First RAM truck - any advice?

eMailman · Oct 10, 2019

Just bought a 2018 RAM 1500 with 5800 miles on it. It has the V6 , crew cab, 4x4, and slightly nicer wheels.

The wife already took it out so I cannot post a pic.

I need to put on running boards, a cover and would like to upgrade the radio so I can run Android auto.

After 42 years of driving, this is my first Chrysler product. Thanks for any advice.

QwikKota · Oct 10, 2019

DeeZee tailgate assist is great and cheap. Look at the best mods for under $100 thread.

jmd4100 · Oct 10, 2019

eMailman said:
Just bought a 2018 RAM 1500 with 5800 miles on it. It has the V6 , crew cab, 4x4, and slightly nicer wheels.

The wife already took it out so I cannot post a pic.

I need to put on running boards, a cover and would like to upgrade the radio so I can run Android auto.

After 42 years of driving, this is my first Chrysler product. Thanks for any advice.

The Pentastar engine is great! Just stay up to date on oil changes (use synthetic, it runs better) and I'd change it every 5-8k miles depending on where you live. The ZF 8 speed is great as well. I'd change the fluid and filter every 50k miles. Change transfer case fluid when you change tranny fluid. As with most vehicles, It's a great truck if you take care of it. Lots of luck! Congrats on your Ram!

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Graygoose · Oct 10, 2019

congrats...you will love it....once the wife brings it back...

QwikKota · Oct 10, 2019

jmd4100 said:
The Pentastar engine is great! Just stay up to date on oil changes (use synthetic, it runs better) and I'd change it every 5-8k miles depending on where you live. The ZF 8 speed is great as well. I'd change the fluid and filter every 50k miles. Change transfer case fluid when you change tranny fluid. As with most vehicles, It's a great truck if you take care of it. Lots of luck! Congrats on your Ram!

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The 8 speed does not have a dipstick or re-usable drain pan. Ram recommends lifetime fluid service but ZF recommends 60k miles. The fluid is very expensive and the replacement requires purchase of a new plug with integrated filter. If someone is only going to drive their vehicle for 5 years or so I would not mess with it. If they are keeping it long term it is a good idea to change it around 80k or so. Probably need 6 or 7 quarts for a pan drain. Flush not recommended.

Quyonmob · Oct 10, 2019

I have the same truck, just mind the very low tow rating of 4200lbs if it has 3.21 gears.

I installed a pioneer avh-nex1300 to get apple car play. Works great.

jmd4100 · Oct 10, 2019

QwikKota said:
The 8 speed does not have a dipstick or re-usable drain pan. Ram recommends lifetime fluid service but ZF recommends 60k miles. The fluid is very expensive and the replacement requires purchase of a new plug with integrated filter. If someone is only going to drive their vehicle for 5 years or so I would not mess with it. If they are keeping it long term it is a good idea to change it around 80k or so. Probably need 6 or 7 quarts for a pan drain. Flush not recommended.

Def. Don't flush it. Drain and fill only. As you said, it should only take around 7ish quarts if I remember right. If you're going to keep the truck longer than a few years, just bite the bullet and change the fluid. It's a little expensive but it's better than a 100 or less mile transmission failure. Those ZFs are very expensive and require precise tuning to work correctly. I changed mine at 55k miles, 5k less than ZF. It wasn't too dirty but there was quite a bit of metal in it. At 110k miles, I'm going to change it again. Could be cuz I have the HEMI and like to be the first of the line at a stop light[emoji6].

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michael harpe · Oct 10, 2019

Graygoose said:
congrats...you will love it....once the wife brings it back...

Dont you mean IF the wife brings it back hahah

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jmd4100 · Oct 10, 2019

michael harpe said:
Dont you mean IF the wife brings it back hahah

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Nice Power Wagon!

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michael harpe · Oct 10, 2019

jmd4100 said:
Nice Power Wagon!

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Thanks. That's what 66k looks like with a 4.5" lift. 6.44% interest rate and 985 a month for 84 months. I cant wait till that's paid off lol.

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jmd4100 · Oct 10, 2019

michael harpe said:
Thanks. That's what 66k looks like with a 4.5" lift. 6.44% interest rate and 985 a month for 84 months. I cant wait till that's paid off lol.

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WOAH! My dad just got the 3500 limited Cummins HO. He paid 89k with 0% for 3 years. That's a $82,700 truck you got there. Did you use Chrysler Financial?

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QwikKota · Oct 10, 2019

jmd4100 said:
Def. Don't flush it. Drain and fill only. As you said, it should only take around 7ish quarts if I remember right. If you're going to keep the truck longer than a few years, just bite the bullet and change the fluid. It's a little expensive but it's better than a 100 or less mile transmission failure. Those ZFs are very expensive and require precise tuning to work correctly. I changed mine at 55k miles, 5k less than ZF. It wasn't too dirty but there was quite a bit of metal in it. At 110k miles, I'm going to change it again. Could be cuz I have the HEMI and like to be the first of the line at a stop light[emoji6].

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Your user profile year says 2007. I figured you had the older 6 speed or 46RE, etc. The damn exhaust crossover is right below the pan, sucks.

michael harpe · Oct 10, 2019

jmd4100 said:
WOAH! My dad just got the 3500 limited Cummins HO. He paid 89k with 0% for 3 years. That's a $82,700 truck you got there. Did you use Chrysler Financial?

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I got preapproved with navy federal credit union for 66k. The min payment is actually 875.21 but I'm paying the extra to help a bit. I also was able to get this 0 down and no trade in. I'll refinance in a year or so. I knew going in what I'd be paying for the truck. I'd have loved 0% apr but I didnt have anything for a down payment.

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Scottly · Oct 10, 2019

Advice? Yea, get off the interwebs or they'll have you believing your truck is gonna blow up, the dealer is gonna bang your wife, and life sucks until you trade it for something else....Who also have people that will convince you that your new truck will blow up, the dealer will bang your wife, and you'll have to get rid of it....

michael harpe · Oct 10, 2019

Scottly said:
Advice? Yea, get off the interwebs or they'll have you believing your truck is gonna blow up, the dealer is gonna bang your wife, and life sucks until you trade it for something else....Who also have people that will convince you that your new truck will blow up, the dealer will bang your wife, and you'll have to get rid of it....

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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jmd4100 · Oct 10, 2019

michael harpe said:
I got preapproved with navy federal credit union for 66k. The min payment is actually 875.21 but I'm paying the extra to help a bit. I also was able to get this 0 down and no trade in. I'll refinance in a year or so. I knew going in what I'd be paying for the truck. I'd have loved 0% apr but I didnt have anything for a down payment.

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Gotcha! We it is one heck of a beautiful truck! Lots of luck with it

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michael harpe · Oct 10, 2019

jmd4100 said:
Gotcha! We it is one heck of a beautiful truck! Lots of luck with it

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Thanks. I'm done with mods for now. Need to pay off credit cards and then I'll replace the track bars, drag link, and sway bar endlinks, and rear sway bar.

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Graygoose · Oct 10, 2019

michael harpe said:
Dont you mean IF the wife brings it back hahah

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exactly!

sirguynate503 · Oct 10, 2019

I did the nerf (running) boards for the wife as well, tail gate assist like others have said. I put in a 12-volt solutions remote start - literally plug and play. My Warlock is pretty much standard interior with the small uconnect, no folding mirrors, no tow camera. However, I found a little website (hope its ok to link to it) https://www.infotainment.com/collections/ram-navigation. Eventually, I plan to upgrade to the bigger uConnect with CarPlay. Will get the tow camera for sure, folding mirrors are a tad expensive. I really do like the instrument cluster they have. Its nice because they are all OEM parts, just often refurbished. Everything I install has to be plug and play until the warranty runs out on her, then ill get to the nitty gritty.

b-rock · Oct 10, 2019

My advice, pull off the 3rd brake light, peal the factory seal off and replace with weather strip seal available at Home Depot or Lowe's.

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First RAM truck - any advice?

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