Dan's 2023 2500 Tradesman UNLimited

44Dan44 · May 1, 2023

Warning! Do not bother on SITE SLOW days, pic heavy.
Post Indexing /Links/Photos/Keywords/Search In Progress below
I am starting this with the intent to share photos of things it was hard for me to find good photos of when I was researching before ordering this truck and could come in handy for someone as we contemplate the changes (as they come) in 24,25,26 model years. As many of you will know there is a lot of interchangeability 19-23 which is helpful in finding parts when sites don't immediately update to reflect new model years, long story short, you will be bored with many basic photos at first but at least they will be of a clean truck. This will eventually morph into my "build" thread which will have some interesting stuff to see.

Why is it the Tradesman UNlimited? Because I feel very limited by the upper trim levels, These wheels suck but I have to get this to get those, I want this but I have to take that to get it, so this Tradesman is a blank slate, I will not have spent $1500 on a chrome package I don't want and that will clash with any aftermarket bumper out there. I will not make-do with the offsets available in any of the available factory wheels or use spacers to get it where I want it, and I will not feel bad about some stock steelies and tires stacked in my shop making me feel like I wasted money.

So first, if I may, let me share what was important to me in picking this truck and why I chose the options I did.
*I do not like the appearance trend I'm anticipating in the (probably 25 model year) I figured to get this one while I still can.
*8 Foot Bed, anything less is unacceptable to me.
*This allows the 50 gallon fuel tank.
*Black grille, the Tradesman is the only trim that the upper and lower grilles match.
*Vinyl Floors, All of my vehicles are dog transporters, I've had it on other trucks in the past and it's great.
*Vinyl Seats, again, dogs. I have to tell you though, these are really really nice, much better than I expected.
*Cab Clearance Lights, none of the aftermarket solutions are good enough, factory add-on is expensive and troublesome to add later. I just think they belong on an HD, not to mention disguising the oddly shaped and spaced antennas up there.
*Hemi, I just have no valid use for a diesel, and it doesn't fit my driving habits.
*4:10 Axle Ratio, I don't need or have heavy towing plans, but if I do, it's there. Right now, for upsizing wheels and tires it's a good choice in my opinion.
*Upfitter switches, I think that even if you don't think you want them, get them for the future. I will use all 6 of mine.
*5th Wheel / Gooseneck Prep, got this mainly for the bed electronics that come with, but I did have a gooseneck cargo trailer in mind as well.
*Bed Utility Group, spray on bedliner, bumper step, lights, simple choice.
*Convenience Group, dual auto AC controls
*Dual Alternators 380 Amp, can't hurt, notoriously weak factory batteries.
*Snow Chief Group, comes with so much useful stuff that checks off items listed above.
*Front and Rear rubber floormats by Mopar
*Uconnect 5 Nav 8.4 screen and 7"TFT The Tradesman interior looks dated without these.
*Rear defrost, I will be blocking the underseat air ducts so I figured this is worthwhile.
*Rear wheel well liners, especially on a white truck.
*Tradesman Level 1 (for the vinyl seats)
*115 Volt power in cab and in the bed. Not super powerful but I have some use cases in mind.
*Rear Park assist, long bed, can't hurt.
*Trailer Brake Controller, somewhat of a forced option but helpful if I do get that trailer.

Mistakes I made, none of my choices forced front tow hooks and I simply overlooked it for $100, I have all the parts to correct it at more than double the cost. Anything else I skipped was with intention, either easily added, better choices aftermarket or didn't want.

Oddity, I think mine is the only truck on the forum that DID NOT select the Trailer Tow Mirror package, looks the same, (just manual extend, no power fold at this trim level at least) I think these mirrors are a fantastic improvement over previous years in looks and utility. Maybe I should have gone for power fold, that's handy sometimes. Bah! I'm good.

I have owned many trucks over the years (first Ram) with packages like High Country, Lariat Ultimate, Platinum, etc. I found that I just don't use much of the stuff that comes with, and with prices these days, jeez I do very well but some of ya'll must be raking it in like I can't imagine. I use to buy a new car every year between mine and my wife's but now I'm content with my current flock 2016, 2020, 2021, 2023, and with car dealers becoming more and more unhinged, I'm just over it.
This is not intended to be what you might call a budget build, I'm just happiest spending the money on things I chose rather than forced package items I might never use. Was the factory order ultimately worth the wait and trouble? Yes, exactly what I wanted at a discount and I have it before mid year of the model year.

Thank you for joining me, please enjoy (or endure) hundreds of what will be my reference photos, or before photos, or "I think I broke that part let me check my as-new photos because that doesn't look right" before I get to the upgrades or rather things I'll do to make mine...mine.

Post indexing (work in progress, links later) location, key words, search

Post 2 Under truck rear, resonator, spare tire, electrical, bumper mount, reverse sensing connector, spare tire mount