Taking a close look at the differences between these two packages, I see that the Ultimate package includes the following features that the Value does not:

feature option msrp
* navigation ($570)
* moonroof ($1295)
* tailgate step ($125)
* ambient lighting
* auto hi beam/rainsense wipers
* power telescoping steering wheel w/controls
* remote tailgate release

Ultimate package has msrp $4280. Value package has msrp $710. Thus you could option up a value package to include nav, moonroof and step for $2700 total. To get the remaining missing features (auto wipers, telescoping steering wheel, and remote tailgate release) would be $1580 additional for the ultimate package. Maybe that ambient lighting is really, really cool :-)

As I'll include the tow tech package on my order, auto hi beam and wipers are already included there.

Seems to me this might be a way to get a pretty well optioned truck, for a bit less.

It does aggravate me that there are some features that are included in multiple packages, for instance, the auto hi beam in both ultimate and tow tech packages. You're paying for this feature twice.

Another one that bugs me, that pretty much every truck on the local dealer lot has is the chrome package ($1125 msrp), which includes 18" chrome wheels, plus a 20" chrome wheel option ($1200-1400 msrp). So, you are paying either for 18" wheels that you do not get, or you are paying $1125 for chrome tips, hooks, and mirror caps. :-(

Something to keep in mind when negotiating i guess.....

 

Don't forget the heated steering wheel on the ultimate, which is the only way to get it. There may be others, but that is off the top of my head. If you want LED headlights, you'll have to get the ultimate package to open up that option.

 

You also get the push button start and smart fob.

 

Funny you should bring this up. When I was ordering I went through the same process. Here are the notes that I came up with.

Items included in Ultimate Package that is not in the Value package:

memory and audio controls - Not sure what this could be
tailgate step - Can get
voice-activated Navigation System with HD and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio - Can get
Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start - Would be nice
power telescoping/tilt steering wheel/column with heat - Would be nice
Power running boards option available - Don't want, want the extended running boards
LED lights option available - Would be nice
remote tailgate release - Don’t need
twin-panel moonroof - Don’t want

Ended up ordering the value package to save a little money plus I really hate how much head room the sun roof took away.

 

I think the power running boards are an option on the Lariat and not part of the ultimate package. From what I can see they are only standard on the Platinum. I had originally ordered an ultimate Lariat but reordered a Platinum instead. It was only 900 bucks more (without the sunroof) but it came with the massaging seats, BLIS, power running boards, LED headlights etc etc etc

 

Yup, good call... The power running boards are an option on the Lariat.

 

If you price online what your Lariat Ultimate is and open another window and build a Platinum you will be surprised how close the prices are. As stated above the amount of extras was quite a bit for very little money. This is marketing to get you to buy a little more....worked with me! lol

The big concern for me was the painted bumpers compared to chrome. I'm planning on clear wrapping the front to limit rock chips.

 

Lariat Ultimate provides a variety of options not included in the Value Pack, in addition to opening the gateway to options such as LED headlights. The following is included in the Lariat Ultimate not included in the Value package:

-TwinPanel moonroof.......................................... ..............($1295)
-Intelligent Access w/ Push Button Start..............................(n/a)
-Power tilt / telescope steering column w/ memory...............(n/a)
-Heated steering wheel............................................. ........(n/a)
-Remote tailgate release........................................... ........(n/a)
-Tailgate step.............................................. ....................($375)
-Voice-activated Nav............................................... .........($570)
-Ambient lighting.......................................... ...................(n/a)
-Auto high beams............................................. ...............(part of $1935 Tow/Tech Pkg)
-Rain-sensing wipers............................................ ............(part of $1935 Tow/Tech pkg)

SO: Ultimate Pack is $4,280. Subtract the $710 for the Value Pack since those features are included, we are at $3,570. Now subtract the cost of the options included which we can price separately, including the twin panel moonroof, tailgate step, and voice-activated navigation system. The cost of those options totals $2,240. So now we are down to $1,330. That money covers the cost of the Intelligent Access Key w/ Push Button Start, the power tilting / telescoping / heated / memory steering wheel, the remote tailgate release on the fob and in cab, the ambient lighting, the auto high beams, and the rain-sense wipers. That seems incredibly reasonable for all those features. Now yes, you can get the rain-sense wipers and auto high beams as part of the Tow/Tech package...but that will cost you $1935. Not to mention the Ultimate package is a gateway to being able to get LED headlights and adaptive cruise control, if one was interested in those features. I think it is a great deal.

 

Also when you add additional thinhs it requires the ultimate. i was going the same route in the build and price and I think it was either the power running boards or the LED lights (sorry, can't remember any more) both on our "must order" list, that needed ys to get the Ultimate pacjage.

 

I also noticed when I was looking into ordering that to be able to get the lariat ultimate or even the option to add just the led headlights is only available on the crew cab, not available in the super cab.

 

I would like to see them remove the sunroof from all of the "ultimate" packages and just leave it as a stand alone option. It's a take it or leave it feature to me.

I will probably not go any higher than a Lariat Ultimate when I order (even though the KR and Platinum) aren't that much more because it's the only way I can get the "must have" features and avoid the "must not have" features (adaptive steering, power running boards, polished/machined wheels).

 

Thanks all for the great feedback.

My spec is very close to yours. But others make a good point about the LED headlamps, which i think are highly desirable, and which would then drive me to the Ultimate package.

"Ultimately", my ideal truck will be
Ultimate Pkg
Tow Tech pkg
LED headlamps
plus a bunch of little things like bed extender and upfitter switches. Just looking for a way to get close to that spec at a little lower price. Its been a fun exercise. Hopefully X-plan will be my friend.

 

Hear, hear! That is the only feature I did not want but was forced to get in my KR order. I don't like sunroofs, period, on any vehicle. I understand lots of folks definitely do want it but bundling it with a package is disappointing. It should be standalone.

 

you don't like the moonroof? as long as it doesn't leak I think it would be sweet at night looking at stars

 

I've never cared for them. Nothing to do with leaks, but the added heat load (especially in the California sun) makes it too hot inside, you lose headroom, and I don't like the added weight so high on the vehicle. The weight is less of an issue on a big pickup truck, but they are just not for me.