2017 Express

Hey all!

So I have lurked around these woods for a while but decided to post today. A month ago I bought a 2017 Ram QC Express 4wd with the pentastar v6 and 8 speed transmission. I got an awesome deal on it and couldn't pass it up! The truck is the brilliant black pearl coat which looks awesome! I'm very impressed with the v6 and given my driving habits is perfect for what I need as I rarely tow anything other than a fish/ski boat that weights about 3000 lbs and have a rather long daily commute plus I have access to a f250 if needed.

I have a couple questions for you guys that I hope you can help me out with. Looking at my build sheet I am unsure which transfer case I have. I only have an option for 2wd, 4lock, and 4low. Is this the "dr eaded" BW 44-44? Also, anyone try the E85 in their trucks? Not super important as there aren't many stations around my backwoods area that sell it but I don't have any first hand knowledge and am a bit curious how they run with it.

I won't get too crazy on mods but am going to level, tint, get some smoked heads/tails, debadge and get some nerf bars, and then look at rims and wheels when the wallet fattens up.

Anyways glad to join I lurked around the other forum and seem to like this one a little better! Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section!

Oh and here are some pics!

Nice truck! The Express trucks are a great bunch of trucks with just enough of what you need. I miss my 2014 Express for sure.

I'm not sure on the E85 but I'd just pay the few extra cents and get atleast 87, avoid the situation all together. I've heard horror stories on E85 approve motors crapping out with E85 use. Anecdotal, I know but still.

hope someone can help with your transfer case question.

the only real upgrade I really "needed" was adding an upper glove box. the open shelf in the dash just looks so weird. I also added trailer brakes and tuff truck 1223V rear springs. that's all I needed to make my express perfect.

enjoy!

Congrats and welcome! Sorry I cannot help on the E85 or transfer case, but I want to let you know you have a nice looking truck!


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Thanks Reek! Yeah the E85 spooks me enough it's not worth it.

I agreed on the upper glove box... so far it hasn't served a real purpose for me. Did you go through mopar for the kit or whatever?

Spearsy said:

Thanks Reek! Yeah the E85 spooks me enough it's not worth it.

I agreed on the upper glove box... so far it hasn't served a real purpose for me. Did you go through mopar for the kit or whatever?

Click to expand...

I have a 2013 1500 SLT CC 4x4 v6/8spd/3.21 with 34k miles.

You do not have the "dreaded" txfr case (no "4auto" mode).

I have run E85 in my truck a few times when it was significantly cheaper than regular 87 without issue.

The basic trade off is that the higher octane E85 gives the truck more pep, but you lose about 15-20% of your gas mileage. ie my distance to empty (full tank) goes from about 430 miles to about 380 miles. So if the E85 is more than 20% less than regular 87, then it might be worth it, but you will fill up more often.



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Nice truck. I think the "dreaded" BW 44-44 has 4auto like my Laramie. I think you got the transfer case most on this site seem to prefer that is true 4wd. As far as E85 I've not personally heard about it causing new engines designed to run on E85 to crap out but have heard that it has caused issues with older engines rubber hoses and parts that weren't designed specifically for it. Have also read it is less efficient than 87 octane 10% ethanol fuel so gets worse gas mileage with worse engine performance.

Welcome and congrats on the new truck

Welcome and congrats.


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Congrats sir...nice lookin rig!

Nice looking truck.

Great looking truck

I just ran a tank of E85 in mine. Performance was fine. Mileage sucks. But, it was $.65 cheaper than regular. That's my price cutoff.


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Spearsy said:

Thanks Reek! Yeah the E85 spooks me enough it's not worth it.

I agreed on the upper glove box... so far it hasn't served a real purpose for me. Did you go through mopar for the kit or whatever?

Click to expand...

I used this kit:

Ram 1500 Glove Box Kit (Part No: X8RAMGLVBX)

bit steep on the price but any extra "out of sight" storage is useful in my opinion. Keeps prying eyes from expressing too much interest in my truck.

Thanks everyone! Appreciate you pointing me in the right direction reek!


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reek said:

I used this kit:

Ram 1500 Glove Box Kit (Part No: X8RAMGLVBX)

bit steep on the price but any extra "out of sight" storage is useful in my opinion. Keeps prying eyes from expressing too much interest in my truck.

Click to expand...

Also check Allmoparparts.com (vendor here) for better pricing and or PM then directly (Benny).

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Alright maybe another quick question.

Looking at leveling and obviously everyone is pro bils which is totally understandable. But I measured the truck and have 2.5 inches of rake. My question is should I just be safe and get the 2 inch hell bent steel spacer and hopefully have no issues with the uca or would I be alright going with a 2.5 inch spacer? I know at this point I'm in the wrong section of the forum but didn't wanna muck up the board with my nonsense!


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Nice rig!!

Thanks for joining, it's great to have you here

Tony

Welcome!