Great Site, a blessing and a curse!

[Magfan2]

Have been learning a lot, enjoying the site and the company. The curse part is truck hypochondria based on all the issues I see here. So far, my new to me 2014, knock on wood, seems to be running fine. Had a trusted garage give it a going over, oil, filters, etc. new tires and a fairly complex front end repair. Inner fenders ordered and going in this week. Some minor cosmetic work within my experience / ability will probably wait till late Spring. Cold is here and my garage is unheated. Enjoying the truck considerably, smooth in the road, excellent acceleration, fair gas mileage. Best ride I've had in quite a few years. Pretty much everything works as it should, but I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. Anyone else feel like that? Coping ideas?

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Simple advice

It's a machine, it will break, the more you run.it, the more you will trust it. Learn it habits and be able to understand if something is off.

Don't overthink it. Just drive it and enjoy

 

[Curmudgeon]

Sounds like it's time to relax a bit, sit a spell.
I don't know your mileage, or your trucks history (before you got it). I bought my 2014 used in July 2017 with just 20,000 miles, and still under the factory warranty. So it's been 8 years and I've added an extra 100,000 miles. In that time I've done a lot or regular/scheduled maintenance and only had to replace exhaust manifolds and the fuel tank sending unit.

The "tick" is something I listen for and I may get it one day but it's been really good so far. Stay on top of the oil changes and other maintenance and enjoy it!
It might be a little messy but you can get a Used Oil Sample at any time and send it off for analysis, just include a note about what you're doing so they understand.

My UOAs have been good, with the most recent being May 2025.Helps to keep me from "hearing things".

 

[turkeybird56]

Have been learning a lot, enjoying the site and the company. The curse part is truck hypochondria based on all the issues I see here. So far, my new to me 2014, knock on wood, seems to be running fine. Had a trusted garage give it a going over, oil, filters, etc. new tires and a fairly complex front end repair. Inner fenders ordered and going in this week. Some minor cosmetic work within my experience / ability will probably wait till late Spring. Cold is here and my garage is unheated. Enjoying the truck considerably, smooth in the road, excellent acceleration, fair gas mileage. Best ride I've had in quite a few years. Pretty much everything works as it should, but I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. Anyone else feel like that? Coping ideas?

DRIVE IT, enjoy it, don't ABUSE it and properly maintain it. Yer truck is basically 16 years old, so you know some things are gonna wear out, need replacement, and good MX. Meaning timely MX, like changing oil with synthetic and good synthetic media filters every 5K, rotating tires, depending upon mileage changing diff fluids, maybe time for radiator flush, all depends on mileage and previous MX, and hopefully U were able to get MX records, so U know what has been done and what may be needed.

IF u GONNA sit there losing your mind on the truck, then sell it and buy brand new with warranty. All I can say to that. My truck is 7 years old. Change oil regularly, filters, wash and wax once in a while and keep up with things. IT's a truck. Drive and enjoy.

ADDED: And yes, I had issues initially. First year Gen 5 truck, among the VERY 1st produced (April 2018), so some recalls done, back window replaced, CHMSL redone, some software. BUT as long as I can go, start truck, heat works, AC, wipers and radio and goes and stops, hey ahead of the game.

 

[turkeybird56]

Simple advice

It's a machine, it will break, the more you run.it, the more you will trust it. Learn it habits and be able to understand if something is off.

Don't overthink it. Just drive it and enjoy

^^^ DITTO ^^^

 

[jawzs2]

Keep in mind an awful lot of posts on here are guys that have an issue and are looking for help, they do a search and end up here. Very few join to exclaim how great their truck is. The disproportionate number of posts can skew the perspective.

 

[Magfan2]

My last truck was a 1979 Chevy C20 bought in 2006 (with entirely unknown milage) was great in my care till a little crisis of confidence the last 2 years. Running fine when I sold it to a friend, (also the mechanic who worked on it most recently), just after I bought the RAM last month. I do have a thick file of bills for work done, but less than payments on a new one these days. Downside on this RAM, 160K+ miles from a small dealership that doesn't pay much attention to details. Nice folks, came recommended, but my choice to do the deal. The Truck just spoke to me when I saw it on their lot before it had even been washed, never mind detailed. I maintain and keep vehicles a long time. Has worked well for me in general. Frankly, I prefer this to new. If I have to drop a crate engine in at some point I will git 'er done. Like any change, I just have to adapt, etc., etc. Thanks for the input!

 

[EdGs]

I bought my 2015 SLT QC 5.7 8SPD 3.21 2WD with 28,684 miles in late September 2017.

I read stuff like you and worried the same, maybe more. I am a chronic worrier.

Changed my oil every time the OLM said change it. Rotate tires. Changed my plugs, coolant, trans fluid, rear diff and brake fluid at 108k miles. Exhaust manifold bolts around same time.

Front hubs around 150k, fuel pump at 172k, rear axle bearings and seals, diff fluid at 192k. Radiator at 196k miles.

Cam and lifters, etc. at 201,192 miles.

She has been a fantastic truck.

They are made by humans, any part can fail at any time. Things do break over time.

All you can do, is try not to worry, keep up on your maintenance and enjoy her. Take care of her, and fix her when things break.

I've done the brakes and new shoes when needed.

Believe it or not, my water pump is original, headlights, too. Original shocks. I've NEVER had her aligned, not once.

No matter what vehicle you have, they ALL have their issues. Take car of her best you can and enjoy her.

 

[jawzs2]

160k - Just broken in, LOL, my 2010 1500 has 195K, my 2014 3500 has 342K and still going strong. A lot of that mileage on my 2014 is towing an 8500 pound travel trailer. I did have to have the trans redone at about 310k, but if you looked at it, you'd bet good money it has less than 50k on the clock, it's that clean. Take care of it and it'll take care of you

 

[Wild one]

My last truck was a 1979 Chevy C20 bought in 2006 (with entirely unknown milage) was great in my care till a little crisis of confidence the last 2 years. Running fine when I sold it to a friend, (also the mechanic who worked on it most recently), just after I bought the RAM last month. I do have a thick file of bills for work done, but less than payments on a new one these days. Downside on this RAM, 160K+ miles from a small dealership that doesn't pay much attention to details. Nice folks, came recommended, but my choice to do the deal. The Truck just spoke to me when I saw it on their lot before it had even been washed, never mind detailed. I maintain and keep vehicles a long time. Has worked well for me in general. Frankly, I prefer this to new. If I have to drop a crate engine in at some point I will git 'er done. Like any change, I just have to adapt, etc., etc. Thanks for the input!

Don't be scared of the skinny pedal,the hemi's an engine that doesn't mind some aggressive driving at times,it hates being drove like your Grandmother would drive it,lol.
The cam lobes and lifter wheels only get crankshaft splash to oil them,so you want to keep the rpms up a bit

 

[Magfan2]

Don't be scared of the skinny pedal,the hemi's an engine that doesn't mind some aggressive driving at times,it hates being drove like your Grandmother would drive it,lol.
The cam lobes and lifter wheels only get crankshaft splash to oil them,so you want to keep the rpms up a bit

Also sold after this truck, a 2005 Hemi Magnum R/T I bought new - 250K when it went. That engine was stronger than dirt!

 

[Wild one]

Also sold after this truck, a 2005 Hemi Magnum R/T I bought new - 250K when it went. That engine was stronger than dirt!

The early Hemi's had alot less cam and lifter issues then the later versions do.To accomodate the VVT introduced in 09,they moved the cam farther from the crank,and stuck an oil passage between it and the crank,consequently they have alot less crank splash making it onto the cam lobes. Keeping the rpms up keeps the cam happier,you don't have to abuse the engine,but running it up to 3,000+ on the shifts doesn't hurt it

 

[Marshall]

I have had 3 of these with the same motor, not one of them ever needed anything other then tires , gas and oil.
and a battery or two.
I never put huge milage on any of them.

 

[D1DAVE]

Just drive it and enjoy it! Take care of it and you will not be sorry with your purchase!

 

[Dusty]

Due to human nature people are generally negative and prone to accentuate on the bad. If I got worried over negative reports and thinking it would be a predictor, I wouldn't be buying a GM, Ford, or Toyota truck nowadays either.

Proper maintenance and operation are better predictors.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 143322 miles.

 

[nascar72]

Have been learning a lot, enjoying the site and the company. The curse part is truck hypochondria based on all the issues I see here. So far, my new to me 2014, knock on wood, seems to be running fine. Had a trusted garage give it a going over, oil, filters, etc. new tires and a fairly complex front end repair. Inner fenders ordered and going in this week. Some minor cosmetic work within my experience / ability will probably wait till late Spring. Cold is here and my garage is unheated. Enjoying the truck considerably, smooth in the road, excellent acceleration, fair gas mileage. Best ride I've had in quite a few years. Pretty much everything works as it should, but I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. Anyone else feel like that? Coping ideas?

Just keep up on regular scheduled maintenances, oil /fluids and filter(s) change as per manufacturer's recommendations using quality parts and fluids and if at all possible reduce idling time to a minimum. Remember a vehicle is made to be driven, not to be stared at while parked in the driveway. Keeping it parked or doing short distances can do more harm than good.