Hi all -- New member here, got some ?? about my new to me '16 2500

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GeneM

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Hi there so like I said I'm a new'b to this forum and just had a couple questions about my new ride...

So I just picked up a pretty sweet '16 2500 Outdoorsman and I'm coming from a '20 Rebel EcoDiesel. Had to go to the HD truck as my Rebel was not up to the task of pulling my toy hauler.
Anyhow, so this truck has the 6.4 Hemi with 55k on it and what I wondering is, should I be concerned about the drivetrain reliability enough to warrant getting a 3rd party warranty? I could get one for about $1700 for 3yrs and 36k more miles but really I'm just wondering if it's worth doing? Are these trucks prone to major issues and if so what?
I have a buddy with a '14 PowerWagon and he had to replace the trans at around 55k miles which really shocked me, so is this a common issue on these or is that a rare issue?
I've also noticed that this truck really rides like a tank and I'm wondering if there are ways to make it smoother, maybe softer coil springs or shocks? Ya I know I'd lose some towing with softer coils but this thing is kinda overkill where my Rebel was just not enough.
Anyhow thanks for reading and thanks ahead for any wisdom that can be shared!
 

Zoe Saldana

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Drivetrain - no issues.

Ride - it is a truck. Anything you do to make the ride smmother will affect your towing. At 55K it is nearing time for new shocks. Get a steering stabilizer while you are at it.
 

rzr6-4

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You will see a lot of people on here talk about lifter issues with the 6.4 but I’ve never seen any sort of actual statistical analysis as far as the actual frequency of this. With your mileage I wouldn’t be terribly concerned, especially since your warranty doesn’t actually last that long. You should have the eight speed transmission correct? Those are pretty solid so again I wouldn’t be too worried. Your money though at the end of the day.

1500 is a large car with a bed, and especially ram are known for riding pretty well. The 2500 is when you are really driving a truck, it’s not going to be a nice ride. Going from my 1500 Sierra to my 2500 ram is night and day different, just how it is. If you have a noticeably worse ride on rough roads, then perhaps shocks are due. Certainly made a big difference in mine. But going over transitions in the road and cornering and what not being not quite as smooth as your 1500, that just comes with a the territory.
 

Jim BB

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GeneM welcome to the fourm
 
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GeneM

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You will see a lot of people on here talk about lifter issues with the 6.4 but I’ve never seen any sort of actual statistical analysis as far as the actual frequency of this. With your mileage I wouldn’t be terribly concerned, especially since your warranty doesn’t actually last that long. You should have the eight speed transmission correct? Those are pretty solid so again I wouldn’t be too worried. Your money though at the end of the day.
So regarding the trans I actually thought it was a 6spd and not the 8 but I guess I'm not sure... The dash does not show me gears when driving it, just R/N/D... Maybe I need to look a little closer..
 

White six four

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You have the 6 speed 66rfe. Use redline c+ when you change the fluid. Shifts smoother in my 16. I also change the fluid yearly. Fluid is cheap compared to a trans.

For the rough ride what are your tire pressures set at? If 80 there's no coil or shock that will help with an unloaded pressure that high. I have thuren coils and fox shocks in the front of mine and 50 psi for tire pressure and it rides pretty darn good for 2500. If your tires are at 80 lowering them down to 50 will help a lot and it's free. Air up if/when towing/hauling heavy.
 
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GeneM

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Won't the tpms sensors go off with air that low?
Front are at 60 and rear at 80..
 

Burla

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These trucks are not prone for major problems as a group, but there are issues that do happen. RFE isn't the best transmission and lifters do wipe out from time to time. Since it is a 2016 with that low miles my guess that adds up to not easy mile long trips but rather a local truck, which could mean several things. With the current climate and prices either a trans issue or lifters there will be the better part of 10 grand out of pocket if not more. Just depends on your position, if you are living check to check I'd bite the bullet on the warranty and make payments, if you are doing good and have some acorns put away maybe I'd role the dice and take my chances. If you don't have any cold start up tick and the trans shifts good and doesn't hunt gears, these would be real good signs as well. 1700 seams like a fair price for that warranty if good company as well. Lots to consider.
 

Burla

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You could get a used oil analysis if you have time to make the decision on the warranty, I do recommend Blackstone labs. The wear numbers would hint at the condition of internals, and add 10 bucks for tbn and it could set an oil interval if you know how many miles on oil.
 

Dodge 1500 4X4

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If you don't have any cold start up tick and the trans shifts good and doesn't hunt gears, these would be real good signs as well. 1700 seams like a fair price for that warranty if good company as well. Lots to consider.
Ditto, Trans fluid & filter change is in order, lowering your air pressure when you're unloaded will make big difference, that price for a warranty sounds good read the fine print, dealer should be able to change the thresholds for the TPMS or a good tire shop.

Welcome to the Ram Forum!!!
 
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GeneM

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These trucks are not prone for major problems as a group, but there are issues that do happen. RFE isn't the best transmission and lifters do wipe out from time to time. Since it is a 2016 with that low miles my guess that adds up to not easy mile long trips but rather a local truck, which could mean several things. With the current climate and prices either a trans issue or lifters there will be the better part of 10 grand out of pocket if not more. Just depends on your position, if you are living check to check I'd bite the bullet on the warranty and make payments, if you are doing good and have some acorns put away maybe I'd role the dice and take my chances. If you don't have any cold start up tick and the trans shifts good and doesn't hunt gears, these would be real good signs as well. 1700 seams like a fair price for that warranty if good company as well. Lots to consider.
Trans shifts very smooth, no gear hunting noticed and no ticking from motor.
 
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GeneM

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Alrighty... So I'm gonna just try and lower the tire pressure to see how much that even helps then go from there..
As for the need for a warranty to cover the drive train I'm still on the fence. I'd certainly prefer to keep the 1700 bucks if there's not going to be issues, but obviously nobody can know that. But it would certainly be a bummer to spend this money and never actually need it.
 
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GeneM

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For only 3 years and 36k I wouldn't do the warranty.

I'd rather put that money towards replacing all the fluids and coil springs and shocks if after lowering the tire pressure you're still not happy with the ride.
That sounds like a fairly logical idea, maybe I should just look at beefing up the trans as that's the piece I'm most concerned about.
 
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GeneM

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How do you beef up the transmission?
Well honestly I'm not sure but it seems like there are better options for valve bodies which I'm thinking would help prevent unforseen issues.
Could be I'm overthinking this and worrying for nothing.
 

Burla

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VB with plate plus Solenoids plus metal threads upgrade as well as redline c+ is a good move. It doesn't guarantee a result, but addresses weaknesses.

 
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GeneM

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So just a little update in case anyone else ends up stumbling into this thread and is curious... So, I dropped the tire pressures from 60/80 to 50/65 and the TPMS alert did NOT come on so that's good. However, the ride is still crazy harsh IMO for sure it's worse than my 2019 F250 was so now I'm wondering what to do about it, will a set of nicer shocks smooth it out or do I need to get softer coils and if so, where the crap would I find them. I see lots of options for heavier coils or lift coils but nothing to soften up the ride at all.
 
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