Hi Everyone!

[BeachGirl]

I pick up my 2013 1500 Longhorn 4x4 tomorrow! I'm recently retired and plan to camp in it. Bucket list of camping on a beach is 1st! I'm super excited!!!
Any suggestions on things to keep an eye on since it is used?

I'm having the dealership do some maintenance so everything up the the 150k mile mark will be done. It has 147k.
It didn't come with running boards or steps. I'm short so that is my 1st priority. Someone local has a set of Longhorn off a 2500 for sale. I posted on the board (that's how I found this) asking if the 2500 will fit my 1500. If anyone knows for sure please let me know immediately. Dealer will put them on tomorrow while they have it.

I was thinking of a brush bar. But them saw bull bars. is there a specific purpose or is a brush just a larger version of a bull? I don't plan to go off grid too much, but want to be prepared and protect the radiator, etc.

Anything else?

 

[turkeybird56]

Welcome.

Whether the rails will fit or not, not know. Depends upon what type rails and mounting bracket locations and WHETHER THE TRUCK THEY COMING off of has the same wheel base, and whether both are like Crew Cabs.

AS far as bars or brush, a personal choice. I have a 5th Gen with the parking sensors, so specific bars a problem, I do not have a bar or anything else mounted. U gotta check if U got front sensors, U may have to leave them turned off depending upon what model/size front Bar U get. With that many miles, INSURE u STAY UP ON MAINTENANCE, specifically OCI (Oil Change Interval). Definitely USE a high quality oil/filter strategy. "Burla" has a big thread on oil/filters.

U may wanna see if the front/rear diff oils have ever been changed, IF not get them done. Also see if U can figure out radiator info: Like ever been changed. If U cannot find, get that done also. Air Filter also.

All above IMHO only.

 

[Marshall]

Hi From Canada, Mine is a 2014 ,I ordered running boards when I bought the truck , as the wife finds them a bit high, and last while lots of hip problems .
I think they are the same , but I am not really sure.
I ordered stainless steel full length, as other wise hard to reach into the box., and short ones look wrong.
I had factory chrome on my 2010 and started to have a bit of rust show up.
As they where dealer installed, they where covered under warranty and dealer put new ones on.
If I installed at home, that don't apply.

One thing , not that I have ever had it happen, listen for ticks from the motor, they can have bad lifters in the motor, a very expensive fix, and exhaust manifold bolts can be a problem if broken.
not a huge job.
Have the service guy check that, I presume you have bought it already.

I have had 3 and never any problems with any.
Enjoy your new ride, Take a picture.

 

[Marshall]

A Ps, don't let these trucks sit and idle too much as that can be a cause for poor oil feed to the lifters and camshaft.
I have never bothered with guards as I don't mess around in the bush if possible, most are for looks I think, deer on the roads at night are more of a problem here, and a push bar will not help.

 

[BeachGirl]

Welcome.

Whether the rails will fit or not, not know. Depends upon what type rails and mounting bracket locations and WHETHER THE TRUCK THEY COMING off of has the same wheel base, and whether both are like Crew Cabs.

AS far as bars or brush, a personal choice. I have a 5th Gen with the parking sensors, so specific bars a problem, I do not have a bar or anything else mounted. U gotta check if U got front sensors, U may have to leave them turned off depending upon what model/size front Bar U get. With that many miles, INSURE u STAY UP ON MAINTENANCE, specifically OCI (Oil Change Interval). Definitely USE a high quality oil/filter strategy. "Burla" has a big thread on oil/filters.

U may wanna see if the front/rear diff oils have ever been changed, IF not get them done. Also see if U can figure out radiator info: Like ever been changed. If U cannot find, get that done also. Air Filter also.
All above IMHO only.

the diffs were changed early at 42K. It looked like a previous owner got a package deal at the dealership that also included trans fluid and tune up. I getting spark plugs, air filter, and something else I can't remember. They already did the oil.

I'll double check, but don't think I have front sensors.

 

[BeachGirl]

A Ps, don't let these trucks sit and idle too much as that can be a cause for poor oil feed to the lifters and camshaft.
I have never bothered with guards as I don't mess around in the bush if possible, most are for looks I think, deer on the roads at night are more of a problem here, and a push bar will not help.

thought the bar would be cheaper to replace then front end from a deer? Also a problem here.

 

[BeachGirl]

Hi From Canada, Mine is a 2014 ,I ordered running boards when I bought the truck , as the wife finds them a bit high, and last while lots of hip problems .
I think they are the same , but I am not really sure.
I ordered stainless steel full length, as other wise hard to reach into the box., and short ones look wrong.
I had factory chrome on my 2010 and started to have a bit of rust show up.
As they where dealer installed, they where covered under warranty and dealer put new ones on.
If I installed at home, that don't apply.

One thing , not that I have ever had it happen, listen for ticks from the motor, they can have bad lifters in the motor, a very expensive fix, and exhaust manifold bolts can be a problem if broken.
not a huge job.
Have the service guy check that, I presume you have bought it already.

I have had 3 and never any problems with any.
Enjoy your new ride, Take a picture.

I didn't realize boards were different lengths. I see the diff looking at your pic. Thanks. I'm only 5'1" so i would def like the longer one. I keep a folding stool in my Highlander to reach the roof rack LOL
It doesn't seem like the boards are that much lower. Does she still have an issue getting in/out? I hate to spend a lot of money on them if they aren't really going to help.

Tick? Like my old Rodeo sounded like a sewing machine, kind of tick? I didn't hear anything odd. Actually I was surprised at how good it sounded.

 

[Marshall]

Her problem is the stepping down to the ground, there boards are not that low, I would have to measure from the ground.
My truck is a quad cab, so smaller back doors then a crew cab.

If you are looking at used ones, just hold them up to the truck and see if the length works out, and make 100% sure you get all the mounts and hardware that came with them new.
If not , walk away.
You could go to a large truck accessory dealer and look at what they have on display.
I have a habit of looking for deals, sometimes its a bad idea.
There are a step type that you can buy as well, not full length board. I think they hang a bit lower then most boards. I could take a closer picture if you wanted, but its dark now.
At my age, getting in the box is a chore now. I have less then 90 th Kilometres on it.

 

[GTyankee]

view these images, they show Nerf Bars, which is another name fore side steps

2014 Ram crew cab with nerf bars - Google Search

The Dodge Dealerships likely will not have a side step, that you might like.

Look in your phone book or better yet ONLINE for a nearby
TRUCK ACCESSORIES Store
like Huntsville, Chattanooga, etc.

may i suggest that you might like something similar to this style

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[BeachGirl]

view these images, they show Nerf Bars, which is another name fore side steps

2014 Ram crew cab with nerf bars - Google Search

The Dodge Dealerships likely will not have a side step, that you might like.

Look in your phone book or better yet ONLINE for a nearby
TRUCK ACCESSORIES Store
like Huntsville, Chattanooga, etc.

may i suggest that you might like something similar to this styleView attachment 564660

Yes I like that style. Seems to come out a little farther from the truck so you actually have room on it for your foot. I checked the link, thanks! WOW power ones would be nice, but a little pricey LOL

Thank you for telling me what to google. I wasn't googling correctly to find the stores.
Would really have liked to have the matching Longhorn ones. But sales guy/mgr is sure they won't fit.

 

[BeachGirl]

View attachment 564668

love the yellow!!

 

[BeachGirl]

thought the bar would be cheaper to replace then front end from a deer? Also a problem here.

So if I go away for a few months, don't put it in storage? Have someone drive it once in a while?

 

[Marshall]

Are you wondering about the battery going down?
It will, you can buy small batteries maintainers ( small battery chargers)
About 1 or 2 amps
Or run it for a bit ever 2 weeks or so
A good battery should be fine for a month or so .

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Welcome from Ontario, Canada.

 

[diymirage]

I didn't realize boards were different lengths. I see the diff looking at your pic. Thanks. I'm only 5'1" so i would def like the longer one. I keep a folding stool in my Highlander to reach the roof rack LOL
It doesn't seem like the boards are that much lower. Does she still have an issue getting in/out? I hate to spend a lot of money on them if they aren't really going to help.

I think you are mistaken length for width

These trucks can be had with 3 different size cabs, and and running boards from a large cab would hit the wheels on a short cab, that's the main issue


As far as function, I prefer the wider ones myself, 5 inches across and flat

I actually used to keep a stepladder in the truck so my mother in law could get in too, even with the running boards

 

[GTyankee]

the side steps that are in the image above, state that the width of them is 6"

5" or 6" wide would be good for almost any kind of shoe type

 

[Wild one]

the diffs were changed early at 42K. It looked like a previous owner got a package deal at the dealership that also included trans fluid and tune up. I getting spark plugs, air filter, and something else I can't remember. They already did the oil.

I'll double check, but don't think I have front sensors.

If the last time the diffs and transfer case were serviced was at 42,000,your due to change them again.It also wouldn't hurt to have the cooling system serviced with new anti-freeze if it hasn't been done.
Have your guy check the serpentine belt over,as it might not be a bad idea to replace it,if it's still the original belt.
Don't let it idle if at all possible,and adopt a good oil change strategy,using a good quality synthetic oil and compatiable filter.
Don't go by the oil change indicator,try and change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles if possible.
If it's gonna sit for a month or 2 at times,follow the above advice about putting the battery on a battery maintainer.
Get your guy to see if he can find a date on the battery,if it's approaching 4 or 5 years old,it wouldn't hurt to have a new one installed.There's a block in the bottom of the battery box,that can be removed then you can upgrade to the larger H8 sized battery,as the stock battery is only an H7/94R battery