HEMI Life Expectancy

[MarshRam]

I bought my 2014 with 50K on it. At 70K I started using Redline 5W-30 w/ Royal Purple filter. I installed a catch can and tuned it to run premium 93, deleted MDS and have run the truck like this ever since. I'm about to hit 140K. Everything still runs great. I recently purchased everything needed to change the transmission oil. I'm not buying that it's a lifetime transmission, whatever that is. As far as I'm concerned, lifetime to them means when the warranties up which I am well past. I really should have done this at 100K. I'm glad I read this post today, I didn't know about the thermal bypass valve @RamDiver recommended. I'll be purchasing that to go along with the transmission fluid change. Good luck to you!

 

[Wild one]

I bought my 2014 with 50K on it. At 70K I started using Redline 5W-30. I installed a catch can and tuned it to run premium 93, deleted MDS and have run the truck like this ever since. I'm about to hit 140K. Everything still runs great. I recently purchased everything needed to change the transmission oil. I'm not buying that it's a lifetime transmission, whatever that is. As far as I'm concerned, lifetime to them means when the warranties up which I am well past. I really should have done this at 100K. I'm glad I read this post today, I didn't know about the thermal bypass valve @RamDiver recommended. I'll be purchasing that to go along with the transmission fluid change. Good luck to you!

There's a couple long threads on either completely deleting the thermal management unit off the transmission and on Jesse's thermostat delete if you go looking.

 

[moscowmike]

2022 RAM 1500 BigHorn 4WD CC 6-4 Bed 3.21 Rear = 16k miles

I plan on keeping this for as long as i last since i am 65.

Oil changed at 2k , 8k , 15k

I will be changing the oil every 5k from now on with Full Synthetic Mobil 1

What else should I do for my RAM to preserve the Motor, Trans, Differentials???

Your recommendations are needed as I previously had the long lasting reliable Tundra.
I have owned them all = Ford, GM, RAM, Tundra - both gas and diesel but never kept them beyond 80k

Thank You

185000 miles only plugs and belts
Mobil 1 every 5000
Don't let it idle any longer than needed
Cam and lifters still original

 

[David Tree]

185000 miles only plugs and belts
Mobil 1 every 5000
Don't let it idle any longer than needed
Cam and lifters still original

Awesome
Thank You for the encouragement and FYI

 

[14ramdjh]

2022 RAM 1500 BigHorn 4WD CC 6-4 Bed 3.21 Rear = 16k miles

I plan on keeping this for as long as i last since i am 65.

Oil changed at 2k , 8k , 15k

I will be changing the oil every 5k from now on with Full Synthetic Mobil 1

What else should I do for my RAM to preserve the Motor, Trans, Differentials???

Your recommendations are needed as I previously had the long lasting reliable Tundra.
I have owned them all = Ford, GM, RAM, Tundra - both gas and diesel but never kept them beyond 80k

Thank You

rest easy im 78 and the 2014 ram is the last truck i will buy. currently am at 170K i have replaced a master cylinder, brakes 4 wheels, fuel pump, plus tires and 3 batteries. drive like an adult and do maintenance when needed. i have 0 add on's

 

[Markw]

I’ve had my 2012 1500 crew cab Lone Star with the 5.7 since 2018. I love the truck. The truck looks like a new one. I have over 200,000 miles on it. At 165,000 miles it had the dreaded lifter failure and since I wasn’t in a position to buy another truck and it was paid off I had a remanufactured engine with MDS delete put in it. I lost a little over a mile per gallon but I don’t have to worry about MDS anymore. I didn’t find out that 2011 and 2012 were the worst years for lifter failures. I run Mobil 1 truck and suv 5W30 with a Wix XP filter and change oil every 5000 miles. Otherwise the only things done to it are normal wear things like brakes, hub bearings etc. Anyone that has never ridden in a 4th gen can’t believe how comfortable it is.

 

[MoparX]

I bought my 2003 Ram, 5.7 Hemi brand new and changed the oil every 5k. (5w-30) It had 272,000 miles on it when I pulled it. It was mainly driven in the high desert across the Southwest, some extreme mountain cold winters and some scorching hot summers.

It was still running good when I pulled it and ran a 15.1 second qtr mile at 270,000 miles, stock engine with K&N and larger throttle body. I wanted a base line because I built a fresh 392 stroker that replaced it. The 545RFE is the weak link. (I rebuilt that too with every heavy duty part I could find, but don't expect it to last.)

When I pulled the original engine, it was still my daily driver. The 5.7 is definitely a durable engine. The only parts I replaced in 272,000 miles were the water pump, PS pump, CTS, and alternator.

 

[aepowell]

I bought my 2013 RAM 1500 new. It now has 158,000. I have changed the water pump ,cam ,lifters ,bcm because of the door lock problem. ,heater core ,radiator ,steering unit ,both mirror motors and now waiting on the abs module since October 2025. I think the only problem I haven't had is the leaking third brake light. I was lucky and bought the lifetime warranty and have only had to pay 100.00 per fix. As long as the fixes are less that the value of the truck I'm good to go. I have taken very good care of the truck. I only towed about 60 miles a year.

 

[GeauxinUp]

As long as the fixes are less that the value of the truck I'm good to go.

Curious what happens if the fix exceeds the value, does the lifetime warranty become invalid?

 

[Bragg127]

2022 RAM 1500 BigHorn 4WD CC 6-4 Bed 3.21 Rear = 16k miles

I plan on keeping this for as long as i last since i am 65.

Oil changed at 2k , 8k , 15k

I will be changing the oil every 5k from now on with Full Synthetic Mobil 1

What else should I do for my RAM to preserve the Motor, Trans, Differentials???

Your recommendations are needed as I previously had the long lasting reliable Tundra.
I have owned them all = Ford, GM, RAM, Tundra - both gas and diesel but never kept them beyond 80k

Thank You

 

[Bragg127]

I bought my 2013 RAM 1500 new. It now has 158,000. I have changed the water pump ,cam ,lifters ,bcm because of the door lock problem. ,heater core ,radiator ,steering unit ,both mirror motors and now waiting on the abs module since October 2025. I think the only problem I haven't had is the leaking third brake light. I was lucky and bought the lifetime warranty and have only had to pay 100.00 per fix. As long as the fixes are less that the value of the truck I'm good to go. I have taken very good care of the truck. I only towed about 60 miles a year.

2022 RAM 1500 BigHorn 4WD CC 6-4 Bed 3.21 Rear = 16k miles

I plan on keeping this for as long as i last since i am 65.

Oil changed at 2k , 8k , 15k

I will be changing the oil every 5k from now on with Full Synthetic Mobil 1

What else should I do for my RAM to preserve the Motor, Trans, Differentials???

Your recommendations are needed as I previously had the long lasting reliable Tundra.
I have owned them all = Ford, GM, RAM, Tundra - both gas and diesel but never kept them beyond 80k

Thank You

Here’s the research I’ve done to hopefully save you some time and effort. If you’re not already using 5W/30, do that. It eliminates the startup rattle and just protects better with no issues that some people claim. In fact, I’m switching to 5W/40 on the recommendation of a friend.

For the tranny, I’ve done the Jesse Caulk mod. Look up the links and you can find where to order. You’ll also need a pair of 90 deg clip pliars . You may need to file down the nipples on the pliars - it’s tougher getting back in than out. PPE pans were on back order so I went with the B&M and it’s just as good IMO. I think it ended up taking just under 10qts. You may be able to find a deal for 6qts currently on Walmart’s website. I just bought 2 of those. Also, check YouTube for the Mopar equivalent oil. It’s sold on Amazon for much cheaper an it’s the same damn stuff. With those two things, my temps are 158-163hwy and 168-175 stop an go.

Diffs are easy. Go with Amsoil oem weights. If you tow, bump up the back diff to the 115wt (I think). Only Amsoil sells it.

And then throw a borla pro xs on it cause the wife won’t notice it and it sounds damn good.

 

[David Tree]

Here’s the research I’ve done to hopefully save you some time and effort. If you’re not already using 5W/30, do that. It eliminates the startup rattle and just protects better with no issues that some people claim. In fact, I’m switching to 5W/40 on the recommendation of a friend.

For the tranny, I’ve done the Jesse Caulk mod. Look up the links and you can find where to order. You’ll also need a pair of 90 deg clip pliars . You may need to file down the nipples on the pliars - it’s tougher getting back in than out. PPE pans were on back order so I went with the B&M and it’s just as good IMO. I think it ended up taking just under 10qts. You may be able to find a deal for 6qts currently on Walmart’s website. I just bought 2 of those. Also, check YouTube for the Mopar equivalent oil. It’s sold on Amazon for much cheaper an it’s the same damn stuff. With those two things, my temps are 158-163hwy and 168-175 stop an go.

Diffs are easy. Go with Amsoil oem weights. If you tow, bump up the back diff to the 115wt (I think). Only Amsoil sells it.

And then throw a borla pro xs on it cause the wife won’t notice it and it sounds damn good.

Excellent - Thank You

 

[Ram R/T]

2022 RAM 1500 BigHorn 4WD CC 6-4 Bed 3.21 Rear = 16k miles

I plan on keeping this for as long as i last since i am 65.

Oil changed at 2k , 8k , 15k

I will be changing the oil every 5k from now on with Full Synthetic Mobil 1

What else should I do for my RAM to preserve the Motor, Trans, Differentials???

Your recommendations are needed as I previously had the long lasting reliable Tundra.
I have owned them all = Ford, GM, RAM, Tundra - both gas and diesel but never kept them beyond 80k

Thank You

I have a 2014 R/T 130k miles. Changed oil every 5k full synthetic. I am about to change transmission oil and pan to a PPE. No issues so far. I have unlimited mileage warranty.

 

[David Tree]

I have a 2014 R/T 130k miles. Changed oil every 5k full synthetic. I am about to change transmission oil and pan to a PPE. No issues so far. I have unlimited mileage warranty.

How much $$$ was the unlimited mileage warranty and thru whom?

Thank You

 

[Wild one]

Excellent - Thank You

They used to call for 75W-140 in the rear diff,the diff hasn't changed just the emission numbers have changed.Everytime they go after better corporate emission numbers,the fluid specs are the first thing they drop. Use a good quality synthetic diff fluid in the 140 weight range. I like Redlines diff fluids,but there's nothing wrong with Amzoils fluids either

 

[Michael Moora]

Many experienced engine rebuilder will tell you that you're throwing away $$$ on synthetic oil changes at 5K mile intervals. I know of one Volvo rebuilder that runs Mobil 1 in his personal vehicles, with 25K mile intervals. Save your money for components that will/do fail or wear regularly.

 

[Wild one]

Many experienced engine rebuilder will tell you that you're throwing away $$$ on synthetic oil changes at 5K mile intervals. I know of one Volvo rebuilder that runs Mobil 1 in his personal vehicles, with 25K mile intervals. Save your money for components that will/do fail or wear regularly.

The Hemi has issues with sludge buildup on the main oil passage to the mains,you're better off changing oil in it on a fairly regular basis,then changing the engine. The mains are fed through the front main cap bolt,and it has a tendenancy to build-up sludge if you run long oil change intervals.
Watch this video,it'll open up your eyes on the Hemi's lackluster oiling system,about the 3:45 mark you'll see how the mains are oiled. You might not be so inclined to run long oil change intervals after watching the video.

We look into the Hemi lifter failures and the dreaded Hemi tick

We unpack the lifter oiling issue that plague the late Hemi.Powellmachineinc.comIf you want to support us financially https://cash.app/$PowellMachine

www.youtube.com

 

[RamDiver]

Many experienced engine rebuilder will tell you that you're throwing away $$$ on synthetic oil changes at 5K mile intervals. I know of one Volvo rebuilder that runs Mobil 1 in his personal vehicles, with 25K mile intervals. Save your money for components that will/do fail or wear regularly.

Synthetic oil is much cheaper than buying a new or rebuilt engine.
Feel free to prove your point by using long OCIs with a non-synthetic oil.
Then send in your old oil for analysis, and the truth will be obvious, one way or another.

To each their own.
I use synthetic in everything.
Lawn tractor, snowblower, generator and trucks or cars.

The temperatures here range from about -31°F to ~104°F or -35° C to ~40°C.
Oil is cheap, so I don't have to be.

.

 

[azsoccerpop]

I am 62 and still driving my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Daytona. She's not pretty but still doing the hard work with over 357000 miles on her. Original drivetrain and no big expenses besides a new set of tires every 5 years or so. I know I am living on borrowed time but I just cant seem to want to drive anything else right now. Everything new looks the same (SUVs everywhere) with a $700 monthly payment. I am either going to rebuild/ replace the motor in this old girl or find my next "forever" ride. Either way I am sure it will be a Hemi.

 

[Dusty]

Excellent - Thank You

These HEMI/Trans run way too hot!!!

A few weeks back I had a ride in a new 2026 Silverado and the transmission temps hovered around 170-180F. That just about where mine is after driving a distance.

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 153318 miles.