mjbrox113
Junior Member
I just picked up a 2014 1500 Laramie, Longhorn, Limited (tripple L if thats a thing)
Anyway, it is the fanciest car Ive ever owned. I just replaced a 2000 Mercedes e320. Oh, this is the first American vehicle ive owned since I was 17 (nearly 25 years ago) and I never take my cars to mechanics
Most websites like this have "sticky's", FAQ, Common issues etc. I cant seem to find that on this page. So im going to make a one stop shop asking all the common things a new owner to a used 4th gen should be asking.
Parts:
With all my european cars I buy parts from FCP or Pelican Parts. What are the best sites to get Ram parts
Oil:
I know I know, this question is the bane of all automotive forums. That said, Ive read around the web all sorts of theories around the HEMI tick. I feel like it would be smart to add zinc but I dont know. I live in Colorado and Im thinking 5W20 Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic is the way to go. Is Lucas good to use?
Fluids:
Im going to change all my fluids including diff, transfer case etc. Are there any fluids to go for or avoid?
Computer:
Im going to do my own maintenance, diag and repairs. I have a VEEPEAK with OBD Fusion. Will this let me diag most items including Air Suspension. If not what computers do yall recommend
Air Suspension:
My truck has the air suspension and it currently works great. It seems that all the problems are related to moisture getting into the system and then freezing in cold weather. Colorado is Cold, but its also dry. I am hell bent on keeping this system running and read up on it, but there is not one central place that explains how the system works or how to fix it, most people just give up and add coils. I think that adding an inline dryer would solve most of the issues. Where can i learn more about this system. Oh, and when people put coils in what do they do with their old parts? Cuz Ill take them
Interchangeable parts:
How can I tell what parts are interchangeable. For example, I want to buy some used side steps. Would side steps from any 4th gen work?
4WD vs 4Auto:
I assume 4 Auto is just RWD and kicks in the front tires if it detects slip. Is this the preferred mode when its a bit slick out but you are still doing 40 MPH+ on the highway
Big Fail Items:
Is there any preventive maintenance I can do prevent big expensive failures. For example, on my BMW, the coolant system is know to fail and take out the motor at 100k miles, so pre emptily replaced it all for $500 in parts. On the RAM there might be some grease port that needs to be serviced more than the factory says..... I dont know
Interior:
The leather in this is really nice. Im going to get some conditioner, but is there anything particularly good?
Headlights:
Mine have almost no chips. should I protect these with a film? Come to think of it, the hood doesn't either. I wonder if it was protected with a film and then removed.
Off Roading:
I have an old Land Rover for real off roading but there are definitely some "roads" Ill be able to take this truck that the Mercedes Wagon could not go up. What are my major off road limitation going to be. and why dont I have front tow hooks
Cheap/Easy/Fun mods:
Is there anything that is cheap and fun to do?
What else am I missing?
Oh, and maybe this is the wrong place, but it has a camper shell and decked drawers. I love both options, but Im not sure how Im going to carry 4 bikes like this. I may put my roof rack on the cab or suck it up and buy a hitch rack. Does anyone know what the load rating of that Leer shell might be?
Anyway, it is the fanciest car Ive ever owned. I just replaced a 2000 Mercedes e320. Oh, this is the first American vehicle ive owned since I was 17 (nearly 25 years ago) and I never take my cars to mechanics
Most websites like this have "sticky's", FAQ, Common issues etc. I cant seem to find that on this page. So im going to make a one stop shop asking all the common things a new owner to a used 4th gen should be asking.
Parts:
With all my european cars I buy parts from FCP or Pelican Parts. What are the best sites to get Ram parts
Oil:
I know I know, this question is the bane of all automotive forums. That said, Ive read around the web all sorts of theories around the HEMI tick. I feel like it would be smart to add zinc but I dont know. I live in Colorado and Im thinking 5W20 Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic is the way to go. Is Lucas good to use?
Fluids:
Im going to change all my fluids including diff, transfer case etc. Are there any fluids to go for or avoid?
Computer:
Im going to do my own maintenance, diag and repairs. I have a VEEPEAK with OBD Fusion. Will this let me diag most items including Air Suspension. If not what computers do yall recommend
Air Suspension:
My truck has the air suspension and it currently works great. It seems that all the problems are related to moisture getting into the system and then freezing in cold weather. Colorado is Cold, but its also dry. I am hell bent on keeping this system running and read up on it, but there is not one central place that explains how the system works or how to fix it, most people just give up and add coils. I think that adding an inline dryer would solve most of the issues. Where can i learn more about this system. Oh, and when people put coils in what do they do with their old parts? Cuz Ill take them
Interchangeable parts:
How can I tell what parts are interchangeable. For example, I want to buy some used side steps. Would side steps from any 4th gen work?
4WD vs 4Auto:
I assume 4 Auto is just RWD and kicks in the front tires if it detects slip. Is this the preferred mode when its a bit slick out but you are still doing 40 MPH+ on the highway
Big Fail Items:
Is there any preventive maintenance I can do prevent big expensive failures. For example, on my BMW, the coolant system is know to fail and take out the motor at 100k miles, so pre emptily replaced it all for $500 in parts. On the RAM there might be some grease port that needs to be serviced more than the factory says..... I dont know
Interior:
The leather in this is really nice. Im going to get some conditioner, but is there anything particularly good?
Headlights:
Mine have almost no chips. should I protect these with a film? Come to think of it, the hood doesn't either. I wonder if it was protected with a film and then removed.
Off Roading:
I have an old Land Rover for real off roading but there are definitely some "roads" Ill be able to take this truck that the Mercedes Wagon could not go up. What are my major off road limitation going to be. and why dont I have front tow hooks
Cheap/Easy/Fun mods:
Is there anything that is cheap and fun to do?
What else am I missing?
Oh, and maybe this is the wrong place, but it has a camper shell and decked drawers. I love both options, but Im not sure how Im going to carry 4 bikes like this. I may put my roof rack on the cab or suck it up and buy a hitch rack. Does anyone know what the load rating of that Leer shell might be?