Ram Classic ? Best years?

[rocket]

My last RAM was a ‘06 Nightrunner. Sold it in 2018. I had a good run , here. So now the wife gave me the ok for another truck. Current ride is 4 th gen taco. Which I will trade in.
The Warlock and Rebel models caught my eye. So which years are good , which should I avoid??
I also heard there is a classic 1500.(2025) Which is actually on a 2026 next gen frame. Any truth to that??

 

[RamDiver]

My last RAM was a ‘06 Nightrunner. Sold it in 2018. I had a good run , here. So now the wife gave me the ok for another truck. Current ride is 4 th gen taco. Which I will trade in.
The Warlock and Rebel models caught my eye. So which years are good , which should I avoid??
I also heard there is a classic 1500.(2025) Which is actually on a 2026 next gen frame. Any truth to that??

I would avoid an E-Torque at all costs.
There is no deal or exception that would help to sway my position on this.

If something happens to my '21 Warlock, I will be shopping for a '19 to '21, maybe a '22 4th gen, nothing else.

I'm not interested in Atlantis High electronics of the '25 and later trucks.
Maybe after they're around a few more years and have worked a few more of the bugs out.

Some owners are happy but I like to work on my own truck, and technically I don't want the grief.

.

 

[kurek]

My last RAM was a ‘06 Nightrunner. Sold it in 2018. I had a good run , here. So now the wife gave me the ok for another truck. Current ride is 4 th gen taco. Which I will trade in.
The Warlock and Rebel models caught my eye. So which years are good , which should I avoid??
I also heard there is a classic 1500.(2025) Which is actually on a 2026 next gen frame. Any truth to that??

For 4th gen 1500's (09-18, 19-24 "classic") I don't think anything materially changed about the chassis or powertrain after 2013. That's when they got BLD (off-road traction control) on 4x4 models and I think in '14 or '15 is when the ECU got locked down which is of no consequence unless you're trying to tune it or go forced induction.

Ram will never acknowledge the lifter thing on Hemi's but I've seen completely unsubstantiated rumors that 17+ engines have a revision to fix that. Nobody's brought any proof to the table that I can see.

The US market didn't have Ram Classic in 2025 only the 5th gen DT chassis. If styling cues aren't enough you can definitively tell them apart by counting lug nuts - 4th gen Ram DS has 5 lug nuts and 5th gen DT has 6 lug nuts.

 

[Rlaf75]

I had great luck with my 11 Ram Bighorn. I bought it as a certified pre-owned with on 35k miles on it back in 2015. Other than routine repairs (shocks, brakes and rires) it was flawless. I ended up trading it in back in 21 for my 21 built to serve edition 5th gen non-etorque only because I liked the 21 not because the 11 was bad. In fact, there's been a few times since that I wish I never traded the 11 for my 21 because of issues ive had with this 21. The 11 didnt have as much of the electronic crap my 21 has. I wouldnt hesitate to buy a 4th gen non e-torque 1500 at all

 

[star_deceiver]

A few things on the classic models: Stay away from etorque. Hemis will tick unless you have a proper oil strategy. The oil filter housing on a pentastars will eventually leak. Don’t follow the oil life monitor on either engine, 5000miles max. Grill shutters cause both engines to run hot. Drain and fill the trans every 40000mi, new pan/filter every 80000. Warlock models have neither etorque or grill shutters. Changing headlight bulbs is a pain. Make sure that whichever truck you buy comes with detailed maintenance records that you would be happy with.

Did I miss anything?

They worked most of the bugs out of these trucks. Pick your engine and axle ratio and go!

 

[mikeru]

OP is asking about the Ram 1500 Classic, which technically was only available for 2019 thru 2024 model years. And none of them come with etorque. Since they are all basically 4th gen Ram 1500’s, they are virtually the same as all 2013 thru 2018 model years.

To answer the OP’s question, there is no best year for the Ram 1500 Classic other that in the first couple of model years there were more trim levels available than the last few model years.

 

[Docwagon1776]

OP is asking about the Ram 1500 Classic, which technically was only available for 2019 thru 2024 model years. And none of them come with etorque. Since they are all basically 4th gen Ram 1500’s, they are virtually the same as all 2013 thru 2018 model years.

To answer the OP’s question, there is no best year for the Ram 1500 Classic other that in the first couple of model years there were more trim levels available than the last few model years.

This. And remember social media, to include forums, is where people go to report problems and then amplify them. Neither the hemi nor the pentastar is as fragile as the forum would have you believe. Some do fail, of course, and sometimes you get stuck with no seat when the music stops.

 

[kt4hx]

My 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman has been solid. Granted I just cracked 39K miles recently which tells you I don't put a lot of miles on it annually. I am retired and don't tow nor push it hard. Just regular maintenance and I do use top tier gas. As was mentioned no e-torque (nor would I want it). It is basic and nothing fancy. However it is reliable and while I have debated trading in it for something with a little bit more in terms of niceties, I have chosen not to do so yet.

Like @RamDiver I have made up my mind to avoid the E-Torque and am concerned about Atlantis High issues (and potential issues) and may well stick with something used from the 2020-22 time frame if I do make that jump. Time will tell. Just my .02 worth.

 

[rocket]

One thing I found out, a few model levels share a 36,000+ price tag keep the replies coming. I know I’ll be happy. Albeit for a little while lol.

 

[rocket]

OP is asking about the Ram 1500 Classic, which technically was only available for 2019 thru 2024 model years. And none of them come with etorque. Since they are all basically 4th gen Ram 1500’s, they are virtually the same as all 2013 thru 2018 model years.

To answer the OP’s question, there is no best year for the Ram 1500 Classic other that in the first couple of model years there were more trim levels available than the last few model years.

Correct however, if I could get one without breaking the bank, a Rebel would fit my 6th midlife crisis

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I purchased a new Classic in both 19' and 24' with the HEMI.

My 19' Express had 3.21's and was a solid truck with zero issues whatsoever.
Traded it in with almost 150,000KM's on it as I wanted a higher trim level.

My 23' Warlock (bought new in Feb/24') has 3.92's and currently has 64,000KM's on it, and it's solid as can be, too.

I prefer the "Classic/4th Gen" body style and key-in-ignition start as well. I also prefer the 3.92 vs the 3.21.
There is a bit more fuel consumption with the 3.92, but the smiles per gallon more than make up for it, for me anyways.

 

[EdGs]

I never had experience with the e-torque, but have experienced a few vehicles with start-stop, and I DESPISE it.

What I have read posted around about the Ram e-torque is more than enough for a hard pass from me.

I love the Classic body style, but it has been said that the 5th Gen. interior is much better. There have been various issues with the COVID-era trucks in both 4th and 5th gen models, so do your homework best you can.

Good luck with finding an awesome ride.

Those '24 TRX models look like they would be pretty bad-a$$, though. If I had the dough, I'd be down for one.

 

[ramman95]

I would avoid an E-Torque at all costs.
There is no deal or exception that would help to sway my position on this.

If something happens to my '21 Warlock, I will be shopping for a '19 to '21, maybe a '22 4th gen, nothing else.

I'm not interested in Atlantis High electronics of the '25 and later trucks.
Maybe after they're around a few more years and have worked a few more of the bugs out.

Some owners are happy but I like to work on my own truck, and technically I don't want the grief.

.

I agree, the e-torque stopped me from buying new.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

My 24 classic has been solid. It's does everything well as it should with a 10 plus year old 4th gen platform.

I'm not a fan of cloth seats however they did sit better than leather and katskin provided a solution so, that was corrected. Fuel economy was awesome till 35s then that dropped a bit, tuning will adjust that issue, everything else is solid, except for carplay. It works. does what it's designed to do, but it's aggressive, it tries to override any other Bluetooth connection and can be frustrating for using alfaobd, etc.

I currently have it cut off. I guess I'm getting old. I do see a flip phone in my future vs this handheld computer. I don't use GPS, people tend to tell me where to go, or I just wander with purpose.

I wouldn't get the v6, but that's me. Enjoy your new to you truck

 

[mikeru]

Correct however, if I could get one without breaking the bank, a Rebel would fit my 6th midlife crisis

I’ve lost track of how many of those I’ve gone through lol. I think if I stop having them I’ll be admitting I’m old.

 

[rocket]

Looks like I can get a decent warranty for new. I hope I’m hitting the market timing wise. I saw this 2012 jeep prolly doesn’t run good 15 k. Modded unbelievably

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I’ve lost track of how many of those I’ve gone through lol. I think if I stop having them I’ll be admitting I’m old.

Right there with ya, Brother!!!

 

[CanuckRam1313]

"I saw this 2012 jeep prolly doesn’t run good 15 k. Modded unbelievably"

 

[BWL]

Hemi and 8spd is a pretty solid drivetrain that's good for at least a couple hundred thousand miles with minimal issues in most cases properly maintained. None of the classics had e-torque so any year is fine as far as I'm concerned if you go used. I heard they did a few upgrades to the hurricane for 2027 to address some heat and other issues so maybe wait a few months if going new and thinking that way.

 

[Adamcr68]

Right there with ya, Brother!!!

View attachment 580955

View attachment 580956

Another coffee spitter!