Ram 2500 Advice

[dan rolfe]

I thought I would throw it out there to the people who actually deal with these vehicles. I am currently in the market for a 3/4 crew cab truck. Not only will this vehicle tow my 24' enclosed race trailer a couple times a year it will also be my daily driver. My commute to work is a little under 6 miles one way. With that being said I have pretty much ruled out the diesel (plus I only tow about four/five times a year). I found a 2011 Laramie with the 5.7. I checked CARFAX and noticed the vehicle has been in for a transmission replacement and new camshaft (I am assuming stuck lifter). All of this work was done under warranty this summer. Should I stay away from the vehicle? The mileage is high, 95000 but the price is right compared to others in the area. Just don't know how long these vehicles last and any other know problems I should be looking for. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dan Rolfe

 

[2015HD]

It already has a new transmission so you can cross off one of the more expensive risks with higher mileage. I was pulling into the dealer a few weeks ago and a customer in a 2009 2500 said to me 'I hope you have as much luck as me'. I asked the service adviser what he meant and he told me the guy uses (and abuses) his truck daily for his construction business and has 280K on it.

I would still have the truck looked over by an independent technician before pulling the trigger. Broken exhaust manifold bolts is probably the most common issue I've heard of.

Good luck.

 

[huntergreen]

the lifter issue could happen down the road in a new truck. you have a new trans, so shouldnt have an issue. as stated, have it checked out by a mechanic you know, if you get a thumbs up go for it. plenty of 5.7 engines that have gone over 200000 trouble free miles.

 

[Hootbro]

Flip a coin, no telling which way that truck would go in terms of longevity. Somebody did dump it for a reason, either it was their normal time for trade in or felt they had a **** to get rid of. People wash their turds off to dealers all the time and they pass it down to the next guy.

Me personally, the savings better be enough to have saved enough for a rainy day repair fund to even consider it. You want reassurance, buy new or certified used with a factory warranty.

 

[MANual_puller]

It all depends on how you drive it. With the recent transmission I'd jump on it. Just remember with the 545RFE make sure you downshift it manually with the buttons on the shift lever. This goes for unloaded passing too. Make sure it's fully engaged or you'll smoke od clutches. Drive it right and it'll last a very long time. I have 106k on the original trans in my '11 I would recommend getting a tuner and increasing the part throttle upshift points a few hundred RPM across the board for better driveability.