New 24 Ram HD Damaged Prior to Purchase?

[BilletWilson]

I purchased another Ram 3500 last week and Im finding numerous things Im not happy about. I've never had to crawl around a new truck before and the more I do the more I find.

Front frame on the front drivers side wheel well on my 23 3500:


Same wheel well on my New 24:


Radius arm bolt on the 24:








This along with many other issues was brought up to the purchasing dealer and they said they have no idea the reason for this. I questioned if it was damaged prior to delivery and they said Ram legally does not need to disclose that info to them. They refused to do anything regarding the countless issues stating issues with the build needs to be address with Ram directly. I contacted Ram this morning and opened a case# which will take 2-3 business days to see if they are willing to do anything about it.

The morning after purchase I went to install the puck plugs in the bed and noticed they were full of mud. I was like WTF, and crawled under the truck. The entire underside was covered in a thick coat of what looked like sand, mud, and salt and I was not pleased to say the least. I called the dealer who asked to bring it back so they could take care of it. 15 minutes after the detailer took it back they brought it back around and it looked exactly the same. I spent 5 hrs yesterday cleaning the underside and Im still not done. As I was cleaning off the grime, multiple areas of rust was found on top of the compound in numerous spots, and realized someone spray bombed the front suspension parts, brakes, and the back of the rear axle concealing the issue. There's paint overspray on the shocks, wheels, and in places there was no factory paint. I showed the dealer and they said it was received that way and I needed to take it up with Ram.

So, in your opinion, do you think this truck was damaged? The build date is 7/24 so I didn't think it sat in a lot somewhere rusting away. I have a feeling they built it, was missing a part, stored it until available, then completed it. Im not happy to say the least!

Note: Anywhere you see clean or shiny metal, that was from me using an industrial strength cleaner.

 

[Units]

It to me looks like there was definitely some work done, as to what who knows. In some of those pics it looks like there was definitely gel applied that a body shop sprays around an area they are gonna paint so as to minimize the overspray clean up and it didn’t get cleaned all the way off. IMHO.

 

[79 300]

My truck has the brushed paint on the bolts like your second and third photos. I just figured they did that to seal them after assembly and prevent rust. My shocks don't have any spray paint like yours, they look clean like they came right out of the box. My truck was pretty splashed up underneath with a light colored mud, I figured it was because it was shipped by boat from Mexico to Baltimore and was driven around near the ocean and docks.

 

[BilletWilson]

My truck has the brushed paint on the bolts like your second and third photos. I just figured they did that to seal them after assembly and prevent rust. My shocks don't have any spray paint like yours, they look clean like they came right out of the box. My truck was pretty splashed up underneath with a light colored mud, I figured it was because it was shipped by boat from Mexico to Baltimore and was driven around near the ocean and docks.

That makes me feel a little better.

I've owned multiple Rams since 1999 and this is the first I've seen in this condition. All the spray bombing has me really concerned about what they were concealing.

 

[Enve46]

Having worked at new car dealers for several years in my high school/college years, this was done to cover up dirt, without a doubt. I have yet to see a 2500/3500 that didn’t have some level of mud dirt sand etc from transport. It’s possible they got a bit carried away with yours and tried to cover it up. Of the trucks I’ve bought only one really needed deep cleaning like yours but not 5 hours worth. My 23 PW was filthy, needed a good clay bar, polish which I do anyway befor ceramic coating but the underneath was clearly driven through mud puddles.
If you’re asking for my opinion, I wouldn’t have drove off the lot with that thing. I’m pretty ocd on cleanliness and they likely didn’t harm or damage anything but it’s principle. Also the dealer is lying to you about damage. They have status updates during shopping stages that tell you where it’s at in the process, one of them is damage during transport. Take that for what it’s worth but your dealer sounds terrible

 

[flan]

I’ve seen this in a previous post but did a search and couldn’t find it. You’re not the first to have this done to your truck.

 

[BilletWilson]

I understand that trucks get dirty during delivery, but the condition this truck was in is unacceptable. The dealer didn't even offer to get the overspray off the wheels. When I said the truck still looked the same after detail pressure washed it the sales manager said that's the best we can do. This is from a relatively large dealership. First and last time purchasing from this dealer for sure!

I dug around to see if others had this compound on factory bolts but wasn't able to find anything. I dont have high hopes but once Ram contacts me I'll post an update on their verdict.

Appreciate everyones feedback!