Rant

[jstacey8]

So I've had my 2014 ram 1500 for a little over 5 months now and there's a few things I don't like and a few I hate

First off is the 3.55 gears with the 6 speed tranny is just stupid it won't even **** into 6th unless I'm doing 65 or better

Second is a open diff on a 4x4. I bought 4x4 for a reason so duh I'm gunna need traction not some one tire fire bs..even on a snow covered road it's one tire

Third is the stupid tall first gear it's the same as my 5 speed was. Ya got 6 gears now ram so drop the first gear some and I might not hate the 3.55's as much.

Fourth is traction control is stupid can't even spin a tire with it on or go anywhere in snow take it off and it's one tire fire and after getting a hair side ways sounds like the rear end is gunna blow and locks up one front tire to get it straight again. So after 2 snow storms I gave up and had to pull the abs fuse

Now I know the open rear diff and gears are my fault I got it that way but still there should be a lsd in every 4x4 and keep the 3.55's for the 8 speed and only offer 3.92's and make some 4.10's for crying out loud. And this is only in a regular can short bed I can't imagine in a full 4 door

 

[Caldwell]

I have the same combo in my 13 QC Express. After driving a newer CC Express w/ 8spd, 3.92's, and Anti Slip transmission. The improvements are just leaps and bounds better.

I will agree with the traction control in the snow. Whenever it snows I disable it on the dash ( as mush as it allows ). I hate the sudden lost of power. you should be able to hit 6th gear @ 60mph I believe ( I could be wrong ) with light throttle.

 

[HuskerRam]

Yeah I wish LSD and 3:92s came standard with the pre-8sp trans. Unless I'm mistaken, the 6 speed is identical to the 5 speed trans but has different programming to give it another passing gear. the 3:55s are my only real gripe...the rest I've learned to live with.

 

[14hemiexpress]

I have a 14 6 speed 3.55 and it'll go into 6th at 60 if it's warmed up and light throttle. The 8 speed is similar it stays in 7th from what I've herd. I think every vehicle should have a lsd I made sure I got it, and I personally like the traction control.

 

[CherryRed]

Yes, the 545RFE (5-sped) and 65RFE (6-speed) are essentially the same transmission. The 5-speed has the 6th gear (well, actually 3rd gear in ratio), or what Chrysler calles "2nd prime", which is only available via kick-down. IIRC all the ratios for both transmissions are the same.

I have read several other posts about the over aggressive traction control. Something I will not be looking forward to when driving out to our vacation home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, during the winter months.

 

[audio1der]

^Truth. The 2nd prime is only available when selecting gears "manually".
The overactive trans nannies are annoying, but you should have done your homework on the gears and LSD. That couple hundred $ at time of purchase will be a few thousand to remedy now.

 

[Jerry1984]

Looking back can be a bad thing. Good thing for you you're only 18 and will more than likely have plenty of opportunities to right the ship with your next purchase. I'm 30 and got pretty much everything I wanted on this truck. It took about 4 trucks before to figure out what I wanted but now I should be good to go for the long haul. Must haves for me were backup camera, 8 speed, 3.92s, Tow package, trailer brakes, 4wd, crew cab and limited slip (anti spin).

 

[clh1220]

I have a 14 6 speed 3.55 and it'll go into 6th at 60 if it's warmed up and light throttle. The 8 speed is similar it stays in 7th from what I've herd. I think every vehicle should have a lsd I made sure I got it, and I personally like the traction control.

Mine doesn't stay in 7th. Just when I'm going up a incline. Other then that it's in 8th at 65 It's turning 15 hundred.

 

[Andy578]

8 speed with LSD performs pretty good in snow. i agree the traction control really gets in the way. it's actually pretty good on ice but in snow when you need to spin it's useless but that's why we have a button to turn it off. i don't think it costs a lot to add LSD and it really does make a huge difference so might be worth looking at

 

[EagleChief]

Looking back can be a bad thing. Good thing for you you're only 18 and will more than likely have plenty of opportunities to right the ship with your next purchase. I'm 30 and got pretty much everything I wanted on this truck. It took about 4 trucks before to figure out what I wanted but now I should be good to go for the long haul. Must haves for me were backup camera, 8 speed, 3.92s, Tow package, trailer brakes, 4wd, crew cab and limited slip (anti spin).

Roger that!

That was one of the top priorities on my truck... 8 speed, 3.92 gears, 4x4 with the locking differential, tow package, crew cab. I got lucky and the only left in 300 miles already had the trailer brakes and the upgraded surround sound system.

 

[blazenlo]

The traction control is the only thing that makes me miss my 06 Ram.

8 speed with LSD performs pretty good in snow. i agree the traction control really gets in the way. it's actually pretty good on ice but in snow when you need to spin it's useless but that's why we have a button to turn it off. i don't think it costs a lot to add LSD and it really does make a huge difference so might be worth looking at

As mentioned already...the off button doesn't shut off the traction control.

 

[jstacey8]

the biggest thing i hate is the stupid shift points. it thinks its can drive around at 1000 rpm and has to drop about 10 mph on a hill before it'll down shift and actually go

 

[jcat]

my 8spd 3.21, anti-spin 4x4 crew cab is awesome. 3.92's would be nice but I don't tow and rarely haul. I average anywhere between 15-16mpg at 80/20 city highway driving and it's like a freight train in the snow.

 

[Sybil]

Geez, did you test drive it before you bought it?

 

[OutlawTrucker]

I'd have been glad to have a new truck at 18. I had a 1979 impala...

 

[averageguy]

I have good news. You're 18 and have a new truck! Enjoy it. As you get older and life dumps on you repeatedly year after year, you will wish for the days of driving that truck. Next time you'll know exactly what you want.

 

[Casper]

Okay first the six speed is the same 5 spd; Dodge just calls a second gear that is only avail during heavy acceleration in the 5 sod. You have to use auto stick to get both 2 and 3 with the "6" speed. So all the ratios are the same. 5th is an overdrive and so is 6th, so its not surprising you have to be at 65 mph for 6th.

I have the 3.55, but with LSD. Mighty hard to chirp 20's; but snow traction is great.

 

[jwheeler]

Geez, did you test drive it before you bought it?

Kind of my thought. And all those things could have been avoided by buying a truck that is equipped the way you want in the first place. It can still be fixed. Put some new gears and a limited slip in if you don't like it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[doz]

Ive been in your position which is why on my 2nd RAM (I had a 2010 first), I got more of the options that I wanted. First RAM did not have LSD (even though 4x4) and had the 3.21 gears if I remember right. I also wanted the "sport" package w/ painted bumpers originally but didnt get them.

All of those things were my fault though. I think you need to direct the rant towards yourself. There are many people who do not need LSD but will use 4wd. Just like there are many people who do not need the shorter gearing and prefer the gas mileage on the highway for the 3.21 vs. 3.92.

Traction Control is the same on all vehicles these days so Im not sure why you complain? Turn it off if you do not like it. Noone is telling you to leave it on. I know how to drive a RWD vehicle with power in the snow so a lot of times, Ill turn it off. Most people cant though, so its there as a safety feature.

And if you want to chirp/roast your tires, get a custom tune. Its THAT easy. Then you can turn off TC as well and play all day. I have 18" wheels and 35" Trail Grapplers. I can lightly smoke with just mashing the spoon. With a slight power brake, I can roast them. Keep in mind I do not do this as those tires are NOT cheap. Granted, I have the 3.92 gearing w/ 8 speed but 35" Trail Grapplers are HEAVY and big. Effective ratio is about 3.55 with them on.

 

[jstacey8]

its my first truck how the hell was i suppose to know exactly what i wanted on my first truck? I'm simply stating these are the things i don't like for anyone that is looking for a truck. and yes i may not like a few things about my truck but i still love it and will be getting a cummins in a few years. and yes I'm 18 and have been lucky to be born into a family with a good family business that i can work when ever i want