New Ram. Also a Dodge n00b. Have questions

[Turbo Brian]

Bought a Ram 1500 Sport Quad 4x4 over the weekend. This is my first non-GM vehicle ive owned. After test driving a similar Silverado 1500, the Ram just felt like the better truck; a bit nicer interior, better radio/media option, the 5.7 had more grunt than the 5.3 chevy. I replaced an s10 with this. the ram is a much larger vehicle and is taking some getting used to for parking. LOL

a few questions though...

1. The digital dash menu (EVIC, iirc). can it show my speed? i had a charger rental earlier this year and it could but i cant find the option in the truck.

2. axle ratio. how do i know what i have? i have the original window sticker and the only optional equipment installed was a limited slip rearend but it doesnt give the ratio. its not listed under standard equipment either.

3. i want to tow a 3800# car on a flatbed once or twice a year. need a hitch for that and was is not installed on the truck. what kind do i need? there is different classes with both tongue and total weight ratings. i can kinda guess on the total weight of 3800# car + trailer, but what about tongue weight?

4. mute. is there no quick mute button for the radio? i wouldve thought the middle button on the steering wheel volume control would do it but it either changes the preset or input. i dont recall.

5. Gas. i found some specs online that says 87 required, 89 recommended for the 5.7. is this one of those deals where the computer has two timing tables based on the fuel used? is there significant difference with regular vs mid grade? maybe the latter mainly when towing perhaps?

thats all for now. thanks for any help

 

[BoldAdventure]

Congrats, this is my third non-GM car. I've been a long time GM guy myself. You won't regret it.

1. The digital dash menu (EVIC, iirc). can it show my speed? i had a charger rental earlier this year and it could but i cant find the option in the truck.

2. axle ratio. how do i know what i have? i have the original window sticker and the only optional equipment installed was a limited slip rearend but it doesnt give the ratio. its not listed under standard equipment either.

3. i want to tow a 3800# car on a flatbed once or twice a year. need a hitch for that and was is not installed on the truck. what kind do i need? there is different classes with both tongue and total weight ratings. i can kinda guess on the total weight of 3800# car + trailer, but what about tongue weight?

4. mute. is there no quick mute button for the radio? i wouldve thought the middle button on the steering wheel volume control would do it but it either changes the preset or input. i dont recall.

5. Gas. i found some specs online that says 87 required, 89 recommended for the 5.7. is this one of those deals where the computer has two timing tables based on the fuel used? is there significant difference with regular vs mid grade? maybe the latter mainly when towing perhaps?

thats all for now. thanks for any help

1.) Nope, not that I have found.

2.) Click the link on the left hand side of the page that says EQUIPMENT LISTING Enter your VIN and you will get a build sheet in PDF format. It will tell you everything about your truck, including the gears.

3.) I'd personally just buy myself a class IV hitch and not worry about it. If you don't want to have to think at all, buy a class 5 hitch and call it a day.

4.) If you find it, tell me.

5.) Yes, my Pontiac G8 GXP had a similar configuration. I usually run 87 it's fine. I think you can notice a slight bump in 89. But I run that when towing.

 

[2014StormTrooper]

congrats on the new truck!

 

[Turbo Brian]

Congrats, this is my third non-GM car. I've been a long time GM guy myself. You won't regret it.



1.) Nope, not that I have found.

2.) Click the link on the left hand side of the page that says EQUIPMENT LISTING Enter your VIN and you will get a build sheet in PDF format. It will tell you everything about your truck, including the gears.

3.) I'd personally just buy myself a class IV hitch and not worry about it. If you don't want to have to think at all, buy a class 5 hitch and call it a day.

4.) If you find it, tell me.

5.) Yes, my Pontiac G8 GXP had a similar configuration. I usually run 87 it's fine. I think you can notice a slight bump in 89. But I run that when towing.

Ah, another G8 owner I have mine tuned for 91 only ill take a look at class4 hitches. too bad about the speedo and mute. guess ill have to get used to looking at a regular analog gauge. ive been spoiled with digital speedos and steering wheel mute buttons.

thx for the vin lookup link. looks like i have a 3.55 ratio

 

[Jared4.7]

It should show speed. Both my 13 with fancy EVIC and new 14 with plain cluster have the option to show speed. Keep scrolling through your options.

 

[BlkXpress]

Which radio and cluster do you have?

I have the basic EVIC display and there is an option to show the Speedometer.... Exactly what it's called. That's how I keep track of my speed over 120

As far as the radio goes.... I just click the volume button on mine, the 5.0, and it mutes the radio.



As far as the axle ratio goes, you can just look underneath and your diff should have a sticker on it with your gear ratio listed.

 

[jlis]

1. The digital dash menu (EVIC, iirc). can it show my speed? i had a charger rental earlier this year and it could but i cant find the option in the truck.
Use the Up/Down button to cycle through the options. It will be there.


2. axle ratio. how do i know what i have? i have the original window sticker and the only optional equipment installed was a limited slip rearend but it doesnt give the ratio. its not listed under standard equipment either.
Dodge - Recall

3. i want to tow a 3800# car on a flatbed once or twice a year. need a hitch for that and was is not installed on the truck. what kind do i need? there is different classes with both tongue and total weight ratings. i can kinda guess on the total weight of 3800# car + trailer, but what about tongue weight?
Beats me! I don't tow.

4. mute. is there no quick mute button for the radio? i wouldve thought the middle button on the steering wheel volume control would do it but it either changes the preset or input. i dont recall.
It's the button in the middle of the volume control on the radio.

5. Gas. i found some specs online that says 87 required, 89 recommended for the 5.7. is this one of those deals where the computer has two timing tables based on the fuel used? is there significant difference with regular vs mid grade? maybe the latter mainly when towing perhaps?
87 fine

 

[BoldAdventure]

Guy's his profile says he has a 2011. We have different clusters than you 13/14/15 guys.

It is not in the options on my 2010. And the button in the middle of the volume changes the input.

Ah, another G8 owner

I sold my GXP last month and used the money to buy the shinny object behind my truck in my signature.

 

[Turbo Brian]

oh yeah, forgot the mention in the post that i have a 2011. i guess that matters. ive also created a signature that notes this as well.

 

[BlkXpress]

oh yeah, forgot the mention in the post that i have a 2011. i guess that matters. ive also created a signature that notes this as well.

Oops. Nvm

 

[Jared4.7]

Guy's his profile says he has a 2011. We have different clusters than you 13/14/15 guys.

It is not in the options on my 2010. And the button in the middle of the volume changes the input.



I sold my GXP last month and used the money to buy the shinny object behind my truck in my signature.

Dam, didn't see that on my phone.

 

[jlis]

I take back most of what I said.

 

[BlownGP]

Guy's his profile says he has a 2011. We have different clusters than you 13/14/15 guys.

It is not in the options on my 2010. And the button in the middle of the volume changes the input.



I sold my GXP last month and used the money to buy the shinny object behind my truck in my signature.

Please tell me your's wasn't styker blue? Auto or Manual?


Welcome to the forum. Another GM guy here swayed to the dodge now.. lol

 

[Buddy]

Congratulations on your new truck!!! I am like you, a GM guy too. I am loving the Ram, no regrets.

On another note, I have been saying since '08 my next car will be a G8, as I am a Pontiac guy, and absolutely LOVE the G8's. In canada the new SS (based off the G8) isn't sold here. And one thing lead to another and here I am in a Ram!!!
I still love G8's.

 

[Turbo Brian]

Thanks for the replies and congrats. im really digging the truck so far. already got my front windows tinted while im asking my noob questions, may as well add another.... what parts of the interior are real leather? i have the fabric and vinyl seats but the dash looks leathery as does the shifter and maybe some door panel bits. is any of it real leather or is it a "leather-like" imitation material?

 

[BoldAdventure]

Please tell me your's wasn't styker blue? Auto or Manual?

Nope, Silver and manual only. I was posting on both g8 boards under my normal name. Actually sold it to another forum member down in Miami.

 

[BlownGP]

Nope, Silver and manual only. I was posting on both g8 boards under my normal name. Actually sold it to another forum member down in Miami.

I wanted a G8 really bad, but fell in love with the RAM and figured It would be more useful and so far it has been.

Still wouldn't mind having one someday, but will probably get a CTS-V or Hellcat depending what value of them.

 

[HAMMER77777]

Bought a Ram 1500 Sport Quad 4x4 over the weekend. This is my first non-GM vehicle ive owned. After test driving a similar Silverado 1500, the Ram just felt like the better truck; a bit nicer interior, better radio/media option, the 5.7 had more grunt than the 5.3 chevy. I replaced an s10 with this. the ram is a much larger vehicle and is taking some getting used to for parking. LOL

a few questions though...

1. The digital dash menu (EVIC, iirc). can it show my speed? i had a charger rental earlier this year and it could but i cant find the option in the truck.

2. axle ratio. how do i know what i have? i have the original window sticker and the only optional equipment installed was a limited slip rearend but it doesnt give the ratio. its not listed under standard equipment either.

3. i want to tow a 3800# car on a flatbed once or twice a year. need a hitch for that and was is not installed on the truck. what kind do i need? there is different classes with both tongue and total weight ratings. i can kinda guess on the total weight of 3800# car + trailer, but what about tongue weight?

4. mute. is there no quick mute button for the radio? i wouldve thought the middle button on the steering wheel volume control would do it but it either changes the preset or input. i dont recall.

5. Gas. i found some specs online that says 87 required, 89 recommended for the 5.7. is this one of those deals where the computer has two timing tables based on the fuel used? is there significant difference with regular vs mid grade? maybe the latter mainly when towing perhaps?

thats all for now. thanks for any help

If u have the 2014, just click up or down on the steering wheel control, til u see the digital speedometer. Also, there's an obvious mute button on the uconnect radio...pretty self-explanatory.

 

[BlkXpress]

If u have the 2014, just click up or down on the steering wheel control, til u see the digital speedometer. Also, there's an obvious mute button on the uconnect radio...pretty self-explanatory.

2011.... The previous posts mention it. A few of us missed it initially, and all gave answers.. Then the OP and other posters clarified...

Hopefully someone with an 09-12 will answer the rests of your questions soon, Brian

 

[BoldAdventure]

LOL. Do you guys read the whole thread are just start posting?

Thanks for the replies and congrats. im really digging the truck so far. already got my front windows tinted while im asking my noob questions, may as well add another.... what parts of the interior are real leather? i have the fabric and vinyl seats but the dash looks leathery as does the shifter and maybe some door panel bits. is any of it real leather or is it a "leather-like" imitation material?

My build sheet says I have Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel & Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats.

I have taken the dash to be leather, but I am thinking that the car is probably covered in bonded leather. I never see Dodge mention genuine leather in any of the materials. So if it's not bonded then it's probably pleather or something. Plus you can make leather from other animals so might not even be cows I'm sitting on. Man, that would be a scam for all the Longhorns.

I also treat the shifter as though it's vinyl, feels different from the dash.

BTW, there are 4 types of leather, Full Grain, Top Grain, Genuine, bonded.

Genuine is actually just a step above Vinyl in quality and texture, and bonded is kind of like chicken nuggets, in that all the left overs have been glued and chemicalized together in a vat and then pressed into leather looking textures.

But I can say for certain, our seats are not Full or Top grain. That stuff only shows up in cars towards 100K.