Keep current truck or trade in?

[markusaf81]

Same here... instead I sunk whole paychecks into modding up a new Jeep. :/

(though banging a chick @ Moab on the rollcage was kinda worth it... I'll shut up now.)

My last car I had stateside was a brand new 2002 Camaro which I spent every penny modding...I at spaghetti with no cheese (no money) for 3 meals a day sometimes just to afford it...wanna know where that got me? Nowhere, lol.

I had an old crusty Chief tell me one day to dump money in TSP, I ignored him and here I am regretting it 20 years later.

 

[T JAZ]

Thanks everyone for the advice! Looks like I’ll keep it for the long haul haha.

 

[Garce421]

I will echo the above posts. Keep the truck you have. I spent most of my younger years buying new trucks at every duty station and ignored the chiefs telling me to do TSP. If you are joining now you will be forced into the new retirement plan. The AF will match your tsp contributions up to 5% so you should AT LEAST be putting that much in. Take a look at a compounding interest calculator or talk to a command financial specialist. They love to talk about money and investing and are good free resources. The extra money you would be spending on a new truck payment will pay off BIG TiME down the road. I regret not doing it sooner and was a stubborn E3

 

[GsRAM]

Thanks everyone for the advice! Looks like I’ll keep it for the long haul haha.

Atta boy! Good choice. You may not be 100% on board with us on this..but down the road 15,,20 yrs you'll think back on this decision and think...."Man all those old dudes were right..." hahahahaha....good luck to you and thanks for your service to let us live free.

 

[Lucy Girl]

Keep my 2018 RAM 2500HD, it will kick but even with all the weight it carries empty!! Chevy’s don’t stand a chance.

 

[Ram Wagon]

Ah gotcha. Think it’s worth while perusing supercharging the 5.7L?

Dakota Customs will install a hellcat 6.2L for you. Not cheap but might be worth it.

 

[Spectre]

Every bit of guidance given is sound advice, no doubt from past experience. I wish I had a dime for every young troop I counseled with like advice. When I went in AF, the first thing my engine shop friends said was , see that RT, once you get a girlfriend, and if it evolves to marriage, it will be gone.... it was! That being said... I'm not alone, but here is something I learned as I moved station to station. Watch for the kids that keep dumping their pay checks into their vehicles... sooner or later they will get overwhelmed with debt or an assignment, and guess what their next move will be? Their hot rod or Truck or bike, or atv, will be on the "lemon lot", with a for sale sign in the windshield. That pay check every two weeks is a false sense of security and as you get older it will be a struggle to make ends meet if you aren't disciplined and learn to live within your means . Take the advice of all our forum who have responded to you and discipline yourself. When you get to your first assignment go to the courses offered for financial planning.
You need to focus on your career and training not your toys. It will pay off with dividends later down the road and you'll be able to purchase or build what you want as you want.

 

[slacadjuster]

Hi everyone! This will be my first post so forgive the rambling.

I currently have a 2015 ram 1500 laramie that I have had a 6" procomp lift put on, with pro runner shocks all 4 corners, and 35" tires 17" rims. I have also had a performance tune pcm swap by HP tuners, Kooks long tube headers 1 7/8" pipe. 3" full offroad Y pipe with a flowmaster 40 series muffler, and resonator delete. CAI as well from s&B.

I'm currently getting about 12MPG.

Sitting at about 28,000 miles.

My goal is to have a comfortable daily driver that I can take to car shows and show off with and have fun in. I do not plan to haul much at all or tow anything. Mainly going for the power/performance aspect.

I was originally thinking about turboing/supercharging my current vehicle but was informed the 5.7L wouldn't give out that much more, especially being lifted, and that the engine would need a complete rebuild in order to fortify it enough to withstand the power.

So my question is, should I go for a 2019 1500 and put a smaller lift on it but supercharge?
Or keep current vehicle and get the engine work done.
Or go to a power wagon possibly level it and supercharge that 6.4L?
Or go diesel with the cummins? I'm not familiar with diesel but Id assume doing a turbo swap would grant more power?

I have even pondered getting a hellcat as a second vehicle, but I am still in my 20's and am about to go into the military(air force), so having two vehicles just wouldn't make sense.

Anyways I was hoping to get some input on here as my local shop who does great work on hellcats and Mopar in general may be just leaning to sell me stuff. I've been had the idea of an engine swap come up in conversation but Id rather not lose all resale value by doing so.

I also do understand that the higher a truck is the slower it will be so maybe find a equilibrium between lift and engine work/performance? Or at least weigh the pros and cons of lift/ performance?

I do enjoy having big trucks, but at 12MPG average and running 91 octane, plus not being able to maneuver well in parking lots and parking garages being off limits, Id like to see what else is there available. I sort of rushed into this truck last year due to several personal reasons but again Id just like to get an idea on what everyone else thinks and go from there!

Thanks everyone in advance for any advice or experience you could put forth.



Really?? I just don't get this. This is 100% PERSONNAL PREFERANCE. Not something to be asked by a bunch of guys on a forum. Would you ask them if you should change your underwear?? NO.