Possible New Ram owner with questions

[mfinkler]

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.

 

[malatu]

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.

I just got a 1500 and I am very pleased. It's solid. I test drove all the full size trucks and just kept coming back to the ram. I wanted to love the Tundra... just couldn't get there.

I'm also impressed that you can get a lifetime warranty on the truck!

 

[Burla]

The 3.21 8 speed is better then the 3.55 with the 6 speed, but get a 3.92 or anything above the 3.21 if you can. Having said that, guys are loving the 3.21 with the 8 speed, look around. Look in the forum satisfaction thread. That is not really a choice, Tundra versus Ram, that is really a no brainer. Coil back suspension, a lot of HP, and upgraded tranny and truck of the year 3 outa 4 years when 4 gen was made. Some naggy issues, you can get Hemi Tick, I would start the truck cold on the test drive, really listen to the engine. Lug Nuts suck they are f'n capped- just get Gorillas, and the 3rd brake light will likely leak. Fix it before it leaks, do a forum search, easy easy fix.

I just bumped the satisfaction thread, go read it. Looks like Ram is trending at about an A-. I am pretty surprised at that, a forum is usually where people gripe about stuff. One of my favorite vehicles of all time, I did get Hemi tick and fixed it. I am an old Ford guy, had a lot of Chevy's, all the chevy's sucked but Ford was really good int he 90's.

 

[69GWC]

I bought a left over 16 for cheap so I could not find one with 3:92 gears so I drove one with the 8sp and 3:21s and was pleased with it and bought it.
I have not pulled anything yet but this truck will light the tires up at 15/20 mph with no problems ,has plenty of off the line power.
Iam sure 3:92s would be better no question but with the gearing in the 8sp the 3:21s still do work.

No drive line issues that I found.

 

[BossHogg]

Sorry to hear about the issues with your F150. That can happen with any brand.

I think the RAM's are just as good as any other brand and their interior is a notch above but that is subjective.

As far as axle ratios, the 3:21 is standard with the eight-speed transmission, the eight speed's ratios, particularly in the first five gears provide plenty of off the line grunt, take a look at the transmission gearing compared with the old six-speed.

4.696 3.130 2.104 1.667 1.285 1.000 0.839 0.667
3.000 1.670 1.500 1.000 0.750 0.667

The eight-speed transmission with the 3:21 axle ratio will give you the best general performance and MPG. Towing, I've tugged my tractor around with no issues (I have 3:21s in my 1500), that is about 7,200 pounds back there total.

If you are a younger guy and like jack-rabbit starts, then go for the 3:92s. Your MPG won't be that different over the 3:21s if you are primarily driving around town. If you are like me and do a lot of freeway driving and want the best MPGs, then 3:21s are for you.

To my knowledge, there are not any common issues with the RAMs outside of paint defects because of an old system they use at the plant. The other commonly reported issue is a leaky third brake light that water stains the headliner.

 

[Mineralram]

My old 2011 and 2013 were both 6 speed with 3:92 when i bought my 2015 i went with 8 speed 3:21, just did the same thing again with my new 2017 opinions and driving practices vary between drivers but i found absolutely zero difference in fuel mileage or perfomance between them. When i had my 2013 with 3:92 i was pulling around a 36' travel tariler weighing in around 7600 lbs and my 2015 with 3:21 pulled it just fine also

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[mfinkler]

Great information so far. Thanks to everyone. I kinda figured with the 8 speed the 3.21 might be OK and sounds like it is.

 

[Markcuda]

What motor does your Ford have?

 

[mfinkler]

What motor does your Ford have?

5.0l

 

[mfinkler]

Just read another forum about some vibration issues with the 2016 Ram's. Any info on that?

 

[Markcuda]

I bought my Ram 2 months ago with 11,500 miles on it, I could NOT be more happier.
I also test drove a 2016 Ford F150, 5.0, 15,000 miles on it a week before my Ram purchase.
You see witch one I bought))))))))

 

[Markks]

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????

 

[mfinkler]

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????

Yes, Wranglers. They tried changing tires, new axle assy, shims, etc. Nothing worked. I love everything about the 150 except the vibes. Mine are most noticeable at the low range of 5th and 6th gear. It is like the the engine is lugging.

 

[mh3c]

Sorry for your issues.

I am on my fourth Ram, each slightly different, each with mo major problems. The only issue Ive had on any of them was my 2008 started to get drive train hum, but a minor transmission tune seemed to have fixed it.

I drive the Hemi, 8speed with the 3.92 rear end. I love the 3.92 and personally wouldnt drive anything else. But everyone has their preference.

 

[Burla]

If I had an vibration at highway, the first this I would do is put beefy control arms and trac bar, maybe through on a stabilizer. If their stuff didn't work. See if I could get steering linkage upgrade. Driveshaft as well. They can fix this.

 

[Burla]

Adjustable beefy trac bar fixes so many vibrations it isn't funny.

 

[mfinkler]

Sorry for your issues.

I am on my fourth Ram, each slightly different, each with mo major problems. The only issue Ive had on any of them was my 2008 started to get drive train hum, but a minor transmission tune seemed to have fixed it.

I drive the Hemi, 8speed with the 3.92 rear end. I love the 3.92 and personally wouldnt drive anything else. But everyone has their preference.

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?

 

[Wally186]

I too came from a 2016 f150. I'll post in more detail later but the ram is much more of a solid truck, the ride is amazing, and it has less road noise than the ford. I think you will be very happy driving a ram.

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[TruckNut]

I can't speak for all, but my 2015 Ram 1500 Sport has been great. Granted I only have 16,500 miles on it, but it has been a pleasure to own. I had a 2010 Ford F-150 crew and I had vibration on full throttle take off. They could never get the pinion angle right. Like it's been said already, drive the crap out of it on your test drive. Go up driveways full right turn and left turn to see if you have any clunks and do a good freeway run.

 

[Skerj]

Just picked up a 16 Outdoorsman yesterday with 3.92s. They're out there you just gotta look. If you tow near a hill, 3.21s will probably not be the best option, and personally after driving one with the 3.21s, I'd never go less than the highest numeric gears available.