New to Ram, looking for general info

nastang87xx · Oct 11, 2016

Hey everyone, I'm looking at getting a truck for winter driving and doing some hauling. Would mainly be payload and towing a trailer with my GT350, tires, and a large tool box, I'm guessing around 5500lbs total trailer weigh plus payload. I found a 2003 Ram 2500 Hemi with 160,000 miles and wanted all of your thoughts on what to look for to prevent headaches. Price is $9,800, would try to negotiate down. I know everyone gives Ram a hard time about transmissions but what have been all of your experiences with the 545RFE? Anything to look out for specifically?

ST-8 · Oct 11, 2016

No wot while in overdrive.

MADDOG · Oct 11, 2016

The 545RFE transmission is head and shoulders above the old 45RFE that did, admittedly, have it's fair share of problems.

As with any used vehicle, check the service history and give it a good inspection to make sure everything works and definitely look for axle bearing leaks.

nastang87xx · Oct 11, 2016

MADDOG said:
The 545RFE transmission is head and shoulders above the old 45RFE that did, admittedly, have it's fair share of problems.

As with any used vehicle, check the service history and give it a good inspection to make sure everything works and definitely look for axle bearing leaks.

Thanks. Any specific axle usually worse than the other?

Ajwalk2008 · Oct 11, 2016

Love my 3.92 posi my tires and my wallet don't though lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ST-8 · Oct 12, 2016

All 1500 should have 9.25" rear ends. 06-08 had the mega cab 1500 which essentially is on a 2500 chassis so it will come with the 10.5" rear I believe.

nastang87xx · Oct 19, 2016

Is the 545RFE also in the 1500? And the 545RFE started being used in 2003 specifically with the Hemi, correct?

RonJon '06 · Oct 19, 2016

ST-8 said:
All 1500 should have 9.25" rear ends. 06-08 had the mega cab 1500 which essentially is on a 2500 chassis so it will come with the 10.5" rear I believe.

Yep, my Megacab has a 9.25 front and a 10.5 rear.

nastang87xx said:
Is the 545RFE also in the 1500? And the 545RFE started being used in 2003 specifically with the Hemi, correct?

The 45RFE and the 545RFE are physically the same, the 545RFE just has a different TCM giving it an extra overdrive gear. The 545RFE was first used in the Ram trucks (all engines*) in 2003 but was used in Jeep Grand Cherokees starting in 2001. Some people have done a TCM swap using a Jeep GC TCM to turn the 45RFE in their older Ram into a 545 with the overdrive gear.

I have 190,000 miles on my trans and haven't had any problems.

* EDIT: all gas engines

New to Ram, looking for general info

nastang87xx

Junior Member

ST-8

Senior Member

MADDOG

Out Exploring Arizona

nastang87xx

Junior Member

Ajwalk2008

Senior Member

ST-8

Senior Member

nastang87xx

Junior Member

RonJon '06

Senior Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page