Hurricane durability questions?

[Jimmy07]

There might have been 3 people last summer who had the hurricane who posted regularly on this forum. There’s many more now.

This isn’t the only Ram forum. In fact, this particular forum has the least amount of knowledge and information about the 5th gen’s in general.

 

[star_deceiver]

In fact, this particular forum has the least amount of knowledge and information about the 5th gen’s in general.

I’ll take your word for that. Reading up on one forum is time consuming enough.

 

[TruckNut]

Tell us abut the serious issues you have experienced with the hurricane engine and not you tube vids.I am all ears.

Are you not reading reported issues? I guess if you discount the problem postings here and other forums and mechanics postings on YouTube then I guess they’re fine. I test drove a 2025 and loved it but decided to wait until CEL lights, melting cats and thermostat problems are remedied.

 

[coobie]

Are you not reading reported issues? I guess if you discount the problem postings here and other forums and mechanics postings on YouTube then I guess they’re fine. I test drove a 2025 and loved it but decided to wait until CEL lights, melting cats and thermostat problems are remedied.

Yes I have, do you believe there are no issues with the 5.7 hemi ?? But you still purchased one correct? I traded my 2022 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi and purchased a 2025 RAM 1500 with the hurricane stt 5,000 miles on the OD time will tell if its a good engine or not.I have to say I don't believe everything I see on YouTube.

 

[Grams]

I have a 17 RAM 5.7 with 151,000 miles. I've not had a single issue with the deactivation.

Until the old alzheimer-driver ran his red-light and T-boned two of us…. my 2012 Ram 1500 with a 4.7 V8 ..(yes…you read that right…the last engine AMC designed before Chrysler bought-out AMC)…. had 220K miles and burned ZERO oil between 5K mile oil changes using WM SuperTech oil and filters.

I don’t even expect to get that kind or reliability from my new Cummins.

 

[nlambert182]

Why? Aside from the emissions junk it should more than beat those numbers (if maintained)

 

[Grams]

Why? Aside from the emissions junk it should more than beat those numbers (if maintained)

(I presume you were responding to my post just-above yours…)
…
So here’s why: The emissions junk.

It’s unfortunate…but it’s part of the whole package and must be working by law. Plus all the filter-changes (costing about $200 or more each year just for the fuel filters alone).

I love the torque of the Cummins…but I was trapped out-of-town with a wrecked truck and forgot I never wanted a diesel…but that’s all the dealer had available with Ramboxes…other than a Black Hurricane-equipped 1500… and I need a H.D. tow-vehicle, not another low-capacity 1500. (When I purchased the 1500 I didn’t tow anything ..but things changed since…)

Anyway…. the Cummins is certainly a Capable engine…and likely long-lived…but it’s not going to operate anywhere near the low-cost gassers…. and I simply couldn’t consider an introductory-year new engine like a Hurricane in a low-payload Black truck that lives in Texas heat.

I think Stellantis ..being in poor financial condition… took a chance on an engine that was already in-production by them …rather than continue with existing designs that cost them more to produce and had lost market.

I hope somebody in This Side of the ocean can re-acquire CJDR and make it American again. (I hated to see the Saltillo Assembly sticker on my drivers door jamb….but the workmanship is pretty good.…and that’s better than china…)

 

[06 Dodge]

(I presume you were responding to my post just-above yours…)
…
So here’s why: The emissions junk.

It’s unfortunate…but it’s part of the whole package and must be working by law. Plus all the filter-changes (costing about $200 or more each year just for the fuel filters alone).

I love the torque of the Cummins…but I was trapped out-of-town with a wrecked truck and forgot I never wanted a diesel…but that’s all the dealer had available with Ramboxes…other than a Black Hurricane-equipped 1500… and I need a H.D. tow-vehicle, not another low-capacity 1500. (When I purchased the 1500 I didn’t tow anything ..but things changed since…)

Anyway…. the Cummins is certainly a Capable engine…and likely long-lived…but it’s not going to operate anywhere near the low-cost gassers…. and I simply couldn’t consider an introductory-year new engine like a Hurricane in a low-payload Black truck that lives in Texas heat.

I think Stellantis ..being in poor financial condition… took a chance on an engine that was already in-production by them …rather than continue with existing designs that cost them more to produce and had lost market.

I hope somebody in This Side of the ocean can re-acquire CJDR and make it American again. (I hated to see the Saltillo Assembly sticker on my drivers door jamb….but the workmanship is pretty good.…and that’s better than china…)

Not sure where you buy fuel filters but I can buy a Fleetguard front filter and Mopar rear filter for under $150 delivered to my door, Fleetguard air filter for $50 or less delivered.

 

[TruckNut]

Yes I have, do you believe there are no issues with the 5.7 hemi ?? But you still purchased one correct? I traded my 2022 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi and purchased a 2025 RAM 1500 with the hurricane stt 5,000 miles on the OD time will tell if its a good engine or not.I have to say I don't believe everything I see on YouTube.

I wish you luck with the new RAM. Having owned 3 of them over the years they are still my favorite truck brand. You buying one with 5,000 miles on it was most likely the best move as any CEL codes seem to happen well under that mileage. Keep us posted as to how it does.

 

[HEMIMANN]

This is not a time bomb I would want in my truck. Rock Auto doesn’t have this type of replacement thermostat for any model of vehicle with the 3.0 engine. Nor can you buy a replacement cat from them.

I have not seen this engine in person so I can’t comment on how easy it would be to retrofit a conventional thermostat. Parts unobtanium is not a gamble for me. View attachment 561458

WTF is this kluge supposed to be a fix for? Higher Executive Bonuses? (not including warranty failures, of course - those don't effect the stock price until much later).

 

[Grams]

Why is it necessary for “Rock Auito” to have repalcement parts for an OEM product to have validity…??

If you need a Part…then simply buy genuine OEM. Doh. Aftermarket is… AFTER-Market… not necessarily…or even potentially 100% qualified replacement part.
(Although, on second thought… I Did replace the stupid, fractured-plastic oil filter canister on the wife’s Toyota with an all aluminum from Dorman.)

 

[nlambert182]

Not sure where you buy fuel filters but I can buy a Fleetguard front filter and Mopar rear filter for under $150 delivered to my door, Fleetguard air filter for $50 or less delivered.

Agreed. My filter/fluid changes cost me less in a year that the same on my wife's Armada and that includes the fuel filters. They're not that expensive. Really the only big ticket item is the emission system if it craps out. But... if you're going to own a newer diesel, do your homework and know that cost before buying it. It's worth it to a lot of folks because of the added capability. You can't get that anywhere else.

 

[star_deceiver]

Why is it necessary for “Rock Auito” to have repalcement parts for an OEM product to have validity…??

If you need a Part…then simply buy genuine OEM. Doh. Aftermarket is… AFTER-Market… not necessarily…or even potentially 100% qualified replacement part.
(Although, on second thought… I Did replace the stupid, fractured-plastic oil filter canister on the wife’s Toyota with an all aluminum from Dorman.)

Rock auto generally has everything. Their prices, including shipping, are 95% of the time cheaper than a dealer even for OEM products. There are often parts you need that have been discontinued or are unavailable from the dealer, or, like plastic oil filter housings… are OEM garbage.

Never balk at the ability to have choice in how you fix your vehicle. If you can’t get parts, you’re at the mercy of the dealer and whatever fees they feel like charging.

 

[Riccochet]

It generally takes a few years for the aftermarket to catch up on parts supply for new engines. It's not like CDJR drops a new engine and BAM all the aftermarket suppliers start making parts. They have to reverse engineer and tool up to start making those parts. Takes time. Plus they don't know what is going to be in high demand. So they're not going to start cranking out thermostat housings if they rarely fail. It's a cat and mouse game.

Much like the 3.5 Ecoboost. It went in to use in 2009 in the Taurus SHO, then in the F150 in 2011. Aftermarket parts didn't really start hitting shelves until 2014.

 

[HEMIMANN]

From Car and Driver this week (I think) -

Ramcharger PHEV is a pig! The half ton weighs ~ 1,000 pounds more than my 2500 gasser!
Also see: unaffordable.

Performance and Driving Range​

Despite the Ramcharger's power advantage, its battery alone adds substantial heft. Ram says it contributes 1216 pounds to the truck's claimed curb weight of 7507 pounds. Still, it's estimated to go from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Meanwhile, when we tested a 2025 Ram 1500 Limited crew cab 4x4 with the 540-hp Hurricane engine, it tipped our scales at 5967 pounds and hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. For a true comparison, though, we'll need to wait to strap our test equipment to a Ramcharger.

Price and Availability​

The one crucial detail we're still missing regarding the Ramcharger is pricing. The gas-only 1500 starts at $42,270 for the base Tradesman trim, while the Limited trim we tested starts at $77,150. The top-of-the-line Tungsten model commands an $89,150 starting price. Ram hasn't revealed the entire Ramcharger lineup, but we expect the most affordable examples to start around $60K. At the top end, the Ramcharger could easily spill over the $100,000 mark. More specifics regarding pricing should be released later this year ahead of deliveries in the second half.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Yes I have, do you believe there are no issues with the 5.7 hemi ?? But you still purchased one correct? I traded my 2022 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi and purchased a 2025 RAM 1500 with the hurricane stt 5,000 miles on the OD time will tell if its a good engine or not.I have to say I don't believe everything I see on YouTube.

Every motor has the potential for issues. Not every motor has the same odds, though. The 5.7L has a ton of data behind it thanks to years of sales and years of fleet use. Odds of any given motor developing cam issues is very low, and with no cam issue it'll outlive other major components.

The Hurricane has very very limited data. It's been in some Grand Wagoneers, a low volume vehicle, for a very limited time. In short, it's an unknown. If you trade trucks every 3 years, maybe not a concern for you. For someone who wants 10 yrs+ that's a bigger roll of the dice.

 

[ramffml]

From Car and Driver this week (I think) -

Ramcharger PHEV is a pig! The half ton weighs ~ 1,000 pounds more than my 2500 gasser!
Also see: unaffordable.

It's not really a half ton though, it's more of a 3/4 ton when you look at the towing (14k) and payload (2600+ lbs) specs, plus the 8 stud axles etc. The thing is a beast.

I'm pretty interested in it, the two concerns I have are engine noise under load, and cost.

 

[HEMIMANN]

It's not really a half ton though, it's more of a 3/4 ton when you look at the towing (14k) and payload (2600+ lbs) specs, plus the 8 stud axles etc. The thing is a beast.

I'm pretty interested in it, the two concerns I have are engine noise under load, and cost.

The only engine load is charging batteries. The engine is a generator - there is no mechanical connection to the drivetrain. How hard the engine works is totally dependent on the re-charge regime they programmed into the throttle to charge batteries. One would think they would set the engine to constant speed at it's peak BSFC efficieny (2400 rpm?) and control the charge amps from the generator via control of the rotor field current.

Or they could have gone the more expensive route of having a variable speed engine that charges based on charge demand after the battery voltage dips to a pre-set point. That requires a variable frequency converter to DC.

 

[ramffml]

The only engine load is charging batteries. The engine is a generator - there is no mechanical connection to the drivetrain. How hard the engine works is totally dependent on the re-charge regime they programmed into the throttle to charge batteries. One would think they would set the engine to constant speed at it's peak BSFC efficieny (2400 rpm?) and control the charge amps from the generator via control of the rotor field current.

Or they could have gone the more expensive route of having a variable speed engine that charges based on charge demand after the battery voltage dips to a pre-set point. That requires a variable frequency converter to DC.

The video I just watched with the engineer, he says that they asked test drivers to say when they thought the engine was running or not, and most of the time they got it wrong.

He also says that RPMs will typically follow regular gas engine patterns, spin higher when pedal is pressed further etc. They've tested it on the davis dam etc.

Guess that just leaves cost as my concern then.

2026 Ram 1500 Ramcharger Engineer Interview - Towing, Range, Engine Choice, etc...

Publisher Tim Esterdahl rounded up your questions and got them answered on the 2026 Ram 1500 Ramcharger from the lead engineer. Watch as he goes over all the...

www.youtube.com

 

[HEMIMANN]

Well, it sure seems the did a good job on that piece! I guess my only concerns would be
1) high price vs energy savings (is it worth the high price)
2) reliability, as with all the PHEV's is lower due to dual power systems
3) weight, maybe - insurance companies and state registration may tax the $hit outta this pig because the weight is more dangerous to other vehicles in collisions and has more road wear than lighter trucks (taxed by weight).
4) first years of any design is for the risk-takers that love shaking design bugs out, if they have the time.