New enough I don’t own a truck yet

[Ccoulter]

Looking hard at a 2024 1500 Bighorn, 4wd, 4 door cab, 5.5 bed, mileage well under 10,000. If things go as per plan, I could own it next week. Yeah, I am aware, “No plan survives first contact with the enemy.” ~-)

I’ve had plenty of pickups, but no Rams. So, I don’t know anything about Ram trucks — Yet.

This one looks like it will fit the current mission, no heavy haul or heavy tow, fairly gentle off road (I’m old enough I don’t go anywhere I can’t walk out in 2 miles), long, mostly non-freeway trips, lumber from the local yards, and a daily driver. Most important, Beloved Wife says it is okay, and the dog likes it (Yes, in that order).

1. I don’t know what this eTorque is. I have only seen one clip so far. 48V motor-generator (maybe alternator) that can add to the engine output through a belt. ??? - ok. Boondoggle, maintenance hog, great idea? Don’t know.
The Plan: Do research here and other net sources. Also got a couple of buddies that hhad/have Rams - I’ll query them. Any references that are offered here are graciously appreciated.

2. The dealer (not a Ram dealer) says the factory warranty is still in force. Don’t know how that works. It is something I want. Plan: Call the nearest Ram dealer and ask.

3. I’m uncomfortable with why this new of a truck is on the market. Two owners. Per KBB the price is fair. Not a salvage title. Maintenance hog - but not quite meeting the state Lemon Law? Dealer says it is in perfect shape (I know, what a surprise). Plan: Visit the local Ram dealer service department, give them the VIN, ask for a list of warranty service work. Probably a Carfax - not sure what that will get me.

I definitely appreciate the resource here. Should hear from me by end of next week on how it went. I’ll either be, “YEAH” or “bummer - still looking.”

Carl
Pickups I can recall - eight
‘34 Dodge to a 2020 F250

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Research eTorque on here and other sources. Not really favorable reviews.
JMO naturally.

 

[mikeru]

Welcome to the forum Carl. There’s quite a bit of information (and misinformation) on etorque here. Basically, it’s a belt driven motor/generator instead of an alternator. Its main purpose is to restart the engine during start stop operation, but it does do other things like smooth out transmission shifts and add torque on initial take off.

Many people who have it love it, but anyone who has had issues with it find that replacement parts like the starter/generator or 48v battery module have seen long wait times on replacements.

The etorque system is covered by the factory emissions warranty which means it’s good for 8 years/80k miles.

If you’re wanting to avoid etorque you might look for a low mileage 2019 thru 2022 model without etorque. All Hemi equipped Ram 1500’s for 2023 and 2024 have etorque. Prior to that it was optional.

 

[RamDiver]

I most likely would pass on an E-Torque, even if it was free. Like mikeru mentioned, a 2019-2022 Hemi without E-Torque would always be my first choice if I was looking.

.

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Welcome from Ontario, Canada.

Search for a 4th Gen Classic HEMI ram in and around your area.
There are still some 2023's available new in Ontario, Canada.

My Warlock is a 23' and purchased new in 24' with the HEMI and no e-torque.

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[Ccoulter]

Well, bummer - no deal. I really liked the truck. Dearly Beloved really liked the truck.
Everything looked good, eTorque worked flawlessly, drove , handled really nice - right up till we got on some dirt and exercised the 4wd. Vehicle is in 2wd, in gear (D) rolling slowly (walking speed), press the 4wd High button. 2wd light stays on, 4wd High light blinks. Several seconds 4wd light still blinking.
No owners manual in glove box - Random button pressing follows:

Still rolling: Press 4Auto. 4Auto light comes on immediately. Press 4High, light on immediately. Back to 2wd - works. Back to 4High, 4High button blinks. Additional random button pressing.

Conclusion: 4wd works, controls are fubared.

Tell salesman, “This has to be resolved. It is a deal breaker.”

Sales manager and service manager involved. I’m not there so I don’t hear it directly.

However, I looked up the owner’s manual, Mopar website. There it is on page 132. Yep, should shift to 4wd quickly, smoothly as long as the wheels are not spinning. Talked to my buddy, he has a 2022 1500, 5.7 eTorque. 2wd to 4High, rolling, in gear - quick smooth, no hesitation.

Conversation with sales manager:
SM: Service manager says you have stop the vehicle, shift to neutral, press 4High, wait 30 seconds.

Me: That’s not what the owners manual says. He needs to read page 132.

SM: (Voice rising) severe rant about his certifications, experience, and she is definitely believing him

Me: So your telling me he is either lying or incompetent.

That pretty well ended the conversation. I definitely could have phrased that better. Probably doesn’t matter, by then the deal was not salvageable .

We liked the Ram. We will keep looking.

Thanks for replying. Thanks to the forum for the background information. We will be back when we find another one.

Oh yeah, The dealer was Carmax El Paso West. They lost my trust.

 

[mikeru]

Sounds like it was for the best. I hate giving dealerships like that my business.

 

[Docwagon1776]

3. I’m uncomfortable with why this new of a truck is on the market. Two owners. Per KBB the price is fair. Not a salvage title. Maintenance hog - but not quite meeting the state Lemon Law?

Sometimes dealers buy their own vehicles to hit a sales quota. They use it as a loaner or shop vehicle a few months then sell it as a used program car.

Obviously no idea on your specific truck.

 

[oe542bob]

OP, Good advice given so far. Always makes me laugh ( or cry ) when dealer service managers, service writers tell you stuff that isn’t correct. It’s so obvious especially if you done your own research and understand how something is supposed to work.
You are doing great research on your own. A ‘24/10,000 miles would still be under factory 3year/36,000 mile warranty. That is dependent on the actual “in service/sold” date.
I ordered a new ‘22 1500 Longhorn model in August 2022. At the time I had the choice of eTorque or no eTorque. I talked to a friend of mine with a ‘21 1500 Hemi with eTorque and he liked it. My intuition was to keep things simple and just get the Hemi with an alternator. But after talking with him, I went with eTorque. He just traded his ‘21 in a few months ago with 180,000 miles on it. Never had an issue with that system on his truck and I’m sure many others have the same experience with no problems.
Problems with Ram ( really all manufacturers ) is the parts supply when issues do arise and this has been the sore spot with owners ( waiting for months) when the eTorque generator starts making noise. It is the bearing(s) inside which can be repaired (DIY)on your own. Dealer will replace entire generator, not repair. Great write up on how to do it on this forum or 5th gen forum. Here again is where you get many different dealerships saying, oh, “that isn’t covered”. But it is!
I’m at +27,000 miles to date and no issues with my truck.
My opinion is if you have a choice, keep it simple (no eTorque) but that will be a ‘22 or older truck. But that said, if I get a new ‘26 1500 ( ordered ), it will be the Hemi again. Good Luck in your search.

 

[Ccoulter]

The saga has ended - or just started.
Stopped by the local ram dealer. Looked at two that didn’t quite meet requirements. Looked at and drove a 2025 1500 lonestar. Yep, drove it home.
4wd
Crewcab
5.6 bed
3.0L Hurricane
3.92 axle limited slip
Spray-in bed liner
Wheel to wheel side steps
1600 lb load
Bunch of other stuff, nice but I wouldn’t have chosen to pay for.

Minor verbal altercation with the sales manager that Dearly Beloved shut down before my bulldog mouth wrote a check my terrier butt couldn’t cash.

Price was okay/good, not great, not bad. I really don’t like paying for the depreciation for that first foot you drive out of the lot - such is life, don’t dwell, move on.

Very nice truck, extremely quiet. Acceleration is very good, considering the 3.92 axle and the rated horsepower - as expected.

Tires look a bit wimpy. But that was expected. We have had poor luck with the factory tires on our last three vehicles.

I only have 60 miles on it, however, looks probable it will fit the mission.

Thanks for the help. I’ll be listening in.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

OP, just fyi I always stop and put the vehicle in neutral when shifting between 2wd and 4wd, regardless of what the manual says. Just a habit from the 70s 4x4s. Cheers.

 

[Grams]

A Ram 4WD should shift flawlessly be tween 2WD High and 4WD High. It should do this at a W-A-L-K ….or at 70 MPH…. smooth and seamlessly. Even on dry pavement if steering straight-ahead.

The ONLY time it requires a “Stop and Shift while-in-neutral” is when selecting 4WD-LOW…. THEN it WILL require a Stop…select Neutral…select 4WD-Low…watch the light blink a few times… THEN it will shift into or out-of LOW.

And OH YEAH….. AVOID using the “Neutral” button on the 4WD shift-panel. THAT is ONLY for when Towing the Truck behind some other vehicle…and the engine MUST NOT BE RUNNING when selecting the 4WD-Neutal Button. If you press that 4WD Transfer-Case Neutral button while the engine is running…. You can Destroy the transfer case. The Owner Manual warns about it…but I want to EMPHASIZE that you do NOT want to push that Transfer-Case “N” button if the engine is running.

 

[Docwagon1776]

OP, just fyi I always stop and put the vehicle in neutral when shifting between 2wd and 4wd, regardless of what the manual says. Just a habit from the 70s 4x4s. Cheers.

Do you get out and twist an imaginary hub lock as well? Just for the full experience?

 

[diymirage]

Do you get out and twist an imaginary hub lock as well? Just for the full experience?

Dont forget to blow on your fingers after digging out the packed in immagiary snow

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Dont forget to blow on your fingers after digging out the packed in immagiary snow

I don’t live where it snows.

 

[Wild one]

A Ram 4WD should shift flawlessly be tween 2WD High and 4WD High. It should do this at a W-A-L-K ….or at 70 MPH…. smooth and seamlessly. Even on dry pavement if steering straight-ahead.

The ONLY time it requires a “Stop and Shift while-in-neutral” is when selecting 4WD-LOW…. THEN it WILL require a Stop…select Neutral…select 4WD-Low…watch the light blink a few times… THEN it will shift into or out-of LOW.

And OH YEAH….. AVOID using the “Neutral” button on the 4WD shift-panel. THAT is ONLY for when Towing the Truck behind some other vehicle…and the engine MUST NOT BE RUNNING when selecting the 4WD-Neutal Button. If you press that 4WD Transfer-Case Neutral button while the engine is running…. You can Destroy the transfer case. The Owner Manual warns about it…but I want to EMPHASIZE that you do NOT want to push that Transfer-Case “N” button if the engine is running.

If the transmission is in Park and the trucks also parked,you can press the t-cases neutral button when the engines running with-out hurting anything

 

[diymirage]

I don’t live where it snows.

My wife is an Hispanic immigrant, for at least 3 months out of the year I wonder why in the world her family didnt settle in Miami so i wouldnt have to freeze my fingers off

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

I don’t live in Florida either.