Factory Order RAM 3/4 Ton 2500

dshizzel wrote:
3500 SB SRW Cummins IN.
5th Wheel/Gooseneck IN.
Aisin OUT. 68F IN.
Rambox OUT.

Tradesman vs. SLT - Noodling.Re: cabin noise and ride - is there any real difference aside from more gewgaw options inside?

Thanks, everyone for your help in getting me this far into my decision.

There is no difference with the powertrain - both trim levels can be had with the 6.7L Cummins and either the 68RFE or Aisin transmission. The differences are going to be mostly cosmetic except for the manual on the floor shift 4x4 on Tradesman (the manual is still shift on the fly and can be upgraded to electronic. For example the Tradesman trim comes standard with "ugly" black bumpers and grill, doesn't have the upper glove box cover in the interior, will have black door handles etc.. The SLT will look nicer. Most dealers will order the Tradesman package with the optional Chrome Appearance group ($800) and optional popular equipment group ($500). This for the most part gets you looking like an SLT on the outside but still with a lower base MSRP than the SLT. Also, dealers mostly order the SLT trim with the optional Big Horn group ($1800 or so & it's called Lone Star in Texas) which adds fog lights, power seat, leather steering wheel etc..

If you are looking for a no-frills pickup I would recommend you take the Chrome appearance and popular equipment options just for the added resale value in the future. Ugly black bumpers really put a limit on the marketability. Not a lot of folks want to pay big bucks for a vehicle that looks like it belongs in a corporate fleet.