After far too long, I finally broke out my wallet and picked up a 57 Series Performance Intake Kit. It boasts about 10 extra horse power for my Dodge Ram 1500. It was fairly easy to install after ripping out the old Hemi resonator and stock airbox. How can you go wrong? Cheap horsepower and a million mile warranty on the filter itself.
Truck
Just as I thought, the good old fans of Philly didn’t disappoint. Oh well, let’s put politics aside for now.
Flyers got killed in the open period. It was 4-0 by the end of the first, and Stevens had to pull Biron for the backup Niittymaki (whom posted a shutout from that point on). I think the loss had mainly to do with the fact that the Rangers had already played 4 regular season games and this was the first game for the Flyers. That’s what I am hoping anyway. In the end, the orange and black came back and almost tied the game several times in the 3rd period, but just couldn’t get it done. I’ll take the 4-3 loss (for now).
Eagles take the win! Better yet, Dallas quarterback Romo broke his pinkie finger on his throwing hand. Sorry folks, but hahahaha. I am an Eagles fan. I am required by law to hate all that is Dallas.
On a different note, I finally broke down and ordered a cold air intake for the Ram1500. I’ve been reading forums here and there and some people have boasted better gas mileage. I honestly won’t hold my breath, but it will give a chance to tinker around under the hood without breaking anything major. Pictures will follow…
The geek in me needed to whip up a quick gnuplot script to track the gas mileage for my new Dodge Ram 1500. Check it out.
It is about time. Let us remember that this party started March 16th. As of June 30th, it is now over.
I’ll keep the entire ugly story as short as possible. I told original dealer X to shove it. I called again and again with no callbacks. When I eventually called them back, also again and again, the “I don’t knows” continued over and over. I made things short and sweet.
“I will be in Monday. Have my deposit refund ready for me,” says Matt.
I went to another local dealer, and since it was June 30th, they were pushing to make not only month end numbers, but fiscal year end numbers as well. Well, that’s what they told me. Whatever, I got a great deal and in the end got a ton of upgrades from the truck I originally ordered. 2 1/2 hours later, I drove it off the lot. A brand new Dodge Ram 1500 ThunderRoad edition. Please excuse the terrible picture above, I haven’t had time yet to pull out the Nikon SLR, so I took a quickie with the Razr. More pictures to come over the July 4th break. It’s hard to tell, but the new truck is Patriot Blue, not black as previously ordered.
In the end, I walked into the original dealer and told them I wanted my money back. The manager didn’t even argue, he just cut a check. Yeah, that happens often. Someone screwed up big time and doesn’t have the guts to admit it. Be a man you sissies.
If you live in Allentown/Whitehall-ish area and you are looking for a new vehicle, please visit Rothrock and ask for Tyler. Tell him Matt sent you. Nothing but first class service.
So I did my usual Friday afternoon stop at the Dodge dealer. They really do love when I come in there. It seems nice and quiet until I walk through the door, and then people start moving in all directions to get out of the way. They look like a group of roaches scattering as soon as you turn on the light.
So here is (apparently) the story. In efforts to provide better quality control for vehicles, Dodge has teamed up with the government to do spot inspections on randomly chosen, newly built vehicles. A lotto of sorts.
Woohoo! Guess which lucky person hit their lotto! The good news is that my truck has passed a supposedly VERY picky and stringent inspection. So in theory, I should have one heck of a good truck. That, or the manager at the Dodge dealer can really shovel the old bull chips around. We shall see if and when the truck actually arrives. It should be shipped early next week and I should actually take possession late next week.
He used the word should a lot. I should kick him in the hind end.
Dear Matthew:
Thank you for contacting the Dodge Customer Assistance Center regarding
the status of your new vehicle order.
Regarding the Dodge Ram 1500 you have ordered from your Dealer:
I am sorry to learn of your dissatisfaction with the time which has
elapsed since your order was placed. The popularity and excitement for
this vehicle has created a situation where demand exceeds the amount of
vehicles that can be built.
When your dealer placed the order, a unique vehicle order number or VON
was assigned. If you would like to recontact us with this information,
we can then advise you of the current status of the order.
We would also like to encourage you to stay in contact with your
salesperson for the latest scheduling information. Your dealer is the
best source for all information concerning your order.
We appreciate your continued patience while waiting for delivery of your
new Ram 1500.
Thank you again for your email.
Sincerely,
Myndie
Senior Staff Representative
Chrysler Group Customer Assistance Center
10 weeks and still no *&(*#&(#*$ truck.
I was on the road by 5:55am this morning. The folks are offering some training for “IT staff” on our new Apples. Let’s just say that so far, I’m not overly impressed with the whole deal. It, so far, is really no easier (or harder, to be fair) then administrating a Windows computer in a medium sized, multi-user environment. Period. Anyone that says any different is wrong.
Either that or they have no idea how to effectively manage Windows computers.
Such is life. Enough computer talk. I again stopped in to the car dealer on the way home, and got some more bad news. The truck, which was supposed to be here today, or tomorrow at the absolute latest, will now “be here in 7-10 days.”
I’m not sure how to take this. At first, I was pretty peeved. But the less time I have to park a shiny new truck in my ghetto parking lot is really for the best. This also gives my money more time to still be my money. That is also always a plus.
It ALSO gives me more time to rack up more miles on my Durango. What do I care, I won’t own it soon…
Ok seriously, this wait is going to kill me. It’s only been one week since I ordered the new truck. I now have to wait another 5-7 weeks. I don’t honestly think I will make it.