First RAM truck - any advice?

[michael harpe]

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.

2017 Lonestar CC Brilliant Black Pearl

I suppose I'll check mine for any water leaking.. I've read about it and never bothered.. but it will give me something to do tomorrow..

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[b-rock]

I suppose I'll check mine for any water leaking.. I've read about it and never bothered.. but it will give me something to do tomorrow..

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I had read about it and kept thinking I must have gotten a decent one, until I got in one day after a rain and it had a smell to it. Yeah, I was pissed at myself.

2017 Lonestar CC Brilliant Black Pearl

 

[michael harpe]

I had read about it and kept thinking I must have gotten a decent one, until I got in one day after a rain and it had a smell to it. Yeah, I was pissed at myself.

2017 Lonestar CC Brilliant Black Pearl

I suppose if it happens under warranty you can get everything replaced, but we all know how warranty issues go...

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[KC Cryptkeeper]

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.

Go to the DIY section and check out some of the mods you would like to do. Many can be done way cheaper than what infotainment sells stuff for. Example is the power fold mirrors, it can be done for $400-500 with some research. Almost anything you want to do to a truck has been tried by some really good guys in here.

 

[sirguynate503]

Go to the DIY section and check out some of the mods you would like to do. Many can be done way cheaper than what infotainment sells stuff for. Example is the power fold mirrors, it can be done for $400-500 with some research. Almost anything you want to do to a truck has been tried by some really good guys in here.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Seth Richards]

So the 3rd brake light leak hasn’t been fixed? I have a new 2019 1500 classic. Should I be worried about the water leak on that?

 

[turkeybird56]

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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Ouch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me thinks kinda sucks when a vehicle payment could be more than the mortgage on a home. This Boird could neva do it, but then I's a Boird......Good thing I not eat a lot...lol................

 

[turkeybird56]

So the 3rd brake light leak hasn’t been fixed? I have a new 2019 1500 classic. Should I be worried about the water leak on that?

JUST keep an eye on it. This is my 3rd RAM, and no issues. Luck of the draw I guess...
The reason I have not pulled and replaced incandescent with LED, not wanna mess nor touch if not have to. But then, I also have level 2 options and all my lighting is mid level LED except for CHMSL. (And interior which I changed out)


REF OP POSTING: Just buy it, drive it, maintain it and enjoy it..... Unless U be Jay Leno with a garage full of vehicles, do what I do. Buy what I want, maintain it, drive it and enjoy the creature comforts, but I's just a Boird..............................

 

[indept]

JUST keep an eye on it. This is my 3rd RAM, and no issues. Luck of the draw I guess...
The reason I have not pulled and replaced incandescent with LED, not wanna mess nor touch if not have to. But then, I also have level 2 options and all my lighting is mid level LED except for CHMSL. (And interior which I changed out)

I replaced all the bulbs with LED on my Ram. When I did the 3rd light all was dry so I left the original gasket and coated it with 50 yr silicone. That was over a year sgo with no issues.

 

[turkeybird56]

I replaced all the bulbs with LED on my Ram. When I did the 3rd light all was dry so I left the original gasket and coated it with 50 yr silicone. That was over a year sgo with no issues.

I am just Not gonna mess with the CHMSL unless have to. No need to change to LED ne way since I have a Full bed solid tonneau cover, so that light not help, LOL.....

 

[Steve Cloud]

Quit coming to this forum, it gets expensive! Lol

 

[PowrRam]

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.

Running boards: I'd get the Mopar chrome bars with the black inserts.
https://store.mopar.com/accessories...side_step_chrome_for_crew_cab_82213591AD.html

Bed cover: I've had three of the Access Laredo covers (two were on F150's I previously had) and they are very nice. Quality product, thick cover, easily adjustable, durable, great looking.

Android Auto: Your 2018 should run Android Auto, assuming you have the 8.4" UConnect system.

Get a copy of your vehicle's build sheet. Input your vehicle VIN here:
https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

If you post a little bit more about your trim levels the group could respond with more info. I've leased two Ram 1500 crew cab, 4X4, with V6 engines, a 2015 and now I'm on a 2018.

 

[brny67]

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.

2017 Lonestar CC Brilliant Black Pearl

Just did mine, this stuff works great so far!

 

[Nystagmus]

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.

2017 Lonestar CC Brilliant Black Pearl

good idea...it’s not a matter of if, but when it will leak.

 

[snoty]

DeeZee tailgate assist is nice. Level it with some Bilstein 5100 front shocks. N-Fab side steps. Bakflip cover. Tint the windows. Hellwig rear sway bar. Or at least those are some of the things I've done and appreciate

 

[Lucy Girl]

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

 

[TomB 1269]

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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Question, why not flush.......... And I do not mean a reverse flush as in what Jiffy Lube or the like does, but instead a "backyard" flush. Which is where you add a quart, and then pop of the outbound cooling line and plug the other end. Start vehicle and run until fluid sputters out. This is actually an accepted method on older GM, as well as Fords.

Next question, if not dip stick (which I know there is not) how and where do you get trans fluid back in?

 

[TomB 1269]

OP -
Step tubes/boards - $140
https://runningboardwarehouse.com/p...MIqJfW0-ue5QIVQz0MCh08zAfWEAAYAiAAEgIW7vD_BwE
Trifold Soft cover - $220
https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Tri-Fold-Tonneau-59312-2015-19/dp/B013USOTRS?th=1
If you need towing receiver - $65
https://www.amazon.com/CURT-13333-C...ocphy=9004728&hvtargid=pla-625511024112&psc=1
Phone mount base - single $28
https://shop.bayougoatmounts.com/
-screws in to radio surround using factory screws under the rubber mat and you suction cup phone mount to it.
Bluetooth converter to play music from phone on radio wirelessly - $8
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PDBBQK7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Phone mount w/Qi wireless charging and auto clamping - $29
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SCLNV9B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also heavy duty floor mats - OEDRO for under $100 for front and rear mats
-Just make sure to trim around gas pedal about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. I really like them but I did have a freak scenario where the pedal hung under mat.
I posted pics of the Drivers mat, the running board/step tubes, the phone mount base. I also included a pic of the factory Heavy duty mudflaps (I painted them, but you can see how they fit)

 

[papanogo]

I have an 18 3.6. 20 months old just turning 130000 miles on it.no problems on it. Penzoil syn. About every 7000 miles. HAD trans drained at 130000 mi. All maintance done even brake fluid

Love the truck. Tow a 3500 lb travel trailer around 7000 miles. Avg 22 to 24 mpg 15 with trl. Keep up the maint. And hope you do as well

 

[Octane]

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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How you get it so cheap? Lol