Most reliable years?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

GhostCost

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
53
Reaction score
88
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
2015
Engine
NA
Hi guys!

I'm new to Dodge in general aside from a horrible experience with a 1999 300M that never ran right, but I'm needing a truck and Dodge has the best looking interior out of the big three. :naughty:

So when getting a new truck, what years are the most reliable? What's the "you can't kill it" engine years for the ram? I travel about 30,000 miles per year, carry a crew of 5 (including me) and I tow about 5000 lbs or so pretty regularly so good braking and transmission coolers are a necessity.

I'm pretty handy too, not afraid of a few upgrades or minor repairs but in general I need something that if I get in it and take off for a 600 mile trip it's going to make the run again and again without complaint.

Thanks!

GC
 

PCT

2019 2500 6.4
Joined
May 9, 2014
Posts
2,107
Reaction score
475
Location
Northern California
Ram Year
2019
Engine
6.4
Hi guys!

I'm new to Dodge in general aside from a horrible experience with a 1999 300M that never ran right, but I'm needing a truck and Dodge has the best looking interior out of the big three. :naughty:

So when getting a new truck, what years are the most reliable? What's the "you can't kill it" engine years for the ram? I travel about 30,000 miles per year, carry a crew of 5 (including me) and I tow about 5000 lbs or so pretty regularly so good braking and transmission coolers are a necessity.

I'm pretty handy too, not afraid of a few upgrades or minor repairs but in general I need something that if I get in it and take off for a 600 mile trip it's going to make the run again and again without complaint.

Thanks!

GC
I would say hemi with 8 speed 14+(I think 8 speed came out in 14)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
 

Ratket

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Posts
3,571
Reaction score
1,300
Location
Arizona-
Ram Year
2018 1500
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I take it you are looking at half ton and not 3/4 ton?
Does gas mileage matter?
 

Burla

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Posts
23,109
Reaction score
44,444
Ram Year
2010 Hemi Reg Cab 4x4
Engine
Hemi
2000 to 2002 Cummins, can't kill it. The 8 speed is one of the best options ever on a Ram, but there is a lot of stuff in any new vehicle that can break. Go pre smog 1975 stuff, it is simple no stuff to break. Or play the warranty game and hope like we all do.
 

unxpctd

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2017
Posts
775
Reaction score
511
Location
Minnesota
Ram Year
2021 PW 75A
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I would agree on the 8-Speed with the 5.7 Hemi. I had the same in my 2014 Durango R/T. That truck never gave me any issues whatsoever. It was a great mid-size SUV. I would have kept it but I decided I wanted more room and didn't want to spend 70K+ on a Yukon.

The Ram was the answer...and what a great answer it was :)
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
If you're going with a 2013 + 1500 Ram with the 8 speed and plan on towing make sure you get the 392 differential.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 

Firebird

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Posts
1,488
Reaction score
1,460
Ram Year
2019 Ram 2500
Engine
Hemi
13 and up 8 speed with 3.92 gears
 
OP
OP
GhostCost

GhostCost

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
53
Reaction score
88
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
2015
Engine
NA
I take it you are looking at half ton and not 3/4 ton?
Does gas mileage matter?

Good question! Gas mileage doesn't matter at all to me. I'll take a 10mpg reliable setup over a 25mpg headache any day. And I'd gladly take a 3/4 ton if it's a more dependable vehicle.

My last truck was a 1999 7.3 Diesel F250. Man, I loved that truck. She finally gave up the ghost on a tall hill in California. Piston gave a little over 750,000 miles.
 

Ratket

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Posts
3,571
Reaction score
1,300
Location
Arizona-
Ram Year
2018 1500
Engine
Hemi 5.7
What tall hill in Cali?
I came from a lifted 02 Silverado to a 6.4 hemi mega cab 2500-
Love the truck-
The reason I did this was a 3/4ton could be had for the same price as a half ton or extremely close. You should be able to find a 3/4ton 6.4 optioned out nicely for around 42k brand new - I haven't looked at used ones. But good god the used diesel market is a fckn joke right now. But from what I hear the ram1500 with 5.7 and 8 speed and 3:92"s is the way to go for a half ton
 
Last edited:

blkbaretta

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2012
Posts
204
Reaction score
65
Location
TN
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I always like to stay away from the first model year of any major upgrades.

Lots of electrical changes occurred in 2013. I don't know that Ram had any significant issues then, but it's something to consider.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
GhostCost

GhostCost

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
53
Reaction score
88
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
2015
Engine
NA
What tall hill in Cali?
I came from a lifted 02 Silverado to a 6.4 hemi mega cab 2500-
Love the truck-
The reason I did this was a 3/4ton could be had for the same price as a half ton or extremely close. You should be able to find a 3/4ton 6.4 optioned out nicely for around 42k brand new - I haven't looked at used ones. But good god the used diesel market is a fckn joke right now. But from what I hear the ram1500 with 5.7 and 8 speed and 3:92"s is the way to go for a half ton

PCH outside of LA. Thank goodness for AAA or I'd have had a heck of a walk!

That mega cab is something else! I just looked it up. How's the turning radius and parking on that extra inch frame? I might have to go tease the guys at the local dealership a bit and see how it feels.

You're right about Diesel right now. 10k for a burned out beater! Pshaw!
 

Ratket

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Posts
3,571
Reaction score
1,300
Location
Arizona-
Ram Year
2018 1500
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I love my mega cab, so does my wife and my 3 1/2 year old twins. It turns just fine. Got my 14 big horn for 39k otd.
 
OP
OP
GhostCost

GhostCost

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
53
Reaction score
88
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
2015
Engine
NA
I love my mega cab, so does my wife and my 3 1/2 year old twins. It turns just fine. Got my 14 big horn for 39k otd.

39k is perfect. Only 40k in the budget for a new truck, and seeing as I'm a Scot I won't finance anything - hate owing anyone.

Sounds like that's what I'll be looking at Monday morning.

Thanks guys!
 

Ratket

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Posts
3,571
Reaction score
1,300
Location
Arizona-
Ram Year
2018 1500
Engine
Hemi 5.7
That was 3 years ago- and I looked for 6 months- almost went to Idaho to get a Laramie from dennis Dillion for 43k but I didn't need leather and a sunroof for the extra 4-5k
Basic rule of thumb with ram is 10k back of msrp-
 

huntergreen

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Posts
12,186
Reaction score
25,926
Ram Year
2016
Engine
hemi 5.7
Ghost, look up Dennis Dillon pricing. Might help if you negotiate on a new ram.
 
Top