If the Ram you actually want isn’t sitting on a lot anywhere within driving distance — wrong color, wrong cab, wrong trim, missing the option you need — custom ordering through Beadle’s Chrysler Center is the cleanest way to end up with the truck you actually pictured. Roughly 12 weeks from order placement to your keys in Bowdle, no settling for “close enough.”
This guide walks through the whole Beadle’s custom order process: the decisions to nail down before you call us, how the order itself works, what’s locked in versus what can shift during the build, and what to expect on pickup day at our lot in Bowdle.
On This Page
- When Custom Order Is the Right Call
- What to Decide Before You Call Us
- The Custom Order Process at Beadle’s
- The 12-Week Build Window
- How Pricing Works on a Custom Order
- Pickup Day at Beadle’s
- Custom Order vs. Lot Stock: Which Fits Your Plan?
- How to Place a Custom Order with Beadle’s
- Frequently Asked Questions
When Is Custom Ordering the Right Call?
Custom order makes sense when you’ve already decided exactly what you want and you can’t find that combination on a lot — wrong cab length, wrong bed, wrong drivetrain, missing a tow package, missing a specific paint code, or you just don’t want to compromise on the build.
If you’re flexible on configuration and just need a Ram on the next 30 days, lot stock is faster. If you want a specific build and you’re willing to wait, custom is the cleaner answer than chasing trades or waiting for the perfect allocation truck to land.
Best for / Not ideal for
Best for: buyers who already know their exact spec, won’t compromise on color or options, and have 12 weeks of runway. Not ideal for: buyers on a tight deadline, buyers who haven’t decided between trims yet, or buyers who’d rather see and test the truck before committing.
What Should You Decide Before You Call Us?
A custom order conversation goes faster — and ends in a tighter build — when you’ve already nailed down the major decisions on your end. Here’s what we’ll need to know on the first call.
| Decision | What to Bring |
|---|---|
| Model and trim | 1500 vs 2500 vs 3500, and the trim level you want (we’ll point you to the model hubs if you’re still deciding) |
| Cab and bed | Crew Cab, Quad Cab, or Regular Cab; 5’7″ or 6’4″ bed length |
| Engine | Gas, EcoDiesel, Cummins (HD), or Hurricane I-6 — verify availability for your trim |
| Drivetrain | 4×2 or 4×4 (most SD orders are 4×4) |
| Color | Exterior color and interior trim (look at OEM color cards or pick a color you’ve seen on the lot) |
| Option packages | Tow package, off-road group, level 2 equipment, sound system upgrades — we’ll walk through what’s on your trim |
| Trade and finance plans | Whether you’re trading, financing, or paying cash — affects how we structure the order paperwork |
If you have a specific window sticker from a similar truck you’ve seen — at our store or someone else’s — bring the photo. Working from a real-world reference build is faster than building from scratch through the option list.
How Does the Custom Order Process Work at Beadle’s?
Once you’ve decided what you want, the order itself is a single sit-down — usually about 60 to 90 minutes start to finish — to walk through the option list, lock in the build code, run the numbers, and finalize paperwork.
We pull up the Stellantis configuration system for your model year, build the exact spec, generate a written quote with MSRP and current incentive availability, and walk you through what’s locked once we submit and what can flex during the build window.
After you sign and the order is submitted to Stellantis, you get a build sequence number and an estimated delivery window. From there, we send you updates as your truck moves through the build stages — order accepted, scheduled for production, in production, shipped, in transit, and ready for pickup at our lot.
How Long Does a Custom Ram Order Take?
Most Beadle’s custom Ram orders arrive in roughly 12 weeks from the day we submit the build to the day you pick up the keys in Bowdle. That’s faster than the industry average for a full custom truck, and it’s the timeline we plan all our customer expectations around.
Why 12 Weeks Is Our Standard
The build window can vary by trim, engine, and Stellantis production schedule. HD diesel builds and limited-production trims sometimes run longer; common 1500 builds sometimes run shorter. We give you a realistic estimate at order time and update you if anything shifts during the build.
If you have a hard deadline — branding season, hunting trip, lease rollover — tell us at order time. We can tell you whether your spec is realistic for that window or whether you should look at allocation or lot stock instead.
How Does Pricing Work on a Custom Order?
When you place the order, we lock the MSRP at the price published by Stellantis on the day you sign. The price on your order paperwork is the price you pay at pickup — even if Stellantis raises prices on that model during your build window.
Manufacturer rebates and incentives, on the other hand, are applied based on what’s available at the time of delivery — not at order time. That usually works in your favor, since incentive programs tend to grow as the model year progresses, but it can occasionally work against you if a strong rebate ends before your truck arrives.
We track all of that for you and apply every stackable rebate you qualify for at delivery. If you want the most current pricing window for your specific build before you commit, call us at 605-460-6254 and we’ll walk through the math.
What Should You Expect on Pickup Day?
When your truck arrives at our lot in Bowdle, our service bay completes a pre-delivery inspection — full fluid check, tire pressure set, infotainment configured, cold-weather prep handled if it’s the season, and a final wash and detail. We don’t put a custom order in your hands until it’s ready to drive home.
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes at the dealership for paperwork, the walk-around, the feature orientation, and any final questions. We’ll set up the infotainment with your phone, walk you through the towing systems if you ordered a tow package, and make sure the cold-weather features (block heater, remote start, heated seats) are all working before you leave.
What most custom-order buyers overlook
The pickup-day step buyers most often skip is the infotainment walk-through. UConnect, the towing camera setup, and the trailer brake controller all benefit from 10 minutes of hands-on with someone who knows the system. Take that time on pickup day instead of figuring it out in your driveway later.
Custom Order vs. Lot Stock: Which Fits Your Plan?
| Consideration | Custom Order | Lot Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Time to truck | ~12 weeks | Same day |
| Configuration match | Exactly what you want | What’s on the lot |
| Pricing lock | MSRP locked at order | Today’s MSRP and incentives |
| Incentive timing | Applied at delivery | Applied at purchase |
| Trade-in flexibility | Trade evaluated at pickup | Trade evaluated at purchase |
Custom is worth it if: You know exactly what you want, the configuration isn’t on a lot, you have 12 weeks of runway, and you’d rather wait than compromise on the build.
Lot stock is the better call if: You need a truck this month, you’re flexible on color and trim, or you found a unit on our lot that already lines up with your spec.
How to Place a Custom Order with Beadle’s Chrysler Center
A custom order is mostly a one-day decision once you’ve done the prep work. Here’s the path from “I want to order one” to “the truck is on the way.”
- Lock your spec: Decide model, trim, cab, bed, engine, drivetrain, color, and packages before you call. Use the model hubs and OEM color cards as references.
- Call us: Reach Beadle’s Chrysler Center at 605-460-6254 to schedule the order appointment. We’ll confirm what’s possible on your trim and book the time.
- Bring your trade and finance documents: Title or lender payoff info if you’re trading; pre-qualification or lender choice if you’re financing.
- Sit down with us: 60 to 90 minutes to build the order in the system, run the numbers, and sign the paperwork.
- Get your build sequence number: After submission, we give you the order number and the estimated delivery window so you can track progress.
- Watch the build: We send updates as the truck moves through order accepted, scheduled, in production, shipped, and ready for pickup.
- Pickup day in Bowdle: 60 to 90 minutes for paperwork and walk-around, and you drive home in the truck you ordered.
Key Takeaways
- Custom Ram orders at Beadle’s typically arrive in 12 weeks from order submission to keys in your hand in Bowdle.
- MSRP is locked at order time; manufacturer rebates and incentives are applied based on what’s available at delivery.
- The order itself is a 60- to 90-minute appointment once you’ve decided model, trim, cab, bed, engine, drivetrain, color, and packages.
- Pickup day includes a service-bay pre-delivery inspection and a feature orientation — plan 60 to 90 minutes in Bowdle for the walk-around.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a custom Ram order take to arrive at Beadle’s?
Most custom Ram orders take roughly 12 weeks from the day we submit the build to Stellantis to the day you pick up the keys in Bowdle. HD diesel and limited-production builds sometimes run longer; common 1500 builds sometimes run shorter. We give you a realistic estimate at order time.
Is the price locked when I place a custom Ram order?
MSRP is locked at order time, so the published Stellantis price the day you sign is the price you pay — even if Ram raises prices during your build window. Manufacturer rebates and incentives are applied based on what’s available at delivery, not order time.
What deposit do I need to place a Ram custom order?
Deposit terms depend on the build and your finance plan. Call us at 605-460-6254 and we’ll walk through what your specific order requires before you commit.
Can I cancel or change my custom order after it’s submitted?
Once an order is submitted to Stellantis, change windows narrow as the build progresses. Most options can be adjusted before the truck is scheduled for production but not after. If you need to cancel, talk to us as early as possible — we’ll work through what’s possible based on the build stage.
Can I custom-order a Ram from out of state at Beadle’s?
Yes. North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, and Iowa buyers custom-order Rams from us regularly. The order conversation can happen by phone or in person, and pickup happens at our lot in Bowdle. Same paperwork process as in-state buyers, plus the cross-state title and registration handling.
When does my trade get evaluated on a custom order?
Trade is evaluated at pickup, not at order time, since trade values shift over a 12-week window. We can give you a non-binding ballpark at order time so you can plan, but the firm trade number lands when your custom truck arrives in Bowdle.
My Take on Custom-Ordering a Ram from Beadle’s
The custom-order buyers I sit down with at Beadle’s are usually the customers who already know exactly what they want and have stopped trying to find it on used lots, on dealer trade lists, or on a competitor’s allocation sheet. Once you’ve decided not to compromise, the math gets easy — wait 12 weeks, get the truck you actually pictured.
For ranchers and ag operators, the most common custom orders we write are HD crew cabs with diesel and a tow package — the configurations you don’t always find on regional lots. For families, it’s a 1500 with a specific trim, color, and tow package combination they didn’t see anywhere on a Saturday drive. Both groups walk in with their spec ready and walk out with a build sequence number 90 minutes later.
If you want the broader picture of how new Ram buying works at Beadle’s — including allocation, lot stock, and how we source trucks for our lot — read our complete guide to new Ram trucks for sale in South Dakota. And if you’ve already locked your spec and want to start the order, give us a jingle at 605-460-6254 and we’ll book your appointment.
About the Author
Lexy Tabbert — Beadle’s Chrysler Center, Bowdle, SD
Lexy Tabbert is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Beadle’s Chrysler Center in Bowdle, South Dakota. She covers Ram, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler vehicles — helping families, ranchers, and ag operators across the region find the right truck and configuration for their needs. Learn more about Lexy.
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