No luck ordering a custom build - 2020 Ram 3500

[bandtank]

Hello,

I initially posted this question on the 5thgenrams.com site because I didn't realize it was only for non-HD Rams. I've since learned the difference, but I'm still a noob for all intents and purposes.

With that said, I've had my heart set on ordering a 2020 Ram 3500, but I have not been able to get a dealer to quote the exact specification I provided. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. In the email, I explain very clearly that I want a 2020 Ram 3500, the build is attached as a PDF and link, and I mention that I am not interested in purchasing an existing truck. I'm struggling to understand which part of that is ambiguous, but it must not be as clear as I think; I've contacted 31 dealers and not a single one has understood the request. Of the 25 who responded, the quotes I received were for 2021 trucks, which are often not even the correct model and none have been even close to the build I provided. A handful have been gas instead of diesel, so I know they aren't even looking at my build.

I would appreciate any insight into this process from those of you who are willing to share. I ventured into this endeavor with excitement about ordering a custom truck and now I am feeling like I'm suffering through the loss of a truck I never owned in the first place. I never treat people poorly up front and I don't make assumptions, but I'm starting to understand why the car sales industry gets a bad rap. This has been beyond frustrating for many reasons, e.g. the Ram custom quote site does not send the build to a dealer when you click the "Contact a dealer" button, dealers only want to sell existing stock, there's no way to contact Ram for advice that I can see, and so much more.

I'm open to feedback and corrective advice if my request is unreasonable in some way, but I'm not being given anything other than irrelevant quotes. I just want to buy the truck that fits my needs. I know this sounds pouty, but the feeling of disillusionment is real.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Brewbud]

I believe the cutoff date for 2020 trucks was back in early September. Regardless, if you are looking at a diesel, you might want to view the posts about FCA dropping the CP4 fuel pump and switching back to the CP3 style pumps in the 2021s. If I was ordering a truck, it would definitely be wone with the CP3 version. They are great trucks. Hope you find the one you want.

 

[Pronto]

You can't order a 2020 truck anymore. Production has switched over to 2021. The only 2020's you can buy are ones already sitting on a lot. Since your build has a Cummins, I'd be very careful about buying a 2020 with the CP4 injection pump instead of a 2021 with a CP3. See this thread for more info on that:

CP4 to CP-ISB21S3 (revised CP3) change for 2021 6.7L Diesel Trucks -- Merged Threads

So for those that haven’t bought yet, get the 2021. The 2021 (verified just a little while ago) has the CP3. So no need to deal with a recall etc. [MOD EDIT: Any complaints or rants about the CP4 may be messaged in one of the other three or four threads along those same lines or the following...

hdrams.com

 

[bandtank]

I don't know why a single person couldn't have told me that by now. I've been at this for weeks and this is the first time I've been told about the cut off. Thank you both for taking the time to fill me in. I truly appreciate it.

I will read the thread about the CP3 fuel pump. That's a great piece of information, which is new to me as well. As an aside, this forum is awesome and I'm glad I found it.

 

[carlrx7]

See my post here:

Price negotiated from MSRP

I can't wait to see what cap design you go with and how well the paint matches. Every time someone gets a new rig, its like I get the anxiousness all over again in excitement I'm getting the Leer 100XR - Carpeted Roof, Removable Sliding Window & Remote Lock. My last 4 trucks (Ford, Chevy...

hdrams.com

 

[Yillbs]

You can't order a 2020 truck anymore. Production has switched over to 2021. The only 2020's you can buy are ones already sitting on a lot. Since your build has a Cummins, I'd be very careful about buying a 2020 with the CP4 injection pump instead of a 2021 with a CP3. See this thread for more info on that:

CP4 to CP-ISB21S3 (revised CP3) change for 2021 6.7L Diesel Trucks -- Merged Threads

So for those that haven’t bought yet, get the 2021. The 2021 (verified just a little while ago) has the CP3. So no need to deal with a recall etc. [MOD EDIT: Any complaints or rants about the CP4 may be messaged in one of the other three or four threads along those same lines or the following...

hdrams.com

I've seen this advice given a lot on this forum, my neighbor was like " I waited until they done away with the CP4 " and refused to trade in his 2018 for a 2020. Weren't the cp4 pumps a failure point in older units? It's my understanding FCA has made some adjustments to prevent massive failures? Based on the forums regarding the HD rams, I'm not really seeing many failures being reported? Are you guys seeing a much higher failure rate? or, are you just using information based on old stagnant data from older generations?

 

[Brutal_HO]

Just proves every cloud has a silver lining.

You're lucky you'll be ordering/buying a 2021 Diesel with the CP3.

That said, I would go over any order in detail with the dealer in Dealer Connect as there are some options that don't line up between the RAM web site and Dealer Connect. TTPMS and trailer camera order codes as a historical issue/example.

A savvy dealer can help guide you through that and ensure that you understand all that you're ordering.

 

[Pronto]

I've seen this advice given a lot on this forum, my neighbor was like " I waited until they done away with the CP4 " and refused to trade in his 2018 for a 2020. Weren't the cp4 pumps a failure point in older units? It's my understanding FCA has made some adjustments to prevent massive failures? Based on the forums regarding the HD rams, I'm not really seeing many failures being reported? Are you guys seeing a much higher failure rate? or, are you just using information based on old stagnant data from older generations?

They did make an adjustment and then they followed that up by scrapping the whole thing and going to the CP3. That's not something a company would do unless they had a good reason. People here can speculate on failure rates, but FCA has the data and they made their decision based on that. The failure rate can be relatively low but the high cost of repair also changes the equation on what is acceptable. I don't have a horse in the race but it is interesting to me to watch the business side of how this is handled.

 

[Yillbs]

They did make an adjustment and then they followed that up by scrapping the whole thing and going to the CP3. That's not something a company would do unless they had a good reason. People here can speculate on failure rates, but FCA has the data and they made their decision based on that. The failure rate can be relatively low but the high cost of repair also changes the equation on what is acceptable. I don't have a horse in the race but it is interesting to me to watch the business side of how this is handled.

you don't think it has anything to do with the fact FCA can't seem to source the parts for the cp4? They are constantly on back order, and from what the internet seems to be telling us, it's not because so many are failing, just that the ones that do fail can't be fixed because parts are getting harder and harder to source since they claim Covid any time something seems to be off.

 

[Pronto]

I don't know. You'd think they would get in front of this and say that if it were the case but it seems like they are in shut up and lawyer up mode.

 

[bandtank]

you don't think it has anything to do with the fact FCA can't seem to source the parts for the cp4? They are constantly on back order, and from what the internet seems to be telling us, it's not because so many are failing, just that the ones that do fail can't be fixed because parts are getting harder and harder to source since they claim Covid any time something seems to be off.

The covid excuse is getting pretty old. People are using it for everything now even when there is obviously no correlation whatsoever. "Sorry about ramming into your trunk. It's the covid."

 

[bandtank]

Just proves every cloud has a silver lining.

You're lucky you'll be ordering/buying a 2021 Diesel with the CP3.

That said, I would go over any order in detail with the dealer in Dealer Connect as there are some options that don't line up between the RAM web site and Dealer Connect. TTPMS and trailer camera order codes as a historical issue/example.

A savvy dealer can help guide you through that and ensure that you understand all that you're ordering.

Fair points. Now that I have more information, I will try again with several dealers. Maybe their brains short-circuited when I asked a question they couldn't answer.

 

[bandtank]

See my post here:

Price negotiated from MSRP

I can't wait to see what cap design you go with and how well the paint matches. Every time someone gets a new rig, its like I get the anxiousness all over again in excitement I'm getting the Leer 100XR - Carpeted Roof, Removable Sliding Window & Remote Lock. My last 4 trucks (Ford, Chevy...

hdrams.com

This is excellent information. Thank you so much.

 

[Yillbs]

The covid excuse is getting pretty old. People are using it for everything now even when there is obviously no correlation whatsoever. "Sorry about ramming into your trunk. It's the covid."

you should call Verizon. They actually tell you wait times are longer because of covid, but they recently raised their prices, and fired people.

 

[ram32]

did you try to get a quote from lakeland

 

[bandtank]

did you try to get a quote from lakeland

I am going to try today. Thank you for the reminder.

Here's what a dealership in Denver sent me yesterday. I'm going to shop around more before I pull the trigger.

 

[lowfidelity]

Anything under FFP on a new build here in Atlanta seems like a good deal. I can’t get any of the dealers to give up their HB.

 

[Chrisminx]

Anything under FFP on a new build here in Atlanta seems like a good deal. I can’t get any of the dealers to give up their HB.

Ask to go 50/50 on holdback.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Anything under FFP on a new build here in Atlanta seems like a good deal. I can’t get any of the dealers to give up their HB.

Ask to go 50/50 on holdback.

Why give up half the holdback on an order? The dealer is going to get 100% of that back from RAM and has no carry cost if you buy the truck.

What is Dealer Holdback?​

Dealer holdback is a percentage of the price of a new car, typically 2-3% of MSRP, that is returned to a dealer from the manufacturer after a car is sold. It’s important to know that holdback is typically not up for negotiation and not all manufacturers even provide it to to dealers.

Holdback is money used to help dealers pay for finance charges they have accrued while keeping unsold cars on their lot. This is a “refund” of money to the dealer for what they originally paid to buy the car from the manufacturer.