Dealership Says They Won't Put Chrome Bumpers on a Custom Built Longhorn

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Goose55

Goose55

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Not when you accept the dealership can't make the manufacturer make something the manufacturer doesn't make, which is what you're asking them to do. With all that money they are saving you, buy your own bumpers.
It wouldn't be that hard to do. Flag the truck on final assembly for chrome bumpers. The tech sees the flag and reaches over for chrome bumpers instead of a painted one. Done. How hard is that? Remember, it's the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.
 

Docwagon1776

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It wouldn't be that hard to do. Flag the truck on final assembly for chrome bumpers. The tech sees the flag and reaches over for chrome bumpers instead of a painted one. Done. How hard is that? Remember, it's the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.

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GTyankee

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There are things that you can't order from the factory

When i Ordered my 2016 Ram 1500 Eco-diesel
They were not painting them in Sunburst Orange, i said OK
They would not build it with a SPORTS Bumper, i had to accept chrome :(

That stupid Burgundy color that they named after the color of a New York Steak, umm, Delmonico Red Pearl.
No one had ever seen it before, they did not even have a sample of the color, when i saw that Burgandy colored Ram, i drove it straight to the Body Shop that i use.

I ordered a Sports front bumper, primered rear bumper & a different grille
Then i drove to Line-X & had the bed sprayed
Then i drove to a Truck Accessories Store & had them install a Backflip Tonneau Cover & a Bed Slide.
Then i went to Fiberwerx & one of the guys made a sign rack for me.
The Auto Body Shop called & said that my parts had come in.
The following week, i dropped my new Ram off at the Body Shop & told them to repaint the whole Ram :)

That was the first time anyone had ever had a brand new vehicle cosmetically changed.

Brand New

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:)
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Make it yours & sell the rest
 

Bigskyroadglide

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Can you order it without bumpers? Vs chrome?

If you order without, could the dealer install chrome In their body shop and you pay for them?

Honestly if I had to have chrome, I'd buy 2 new bumpers, have them dealer installed , roll it into the new trucks price and be done.
 

Randy Grant

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It wouldn't be that hard to do. Flag the truck on final assembly for chrome bumpers. The tech sees the flag and reaches over for chrome bumpers instead of a painted one. Done. How hard is that? Remember, it's the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.
Is it the N or the O that you don't get.
 

jejb

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You used to be able to get chrome bumpers on a Longhorn. Discontinued for 2023.
Correct. One of the reasons I'm super glad I got a '22. I've had chrome and painted bumpers over the years. Painted looks good for a while, but always end up looking like crap with a few years on them. Chrome always cleans up great. Plus I just like chrome.

Stellantis is changing their order process for '23 Ram's to give the consumer less choices. They are doing that to streamline their production process. Like not being able to get a gas motor in an HD Limited or Limited Longhorn model. They are doing that across their brands. I'd be seriously shocked (and impressed) if you got them to agree to allow you to go off script.
 

nlambert182

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It wouldn't be that hard to do. Flag the truck on final assembly for chrome bumpers. The tech sees the flag and reaches over for chrome bumpers instead of a painted one. Done. How hard is that? Remember, it's the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.
So..... assuming you've worked in a production plant before? (I'm going to guess no) It's a lot harder than you think.

You have two things working against you.

1) The dealership has NO say in what RAM can and will offer as options on their vehicles. So if they have to lose a sale, then they will. Their hands are literally tied.
2) The manufacturer isn't concerned about you not buying the truck. If you don't, someone else will.


Instead of trying to force the issue, why not just work out a deal with the dealership to swap them for chrome bumpers when the truck arrives? That is something that they probably CAN do, and often times will if you're polite and reasonable. This is likely your only option. No matter how much you stomp and fuss... or "squeak", there's no grease in this situation.
 

18CrewDually

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Reach out to a local Upfitter truck shop and ask them when they get a 2023 in for aftermarket bumpers, you'll buy the chrome one off of the owner and pay them to swap it out.
 

quickster2

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It wouldn't be that hard to do. Flag the truck on final assembly for chrome bumpers. The tech sees the flag and reaches over for chrome bumpers instead of a painted one. Done. How hard is that? Remember, it's the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.
As others have said, the parts come to the Operator based on JIT in sequence to the line. There is no rack to arbitrarily pull parts from. The bumper is delivered to the install station as a front end module (FEM) already assembled with any accessories like fog lights. They arrive in the plant the same way in racks in sequence. Some plants might sub-assemble the modules in house based on the make/cost analysis. I know it is frustrating. My last GT Plus Durango I ordered I could not get vented seats, auto folding mirrors, the HK upgraded radio & speakers, and a couple of other options without ordering the Hemi. For a $56K vehicle I complained loudly to no avail. The brand folks determine what the option mix is year to year. They are not always correct in their assumptions. Good luck.
 

BWL

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While I'd be surprised if they'd do it for you I see no reason not to try any of the contact us options on the ramtruck.com site and see if you get any answers. Maybe they've decided taking away the chrome option is the only way to use up a stockpile of brown bumpers.
 

GTyankee

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Actually, the factory will not change what Headquarters deems to be standard.

Some changes are made by the Body Vendor, but that is usually add ons

The only way to get what you want, is to have the nakkid Ram sent to a Coach Works

Back in 2016, i walked around in back of the Dealers Showroom building, where they had some of their 2500 models stored.
There was also some brand new Ram 1500s back there.
These were NOT regular Rams, 1 of them almost sat on the ground, it was 2 colors & some nice looking pin striping & rims like i have never seen on a Ram.
The person that had ordered it, showed up while i was there, he was in a stretch Limo, all the showroom & fleet/internet sales staff came out. I left before a camera crew could show up :)

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Grizzly Tom
 

RamGuy110

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Correct. One of the reasons I'm super glad I got a '22. I've had chrome and painted bumpers over the years. Painted looks good for a while, but always end up looking like crap with a few years on them. Chrome always cleans up great. Plus I just like chrome.

Stellantis is changing their order process for '23 Ram's to give the consumer less choices. They are doing that to streamline their production process. Like not being able to get a gas motor in an HD Limited or Limited Longhorn model. They are doing that across their brands. I'd be seriously shocked (and impressed) if you got them to agree to allow you to go off script.
It will now let you build a 3500 Limited with a gas engine, but not a 2500.
 

carlucci89

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I ordered a 2500 and did not want chrome bumpers! When the dealer went to input my build codes the system would not allow him to enter the snow chief group without them (even though website did). I was willing to walk over it.

He offered to pay for them.

I accepted, but am ending up with something I really didn't want.

4 months later, still waiting for delivery.

Sign of the times, won't be my last truck, education for next time.

Be well.
 

Justthebutler

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I may have a contact at Stellantis that can get the number for you, I will let you know when I hear back.

If you go to the ram site and build a truck, try building a cab and chassis. They have chrome bumpers, and I'm pretty sure you can add nearly every option the longhorn has except the badging. Then buy a factory box to put on and your done.

You could also try to order one from an Upfitter in your area or close to you. Usually they have different options when ordering as I believe they bypass the dealer.
 

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