New Ram owner, slew of questions.

[mpicc84]

Whatsup guys? Picked up a decent deal on a 2014 Ram 1500 Tradesman / Express Quad cab 5.7l in black with 30k on the truck. Coming from a 14' Civic this thing is awesome! I've had the truck 3 days and am already shopping around for fun stuff to do with it! With that, a ton of questions have came up that I can't find specific answers to, so here's my big thread to get them all in one place.

This is a Tradesman / Express? Which one or both? It was listed as both. What is the difference if any?

I have the base radio, no Uconnect, no Bluetooth. What's the steps, functionality, and compatability of the other radios? I know there are 3 or 4 for these trucks? I also see a thread with people doing swaps, but unsure what their swapping from. I also see I cannot get UConnect to activate if I upgrade, but is the swap still worth it? The big screen radios are beautiful, but I'd want it to be at least decently functional?

I do a lot of night time back road driving and these headlights are terrible. Is there a "best" replacement? The projectors on my buddy's 13 Sport are sweet, but didn't know if there's a better aftermarket solution? Also - are the LED tails off the Sports plug and play?

Suspension - I'm a hunter, and for one or two weeks a year spend some time in some fields and on some crappy dirt farm roads "trails" to get into my land, is a level kit (blistins?) Suitable, or should I look for a 2" lift/level?

Audio - I have a old iPhone 4 loaded with music I had plugged into my factory USB on my 14' Civic, when I plug it in the Ram, it charges for a 1/8th a second and stops, with no functionality with the radio. the light on the plug still works, but is it my iPhone too old or is it the plug?

Black badges(all) - I find a bunch of different ones online, what does everyone suggest? I found a "bought together" set on Amazon for 100$. But after seeing a friend's from AutoZone, their cheap plastic and don't feel too good, unsure if their the same though.

Eco mode - does this truck have the cylinder shut off like some new Chevy's do? Or is this some other style economy mode?

And my last question so far is - there is a lot of engine noise that comes from the drivers foot well area while driving, is this normal? Am I being too much of a critic?

Anyways! I love this truck so far, the 5.7l hemi is amazing, it's great to have some power under me! The interior is very well put together and I can't wait to make it mine!!


Thanks!



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[PCT]

Uconnect cam be replaced with any u connect, flashing may be required. I swapped my HU with aftermarket must have idatalink to retain factory controls. Bills are set at 2.5, I swapped my control arms because 13-14 UCA suck. I plasti dipped my badges black, ecomode just is a feel good light. Not sure about engine noise I have a 4.7


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[mpicc84]

Uconnect cam be replaced with any u connect, flashing may be required. I swapped my HU with aftermarket must have idatalink to retain factory controls. Bills are set at 2.5, I swapped my control arms because 13-14 UCA suck. I plasti dipped my badges black, ecomode just is a feel good light. Not sure about engine noise I have a 4.7


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I don't currently have any Uconnect functionality in my current radio.

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[roadshow]

As far as your radio questions go, I'm not a fan of any of the newer radios, regardless of whether it's RAM, Ford, GM etc. None of them can match the functionality I can set up directly myself to my liking on a good quality 6" smartphone (unless you have a really low data plan).

For leveling, yes Bilsteins are one of the best ways to go about that.

For headlights, 90% of RAM forums.com will suggest you go the HID route from retroshop. Be prepared to pay for it though.There's a ton of other aftermarket headlights you can just buy as direct replacement but the light output on basically all of them isn't really any better than factory. They just look fancier. Personally I just slap in $60 Silver star halogen bulbs in mine and call it a day. They only last about a year but that's such a minor nuisance. Like you, I drive unlit country roads frequently too. Brighter headlight bulbs plus foglights have been great for me. If someone isn't getting great light output from that they need their eyes checked

 

[blrmkrl83]

Tradesman is the model and Express is an option package on that model.

The Hemi does have cylinder deactivation. The ECO light comes on when it is activated, but I think I read that the light being on does not necessarily mean it is in the cylinder deactivation mode.

These engines do make some noise. I'm not sure about noise around the foot well though. It could be something normal that you just notice because you're coming from a car that is probably pretty quiet.

 

[EagleChief]

I tried to answer your questions below...

I do a lot of night time back road driving and these headlights are terrible. Is there a "best" replacement? The projectors on my buddy's 13 Sport are sweet, but didn't know if there's a better aftermarket solution? Also - are the LED tails off the Sports plug and play?
- Many options out there. Most on here will say Retroshop HID's are the best. They are expensive though... new headlights are in the $500-$600 range, I think. LED bulbs are starting to come on strong. Check out OPT7 LED's. They have the best reviews on here. The HID guys won't agree, though.

Suspension - I'm a hunter, and for one or two weeks a year spend some time in some fields and on some crappy dirt farm roads "trails" to get into my land, is a level kit (blistins?) Suitable, or should I look for a 2" lift/level?
- Bilstein adjustables are great. You can add up to 2.8" up front to level out your truck and help fit a bigger tire. Not a bad install either, you can do it in the driveway/garage. If you want more than a 34.5" or 35" tire, go with a lift.

Audio - I have a old iPhone 4 loaded with music I had plugged into my factory USB on my 14' Civic, when I plug it in the Ram, it charges for a 1/8th a second and stops, with no functionality with the radio. the light on the plug still works, but is it my iPhone too old or is it the plug?
- Not sure on this one. I have the 8.4A version. Is your phone software up to date? The UConnect may also need an update to work with the iPhone. I know there were a couple of recent updates to help it be compatible with the iPhone.

Black badges(all) - I find a bunch of different ones online, what does everyone suggest? I found a "bought together" set on Amazon for 100$. But after seeing a friend's from AutoZone, their cheap plastic and don't feel too good, unsure if their the same though.
- You could paint them, PlastiDip them, or replace them. Trying searching the "For Sale" section to see if anyone is selling theirs.

Eco mode - does this truck have the cylinder shut off like some new Chevy's do? Or is this some other style economy mode?
- I'm pretty sure all of the Hemis have the cylinder shut off. It will happen at cruising speed under 2k RPM (I think).

And my last question so far is - there is a lot of engine noise that comes from the drivers foot well area while driving, is this normal? Am I being too much of a critic?
- Can't help you on this one.

 

[mpicc84]

Great! So those Bilstein sounds like the way to go! I also discovered I do have a UConnect 3.1 RA1; the most basic. I'm working to see if there is an update, if not I'm going to see about a swap and a new iPod.

Also going to look into those LEDs, got to find some output pictures.
Thank you all so far!

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[EagleChief]

Great! So those Bilstein sounds like the way to go! I also discovered I do have a UConnect 3.1 RA1; the most basic. I'm working to see if there is an update, if not I'm going to see about a swap and a new iPod.

Also going to look into those LEDs, got to find some output pictures.
Thank you all so far!

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Do a search on here for OPT7. There's a pretty big thread going that had some pics of installed lights.

 

[Jeff CA]

On the Bilsteins, make sure you get 5100s, not 4600s. The 4600s are not height adjustable.

 

[gofishn]

replace your h11 bulbs with h9.
replace your 9005 with 9011.
you will need to spend about 4 seconds trimmingoff some excess tabs but everything willfit perfectly and teh light output willbe amazing.

google it. ford guys totyoa guys ram guys, damnnear everyoen is switching their bulbsover.

some say the new bulbs do not live as long. mine are going over 2 yers now. could care less. bulbs are cheaper than my insurance deductable and i drive far too much atnight to be hitting critters.

 

[gofishn]

want more ideas? read the signatures of people replying to you.
most of us put our mods in our signatures.

if you want even more, go search through member trucks build threads

my radio rocks. had a stereo guru at work tell me what when and where. he did a good job, i think. cheap,clean and goes louder than my deaf ears can handle.

 

[mpicc84]

want more ideas? read the signatures of people replying to you.
most of us put our mods in our signatures.

if you want even more, go search through member trucks build threads

my radio rocks. had a stereo guru at work tell me what when and where. he did a good job, i think. cheap,clean and goes louder than my deaf ears can handle.

Good idea! I will defiantly check it out man! Thanks

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