6 Month review Of My 2018

[Chuck Lockhart]

Purchased my 2018 Ram Express 4x4 Crew back in June and would like to give a brief review after the first 5k miles (8k kms). My previous truck was an 07 Sport 4x4 which served me well and truck before that was an 02 Sport shorty which will go down as my favorite truck of all time (RIP manual trannys). Yes.... I'm a Dodge guy!

I feel that I got a great deal on the truck as the sticker price was north of $53k and I got it for $38k with the dealer swapping out my chrome wheels for blackouts at no extra cost. The blue streak pearl paint is defiantly a looker and I get compliments non stop on this color. With its 3.92 LSD and 8 speed, the truck is very strong! I'm very pleased with the power and impresses me every time I kick it down. However, nothing is perfect and I would like to share some of the things that bug me about the truck.

As much as I like the 8 speed, I have grown to not like the dial knob shifter. After 6 months of using it, I just can't seem to get used to it. There has even been a few times where I go to shift and end up adjusting the fan speed. I also feel there is too long of a delay between switching gears. And one last gripe about it is that I cannot open the door without it automatically going into park if it is in gear. I realize it's not often when this needs to be done, but occasionally it comes in handy.

The engine noise on start up is down right embarrassing by times. For a brand new truck to sound like a worn out one is unacceptable. It only does it once in a while (maybe 1 in 20 starts) but of course I can never get it to do it at the dealer!!! My 07 never sounded this bad.

It does not tow as well as my 07. I tow a 3500 lb trailer and cannot go over 65MPH (105 KMH) before it starts to sway. It may be because the receiver on my 07 was seized into the hitch and was solid, and my new one has play (normal) or it may be dew to the coils instead of leafs.

I cannot play around with this truck like I could my 07.... yes the traction control can be turned off but if I want to whip some donuts in the snow or drift around a turn, I cannot do it with this truck because it always breaks one of the font wheels to straighten it out. This especially bugs me when I'm going up a hill and the truck sways, then it slows me down and kills my momentum. I know how to drive and can straighten out my own truck.... I don't need assistance from the truck!

I mentioned I love the power of this truck. However when I got beat by a fender by my friends 5.0L F150, I looked in to getting a programmer. After reading many threads on this forum, there are few options for the 2015 and newer Rams. And what options are out there, the reviews are not good. So this discouraged me from getting one, so no beating that F150! The throttle response is lazy on this truck and I hate that the MDS cannot be deactivated altogether. I have an aftermarket exhaust and it sounds horrible when that kicks in. Yes, I realize it is easy enough to disengage it once the truck is going but would just be nice to have it deactivated by a programmer or by the dealer. Apparently these trucks have locked ECU's and it is difficult to even deactivate the daytime running lights.

Anyway, just wanted to throw this out there to anyone who was considering buying a newer Ram.

Cheers

 

[huntergreen]

I would suggest having your dealer set your computer into relearn mode and drive agressively. Might take care of your acceleration and shifting issues.

 

[JoshR104]

Checkout edge pulsar. You can get a tune and ability to turn off mds plus it piggy backs off the factory computer so if you ever need warranty work just take it off and back to stock with no trace.

 

[Pull Ya]

If you have made the decision, after doing your research, not to add any performance enhancers to your truck, then the performance you currently have is of your own doing. There are plenty of tuners available and there is also the Pedal Commander which will take care of your throttle lag. A tuner will also turn off your MDS. You can also drive without MDS by manually shifting your 8 speed into 7 or 8. The trailer sway may be a result of how it's loaded, the hitch or any number of other things that can be corrected. The dial shifter has been the subject of threads since it was first installed. There seems to be no middle ground, either you love it or hate it. I agree with you, I hate it. Hopefully your truck will give you many miles of great service. If you get a chance, post a picture of your truck, it sound like it looks great.
Jay
Jay

 

[Big Terry]

I had a 1500 Bighorn that I pulled a 7k# trailer with, and it had next to no sway. Do you not use a WD hitch?

Pedal Commanders are the ****. Seriously. Well worth the investment for an instant boost in performance. Its not a tuner, but it will drastically improve pedal response. I never had one on my Hemi 1500 but I can only assume how much of an improvement it would be, based on the improvement it made to my Cummins.

And DRLs can easily be deactivated, if you are willing to spend a little bit of cash, or get to know someone that has the Alfa app. Being a Canadian your DRLs are mandatory; down here a lot of us WANTED them but they aren't mandated so we had to figure out how to do it without going to the stealership. Start digging into https://www.ramforum.com/threads/alfaobd.123982/unread this thread and prepare to have your mind blown.

 

[RaftingDave]

I had an '07 TRX, and my '17 is better in almost every way. My pop-up is about 3K loaded, connected to a WDH, and I've never had any sway up to 70mph (I won't go faster than that with it). And I'm on 3.21's pulling up and down CO mountain passes no problem. I sometimes wish the tow-haul braked a little more aggressively on the steeper downhills, and around town, the tranny downshifts a bit more than I'd like, but I'm used to it.

My only real complaint with my '17 is squeaking brakes, about which there's a thread on the Exterior forum. Will get that sorted out.

As for performance, no complaints. I do remember reading a side-by-side review of the '17 1500's (Ram, Chevy and Ford) when I was researching my purchase, and it said that the Ram was marginally the slowest off the line. I understand that this is important for some truck owners - me, I couldn't care less.

I miss my old truck sometimes, but as a practical matter, with all the stuff this truck has that the old one didn't, I'm glad I have the truck I have now. I suspect you'll get there too.

 

[Chuck Lockhart]

Here is a pic...

 

[co-pilot]

Looks good

 

[Chuck Lockhart]

I would suggest having your dealer set your computer into relearn mode and drive agressively. Might take care of your acceleration and shifting issues.

I have no issues with the acceleration, nor any gripes with how it shifts under acceleration. My issue with the shifting is going from R to D. I feel there is about a 2 second delay which feels longer than any other vehicle I've driven. Some may like this but I find it too long. But once again, small issue.

Checkout edge pulsar. You can get a tune and ability to turn off mds plus it piggy backs off the factory computer so if you ever need warranty work just take it off and back to stock with no trace.

Have read many reviews about the Edge Pulsar.... everything from being awesome, to others hating it so bad that they removed it and sent it back. Some have even said it causes unintended acceleration and claim its dangerous. Perhaps these were on the early models that were first released, but it is a lot of money to roll the dice.

If you have made the decision, after doing your research, not to add any performance enhancers to your truck, then the performance you currently have is of your own doing. There are plenty of tuners available and there is also the Pedal Commander which will take care of your throttle lag. A tuner will also turn off your MDS. You can also drive without MDS by manually shifting your 8 speed into 7 or 8. The trailer sway may be a result of how it's loaded, the hitch or any number of other things that can be corrected. The dial shifter has been the subject of threads since it was first installed. There seems to be no middle ground, either you love it or hate it. I agree with you, I hate it. Hopefully your truck will give you many miles of great service. If you get a chance, post a picture of your truck, it sound like it looks great.
Jay
Jay

I have looked into the PC and it has great reviews. Does seem over priced for a change in throttle response though. Wish I could test drive a truck with it just like the Pulsar but nobody around here does mods like this. I usually drive around in manual mode to avoid MDS except on the highway

I had a 1500 Bighorn that I pulled a 7k# trailer with, and it had next to no sway. Do you not use a WD hitch?
What is a WD hitch?

Pedal Commanders are the ****. Seriously. Well worth the investment for an instant boost in performance. Its not a tuner, but it will drastically improve pedal response. I never had one on my Hemi 1500 but I can only assume how much of an improvement it would be, based on the improvement it made to my Cummins.
This is what I am told too.... basically changes the personality of the engine

And DRLs can easily be deactivated, if you are willing to spend a little bit of cash, or get to know someone that has the Alfa app. Being a Canadian your DRLs are mandatory; down here a lot of us WANTED them but they aren't mandated so we had to figure out how to do it without going to the stealership. Start digging into https://www.ramforum.com/threads/alfaobd.123982/unread this thread and prepare to have your mind blown.

I will check out that link. What I would like to do is use my park lights as DRLs. I asked my dealer to do this when I bought it and they told me that the newer trucks are too complicated to do such a thing. I just rolled my eyes when he said this but anyway.

 

[Chuck Lockhart]

Looks good

Thanks. That pic was right after I leveled it and put in Ready Lift UCAs. I have since removed the door badging and replaced the others with blackout badging. If I just had the black headlights, my truck would be pretty much a blackout edition. wanted one but of course, the only color they had available in a blackout was BLACK.

 

[Big Terry]

Your dealer is full of ****, or a complete moron.

Also-WD hitch is a weight distributing hitch. It transfers, via leverage, some of the trailer weight to the truck itself and effectively lowers the trailer weight. And some WD hitches act as sway control too.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Coramie]

I have no issues with the acceleration, nor any gripes with how it shifts under acceleration. My issue with the shifting is going from R to D. I feel there is about a 2 second delay which feels longer than any other vehicle I've driven. Some may like this but I find it too long. But once again, small issue.

I’m with you on this one. Shortly after I bought my truck last year, I pulled into a small driveway on a busy street. When I backed out onto the street, I needed to hurry so I switched into drive expecting it to catch and shift quickly like every other vehicle I’ve ever owned. Needless to say, I haven’t backed out onto a busy street since. Scared the **** out of me bc I was just waiting to get slammed into as it took a couple of seconds to actually shift into drive.

 

[Coramie]

I’m with you on this one. Shortly after I bought my truck last year, I pulled into a small driveway on a busy street. When I backed out onto the street, I needed to hurry so I switched into drive expecting it to catch and shift quickly like every other vehicle I’ve ever owned. Needless to say, I haven’t backed out onto a busy street since. Scared the **** out of me bc I was just waiting to get slammed into as it took a couple of seconds to actually shift into drive.

 

[Chuck Lockhart]

I’m with you on this one. Shortly after I bought my truck last year, I pulled into a small driveway on a busy street. When I backed out onto the street, I needed to hurry so I switched into drive expecting it to catch and shift quickly like every other vehicle I’ve ever owned. Needless to say, I haven’t backed out onto a busy street since. Scared the **** out of me bc I was just waiting to get slammed into as it took a couple of seconds to actually shift into drive.

Every once in a while I find myself stepping on the gas before it engages into drive, then when it finally goes into drive, it jerks ya

 

[15 Handicap]

Here is a crappy photo when she was weeks old. No waiting for R to D or vice versa, pretty quick. I want to paint the lug nuts black when it gets warmer. You sir have a nice looking truck.

 

[McBroom]

Trailer sway is most likely due to having P rated tires on it.
If you’ll upgrade to an LT tire (with proper air pressure for towing)sway will go away. Adding a WDH will also make a big difference too


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 2500 4x4 C/C Off Road.

 

[Gom]

Not allowing the full defeat of nanny traction control is one of my big pet peeve's.
Both my car and my Ram have it and I really wish I could fully turn them off.

 

[Chuck Lockhart]

Trailer sway is most likely due to having P rated tires on it.
If you’ll upgrade to an LT tire (with proper air pressure for towing)sway will go away. Adding a WDH will also make a big difference too


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 2500 4x4 C/C Off Road.

As you can see from my pic, it has LT tires on it. Upgraded them before it even left the dealer because I know the stockers are junk. But after the replies here, I will be getting a WD hitch. Tks

 

[McBroom]

As you can see from my pic, it has LT tires on it. Upgraded them before it even left the dealer because I know the stockers are junk. But after the replies here, I will be getting a WD hitch. Tks

6 ply or better I hope


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 2500 4x4 C/C Off Road.

 

[HDHNTER]

Have read many reviews about the Edge Pulsar.... everything from being awesome, to others hating it so bad that they removed it and sent it back. Some have even said it causes unintended acceleration and claim its dangerous. Perhaps these were on the early models that were first released, but it is a lot of money to roll the dice.


I have looked into the PC and it has great reviews. Does seem over priced for a change in throttle response though.

I haven't read of any Pulsar complaints or issues on units w/ the updated software. Pretty sure those early complaints of surging some experienced was tied to the how the Pulsar shuts MDS down... re-actively w/ a small throttle blip. While I never had surging, after I installed the Flowmaster Outlaw catback I could hear the blip, very annoying. I manually disable MDS w/ gear lock-out rather than let the Pulsar do it. Aside from that minor criticism, approximately 16K miles of driving since I installed the Pulsar & Pedal Commander on my 17 & I remain very happy w/ both products. They work exceptionally well together & make a very noticeable improvement in performance & drive-ability. It's really not a roll of the dice at all, proven combo. A free-flowing exhaust & CAI complete the package.