Cold Feet

[SouthernBoy]

Guys, after reading lots of feedback on this site, Im starting to get cold feet about ordering a new 2015 2500 4x4.

The chassis has a potential mysterious and unexplained 'clunk' noise under it, the rear window and 3rd brake light might leak and ruin interior stuff (or even worse, allow water down inbetween steel body panels to start them rusting from the inside and you wont see it until much later), the MDS acting flaky and the debate whether 4.10s will keep the RPM in the 'sweet spot' to keep the MDS happy, and the issues with the TPMS light thing. (am I forgetting anything else?) Thats a lot of issues to have on a brand new unit and if Im reading correctly Chrysler is not admitting to anything and theres no word of any changes or recalls coming down the pipe. Plus since 2014 they have the stupid electronic axle disconnect deal (which I think is nonsense, its just more crap to pay for and eventually fail) and the coil-spring rear design which quite honestly hasnt been in the field long enough to say, for certain, its a sound design in its current configuration. (meaning its relatively new to RAM trucks as more units hit the public and times goes on they will doubtless be getting real-world feed back from users and tweaking the design - I dont like paying to be a lab rat.)

What say you HD Ram guys? Tell me your 2 cents pro or con. I appreciate any and all feedback.

 

[ExpressRules]

I think if you feel so negative now you should steer away from buying. If you did, you would feel paranoid about every noise you hear. No matter what make or model you buy there is a possibility of a major or minor defect. That's what a warranty is for.

 

[xrsman]

The likely hood of you having all those issues is very slim. Maybe you have one, maybe not, but like what ExpressRules said: that's what a warranty is for. These are nice trucks, but every manufacture has issues. I'd never buy a super duty ford after seeing what my dad went though. Plus my truck has a much nicer interior (his is a 2013 f 250 lariat, almost top of the line)

 

[1500ram12]

The 3rd brake light has been a issue for years. I'd go with 4.10's regardless. Tpms sucks no matter what. Depending on the model you chose if it doesn't come with a 7" display and you decide to add one later for some reason (at least in my case) it doesn't read the tpms. Part of me would like it too but I'd just turn it off anyway once I get a tuner.

No matter if you order a 15 or wait to order a later model it's going to have issues

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk

 

[mowin]

The 3rd brake light has been a issue for years. I'd go with 4.10's regardless. Tpms sucks no matter what. Depending on the model you chose if it doesn't come with a 7" display and you decide to add one later for some reason (at least in my case) it doesn't read the tpms. Part of me would like it too but I'd just turn it off anyway once I get a tuner.

No matter if you order a 15 or wait to order a later model it's going to have issues

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk

My 2014 tradesmen has the 5.1 and has the TPMS display. I dont have a warning light tho as mines a 3500.

To the OP...
The 3rd break light is a mute issue. Easy to tell if its leaking. And easy fix. The MDS, IMO, works fine. I'm so used to it, I don't even here it anymore. If your worried about the coil suspension, get a 3500. No TPMS light, and no coils.

There, now don't you feel better....lol

 

[SouthernBoy]

I think if you feel so negative now you should steer away from buying. If you did, you would feel paranoid about every noise you hear. No matter what make or model you buy there is a possibility of a major or minor defect. That's what a warranty is for.

Im not being negative, Im being a realist and citing real bonafide issues. Did you buy a HD RAM and have to consider these same things?

Is it better to just ignore feedback and just buy because the truck looks good? I dunno how most folks do it, but if I spend 30K or more Im gonna do my homework and weigh everything out.

 

[SouthernBoy]

My 2014 tradesmen has the 5.1 and has the TPMS display. I dont have a warning light tho as mines a 3500.

To the OP...
The 3rd break light is a mute issue. Easy to tell if its leaking. And easy fix. The MDS, IMO, works fine. I'm so used to it, I don't even here it anymore. If your worried about the coil suspension, get a 3500. No TPMS light, and no coils.

There, now don't you feel better....lol

LOL, I dont feel bad to begin with. Just at the decision making point. I appreciate your input, thanks.

Forgive my being ignorant on this point in particualr, but I wasnt going to get any XM radio and only the base 3.0 AM/FM radio with Aux port. Does change the TPMS issue ? And youre right on the 3500/leaf issue, but dang they want about 1700 more for that.

 

[NYCruiser]

I'd pose these questions to the dealer you are going to use and see what they are willing to do to make you comfortable. Guarantee a rental truck if they need to fix something, etc.

 

[arod412]

I'm curious to find out where he got all of those issues. Besides the 3rd brake light (very minor dealer issue) I have never heard of those things.

MDS flaky...please explain

Sweet spot for MDS...you can just turn it off in different ways

TPMS light...really tire issues?

Coil spring rear desgin...test drive it first and go to a mall an run over some of the speed bumps to test.

I haven't heard of these and I've been trolling here since may 2012..lol.

The guy should use the search button first before posting some of this.


2012 Dodge ram 1500 Quad Cab Big Horn 4x4

*Bilstein 2.8" front
*Bilstein shocks on rear with 1" spacer
*Pioneer AVH 4300DVD head unit
*Polk Audio Dxi350 dash speakers
*Kicker 40CSS654 6 1/2" door speakers (x4)
*fox box 2-12" speakers holder for rear seats
*2-12" alpine subs (swe -1243l
*500 watt alpine mono sub
*LED 3rd tail light smoked
*Spyder LED smokes tail lights

havent even started on the engine..lol

 

[mowin]

LOL, I dont feel bad to begin with. Just at the decision making point. I appreciate your input, thanks.

Forgive my being ignorant on this point in particualr, but I wasnt going to get any XM radio and only the base 3.0 AM/FM radio with Aux port. Does change the TPMS issue ? And youre right on the 3500/leaf issue, but dang they want about 1700 more for that.

$1700... holy crap. paid 400 more for my 3500 over the 2500. Both exactly the same except color. But I was buying off the lot, and not ordering.

Some people have mentioned the MDS being a little flaky. Its going to act different in flat areas compared to hilly. Mine kicks on and off constantly. But im in a hilly area. Kicks off going up the hill, and on going down! But isnt that whats its supposed to do? Lol.
Haven't heard about the noisy coils tho. My advice, go to as many dealers as you can, and drive them....get a feel for them and then decide..

 

[WaterBoy1]

I bought my first ever Ram not long ago. I did a metric shyte-ton of research before buying (these trucks are a lot more expensive up here north of the border).

All of these trucks have issues. I've been a GM guy all my life, and even I didn't want to buy a new Silvy/Sierra as the problems they're having are quite significant. Check out the other sites if you don't believe me. Do a search on K2XX trucks vibration issues.

Fords.... well let me just say I didn't give them even a second glance.

In my opinion, the issues you listed for the Ram seem trivial compared to the other HD trucks.

 

[SouthernBoy]

$1700... holy crap. paid 400 more for my 3500 over the 2500. Both exactly the same except color. But I was buying off the lot, and not ordering.

Some people have mentioned the MDS being a little flaky. Its going to act different in flat areas compared to hilly. Mine kicks on and off constantly. But im in a hilly area. Kicks off going up the hill, and on going down! But isnt that whats its supposed to do? Lol.
Haven't heard about the noisy coils tho. My advice, go to as many dealers as you can, and drive them....get a feel for them and then decide..

I just checked some build sheets and I made an error, according to the RAM site, its $825 more for the leaf/3500 at the base-price. (Tradesman level) Sorry 'bout that, my bad.

About the MDS, I was alluding to persons saying the MDS was a nuisance with 3.73s as it dropped in and out often (even on flat ground) because the 6.4 is cam'd to like a bit more RPM to stay in the meat of the power range. I think the best a person could do is get the 4.10s and hope that helps with that. I do know this, in the old days all big-block trucks had at least a 4.10 or 4.11 gear, I dont recall ever seeing HD type trucks (390-to-460 cubes) that had gear in the 3.xx range. (Im sure they may have been some, but I never heard of any) I think Chrysler has done this (along with the stupid electric axle nonsense) to try to milk every last bit of fuel consumption ratings to please stinkin' Fed/EPA.

I didnt mean to say the coil springs are noisy, just that that entire design in particular is new and hasnt much time in the field. As with any new design, usually it gets tweaked after a few years of units in the field. They have been using leafs in the back for decades.

As for the 'clunk', from what Ive read nobody knows for certain what that is, some are speculating its body mounts ? When I test drove a 2500 4x4 a few days ago, that same thing happened to me and it sounded (and felt at my feet) like someone hit the floor board from underneath HARD. I thought maybe I had hit a big pothole I didnt see, but looked in the mirror and the road was clear.

 

[SouthernBoy]

I bought my first ever Ram not long ago. I did a metric shyte-ton of research before buying (these trucks are a lot more expensive up here north of the border).

All of these trucks have issues. I've been a GM guy all my life, and even I didn't want to buy a new Silvy/Sierra as the problems they're having are quite significant. Check out the other sites if you don't believe me. Do a search on K2XX trucks vibration issues.

Fords.... well let me just say I didn't give them even a second glance.

In my opinion, the issues you listed for the Ram seem trivial compared to the other HD trucks.

Thanks for your input, I indeed have not researched the Chevys at all. I prefer a RAM and have only been researching these. As for FORD,, well, Id rather push my RAM than drive a Ford. (just keeding to you Ford lovers)

 

[VPRPWRD]

Thanks for your input, I indeed have not researched the Chevys at all. I prefer a RAM and have only been researching these. As for FORD,, well, Id rather push my RAM than drive a Ford. (just keeding to you Ford lovers)

Can't back track now, you've been pegged as a Ford hater now.

Besides if there are Ford lovers here, they're about to be Dodge lovers.

 

[regularcab2500]

Yeah we had one of our 2014 chevys chew up the 1st clutch pack in the tranny at 9000 miles lol those things are pos's

 

[mowin]

I just checked some build sheets and I made an error, according to the RAM site, its $825 more for the leaf/3500 at the base-price. (Tradesman level) Sorry 'bout that, my bad.

About the MDS, I was alluding to persons saying the MDS was a nuisance with 3.73s as it dropped in and out often (even on flat ground) because the 6.4 is cam'd to like a bit more RPM to stay in the meat of the power range. I think the best a person could do is get the 4.10s and hope that helps with that. I do know this, in the old days all big-block trucks had at least a 4.10 or 4.11 gear, I dont recall ever seeing HD type trucks (390-to-460 cubes) that had gear in the 3.xx range. (Im sure they may have been some, but I never heard of any) I think Chrysler has done this (along with the stupid electric axle nonsense) to try to milk every last bit of fuel consumption ratings to please stinkin' Fed/EPA.

I didnt mean to say the coil springs are noisy, just that that entire design in particular is new and hasnt much time in the field. As with any new design, usually it gets tweaked after a few years of units in the field. They have been using leafs in the back for decades.

As for the 'clunk', from what Ive read nobody knows for certain what that is, some are speculating its body mounts ? When I test drove a 2500 4x4 a few days ago, that same thing happened to me and it sounded (and felt at my feet) like someone hit the floor board from underneath HARD. I thought maybe I had hit a big pothole I didnt see, but looked in the mirror and the road was clear.

Trucks back then didn't have 410 hp or 429 tq.

 

[loveracing1988]

OK, from what I have heard somewhere on the Internet per the federal government the dealer cannot adjust the tpms no matter what the brand as of 2014, so that issue will be on all 3. My 1500 would not hold 4 cylinder mode on flat ground at anything above 60, my 2500 is no different. I think with 4.10's it might be able to hold mds more but unless you drove 2 trucks back to back with 3.73's and 4.10's you will never know. The old engines used to come with 4.10's because even going to 3.73's wouldn't help fuel mileage and even the old big blocks didn't out down the power that even the 5.7 hemi does now. That floorboard clunk will be there regardless of whether it is a 2500 or 3500, they are the same frame and same front suspension. The 3rd brake light is kind of a one off thing if you ask me, I haven't seen anyone with a new ram have that since around 2012 but I don't go to the exterior section much so I might not see all of the posts. (after I posted this I scrolled further down and saw a thread I had missed... Oops.)
I test axles and such for a living, I work at aam. When I tell you that any issues with the coil suspension were sorted out pre-production I mean it. Once these trucks hit production all of the issues were taken care of.

 

[WaterBoy1]

^ That's great information! Thanks!

 

[SouthernBoy]

^ That's great information! Thanks!

Yes it is. Thanks LR1988

 

[SouthernBoy]

Trucks back then didn't have 410 hp or 429 tq.

True, I tried looking up the old-school stats and found some here:

Engine Specs, Engine Information, Firing Order, Horsepower Specs : Engine Facts.com