Hey guys, getting ready to order my Sunburst orange, driftwood 2 tone Laramie 4x4 QC next week and need you opinion on a couple of things.
1. What do you like better or which is more functional: Column shift/bench seat - OR consul shift/bucket seats?
2. Engine block heater - do I want this and why?
3. Back-up camera - where is it located?
4. Diff between smoker group and none.

Thanks all in advance, dealer quoted me $47k minus blah, blah, so roughly $36k ordered plus doc fees and tax.

 

Generally bucket seats are more comfortable and form fitting. Console shifters look nicer but that is a matter of opinion. Lots of storage with the console shift area. You can get a customer shift ****!

I live in California, I have no idea what an engine heater is for lol

In the tailgate handle

A portable ashtray that fits in a cup holder and a 12v lighter that gets moved from spot to spot around my truck because I never use it, lol

Thanks all in advance, dealer quoted me $47k minus blah, blah, so roughly $36k ordered plus doc fees and tax.[/quote]

 

engine block heaters are normally for Diesel trucks, but they are used to warm your engine up in cold weather before you turn it on. so if you live somewhere that has really rough winters you might want it, but if you live in florida or someplace warm there really isnt a need for it

 

1. What do you like better or which is more functional: Column shift/bench seat - OR consul shift/bucket seats?
2. Engine block heater - do I want this and why?
3. Back-up camera - where is it located?
4. Diff between smoker group and none.

All just my opinion.

1-Consul looks better. Im 6' 4" w/ long *** legs so I went column.
2-Depends on where you live. If you're in a much colder climate, go for it. Here is what wikipedia says : A block heater is an electric heater that heats the engine of a car to ease starting in cold weather. They are connected to normal AC power overnight or before driving, via regular power plugs that are fed through a vehicle's grille. This allows easier starting in cold temperatures, by keeping the coolant warm. Heaters are also available for motor oil so that warm oil can quickly circulate and warm the engine during startup. The rapid heat circulation caused by block heaters also aids the initial vaporization of fuel in the engine; because of this effect, block heaters reduce pollution, as poor fuel vaporization causes much higher emissions.
3-integrated into the tailgate handle
4- No idea, but stop smoking.(I practice what I preach..smoke free since Jan 1 2009)

 

Well, 2, 3, & 4 have been pretty covered. But in regards to the seats, the bucket seats are much more comfortable, allow a lot of storage in the center console (that's how it's spelled) and it looks better (I get compliments - even from the Ford guys on my console). Also, the buckets seats can be heated/cooled and that's my favorite feature of my new truck.

 

I have a bench. I got it so we could have a 6th seat. The console truck was great, but I also like having my wife slide over in the middle seat sometimes too.

 

If you need the extra seat I'd say get the column, if not definatly console.
I had a bench seat with the center jump seat and it sucked. Anytime the gf wanted to sit in the middle everything inside got mixed up. I love the center console in the ram, the storage is awesome. The only bad part was getting used to the console shifter, I reached for the column the whole first week.

 

I too got the bench seat. It was a tough decision for me. Although my bench seat is still heated, with the buckets you get the added benefit of cooled seats (by way of 2 small fans that blow air through the perforated holes). By the way it should be mentioned that there have been some problems with the seat fabric wearing on the perforated hole sections of the bucket seats. I liked the look of the center console, but it was just so bulky...

Like Sarguy01, I liked the idea of having a 6th seat not to mention the open free space. I've had the truck since Dec. and have already needed the 6th seat on more than one occasion (and no, I don't have 4 kids).

There is one more thing about that center console too... For those of you who have it, have you ever been caught by a blinding flash of sunlight reflected off the chrome trim ring? It happened to me a few times when I was testing these things out. That was one more reason for me get the bench.

Anyway, no matter what you get, you shouldn't be disappointed.

 

Flipping up the armrest does make everything inside bounce. I also flipped it up a few times when it wasn't latched and everything falls out into the back seat. That really sucks.

 

Yea that would have sucked, especially since I had mine jam packed. I dont know about the dodges but I know my chevys center seat had a rock solid cushion since there was storage under it. As far as the chrome, I have had that happen a couple times; when I get some free time Im going to colormatch all of the silver and paint all of the chrome black. Im getting 5% tint tuesday so it should cut down on that a little.