2003 1500 4x4.... laramie? or SLT..or Both?

Hello,
Question about the badges on my truck. I just picked up a really nice '03.
Its definitely a Laramie according to the VIN, and all the options it has, but a friend of mine said that the SLT badge that's on the tail doesn't belong there..
the tailgate has DODGE on the left hand side, and a SLT on the lower right hand side, and a Laramie on the upper right hand side. looks like the 4x4 badge was removed, i'm assuming, cause its not there.

So..can this truck be a Laramie and a SLT?..are they the same?.. I dont know much about the Dodge trim packages...
has someone before me added badges?..

I can take a picture if it helps.


any help would be great.

thanks.

Sounds like the previous owner liked badges or possibly traded out tailgates at some point. They are different packages.

Originally Posted by wixthedog

Sounds like the previous owner liked badges or possibly traded out tailgates at some point. They are different packages.

Tailgate is original... I assuming the Laramie badge goes where this SLT is, and the 4x4 badge should go just above that?..or just replace the SLT with the 4x4?

Laramie should be where Slt is. 4x4 right above that, or at least that is the way mine is on my 08.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk.

My 03 was an SLT and the badge was in the same place as yours.

2003 was the first year they put the badge where your SLT badge is, and not on the rear doors. It was also the first year the upper trim level was called "Laramie" and not "SLT Plus". Since the 4x4 badge is also not there, it seems your tailgate may have come from a different truck.

Also when you say "according to the VIN" it's a Laramie, who gave you that info? Because there isn't actually a way to tell, just from the VIN.

Here are some things to look for: If the truck has woodgrain trim on the dash and door panels, and suede inserts in the seatbacks, it's a Laramie. It should also have dual-zone climate control. Up front the grille shell will be very unique, it's painted on the outside of the "horse collar" but chrome on the inside. 2002 and 2003 were the only model years this grille option was offered. If it doesn't have any of those things but does have leather seats, it's not a Laramie, but an SLT with leather seats which was also offered. Hope this helps!

[quote=PappaBear;4455198]Tailgate is original... QUOTE]

What makes you so sure the tailgate is original? Easy to swap and even easier to damage!

It seems to me they got a tailgate from an SLT of the same color and slapped a Laramie badge in the wrong spot to "make things right".

Originally Posted by FreeLantz

2003 was the first year they put the badge where your SLT badge is, and not on the rear doors. It was also the first year the upper trim level was called "Laramie" and not "SLT Plus". Since the 4x4 badge is also not there, it seems your tailgate may have come from a different truck.

Also when you say "according to the VIN" it's a Laramie, who gave you that info? Because there isn't actually a way to tell, just from the VIN.

Here are some things to look for: If the truck has wood grain trim on the dash and door panels, and suede inserts in the seat backs, it's a Laramie. It should also have dual-zone climate control. Up front the grille shell will be very unique, it's painted on the outside of the "horse collar" but chrome on the inside. 2002 and 2003 were the only model years this grille option was offered. If it doesn't have any of those things but does have leather seats, it's not a Laramie, but an SLT with leather seats which was also offered. Hope this helps!

Thanks, that about sums it up. I need to remove that SLT badge and put the 4x4 back on, and move that Laramie down where its supposed to go. Looks like the old man must have got bored... dunno why he did that. the tailgate looks original, but if its not, I cant tell... but with that SLT being a tad bit crooked.. ill bet he added it.

I say by the VIN because when I bought the truck there where print out sheets from a website called Dealer-Connect, it had all the options for the truck and a bunch of good information, like Axel ratios trim descriptions, definitely a Laramie, the leather seats have a sued insert with a Rams head, and seat warmers, radio controls on the steering wheel and the split a/c controls. also on the option list it say "Laramie badge". I tried to get on that website, but it looks to be for techs or managers only.

anyway, thanks for the help. much appreciated.

[quote=wixthedog;4455237]

Originally Posted by PappaBear

Tailgate is original... QUOTE]

What makes you so sure the tailgate is original? Easy to swap and even easier to damage!

It seems to me they got a tailgate from an SLT of the same color and slapped a Laramie badge in the wrong spot to "make things right".

Cause if you look at the area just right in the sun, you can make out 4x4, and the SLT badge is a slight bit crooked.

My dad's story is somewhat similar. He has a 4x4 07 and has had it since new. He knew he ordered a Laramie and has all of the Laramie options, but has an SLT badge on the tailgate. It has bugged the shit out of me for years lol. He got the truck with 12 miles on it in 06.