To hopefully be somewhat of value, I Custom ordered a 2018 Ram 3500 with a few specific options. Got the Cummins/Aisin for the power, dual 440A alternators and the HD vinyl seats due to the kids. Had Dennis Dillon Dodge add all the suspension and mods I wanted. My thought was get the chassis I wanted, save money not buying a Laramie or higher trim and use that for mods. I ended up about the same price a Laramie would have costed, but already built (Phase 1).
Fastforward almost two years and I have added bed LED lights, upgraded the headlights and just recently put a factory fog light bumper on to add BD SAE fogs and their squadron Pros. I have added a ton of 2-300 dollar mods along the way. I still want a better radio and the seats are mega uncomfortable and not super adjustable. I have some back issues from my time flying the plane in my avatar and I’m about to go with the Scheel-man seats or nice Recaro’s that are cooled and heated. I hear everyone’s point, but by the time I’m done with mods I would be in the price of that Laramie. All of my desired mods aren’t “required”, but Annoyances I could have avoided by buying the nicer truck from the start.
I do believe one can save coin by buying a stripped truck and modify it to your needs, but it will take a while to get there. I’m keeping the truck as of now and when I’m done it will be a better truck. I enjoy modifying my vehicles so it was my reason for going the route I did. I say buy as much truck as your wallet or wife will let you justify.