What is the best Hemi V8 model year?

[TerraNewf]

So, what is the best, most reliable, model year for the RAM 1500 and RAM 2500 HEMI 5.7 V8, between the years of 2017 and 2024? I need a new truck (the lifters in my #3 cylinder failed [hemi-tick] and the stealership said it would cost more the $12500 [total with all parts, service fee, etc. would have been closer to $18,000 - on a 2017 that was only worth $25,000 when it was in running). I'm looking for something used - preferably in the Limited edition.


V/R

Black-wolf

I have a 2019 and turn off MDS when I remember, lol no tick. Engine runs runs smooth at 126000kms.

 

[Cravn]

I have a 2015 - 5.7 hemi 316,786 kms running synthetic oil, no issues. Change trans oil every 2 years and diffs every 3 years. You can’t let hemi’s idle. The OEM oil pump at idle doesn’t deliver the volume to the heads, lifters. Then you get Hemi tick, cylinder failure. I installed a MELLING HV oil pump. Either install a MELLING HV oil pump or Hell Cat HV oil pump. A company product that will stand behind it. Not just any HV pump. ( if you want to spend the coin ). Then be happy with piece of mind

 

[EdGs]

I think that's the year the lifters changed to have the larger needle bearings, but I'm not 100% sure.

I've heard that alot, but my '15 (build date 11/14) had the larger needles, and I've seen on here '14's that had the same larger needles.

 

[17ramandy]

The 2017 truck I traded in had only 43,000 miles on it, largely because I drove less during the COVID years.

You reference the dependability of your various RAMs over the decades.

How many miles on average were on your trucks when you traded them in or sold them?

 

[Grams]

You reference the dependability of your various RAMs over the decades.

How many miles on average were on your trucks when you traded them in or sold them?

My ‘12 Ram 1500 had 220K miles on it and running fantastic, no engine troubles at all….when it was wrecked in Sept ‘24. It had 12 hard years including occasionally pulling trailers (but it was a 4.7 /v8 not a hemi)

 

[Wild one]

I have a 2015 - 5.7 hemi 316,786 kms running synthetic oil, no issues. Change trans oil every 2 years and diffs every 3 years. You can’t let hemi’s idle. The OEM oil pump at idle doesn’t deliver the volume to the heads, lifters. Then you get Hemi tick, cylinder failure. I installed a MELLING HV oil pump. Either install a MELLING HV oil pump or Hell Cat HV oil pump. A company product that will stand behind it. Not just any HV pump. ( if you want to spend the coin ). Then be happy with piece of mind

Little tidbit for you,there is no pressurized oil fed to the cam lobes or lifter roller,so installing a high volume pump does nothing to prevent cam/lifter failure.The cam lobes and lifter roller are strictly oiled by crank splash,upping the idle rpm does more to prevent cam lobe/lifter failure then sticking a high volume pump on the end of the crank does
You've fallen for Re-igniteds myth

 

[Docwagon1776]

I've heard that alot, but my '15 (build date 11/14) had the larger needles, and I've seen on here '14's that had the same larger needles.

They've went through a few revisions, including in 2014. I think 2017/2018 was the final revision, but I am not certain. Some sources say 2019.

See part number: 5038787AD which replaces all of the following: 5038682AA, 5038787AA, 5038787AB, 5038787AC, 53021572AF and the MDS ones are also updated with 53021573BC replaced by 5038788AD.

If Google is to be believed, the progression was:

• • Direct Supersession: Part number 5038682AA was an early release version, which later updated to 5038787AA, then 5038787AB, followed by AC, and finally AD.

 

[EdGs]

That's interesting, @Docwagon1776.

The MDS lifter sets for my truck were:

5038785AD
5038786AD

I want to say the non-MDS lifter sets are:

5038784AD ??

I'd like to see a later model lifter dissected out of curiousity.

I still have my removed parts, I will have to see what the part numbers on the original lifters are.

 

[EdGs]

Little tidbit for you,there is no pressurized oil fed to the cam lobes or lifter roller,so installing a high volume pump does nothing to prevent cam/lifter failure.The cam lobes and lifter roller are strictly oiled by crank splash,upping the idle rpm does more to prevent cam lobe/lifter failure then sticking a high volume pump on the end of the crank does
You've fallen for Re-igniteds myth

I did the Hellcat pump. I love the higher oil pressure, but not sure it benefits things after watching Uncle Tony's video

Now, I try to avoid idling if I can, and am alot more spirited in my use of the skinny pedal.

 

[greenie95125]

How many miles on average were on your trucks when you traded them in or sold them?

My '84 probably had the most at around 210,000. Driving across the country help it to get there.

The rest, not as much, but leaving the 2017 out, between 105,000 and 180,000. Every one of them was a work truck as well. I retired just before COVID hit, so I didn't need to drive as much.

 

[Wild one]

I did the Hellcat pump. I love the higher oil pressure, but not sure it benefits things after watching Uncle Tony's video

Now, I try to avoid idling if I can, and am alot more spirited in my use of the skinny pedal.

Drive that b!atch like your 16 again Ed,and it'll never die. The ones that get beat on,are the trucks that make it to 300,000 without having any major engine issues

 

[EdGs]

The Hellcat oil pump was $30 cheaper than the the stock OE pump when I bought mine. I think it was also cheaper than the Melling HV pump as well, but not sure.

It may have been about the same price, l went with the Hellcat pump because it was a factory part.

 

[Docwagon1776]

That's interesting, @Docwagon1776.

The MDS lifter sets for my truck were:

5038785AD
5038786AD

I want to say the non-MDS lifter sets are:

5038784AD ??

I'd like to see a later model lifter dissected out of curiousity.

I still have my removed parts, I will have to see what the part numbers on the original lifters are.

AD is the latest revision to date.

 

[turkeybird56]

I did the Hellcat pump. I love the higher oil pressure, but not sure it benefits things after watching Uncle Tony's video

Now, I try to avoid idling if I can, and am alot more spirited in my use of the skinny pedal.

Hope U stay away from that new FL law on going over 100 mph and whateva the other variant year on that Super Speeder law U got there, LOL, aka Skinny Pedal Itis.

 

[EdGs]

Hope U stay away from that new FL law on going over 100 mph and whateva the other variant year on that Super Speeder law U got there, LOL, aka Skinny Pedal Itis.

Absolutely. I try not to speed, and move as traffic allows.

They grab people for that 100 mph law a fair bit, and they'll also hook you up for +50 over posted speed too.

Mostly younger folks that I've seen. Quite a few times I've seen some people racing as well, but have yet to catch a convenient cop on my dash cam.

I hope they impound the cars and really hammer them with fines.

 

[mikeru]

I just make sure I'm not the fastest vehicle on the road lol. I generally keep up with the flow of the traffic but keep it within 10 mph over the limit even if the flow is going faster than that.

 

[aepowell]

My son had a completely rebuilt hemi put in his truck for 3800.00 for everything. That included install. its been running strong for 2 years now and he runs it hard. He works as an estimator for a roofing co so he puts on lots of miles.

 

[EdGs]

My son had a completely rebuilt hemi put in his truck for 3800.00 for everything. That included install. its been running strong for 2 years now and he runs it hard. He works as an estimator for a roofing co so he puts on lots of miles.

How long ago was that? Great price, esp if he's ran the hell out of it.

 

[turkeybird56]

I just make sure I'm not the fastest vehicle on the road lol. I generally keep up with the flow of the traffic but keep it within 10 mph over the limit even if the flow is going faster than that.

Here in TX, U on the highway say at speed limit 70 MPH, U get run over, which is why I do not ride my BIG A Z Z Honda Trike on IH 35. I normally run 76-80 on the highway and that is still slow for the highway, but THE friggin HEMI as U know once U get over 75 MPH your Gas Guzzler (lol) will adjust the numbers down accordingly.
70-75 on cruise I can get almost 17-20 mpg. Over 75, guaranteed to stay under 20, more like 17 ish, lol.

I AM NEVA the fastest Boird on the highway, may be in a hurry, but not that much. In Europe, my last car was a 74 Mercedes SE, and I would cruise all day at 180KPH, and get rocketed by those rocket ships passing, LOL.



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Back to OP, best V8:, The one in your driveway that is running and keeping you happy. BUT as most know, the secret on these Hemi's is proper MX and using quality stuff for that MX, especially on fluids, filters and fuel.

One of many Opinion Youtubes ref Hemi years:

RAM 1500 Years to AVOID — and the Years That Last Forever

Thinking about buying a RAM 1500? âš ï¸ Not all model years are created equal — and choosing the wrong one can cost you thousands in repairs.In this video, we b...

www.youtube.com

 

[MTmadman]

So, what is the best, most reliable, model year for the RAM 1500 and RAM 2500 HEMI 5.7 V8, between the years of 2017 and 2024? I need a new truck (the lifters in my #3 cylinder failed [hemi-tick] and the stealership said it would cost more the $12500 [total with all parts, service fee, etc. would have been closer to $18,000 - on a 2017 that was only worth $25,000 when it was in running). I'm looking for something used - preferably in the Limited edition.


V/R

Black-wolf

I just bought a 2017 with 80k miles, curious to know what your mileage was when this happened.