As I stated in another post, my dealer got "my truck" in. What I mean by this, it's one they have ordered and for the most part checked all the right boxes.

I had sometime at lunch today to run over to the dealer and check it out/ go for a ride. Overall, the trucked looked great with the exception of the rear axle. It was pretty rusty and I find this unacceptable. My salesman, was trying to play it off. He said he would ask to see what they would do.

The second thing I'm unsure of is the bench seat. I had this in my 13 Ram and loved it. Even though I had cloth seats the armrest was leather. Prior to this, all the 15's I drove had the center console. The armrest with the bench seat when folded down is overly bulky and the cloth top makes it less comfortable and "rich" feeling at $49k price point.

Otherwise, I loved the truck. It feels so solid an well built. I went for a 20 mile mixed drive and I was averaging 19.6mpg with the 5.0 and 3.31's. The most I tow is a my zero turn mower and other lawn equipment.

 

Not sure why the rear axle is not painted. I agree, it is such a highly visible item. I had the axle/diff powder coated on my Mustang 8 years ago. Still looks new.
On my 09 f150, I will be cleaning up the under carriage and applying POR 15.

 

The axle/differential on my 2015 Lariat SuperCrew also has a skim coat of oxydation (rust).

 

Really? A rusty diff is concerning you? Every vehicle I ever owned ended up with surface rust of the diff/drive shaft/shock mounts/coil springs (when applicable)/frame/ etc.... I guess I would never expect them to be powder coated. And if it was an option, I for sure would not want to pay for that. The truck already costs enough!

 

I've owned enough vehicles and live in the Northeast. I'm no stranger to rust, but the lack of paint on this axle and amount of surface rust is not normal for a truck with 7 miles.

 

Some of these axles/diff on a new truck look like they've been sitting in a salt bath.

 

I agree withnyou. A new truck should look new.

 

I agree, unpainted parts is unacceptable on a new vehicle. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask the dealer to clean off the rust and paint the rearend. These trucks are priced at a premium and shouldn't be arriving on dealer lots with an undercarriage covered in surface rust!

 

Does anyone know if I can easily swap a center (non shift) center console in lieu of the middle bench seat?

 

Just picked up my '15 Platinum today. I couldn't care less if there was surface rust on the axles or frame, as it's going to look like sh*t under there in no time, anyway.

Then again, that's just me.