Advice for first time ever Ram or Dodge owner

[bigoldthor]

Purchased a 2016 Laramie 1500 CC 4WD Hemi 5.7 after a lifetime of Fords. Most recently I had a 2009 F150 XLT 4x4 SCab, a 2014 F150 XLT SCrew and a 2015 F150 Lariat FX4 4x4 SCrew. I still have the 2015 but have been drawn to the looks and features of the Ram for some time.

Finally pulled the trigger on the Ram last Friday 4/8. Have most of the features I wanted except no sunroof, no BLIS, and no SiriusXM Travelink since I only have the 8.4A Ulink.

I've done a ton of reading about this truck including the good, the bad and the ugly but most has been overwhelmingly positive. I love the ride, the comfort and most of the other features.

I have to admit I was always skeptical of Dodge quality especially transmissions. But I've read great things about this 8speed and I really enjoy it so far. I'm just a little skittish about the overall long term quality based on old fears and perceptions. Hopefully outdated and/or misguided.

Any words of wisdom, advice, warnings suggestions or other thoughts are welcome and appreciated.

FTR I got the granite crystal with chrome package. Will post pics later today when I'm back home.

Also, no mods planned other than tonneau cover and maybe some splash guards. I'm just interested in taking care of it mostly factory and getting it to last a long time with minimal trouble.

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[MADDOG]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new Ram.

Just follow the mfgr's recommendations on maintenance. Make sure you keep up on the technical service bulletins and recalls in a timely manner.

Just like any other vehicle keeping it in good running order goes a long way to having a good running truck for years to come.

I surely don't know what all the fuss is about regarding transmissions. I've owned 3 Rams since 1999 and two of them had over 150K miles on them when I traded them on. Neither of them gave me any trans problems and, while I don't abuse my trucks I do use them as trucks so they get worked.

 

[Sportram1500]

congrats you will love it

 

[Flip-er]

Nice ride
Congrads on it

 

[bigoldthor]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new Ram.

Just follow the mfgr's recommendations on maintenance. Make sure you keep up on the technical service bulletins and recalls in a timely manner.

Just like any other vehicle keeping it in good running order goes a long way to having a good running truck for years to come.

I surely don't know what all the fuss is about regarding transmissions. I've owned 3 Rams since 1999 and two of them had over 150K miles on them when I traded them on. Neither of them gave me any trans problems and, while I don't abuse my trucks I do use them as trucks so they get worked.

Thanks. That's typically what I do, that is follow mfg recommendations and keep up on maintenance. Regarding transmissions, I seemed to hear from a lot of people that this was Dodge's weak link (no pun intended). As mentioned earlier, this was just my perception and anecdotal. I would be more than happy to be wrong. Also knowing how well-received this 8-speed has been makes me feel better about it.

Just love the way this thing looks, drives and handles. Even let wifey drive it today (with me as co-pilot, of course) and even she commented on how it seemed more refined from the driver's perspective. My 2015 F150 rode great on smooth roads, but I felt *every* bump in the road...every freaking one! The aluminum body and leaf springs on the FX4 didn't play nice together. Otherwise, great truck. Glad I still have it and may drive it from time to time when the boy isn't in it.

 

[R.L.K.]

Welcome to the forum Sir .Very nice looking truck !

Keeping up with the maintenance is key for sure . I know your not interested in mods but installing a cabin air filter helps out alot if you drive on any dirt or gravel roads .
Also imo for the 5.7L Hemi the best thing you can do( maintenance wise ) is install an oil catch can , seems to be a lot of PCV venting into the air intake on these trucks .
Check out this link on Oil Catch Can Dump photos.

https://tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=...&share_tid=82748&share_fid=17770&share_type=t

Oil Catch Can Dump photos

Good luck with your truck sir , fantastic looking ride !

 

[bigoldthor]

Welcome to the forum Sir .Very nice looking truck !

Keeping up with the maintenance is key for sure . I know your not interested in mods but installing a cabin air filter helps out alot if you drive on any dirt or gravel roads .
Also imo for the 5.7L Hemi the best thing you can do( maintenance wise ) is install an oil catch can , seems to be a lot of PCV venting into the air intake on these trucks .
Check out this link on Oil Catch Can Dump photos.

https://tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=...&share_tid=82748&share_fid=17770&share_type=t

Oil Catch Can Dump photos

Good luck with your truck sir , fantastic looking ride !

Thanks very much! I will definitely look into both. They seem less like mods and more like just good, preventive maintenance. It's curious they didn't include a CAF as part of the design...seems almost standard equipment nowadays on most vehicles.

Is the PCV venting into the intake something that typically shows up after XX,000 miles or can it pop up at any time?

 

[R.L.K.]

Your wer venting into the intake when you test drove it Terrible design imo , some guys install a catch can as soon as they get their new truck home .

I agree not realy mods , just makes good sense.

 

[R.L.K.]

I got my cabin air filter @ www.allmoparparts.com

This is a very simple install ,but if you heat the area to cut with a box cutter or exacto knife with a hair dryer or quickly with a heat gun the plastic cuts cleanly & very easy !
Hope this helps !

 

[R.L.K.]

Found the link for the CAF install.

https://tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=...&share_tid=12200&share_fid=17770&share_type=t

Cabin Air Filter Mod

 

[AustinB]

Your headlights will flicker. Its normal.

IMO

 

[bigoldthor]

Your headlights will flicker. Its normal.

IMO

Oh? Randomly or under certain conditions?

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[AustinB]

Randomly all the time.

IMO

 

[schul788]

Headlight flicker? That's the first I heard of that. My 2015 Sport has never done that.....

 

[R.L.K.]

Several people have reported the flicker , pretty sure there's a tsb coming out on it with a posible software upgrade for effected vehicles ...

 

[Rodney77]

My advice would be take off that damn UK plate and put on a Gator plate!

 

[R.L.K.]

LOL GO HOGS !

 

[misuracaf10]

Love the truck congrats !


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[TruckNut]

Nice truck! Keep it maintained and it should do you right. I still change my oil more often--3500 to 4000 miles; old school I know. Probably get a catch can too.