Possible New Ram owner with questions

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Jared26

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OK, I currently drive a 2016 F150 and am not happy. It has some vibration issues that Ford cannot figure out and this problem seems to be pretty wide spread like the 2014 GM's. I am in the middle of a Lemon Law case and after I get my money back I am going to get a Ram or Tundra. I will need a Crew cab 4X4 with the Hemi. Can anyone clue me in to any wide spread issues with the Ram. I hear good things about them. I know a few owners. How about the Engine/Tranny any common issues? I also see most of them come with 3.21 axle. Does this set up get off the line well and tow OK? I have always had 3.55 or higher. I appreciate any help or anything I should look for when shopping. Thanks.

Make sure you drive it on the highway at speeds up to 75 MPH and really feel for vibrations. I'm considering going the other way my truck has had a vibration since I've bought it and after 10 trips to the dealer so far for problems since I bought the truck Aug 30th, (4 for the vibration) and the second time that they re-balanced the tires my vibration is 90% gone.

I think Ram makes a good truck but as others have said sometimes a bad one slips through, if my vibration problems come back though I'll be pursuing a buyback.

Mines got the 3.92 gears so I can't give any input on the 3.21's but I will say I love the 3.92s.
 

Mineralram

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Did you have to special order the 3.92? None of the dealers around me have any on the lot with the 3.92. What kind of MPG you get?
when i bought my 2013, 3:92's were widely available now most dealers in my area dont stock them the other thing i noticed is there also ordering the trucks without limited slip also my 2017 has no limited slip and i have not noticed any real differences

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Tyrant

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i'm very happy with both my ram's.
the '12 is the 6 speed with 3.55 and the '15 8 speed with 3.92 - huge difference right there, have limited experience with the 8 speed with 3.21's so can't comment on that.

Overall it has been a good experience with no serious or major issues. all the best in whatever you decide.
 

Sportznut

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I have a 2014 /5.7 /3.21 Crew Cab. 41,000 miles. Good truck, no issues, no vibrations up to 100 mph. Good Luck.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 

Brandon712

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I'm in the market and I've got it narrowed down to the F150 and the 1500. To me, it seems like you get a lot more truck for the money. I want a Ram 1500 Sport crew cab 4x4 and to me, to get something similar with the Ford, you need a Lariat with a few packages that push it to around 49K before tax...and that's at invoice WITH rebates. Just looking at Ram dealers, I'm seeing guys get a handsomely equipped Sport crew cab in the low 40's.
 

bubbagumpshrimp

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I recently purchased a '16 Ram 1500. I did a ridiculous amount of research for more than a year while I waited to get out of my diesel VW (buyback). I drove Sierra's, Silverado's, Tundra's, an F-150, and Ram's. Plural for everything except the F-150. I didn't like much about the F-150 (which is amusing to me...because my last truck was an F-150), so I didn't go back for seconds.

I drove a LOT of trucks and ended up with a BIG stack of business cards at the end (I waited till almost last month to go on test drives). My takeaway is that both the Tundra and Ram 1500 are good truck.

I had one big issue with the Tundra though and that is the fuel economy. Yeah...I know...it's a truck, but the fuel economy is abysmal. I'm mentally prepared for $4.50+/gallon fuel (someday), but at x < 15 MPG? I'm just not doing that again. Otherwise, I thought the Tundra was a great truck. The seat was comfortable, the throttle response was decent, the audio system was decent, etc.

On the Ram 1500...I was not a Dodge/Ram person. I almost didn't even go drive one (I was concerned about resale value). That and me being from a GM family...the likelihood of me ending up with a Ram wasn't that great.

Fast-forward to my first test drive in a Ecodiesel (I originally wanted that), I was pleasantly surprised. Not just by the engine (I thought it was fairly peppy), but by the basic Tradesman truck...as a whole. I was thoroughly impressed with the ride quality and feel of the truck.

I ended up deciding to go with the Hemi, I opted to go with a Bighorn (I wanted a power seat and the rear sliding window), and I opted to go used/CPO to mitigate some of my resale value concerns.

Anyways...just my two cents. I'm just happy I went with what I did and glad that i took a sip of the Ram Kool-Aid.:favorites13:
 
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mfinkler

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Again, thanks for all the input.....keep em coming!! Great advice. I sent my buyback letter out Saturday so all I can do now is wait to see wait happens. I am sure Ford is going to offer something to keep me in the one I have. My vibes are tolerable and to some might not even be noticeable but I just feel like for what they charge for these trucks now we should not have to put up with vibes. In the 2017 GM Warranty guide it now states they do not warranty minor vibrations and noises!!.
 

RamCares

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Bought a 2016 Ram 1500 4X4 back in November, Has had Highway Vibration since Day 1.. Been to Dealer 4 times now, They Do Nothing.. Oh, they've balanced the tires 4 times. But refuse to fix the Truck.. Sick of IT!!!..

Then For Christmas I bought the Wife a 2016 4X4 F150 4X4.. Super Truck!! Rides Nice at highway speeds... Wish I had bought a Ford!!!...

If you choose to buy a Ram.. Word of Warning: Take it on a long Highway cruse to make certain there are no vibrations.

Does your F150 have Goodyear Wranglers by chance????

Hi Markks,

Sorry to hear about this! If you decide to visit your local dealership again I'd be happy to follow up with them for you if needed. Just PM our page with your VIN and let me know.

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

Burla

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Again, thanks for all the input.....keep em coming!! Great advice. I sent my buyback letter out Saturday so all I can do now is wait to see wait happens. I am sure Ford is going to offer something to keep me in the one I have. My vibes are tolerable and to some might not even be noticeable but I just feel like for what they charge for these trucks now we should not have to put up with vibes. In the 2017 GM Warranty guide it now states they do not warranty minor vibrations and noises!!.

I'm telling you, if you get 10 grand which is what I got for a buy back once for a bad suspension, in my case it was clunking sound. Just put 2 to 3 grand into the suspension, exactly what I said last post. It is easily fixable and you will have a great truck with money in your pocket. If you buy a new 1500, you still will be buying a truck with a weak suspension. it isn't brand specific, every manu does the same thing, they cut pennies and dimes.

There might seam like a lot of joints under a truck, but with 10 grand in your pocket you can redo the entire thing with real suspension parts. The only manufacturer that I know that uses a solid axle that I know of is Jeep, entry level. But they do the same thing, the have a great d44 in the front, but then they pair it with weak weenie bars everywhere. Just find a good suspension shop, there are only so many things it can be, and with every dollar invested you have beefed up the suspension. Even a solid axle swap with a beefy tracbar and going with a king pin will be under 5 grand. Do some research, even though a new truck most likely wont have a vibration, it will have cheap save every penny possible workmanship down there. Use poly bushings everything, leave the rubber for the tires.
 
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mfinkler

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I'm telling you, if you get 10 grand which is what I got for a buy back once for a bad suspension, in my case it was clunking sound. Just put 2 to 3 grand into the suspension, exactly what I said last post. It is easily fixable and you will have a great truck with money in your pocket. If you buy a new 1500, you still will be buying a truck with a weak suspension. it isn't brand specific, every manu does the same thing, they cut pennies and dimes.

There might seam like a lot of joints under a truck, but with 10 grand in your pocket you can redo the entire thing with real suspension parts. The only manufacturer that I know that uses a solid axle that I know of is Jeep, entry level. But they do the same thing, the have a great d44 in the front, but then they pair it with weak weenie bars everywhere. Just find a good suspension shop, there are only so many things it can be, and with every dollar invested you have beefed up the suspension. Even a solid axle swap with a beefy tracbar and going with a king pin will be under 5 grand. Do some research, even though a new truck most likely wont have a vibration, it will have cheap save every penny possible workmanship down there. Use poly bushings everything, leave the rubber for the tires.

When you say 10 grand.......you mean they gave you 10 grand and you got to keep the truck? They gave you 10 grand to close the case?
 

Markks

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2016 Express RCSB 4X4
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Pentastar
Hi Markks,

Sorry to hear about this! If you decide to visit your local dealership again I'd be happy to follow up with them for you if needed. Just PM our page with your VIN and let me know.

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

Andrea; I've talked with Ram Cares a couple times now.. You people close each case before I have a chance to see if problem fixed.. Last time you closed the case, I thought "What the H@@@???" Anyway, I still have excessive wind noise and highway vibrations.

As a side note; I was under the truck today,, I noticed that one of the heat shields was loose, and was missing a push pin that should have held it tight.. Now understand your Dealer here has told me my truck was inspected and re inspected, and each time they said they gave me their world class multi point inspection. Well, why the hell did they not see that a heat shield was loose??? I'm guessing they lied to me each time..

I will go out and buy a new push pin (or use Duct Tape) and try to correct it myself, Not sure that is causing the vibration, but it sure as he@@ might help...
I had to fixe the dash rattle myself, I figured I would have to fix the vibration myself..

How can I get a survey??? Your Warranty is worthless, if your Dealer refuses to help.
 

Burla

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When you say 10 grand.......you mean they gave you 10 grand and you got to keep the truck? They gave you 10 grand to close the case?

They gave me 13 grand, the lawyer got 3, we never went to court. I got to keep the truck, with warranty in tact. The only part I couldn't get warranty coverage on was the cross member, the nature of the defect. I wouldn't settle with them for too much under 10g in my pocket, maybe 6 to 8 is reasonable, but try to get 10. I kicked back their first offer, and then they sweetened it. They do not want to go to court, they loose every case and it hurts them way more then paying you. remember, if you were within the time periods of your local lemon laws, you have all of the cards. If by chance you are out of your lemon law time period, and they are still working with you, take what you can get. Vibrations are not frame issues, it is the little dinky stuff between the body and the frame that is the culprit. gl
 
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mfinkler

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They gave me 13 grand, the lawyer got 3, we never went to court. I got to keep the truck, with warranty in tact. The only part I couldn't get warranty coverage on was the cross member, the nature of the defect. I wouldn't settle with them for too much under 10g in my pocket, maybe 6 to 8 is reasonable, but try to get 10. I kicked back their first offer, and then they sweetened it. They do not want to go to court, they loose every case and it hurts them way more then paying you. remember, if you were within the time periods of your local lemon laws, you have all of the cards. If by chance you are out of your lemon law time period, and they are still working with you, take what you can get. Vibrations are not frame issues, it is the little dinky stuff between the body and the frame that is the culprit. gl

I am well within my lemon laws rights. I just bought the truck in Sep and first identified this at 980 miles. I now have 7700 miles. In Georgia the buy back price is calculated from the first time you identified the problem. I paid about 45500 for the truck and based off the calculation of 980 miles they would owe me the full amount minus about 370 bucks. I figured they would offer something else before a complete buyback.
 

Burla

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Something to consider, take the buy back or take the cash. IN CA they force bigger settlements, maybe Georgia it wont be that sweet of a deal. Your choice, I would think you would be good either way. Ram is a better truck, and that is coming from a life long Ford guy. I'm sure you will do what is right for you. The Rams, I will say coil back suspension, Hemi engines, 8 speeds, and plenty of other extras, they are great trucks. Make sure they give you a decent amount to keep that Ford, or give Ram a shot.
 

RamCares

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Andrea; I've talked with Ram Cares a couple times now.. You people close each case before I have a chance to see if problem fixed.. Last time you closed the case, I thought "What the H@@@???" Anyway, I still have excessive wind noise and highway vibrations.

As a side note; I was under the truck today,, I noticed that one of the heat shields was loose, and was missing a push pin that should have held it tight.. Now understand your Dealer here has told me my truck was inspected and re inspected, and each time they said they gave me their world class multi point inspection. Well, why the hell did they not see that a heat shield was loose??? I'm guessing they lied to me each time..

I will go out and buy a new push pin (or use Duct Tape) and try to correct it myself, Not sure that is causing the vibration, but it sure as he@@ might help...
I had to fixe the dash rattle myself, I figured I would have to fix the vibration myself..

How can I get a survey??? Your Warranty is worthless, if your Dealer refuses to help.

Hi Markks,

I apologize for your past experience and ongoing concerns. Please let me know if you decide to visit your local dealership again, I’d be happy to follow up with them for you. If you have a complaint about your dealership experience please PM our page with more information so we can document it and send it to the appropriate internal department.

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

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