PLEASE HELP. Long term ford guy about to switch to 2011 ram 5.7

[Jory]

Well hello dodge guys. Please don't resent me for being a ford guy for so long. I am about to switch teams and hopefully will be welcomed.

I am about to buy a 2011 dodge ram 5.7 hemi quad cab 4x4. I was really inpressed with this truck. I am sold on it. However being a ford guy. I dont know too much about them.

The vehicle has 140 000km 87 000 miles. What should I be looking for and what are common things with that milage that I should be focusing on.

I test drove the truck today. Given the mileage it ran tip top. But here is what I noticed from my experience with vehicles.

1. the tranny fluid was fresh red and no burnt smell. suggesting it had been flushed or is this normal for original tranny fluid with this much mileage.

2. The ac works great and blows ice cold. However the ac clutch bearing seems to be rattling. I had the hood up. when the ac is off no rattle when the ac is on it rattles a bit. it cant be heard when inside the truck. But with the hood up it is noticeable and you can see a little wobble when the ac clutch is spinning....this is one thing I told the dealer that the ac clutch needs to be addressed and a new serpintine belt installed.

3. When I drove it, at 60kmh 35mph. there is a vibration. from my experience feels like warped brake rotors, or something in the front end. I dont know how expensive front wheel bearing hubs are for the 4x4, and the labour invovled. I will be getting some warrenty, but no bearings covered.

4. I havent found any common problems with the rear coil over suspension, I am an old school leaf spring guy. Is there anything I should focus on the rear suspension.

5. I love the old school over head valve hemi, and 5 speed auto tranny is much more appealing to me then a ford 10 speed. any common engine or tranny problems to watch out for or common seal leaks.

6. Is there anything else I am missing?

I would appricate any and all advise.

IF YOU ARE KIND ENOUGH TO REPLY, PLEASE NUMBER YOUR RESPONSES THAT APPLY TO THE CORRESPONDING QUESTION NUMBER. I WILL BE CLOSING THIS DEAL BEFORE THE WEEKEND.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS.

 

[FXCLM5]

Lol I have no answers, but just suggest if your buying used, get a 13+ with the zf8spd tranny.

I got 16 city and 23 hwy with my 14 quad cab hemi 4x4

 

[Jory]

I understand the fuel mileage with a 5 speed. I am ok with that. I don't like trannys with more then 6 gears. too expensive to fix when things go wrong. To many clutch packs, and constantly always shifting for the perfect gear. For me it is not ideal for a long term reliable truck. Thank you for the response.

 

[MADDOG]

1. I suspect it was recently changed.

2. Not an unusual condition given the age and mileage on the truck.

3. Was the vibration there when you braked or when you were traveling freely? Warped rotors obviously make themselves known during braking. A vibration at speed without the brakes applied could be several things, such as a bad wheel balance, a bent rim, loose steering components, worn bushes, etc... I'd get it inspected.

4. The rear coil suspensions have proved to be well made with no common problems noted.

5. If the transmission is serviced properly the unit will give many years and miles of trouble free service.

6. I would have a Ram dealer run the VIN through the computer to check for any open service bulletins, pending recalls and service history.

Other than that, inspect it as you would any other used vehicle.

 

[Jory]

Thank you so much for your post MADDOG. That is really helpful. The viberation is at speed, breaks seems rather smooth. I was thinking tire balance or front end.

How are front wheel bearings on this truck???????????? I mean are they easy to replace

I was surprised to see how well the coil spring rear suspension was built. All my research show that the rear suspension is really durable. To be honest I was expecting that to be a weak point.

I do have to run the vin number to see what dif ratio I got. But doesnt really matter to me. The truck works great. I was wondering if there are some difs ratios that are more problemsome then others.


Thanks again MADDOG

 

[DrTron]

1. I suspect it was recently changed.

Not necessarily so. I drive a 2010 with 150k km on the clock, never had to change the transmission fluid and it is still in perfect condition.

 

[GsRAM]

Thank you so much for your post MADDOG. That is really helpful. The viberation is at speed, breaks seems rather smooth. I was thinking tire balance or front end.

How are front wheel bearings on this truck???????????? I mean are they easy to replace

I was surprised to see how well the coil spring rear suspension was built. All my research show that the rear suspension is really durable. To be honest I was expecting that to be a weak point.

I do have to run the vin number to see what dif ratio I got. But doesnt really matter to me. The truck works great. I was wondering if there are some difs ratios that are more problemsome then others.


Thanks again MADDOG

No diff ratios are more problemati than others that I'm aware of. 3.92s are preferable in the half tons.

Front hub bearings should be no harder to change than any front drive car. You have to do what you have to do to get the axle shaft back out of the hub bearing. Probably have to disconnect the rod ends, maybe separate the lower ball joint from the spindle to get the axle out? I'v never done one on a half ton but have done them on a 1997 2500 series 4x4 dodge and it was pretty involved, but it' been awhile.

No apologies on being a Ford man. I still am one and feel overall they build the best vehicles. However I've had this dodge for a year now and must say I like it an awful lot!

To get a comparable F250 would have cost me $10k+ more. In no way shape or form
Is the ford anywhere close to 10k better than my dodge (yes I still call it a dodge! I'm old school). When I looked at all of the big 3 2500 series trucks, I liked the dodge best and in my opinion was built the heaviest of the 3 in terms of frame, suspension and steering components.

Just my .02 but if you like the truck your looking at and it has a good maintenance history, go for it. I bought a new 2015 Silverado and hated it. Total pos, typical gm problems. They have not chsnged. Junk! Traded it on my dodge and have not missed the gm junk one single bit.

 

[Jory]

What is the service life for spark plugs? I am guessing they will probably need to be done soon?

 

[DrTron]

What is the service life for spark plugs? I am guessing they will probably need to be done soon?

50k km. So yes. They are quite cheap (Hemi takes 16), but a bit tricky to install.

 

[Shawn226]

I don’t have much insight on the mechanical questions you ask but wanted to say welcome and hope to see you switch to the dodge side

 

[Jory]

Thank you. Why are the plugs only good for 50 000km that seems really low in a day and age where spark plugs are done 120 000km-180 000km.

With there being 2 spark plugs per cylinder does that mean there is 2 coil packs per cylinder?

 

[Jory]

thank you again

 

[DrTron]

a) good question, at least my maintenance schedule lists them as due every 50k. Ask Chrysler
b) No, one Twin-Spark coil per cylinder.

 

[grizzstang]

The older 5.7 Hemi's have a copper plug and yes they are only good for 30,000 miles or 50,000 km.

The late 2013 and newer Hemi's have 100,000 mile plugs. Some people on here have updated their coils and plugs to the newer design.

My last truck was an F150 and so far I am very happy with my Ram.

 

[Jory]

I spoke with dodge, they said for the 2011 5.7 hemi the service schedual is 105 000km about 62000miles.

 

[grizzstang]

Pretty sure they are wrong. Download an owners manual for a 2011 Ram 1500 on line and see for yourself.

 

[Shawn226]

The older 5.7 Hemi's have a copper plug and yes they are only good for 30,000 miles or 50,000 km.

The late 2013 and newer Hemi's have 100,000 mile plugs. Some people on here have updated their coils and plugs to the newer design.

My last truck was an F150 and so far I am very happy with my Ram.

Yes if it’s possible and in your budget Jory, a 2013 is more ideal, the 09-12’s were the ones that seemed to be the most problematic and they really stepped up the It game after that

 

[RAMVT]

This is from a 2011 Owners Manual.

 

[Jory]

You guys have been awsome. I will double check that. 2013 is a no go for me. It is out of my price range. It is a big jump in price from the 2011 I am about to buy, when compared to the best deal I can get for a 2013.


HAVE YOU GUYS EVER HEARED OF THE 5.7 HEMI BLOWING PLUGS OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS. I AM REPLACING MY 2000 F150 4.6L WHICH i BOUGHT NEW WHEN I WAS 16 STILL HAVE THE WINDOW STICKER FOR IT. I BLEW A PLUG A YEAR AGO, AND JUST BLEW THE HIELY COIL OUT OF IT. NEEDS A NEW HEAD. I NEVER HEARD OF ANY OF THE BIG 3 TRUCKS BLOWING SPARK PLUGS OTHER THEN THEN 98-03 FORDS.

FOR 2011 5.7 HEMI IS IT ALUMINUM HEADS AND ALUMINUM BLOCK. OR IS IT STEEL. OR A MIX OF THE TWO.

THE ONE DODGE DEALER I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT INTAKE MANIFOLDS SEEM TO BE A BIT OF A COMMON PROBLEM. GASKET REPLACEMENT.

 

[Jrod]

HAVE YOU GUYS EVER HEARED OF THE 5.7 HEMI BLOWING PLUGS OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS.

Nope but in the mid 80's I was with a buddy when he blew a cylinder clear through the head, and ended up sticking out half way through the hood of his Trans AM. It was pretty awesome!!