Which engine for reliability?

Looking at getting a used crew cab 4x4. I thought I knew what I wanted but keep changing my mind between RAM and F-150 all engines. ‍ Found out I might be able to get a better deal if I go Ram due to a friend of a friend. lol
Which engine would you choose for reliability? I won’t be towing much if at all.
Thanks in advance

If you want reliability, the Ford v6 turbo aint it. When you put in a water pump inside the motor needing an engine out service to replace it, that's a problem for the used consumer. If you want all out reliability, with zero BS, get a GM with a non AFM 6.0. Designed in the stone ages, serviceable by any capable toddler, guaranteed to hit 300k with no issue if you maintain it. However, it is a less 'cool' truck. I've been looking for quite some time about the 'right' 2500 for me, and I was laser focused on GM and the 6.0. I opened my eyes up a bit, got the extended warranty on top of the CPO warranty for my RAM, and the rest is history. I like the truck a lot. LIKE A LOT. Huge aftermarket to make it your own. However, if you're looking for a suggestion between the 5.7 or the 6.4, I think they're nearly the same motor. Same quirks, same shortcomings, and same level of reliability from what I can tell. I'm pretty new to the RAM game, but I keep my eyes open and my ears on to get a pulse on the owner. Again, I like it so far, and I'm pretty confident it'll go 200k with little issue.

the 5.4 triton.... lol, but seriously....

Reliability is a thing yes, but it all comes down to what you want.
- do you want more power and N/A from a V8
- do you want a V6 with forced induction
- do you want a stiffer typical truck ride with rear leaf springs on the half-ton
- do you want a more comfortable truck ride with rear coil springs on the half-ton
- do you want the blue oval badge
- do you want the Ram head badge

All manufactures, especially the big three, have their own issues. It all comes down to doing your research and knowing what can be a possibility with that brands ownership experience.

For me personally, I knew the Ram was going to have UConnect issues, and I knew it was going to have the manifold crack & leak issues. So, I addressed them when they started to become issues I no longer wanted to have. Now I have headers and a Kenwood head unit, problems solved. I have 120,000Km's on my 19' HEMI and not a tick to be heard and not an issue had since new.

If you're going for the Ram head, the 5.7 is a tried, tested, and true engine platform.
If you're going for the blue oval, the 5.0 V8 is a tried, tested, and true engine platform.

Buy the package/truck, not the engine. Even Toytota's have garages that do more than just brakes and oil changes, so reliability is just a statistic. If you buy a truck for reliability without liking the rest of it, and then end up on the wrong side of the bell curve, you're going to get very upset with your purchase the first sign of trouble. Been there before. If you really love your truck, you will be more forgiving and less upset if something goes wrong with it.

But the 5.7 hemi is a known entity, been out for almost 20 years now. There are only 2 common things that crop up, broken exhaust manifolds (which happen on other brands as well), and lifter tick. You can fix the manifold issue by getting shorty headers (and gaining some low end torque as a bonus). The tick appears to be far less in years after 2016, and can also be mitigated by using proper oil and short oil change intervals.

I'd put it up against any of the Ford turbos any day for reliability. Not sure about the 5.0, it's probably OK for the most part too.

DerickE said:

If you want reliability, the Ford v6 turbo aint it. When you put in a water pump inside the motor needing an engine out service to replace it, that's a problem for the used consumer. If you want all out reliability, with zero BS, get a GM with a non AFM 6.0. Designed in the stone ages, serviceable by any capable toddler, guaranteed to hit 300k with no issue if you maintain it. However, it is a less 'cool' truck. I've been looking for quite some time about the 'right' 2500 for me, and I was laser focused on GM and the 6.0. I opened my eyes up a bit, got the extended warranty on top of the CPO warranty for my RAM, and the rest is history. I like the truck a lot. LIKE A LOT. Huge aftermarket to make it your own. However, if you're looking for a suggestion between the 5.7 or the 6.4, I think they're nearly the same motor. Same quirks, same shortcomings, and same level of reliability from what I can tell. I'm pretty new to the RAM game, but I keep my eyes open and my ears on to get a pulse on the owner. Again, I like it so far, and I'm pretty confident it'll go 200k with little issue.

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Both the 2.7 and 3.5 Ecoboost both have external water pumps. Water pump replacement on those engines is no more/less a pita than any other engine. Only the naturally aspirated Ford V-6s have internal water pumps.

tidefan1967 said:

Both the 2.7 and 3.5 Ecoboost both have external water pumps. Water pump replacement on those engines is no more/less a pita than any other engine. Only the naturally aspirated Ford V-6s have internal water pumps.

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Hm Ok, I'll defer to your knowledge...perhaps the parties involved in my discussion where the topic came up may have had their wires crossed a bit. I think the concept of the 3.5 is pretty bad ass...towing 10k w/ a V6, I just fear change and turbo is kinda new in the market lol.

DerickE said:

Hm Ok, I'll defer to your knowledge...perhaps the parties involved in my discussion where the topic came up may have had their wires crossed a bit. I think the concept of the 3.5 is pretty bad ass...towing 10k w/ a V6, I just fear change and turbo is kinda new in the market lol.

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I have one now(3.5 Ecoboost)and the power is beyond awesome. That being said I love the Hemis just as much but it was time to try something different.

The 6.4 if I have the choice.

tidefan1967 said:

I have one now(3.5 Ecoboost)and the power is beyond awesome. That being said I love the Hemis just as much but it was time to try something different.

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I looked at a 6.2 F250.....the aluminum body was a huge draw being in the rust belt. I just got the Ram rust proofed today and the lady says they do them on the alum bodies too just as another layer because they do have some more minor issues as well.

DerickE said:

I looked at a 6.2 F250.....the aluminum body was a huge draw being in the rust belt. I just got the Ram rust proofed today and the lady says they do them on the alum bodies too just as another layer because they do have some more minor issues as well.

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Lol aluminum does not rust but it does get corrosion worse to fix than rust. It's like cancer and once it gets to a certain point its gone. galvanic corrosion look it up.

I don't think there is a motor right now far better than any other in today's market. Each have their own issues and all are costly. Best to due research in preventative maintenance if available and make sure you upgrade warranty at time of purchase.

tidefan1967 said:

I have one now(3.5 Ecoboost)and the power is beyond awesome. That being said I love the Hemis just as much but it was time to try something different.

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Agreed! My friend has the 14' Tremor F150 with a bunch of bolt on mods (AFE Stage II CAI, catch can, headers with a BORLA performance muffler and a custom mandrel bent exhaust system, and then the Diablo Sport 91 tune), and this truck is insanely powerful and fast AF!

Buy the truck you want, don't beat on it, don't modify it, do the scheduled maintenance on time (or a little early), and use quality parts/fluids.

Ram 5th gen diesel.

DerickE said:

If you want reliability, the Ford v6 turbo aint it. When you put in a water pump inside the motor needing an engine out service to replace it, that's a problem for the used consumer. If you want all out reliability, with zero BS, get a GM with a non AFM 6.0. Designed in the stone ages, serviceable by any capable toddler, guaranteed to hit 300k with no issue if you maintain it. However, it is a less 'cool' truck.

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Or you can get the legendary 5.3 and either do a AFM "disable" or "delete".

My 2004 5.3 Avalanche is falling apart but the 5.3 drive train is still bullet proof and I am at 260K miles. Believe it or not the thing still does not burn any oil.

As for a Ford I would buy the 5.0 every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Ford techs agree:


Final score 2.7 EB - 3 votes,
3.5 EB - 2 votes,
5.0 V8 - 9 votes.

ppine said:

Ram 5th gen diesel.

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25k and my 22' 3500 is in the shop because of transmission went out on Friday lol.

gfh77665 said:

Or you can get the legendary 5.3 and either do a AFM "disable" or "delete".

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My buddy has a truck with the 5.0 loves if more than his eco boost. I would take the 5.0 or the new 7.3 gas motor.

I have a 95 1500 with a Magnum 5.2... 203,*** km ( around 160,000 miles ) no problems. Also have a 2018 Cummins. Only 103,000 km on that, but, it's good for over 400,000 miles... A guy on my road has a 98 Cummins 2500, 583,000 km on it. Motor has never been apart.. Upgraded turbos, a few other mods..

Right now Consumer Reports has the new Ram 3500, 2500 and 1500 as the three most reliable full size trucks. They are the only full size trucks that have at least average reliability. Put it another way, ALL other full size trucks from all other makers are worse. The ultimate worst is the Ford F-150 Hybrid, which stands out as much worse than all... Second worst are the Silverado / Sierra 1500 twins. The data isn't detailed enough to show which engine and equipment combination makes one better, but honestly would you want to buy a vehicle that starts off with worse than mediocre/average reliability?

The Ram 1500 Classic is not included in the ratings because there are not enough responses in the survey for the last few years to produce valid data. Looking back at previous years it appears though that the Classic had slightly worse reliability than the new body 1500.

XL Denali said:

Looking at getting a used crew cab 4x4. I thought I knew what I wanted but keep changing my mind between RAM and F-150 all engines. ‍ Found out I might be able to get a better deal if I go Ram due to a friend of a friend. lol
Which engine would you choose for reliability? I won’t be towing much if at all.
Thanks in advance

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Depends on if you want gas or diesel. My Diesel has 600,000 plus on it right now the 6.7is a million mile plus engine.