new guy checking in

[Mola Ram]

hey , checking in as a newb...

just picked up a pretty nice 3rd gen w the 5.7 hemi.. this is my first Dodge i've ever owned in my life ...(always been a toyota guy) and i gotta say i love the truck so far! and the power and torque definitely exceeded my expectations .

guessing from my friends reactions to me going Dodge i was kinda nervous as to what i'd gotten myself into haha...

this truck has 148k miles, runs absolutely beautiful , the frame is flawless, and even the body is rust and rot free... minus some scratches being typical of a vehicle this age... and being from new england it's even rarer the rust free thing haha..

so i'm just trying to familiarize myself with this beast and figure out what the little quirks are... every vehicle has em... i've heard of the hemi tick ... so what else should i be looking for?

as for my truck this is how i bought it ( paid $7500 for it )

what was new/just installed

new load range E Bfg all terrains on Ion rims
new exhaust
new brakes
new alternator
new badass sony stereo w Apple Play
new power steering pump
new Bilsteins all around
new dual steering stabilizers
new battery
new power steering hoses
new oil pump/coolant sensor
new Led headlights w canbus decoders
weather tech floor mats ( godsend cus of my dogs lol)
and few other things i can't remember off the top of my head..

i love this truck and fully intend on taking extra special care of it like i do all my vehicles...

so guess basically i'd like to know what the big things are about this particular truck i should pay attention to...

here's a few pics of her...and glad to be a part of this group!

 

[Mb7640]

Congratulations and welcome

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Welcome to the Ram Forum, All I can say is BadAss!!!

 

[Mola Ram]

thanks guys! hopefully she treats me as good as i'm gonna treat her

 

[Van1972]

First time Ram owner. 2013 1500 4x4 with 5.7 HEMI, silver with the regular cab. Still a Ford man at heart, but this Ram sure is nice. I'm looking for a few small touches to make it all me. Any suggestions? Also where to find them would be great! Liberal Tears welcome to the club!

 

[Rlaf75]

Nice! Congratulations and welcome aboard

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[Tom Davis]

Welcome! Nice looking truck!

 

[Mola Ram]

thank you! the more i drive it the more i like it!

 

[Mola Ram]

so from what i've seen , and read, the 545RFE trans MAY be problematic ... any signs to indicate a potential issue starting? like what are the warning signs? not saying i have an issue as mine shifts absolutely beautiful, but i always like to be aware and proactive in dealing with things. i was actually very hesitant to buy this truck for that very reason, but the seller insisted that the transmission was perfect and it is from what I can see and feel when I'm driving. this truck with 146,000 miles shifts better than my tundra did with 50,000 miles. It's crazy how smooth it is and when it kicks down in gear it's so butter smooth it's not even funny so I'm wondering if this transmission was rebuilt in the past or was just very well taken care of I'm trying to find some information as to the recommended service intervals for this vehicle

 

[Mola Ram]

First time Ram owner. 2013 1500 4x4 with 5.7 HEMI, silver with the regular cab. Still a Ford man at heart, but this Ram sure is nice. I'm looking for a few small touches to make it all me. Any suggestions? Also where to find them would be great! Liberal Tears welcome to the club!

well ... some pics and background info of your taste in vehicles would help us to help you! me personally i like the stock look but LOVE my music( rock and roll, techno, pink floyd etc) i love a good stereo and super clean interior ... but i also have a fun side ( rockcrawling) so i tend to go overboard with mods , haha... I wouldn't even think twice about lifting this thing about 4 inches and throwing some 37's or 40s underneath it lol... I love the look of the third gens because there's so much you can do with them from what I've seen

 

[turkeybird56]

well ... some pics and background info of your taste in vehicles would help us to help you! me personally i like the stock look but LOVE my music( rock and roll, techno, pink floyd etc) i love a good stereo and super clean interior ... but i also have a fun side ( rockcrawling) so i tend to go overboard with mods , haha... I wouldn't even think twice about lifting this thing about 4 inches and throwing some 37's or 40s underneath it lol... I love the look of the third gens because there's so much you can do with them from what I've seen

Welcome.

two thoughts.
1) Keep an eye on tranny and check service date. (keep all fluids good and serviced with good oil, filters like synthetic.)
2) You being in Connecticut, with the roads and such: Keep exterior clean, lots of washing and maybe also undercoat frame with either Fluid Film or Krown.

 

[Tom Davis]

so from what i've seen , and read, the 545RFE trans MAY be problematic ... any signs to indicate a potential issue starting? like what are the warning signs? not saying i have an issue as mine shifts absolutely beautiful, but i always like to be aware and proactive in dealing with things. i was actually very hesitant to buy this truck for that very reason, but the seller insisted that the transmission was perfect and it is from what I can see and feel when I'm driving. this truck with 146,000 miles shifts better than my tundra did with 50,000 miles. It's crazy how smooth it is and when it kicks down in gear it's so butter smooth it's not even funny so I'm wondering if this transmission was rebuilt in the past or was just very well taken care of I'm trying to find some information as to the recommended service intervals for this vehicle

Hoping you get many years without any problems.

When mine crapped out there was no warnings what so ever. I had driven it over the weekend and it drove fine, no slipping strange sounds or anything. Fluid level was full, and no variations in color or smell. I parked it Sunday evening after visiting out daughter, and Monday morning I went out to leave for work and it was done for. Truck started fine, went into gear (or seemed to) but would not move in reverse or drive. Shut it off and restarted, then the codes started showing up, 5 or 6 different ones all for the transmission. I had less than 75k miles when it crapped out last May, low mileage is due to being on travel for work 6 to 8 months out of the year and driving rentals.

 

[Mola Ram]

ok i'll keep eye on the fluid levels and color .. is there an inspection port?

 

[turkeybird56]

ok i'll keep eye on the fluid levels and color .. is there an inspection port?

I doubt it not seen an inspection port on a tranny except on an older motorcycle in long time. If u have dip stick well then check warm, color, and consistency. On the newer Rams with the HP trans there is no dip stick. I do not know on yer specific trans somebody has to chime in.

Since u just got truck I for sure if not done recently do oil change. Diffs and other that be yer call.

 

[Mola Ram]

yeah that's the other thing w mine... i'd swear the rear axle looks brand new lol... think it's a 14b

 

[turkeybird56]

14b ???

 

[huntergreen]

Congrats ! IMO the 3rd gen is the best looking of all generations of Ram trucks. When ever I bought a used vehicle, the first thing I did was change all fluids.

 

[Mola Ram]

14b ???

yeah a 14 bolt, usually comes w 3.73 gears and a detroit if im not mistaken

 

[Mola Ram]

Congrats ! IMO the 3rd gen is the best looking of all generations of Ram trucks. When ever I bought a used vehicle, the first thing I did was change all fluids.

i know for fact oil was just done, and as for the trans im not sure i have to check and the rear axle i swear is just super super clean or it was replaced w new unit... i mean it is SPOTLESS... the PO must have garaged this truck its entire life ... cus i swear i've never seen a CT truck not have rust or major rot... this has neither minus one speck on tailgate at the bottom and all that is is just some minor bubbling about 3" wide... it's unreal