Hard time buying

KD4UPL wrote:
GM may have changed with the newer models. Back around the '07 to '10 era the 3500 SRW trucks had heavier rear springs, larger higher weight rated tires, and wider wheels to accommodate the tires.
If the truck had a diesel then the 2500 and 3500 rear axles were the same, the AAM 11.5". If the truck had a gas engine then the 2500 got the lighter duty AAM 10.5" and the 3500 still got the 11.5".

So, if you're looking at gas trucks you might be getting a lesser rear axle, springs, wheels, and tires. These all add up to lots of money to upgrade.
I'd keep looking for a competent dealer who wants to sell you a truck.
If I were a dealer I would be very skeptical of anyone dealing exclusively on the phone. I wouldn't think a guy was serious about buying a truck unless he came on the lot and talked to me in person. That's just my personal feeling on it.

18" (17" also?) wheels are the same for '11-'14 2500 and 3500 srw trucks (may be the same for '15), but 20" option only on the 2500.

As mentioned, if a gasser, different axles, but the same axles for the diesel (2500 and 3500). Not sure about the extra leaf vs top overload spring.

Good luck!

I know the wheels were 7 inch wide on the SRW 3500's vs 6.5 on the 2500HD's 2001-2006 models. And came with 265's. Wheels looked identical though.

For those interesting in volume pricing on Ram trucks these 3 dealers seem to come recommended quite a bit:

www.kernersvillechryslerdodge.net (NC)
www.dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com (ID)
www.davesmith.com (ID)

I'd also recommend Stampede Dodge. They're located down the road from Dennis Dillon and are also very competitive--they have to be to stay in business. So, it's worth giving them a call, too.

www.stampededodge.com (ID)

If you look at the inventory at each of these dealers you'll notice that each one has a particular way of equipping their trucks. Some of them are much more focused on fleet sales with a large selection of very odd option packages. Whereas one dealer with a smaller overall inventory has much larger, better selection of trucks more suited for the RV/trailering crowd (gooseneck/5th wheel prep pkgs, backup cameras, tow mirrors, trailer brake controllers, anti-spin, etc.).

Dave Smith sells Chrysler products (Dodge, Jeep, Ram) on one side of the street and GM (Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Chevrolet) on the other side.

He wants a Denali so it has to be a GMC dlr.

boingram wrote:
Hi all...i am having a heck of a time buying a 3500HD.

Here's the deal...we want a 2015 gmc denali 3500 but they are scarce and nobody wants to deal. Forget getting a firm price on ordering a non inventory unit.

So, 2500HDs r numerous and i am told the only difference in getting the increased payload of the 3500 is an additional leaf spring. Can i make a 2500 into a 3500?

Any observations on my not being able to negotiate on existing 3500 denalis?

Thx...bo

Have you tried Tx. DFW. area. Classic CHEV. One of the largest in the Us.

rhagfo wrote:

downtheroad wrote:

jmtandem wrote:
Contact a volume dealer like Dave Smith, buy over the phone, fly out drive it home. Easy.

Good advice...if they don't have it they will get it. Folks come from all over the West to buy trucks from this outfit.

DAVE SMITH (TRUCKS)

The big plus is by the time you drive it home the rear end break in is complete.

I had the same problem buying my Ram 5500 locally as the OP and ended up ordering through Dave Smith Motors.

rjxj wrote:

It's often said that the only difference is a spring or two between a 2500 and a 3500. Well, they must be some very expensive springs. I have not researched this but I dont believe it. My truck is new and I really haven't been under it much. Both my sons have 2500's and I have a 3500. One son looked under mine and said everything is different. I think he even said something about the front drive axle input being different. These are all Dodge 2012 to 2014 trucks. The 3500 axles are HUGE.

The Ram trucks frame and suspensions etc were all recently upgraded. In 2013, the 3500s got the upgrade, and 2014 the 2500s got the same 50k psi steel frame. So yes, a 2012 2500 and a 2014 3500 will look significantly different when you crawl around under them.

In the current Ram trucks (2014), the only difference between a 2500 and a 3500 SRW is the rear suspension and the weight rating label.

chevor wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
Yes comparing SRW trucks only difference is the extra leaf spring on the 3500

This was changed in 2011 model year. 3500 trucks now have a top overload springs.

Best place I found stocked with GM diesels is North Dakota.

The surrounding states as well. Billings has a bunch on the ground, Idaho does to. Although I have not seen it first hand but Wyoming likely does as well. There are a lot of companies in surrounding states working in North Dakota. They are buying up a lot of vehicles.

Are you open to ordering a truck? Should take less than 8 weeks.

Have you considered True Car or Costco car buying services? $55 for a Costco membership for a year might save you a lot more on the car purchase.