Looking at a R/T

[Kodi]

Hello guys, I recently came across a 2011 R/T for sale with 31K miles. Has about every bolt on possible... List of mods
Ripp Supercharger kit with a Vortec v3 supercharger
Intertia Motorsports Spartan Eagle Custom Blower Cam
Flowmaster muffler into 2 5'' exhaust tips
Performance 545 rfe built transmission
Dyno Tuned
American racing long tube headers
87mm Ported Throttle body Auto Meter Boost and Air Fuel Ratio Gauges
bell tech sport suspension, and lowered 2/4 beltech drop

Its tuned for 5lbs of boost. Putting out 451hp and 480tq
I really like the truck. But my big worry is the transmission. This truck would be my daily driver, and cant afford to have it go down. Seems like every boosted ram on here has eaten through a built trans.... Truck is in Texas and im in Ohio so cant even test drive it... Thoughts guys?

 

[ElTerrible]

beautiful truck, if the price is right go for it. but if it was me i would just buy an rt locally and add my own mods to it.

 

[TylerB]

I wouldn't even think about it. There's a reason it's already had a new trans installed and probably the very same reason they're trying to sell it.

 

[Statcher1]

The truck looks awesome. But if your not ready to rebuild the trans soon. I wouldn't touch it. The guy is selling for a reason.

 

[UNBROKEN]

He's on my R/T Owners Facebook page. If you're on FB ask to join and you can ask him about it in person if you're not already talking to him.

 

[BLKMAGIC]

The truck looks awesome. But if your not ready to rebuild the trans soon. I wouldn't touch it. The guy is selling for a reason.

I wouldn't even think about it. There's a reason it's already had a new trans installed and probably the very same reason they're trying to sell it.

These are definitely possibilities, but just because he is selling it doesn't mean something is wrong with it....For example, Unbroken is selling his, not because its falling apart, but because he wants to move on from it. I definitely wouldn't buy something without test driving it first though, especially something heavily modified. its worth the cost of a flight out to take it for a spin before investing that kind of money.

 

[14hemiexpress]

If you are serious about it I would take a flight to texas and test drive it. Always ask the basic questions why are you selling it. To your knowledge anything wrong with it. Do you have all the receipts mainly the Trans receipt. With the basic questions you can feel the seller out. The trans is probably built to handle the charger. There are many reasons to stay away from a heavily modded truck but also many $$$$$ to buy one already modded. The list of mods he has is 20k long that could be a lot of savings or a lot of headaches if done wrong. Most people won't buy a $30000 truck to mod it wrong it's probably a solid truck. Just keep in mind if it's a DD and you can't afford it to go down a week in the Trans shop or something like that maybe you shouldn't have one so heavily modified. I get the desire I do and please don't take the last statement personal it's just my outsiders perspective. Good luck it's a awesome looking truck.

 

[arod412]

Personally, I would stay away only because there is a reason why he has all of those mods. The probly raced it or dragged raced it and might have beaten it up a little.

For a daily driver, I would not do it because it would be a bear to fix (unless you are a do it yourself guy and know all of the components that have been added).

My suggestion is to get an bare bones rt and start from scratch, because then you know what you are, doing to it, and you know how you are driving it.



"Worrying about MPG on a truck is like worrying about the tow rating on a prius"

 

[Kodi]

Thanks for the info everyone! I trust the owner, He wouldn't sell me something that was going to break. It is a well built truck. But then again ive seen several guys on here go through a built trans... But I like the idea of buying a R/T locally and modding it to my own liking. As much as I want that power, reliability is my major concern. Maybe I will just build up my Rumble Bee more... Once again thanks for the different perspectives on the subject!

 

[BlackRamHemi]

As a Ripp owner on my 5th transmission,

I would only do it if you have a second vehicle for down time,
and a spare (built) trans ready to go in. (~$2k)

Seems the only things that fail under boost are the OD frictions,
if you can remove/replace the trans yourself at home, rebuilding is cheap.

 

[Kodi]

As a Ripp owner on my 5th transmission,

I would only do it if you have a second vehicle for down time,
and a spare (built) trans ready to go in. (~$2k)

Seems the only things that fail under boost are the OD frictions,
if you can remove/replace the trans yourself at home, rebuilding is cheap.

haha, Im not that good... Sounds like alot of head scratching for me! Thank for the info though!

 

[InspectGWS]

I want this hood...

 

[UNBROKEN]

Just because something is heavily modded doesn't mean it's junk, guys. I've talked quite a bit online with the owner...it's a solid package and well done. People just move on....I know I do. My R/T has a stupid amount of mods...I can assure you there's not a single thing wrong with it. The same can be said for many modded vehicles.

 

[BlackRamHemi]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with my Ram either the day before the OD frictions finally let go.

I didn't know anything was wrong until I was cruising home on the highway and it bounced off the rev limiter and put the trans in limp mode.

I cant tell you how many others have told the same story, its nothing new.

Not saying anything is wrong with this one,
but you best be prepared for a back up plan "just in case".


Bottom line,
Having a Boosted Ram is not a wise idea as your one and only daily driver. (like the OP mentioned)

remember this?

This truck would be my daily driver, and cant afford to have it go down.

 

[THETANK]

why are the trannies not holding up and I would buy a new R/T and build it to your exat specs.

 

[BlackRamHemi]

the 45RFE was the first ****, a four speed auto
originally designed to go behind a 4.7L Jeep Grand Cherokee in 99'
(rated at a mere 235HP/295ft.lbs Torque)

When Dodge brought the Hemi back in the 3G 03' Ram
they used a reprogrammed 45RFE with a second OD gear and called it a 545RFE
Same **** with a new name, but behind a 345HP/375ft.lb Torque powerplant.

Then when Ram upgraded to the Eagle Hemi in 09' 4G
it was pushing 390HP/404ft.lb Torque and the poor 545RFE was near its breaking point.

So they slapped a pile of torque management into the programming to help protect it,
but all that did was slow throttle response, slow the shift procedure down
and increasing wear on the frictions in the already weak OD clutch pack.

in 2012, instead of finally giving us a replacement to the 13 y/o ****,
they reprogrammed it, yet again, by adding another gear by calling the 2nd prime
aka kick down gear, from the 5 speed the "new" 3rd gear and called it the 65RFE.

Finally we got a decent upgrade in 2013, the German designed ZF 8 Speed.


Aftermarket builders of the 545RFE's are currently removing the weakest clutch pack,
the OD with 3 steels/4 frictions and cramming in 14 single sided 68RFE (Ram Diesel transmission) OD frictions by machining the basket and backing plates.
It's still not enough, you also need a shift kit, modify the pump and valve body for higher line pressures
and last but most importantly you need the tune to command those higher line pressures for more holding power to keep the frictions from slipping.

Without the tune, you can still easily burn up a built trans,
ask me how I know....the hard way. 5 Times between my buddy and I.

Burned up stock OD frictions


68RFE frictions (new)


Burned up and coned from excessive heat 68RFE frictions






45RFE teardown video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIeWHqO27TA

I've done this 6 times in 12 months, its not hard but it ain't much fun anymore
if you have to pay someone to do it, you need deep pockets!

 

[tones2SS]

That sure is a bad ass truck and it seems to be done right. Must go pretty darn good, that's for sure. Pretty nice set up as well.
Like stated earlier, I would be careful if it is your daily driver. ALWAYS good to have a back up vehicle, "just in case". Modded vehicles can go wrong. Not always, but you never know.
Good luck man.