Need another ram

[Digi]

So my 2009 met the lovely fate of a hit and run and total loss by the insurance company. Means I'm looking for a newer ram, will never buy new, but curious, any years you would say definitely stay away from? Looked a 2014 Laramie, took a test drive, that 5.7 hemi compared to by 4.7 is quite a difference. Any things to look out for with that one or other years? Don't need all the bells and whistles, but heated seats and remote start are the two bigger ones.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Look for an 18-24 1500 4th Gen classic with 5.7L, 8spd trans, 8.4" radio (definitely won't have eTorque stop/start) ...

You may also consider a new body style 5th Gen DT 1500 from 19-22. ...'22 was last year to get a 5.7L with a non eTorque as an option. (Had ordered 22 rebel 5.7L eTorque and started having issues with the Motor Generator unit MGU/eTorque stop start and ECU causing stall issues around 1500 - 12k miles with no fix and dumped it a a loss before I got t-boned).

I'm currently in a '22 5th Gen 1500 DT limited (w/o eTorque) that's been great. 2nd truck with Rambox's and a must have IMO for my glorified pavement queen.

Prior trucks...
- 13Ram1500 Express 5.7L 6spd 4x4 (10k m... Wanted 8spd. Traded in for a profit)

- 13ram1500 SLT v6/8spd 4x4 Crew (63k mi, Great truck, no issues... Say over a year and got a great deal)

- 18ram1500 Laramie 5.7L/8spd 4x4 Crew (52k mi, great value/features, no issues)

- 19ram1500 Laramie 5.7L eTorque/8spd 4x2 (26k mi, great value/features, no issues... Quad Cab wasn't good fit)

- 22ram1500 Limited Nt Edit. Patriot Blue, 5.7L/8spd 4x4 Crew (18k mi, great truck/features, 33g tank, no issues... Traded in at a profit)

- 22ram1500 Rebel Order, Hydro Blue, 5.7L eTorque/8spd 4x4 Crew (12k mi, issues right away, 33g tank, Rambox... Optioned like a Laramie. Took a loss)

- 22ram1500 Limited Nt Edit. Delmonico Red, 5.7L/8spd 4x4 Crew (50k mi so far. great truck/features, 26g tank = Sad, Rambox's no issues.)

 

[rzr6-4]

I *think* 2014 is supposed to be a good year for ram if you liked the one you drove. I wouldn't touch anything 2020 or later with a 10ft pole, Ram or otherwise. Too many quality issues.

For me, I'd be looking for a 5.7 w/ 8spd, 2013-2020 with around 100k miles and no body rust.

 

[British Bulldog]

Do you know, thinking on this I have had a 2014 Sport, Hemi. 2017 Longhorn, 21 Longhorn and now this 25 Longhorn and my fav was….. the 2014 Sport!
Maybe because I was a New Immigrant with money to spend before my ex got it, but I was blown away by the Ram 1500 Sport. I really really didn’t need to get any other but, well, got carried away!
Granite Crystal with sport hood and package. I bought it Nov 2013! Can’t remember how much now. Flawless functionality for the four yrs I owned it and saw it several times around the Minneapolis St Paul area up until I left in 2019!

 

[Curmudgeon]

So my 2009 met the lovely fate of a hit and run and total loss by the insurance company. Means I'm looking for a newer ram, will never buy new, but curious, any years you would say definitely stay away from? Looked a 2014 Laramie, took a test drive, that 5.7 hemi compared to by 4.7 is quite a difference. Any things to look out for with that one or other years? Don't need all the bells and whistles, but heated seats and remote start are the two bigger ones.

My truck is a 2014 Ram Laramie Quad Cab, with 118,000 miles. It's been a great vehicle and both the wife and I love it.

No "tick" and I've replaced the exhaust manifolds, but that seems to show up across many years and brands as well. I have no plans to get rid of it, although I am retired. So I got that working for me.
Which is nice.

 

[Mojo88]

I like the posts above from @Mpgrimm2 and @rzr6-4 .

I bought a 2019 5th Gen last year. I shopped around for almost 6 months before I found one I liked, with all the options I wanted (basically everything, haha), and some options that I did NOT want (eTorque mainly).

I shopped online, looking at trucks in the contiguous 48 states. I was prepared with cash and ready to buy remotely if necessary. I've used a remote Inspection service called LemonSquad a couple of times. They go look at the vehicle, drive it, take tons of pics and do up a very thorough report for ~$225. Then I would have had it shipped to me. But after looking all over the dang country, I found one about 100 miles from me, so I went to see it, and bought it right away. I've been exceptionally happy with it.

Do up a list of all your wants/needs, then shop like crazy. Look at all the online sites and use their filters. I'm guessing you can find something close to you. Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[MADDOG]

My 2014 2500 Big Horn with the 6.4L was one of my favorite trucks. Being a 2014 the PCM wasn't locked so tuning was easy to do. It was a solid truck with some nice options but without all those bells & whistles.

 

[turkeybird56]

Suks when U lose a prized vehicle that way. BUT at least it took the shot and kept you safe. Imagine being in a Prius and get hit like that.

SO what gonna be the new ride in the garage to replace the 14?

 

[Digi]

Looked at same vehicle 2014 Laramie but with air suspension. Wondering if they’ll bite me later on with issues

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Looked at same vehicle 2014 Laramie but with air suspension. Wondering if they’ll bite me later on with issues

From the threads I've seen over the years it's not a matter of if but when the air suspension will start having issues. Check out airDelete.Com ... Seems like it's about $2k to replace it with non air ride.

I was trying to avoid air ride, but it's standard on the limited and the wife just likes the truck and ride too much.

 

[Mojo88]

From the threads I've seen over the years it's not a matter of if but when the air suspension will start having issues. Check out airDelete.Com ... Seems like it's about $2k to replace it with non air ride.

I was trying to avoid air ride, but it's standard on the limited and the wife just likes the truck and ride too much.

Rather than delete the air ride in my truck (I love it), my plan is to use these guys when the time comes:
https://rebuildmastertech.com/ram/ram-1500/ram-1500-ds-2013-2018/
Decent reputation and reasonable prices....................

 

[Digi]

great, thanks for all the feedback on it. Ended up going with version without air suspension, dealer was stuck in no haggle mode, even after it's been sitting on their lot for 7 months, found another option and went with that one. Now if I can only figure out why people seem to throw out their manuals for every vehicle I have ever bought used. Seriously, why, just stick in the glovebox and forget about it.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

What did you decide on then?

 

[Digi]

@Mpgrimm2 2014 Laramie 5.7 hemi and 6'4" bed, now just need to find a cover for it, probably go with the roll up tonneau cover like I had before. Black with chrome wheels and front grill. Nice ride once I fixed the tire pressure, they had it set to 80psi on every tire, that was an ugly ride.

 

[RamRigger]

So my 2009 met the lovely fate of a hit and run and total loss by the insurance company. Means I'm looking for a newer ram, will never buy new, but curious, any years you would say definitely stay away from? Looked a 2014 Laramie, took a test drive, that 5.7 hemi compared to by 4.7 is quite a difference. Any things to look out for with that one or other years? Don't need all the bells and whistles, but heated seats and remote start are the two bigger ones.

I like the website https://www.rerev.com for a start at comparing vehicles in general, but by brand, model and years. They haven;t yet covered all models of all brands but they are trying. For example they only have listed reliability and problems for Ram 1500's so far: https://rerev.com/articles/dodge-ram-1500-years-to-avoid/. Sorry I tried both links and neither of them are working but just type rerev into search engine, I may have typed them in wrong