 36mo/36K mile bumper to bumper warranty. I was firm on the fact that these should be covered as they were installed at the factory and are OEM. They came on the truck and were not installed by the dealer and are not aftermarket parts.

So, the waiting game begins yet again.. here's hoping they realize that they are covered and pull them and either fix or replace them. I am not sure how they are attached, but they need to be the way they were, that's for sure!
 
#411 ·
Be careful with this. They used bolts and 3M tape to hold the flares to the body. It will be covered. The guy taking the old ones off needs to take care and make sure to get all of the old tape off.

I would make sure he uses a little rubbing alcohol before applying the new ones. Not trying to tell someone how to do their job but usually they don't take their time and do it right.
 
#412 ·
Good to know. I guess if they mess up the fix-it job, it will be my opportunity to finally get the bushwackers I've been eyeballing.. there's always a bright side.
 
#413 ·
Good to know. I guess if they mess up the fix-it job, it will be my opportunity to finally get the bushwackers I've been eyeballing.. there's always a bright side.
Great attitude to have, Kai! More folks should learn the lesson from "The Life of Brian"... and always look on the bright side of life...
 
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#414 ·
Posted this elsewhere but really want it on my thread as well :)

One Year Anniversary
(well, plus 8 days) :shy2:

I cannot believe it has been a year already! I swear I just joined the Z a few months ago - not 15. But I digress..

Back story.. (I have told a few parts of this story, but never in its entirety - what better time than now?)

I was raised a GM/Chevy girl. My entire family calls Michigan home (most, still to this day) and a great deal of them work for GM in various positions. So it was explained to me that I would own and drive a GM always.

In 2011, I drove 180 miles round trip, six days a week for seven months to go to school. I owned a 1999 Tahoe at the time. She broke down on me three times in that seven months, one time requiring a flatbed ride home to my local dealer. (Thank god for Roadside Assistance making their maximum free tow limit 100 miles!)

I limped her through the next number of months. My husband, David, finally told me that we should consider looking at buying a new replacement. It had gotten to the point that I would put a quart of oil in her at night only to find most of it on the ground in the morning! (He travels internationally A LOT and wanted me to be covered by a warranty because, let's face it.. once the man is gone, that is when all the sh*t hits the fan.) I did not need to hear that twice!

July, 2012: The next day I was at the dealerships looking at all the options I had. We agreed that fuel economy should be a factor. That was about it. I could get a car, a van (ick!), a truck.. anything I wanted. (Now I must note that I have never in my life purchased and owned a totally brand new vehicle. I always had pre-owned or hand-me-downs.) Needless to say, I was excited!

By habit, I test drove a 2012 GMC Sierra and a 2012 Chevy Silverado. Both drove okay, though the Silverado was smoother. I surprised myself when I reported my experiences with David. I didn't like the layout in the cab of either truck. They just didn't flow for me. Regardless of the fact that I grew up in and around them.

Next I test drove the 2012 GMC Terrain. This vehicle kept catching my attention and I really (still) liked the appearance (inside and out). And David liked it for the fuel economy. But, as soon as I put my butt in the seat.. wow.. the seat must have been molded to that of an extremely petite person with no hips because the sides of the seat cut into my thighs badly! So, that removed the Terrain from the list of prospects.

Having tested out the GM and Chevy options that I had liked.. I moved on.. to the Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep/Ford dealer. Now I was in completely uncharted territory. No one in my family has ever owned a Chrysler vehicle. I had no idea what to expect. I like Jeeps so I looked closer than I ever had at a few models but they didn't seem right for me. I skipped right over the Fords - I can only go so far out of my comfort zone. LOL!

Then I found myself looking at the back bumper of a truck. I asked the hovering salesman what it was.. a Ram. I had to have walked around it ten times when he finally asked if he should get the keys. I was kind of in a daze when I said yes. I got into the driver's seat and looked around. The controls were in reach and seemed to have conformity and common sense to their layout (I have a thing for practicality, for those who don't know me). I played with switches, turned things on and off, teaching myself the way of things, if you will.. getting the lay of the land. I felt comfortable in the leather seat. I asked the salesman a ton of questions, stumping him three times (I have since learned the answers on my own).

After over an hour of circling, drooling, poking, ducking, drooling... the salesman asked if I'd like to take her out. Uhm.. what? I was so impressed with this truck, the thought of driving it was like being told that you can wear the Crown Jewels. I took her for a test drive. She had 23 miles on her. What a jolt to drive a vehicle that has only seen 23 miles! As I circled around town, I felt like I was driving glass and was on high alert to others being (what I considered as) way too close to me.

Our town is very small and Highway 6 circles around it. I got on the highway near the dealer at the south end of town. I applied gas to merge with the semis and about peed my pants. That truck seemed to explode and I was rocketed down the on ramp way faster than I had intended. I caught my breath by the north exit and was more than happy to return to street speeds.

Upon return to the lot, I caught sight of my Tahoe and sighed. I didn't want to get back into her. LOL! Not after THAT! But, I did. I returned every few days and drove her again and again. I would play with the radio and the nav.. familiarizing myself. I want this truck. Now to just show The Husband. It has passed my personal preference tests and visual inspections, but it still has to pass His knowledgeable and close mechanical inspection. Contrary to dealership beliefs, just because I have boobs doesn't mean that I am stupid.

This is the time that I found and joined the Z and began pummeling you poor people with non-stop questions! :shy:

A moment of fear struck me one day when I drove by the lot on the way to Walmart and my truck wasn't there! I died! I passed the lot and turned around.. maybe I just didn't see it. And there it was, in the over flow lot across the street. I could have killed someone. LOL!

A week later, The Husband was able to go with me. David looked it over in the lot. We went for a test drive, with him driving. I must have appeared too excited since he took the middle of town exit, pulled into a gas station and got out. I thought he wanted to see or hear something with the engine running or something. But he comes around and opens my door. "This will be your truck, you should drive it." I could, and did, kiss that man! I asked hi if he agreed with the vehicle that had chosen me. His answer? He has owned quite a few Dodges in the past and even used to work as a body repair guy at a dealership back in the 70's. So, he likes the truck and knows he can work on it, when the time comes.

We returned to the lot, went inside and David begin the negotiations. I interjected here and there. My main interruption, though, came when the salesman offered $1000 for my Tahoe. I erupted, nicely. We went outside for a smoke. While outside, to calm myself, I called Allied to ask how much our monthly payment would be for the Ram alone, removing the Tahoe. David is considering keeping the Tahoe if they value it so low. He's also suggesting we go and look at the new Tahoes (I hadn't done that, due to the high a$$ prices).

When I get off the phone, David says the salesman came out and spoke with him.. he's now offering $1500 for my Tahoe. Still not happy. We end up finalizing the paperwork, having agreed on the numbers. The pen sets in front of me, I hesitate. Salesman asks what's wrong and David says "She isn't happy with the trade in value.. Tell you what, make it $2000 and we're leaving in the Ram." Salesman looks at me and says "You drive a hard bargain" (riiight, lol).. and it's done.


Cut to Saturday, October 26, 2013
I am one HAPPY HAPPY Ram owner! I just turned over 10k miles this week and have had no performance issues at all. Sure, I've had my seats replaced, my radio replaced, and am currently waiting to hear about fender flare replacement.. BUT! there is so much more to this truck than the little sh*t I've had 'go wrong'. She has the most get up and go I have ever had the luxury of controlling, among other things. I suppose I am most pleased with the truck overall in general. She hasn't let me down, always does what I ask, when I ask. I am proud to own my Ram.

I get compliments on her ALL the time! Most recently...
I was asked by a dealer mechanic when the Rams started coming from the factory with matching visors.. they match so well, they fooled the dealer's techs!

A few days ago, I was eyeballing an older body style Ram as it pulled into a lot while I was waiting to exit. The owner obviously cares for his Ram by how it looked. The driver, I noticed, was eyeballing my truck too!

I noticed I was being followed through town last week in Cheyenne. When I reached my destination, I parked, locked and started walking away. Didn't get four steps when I heard "Hey! Mind if I get a closer look at all of these lights y'all got?" I was more than happy to oblige - unlocked, started her up and gave a Recon demonstration in the Target parking lot. :gy:

:smileup: RAM and PROUD! :smileup:
 
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