what to look for on a 17 Ram crew 4x4

[NapaRam]

Well I ended up bringing home a 2019 Big Horn Classic with a Hemi. I done become a Ram man, so now I will need to support this forum because this truck is all new to me.

Great looking truck congratulations! Let the mods begin ! Head on over to the best mods under $100 to get started lol!

 

[No Tyme]

It's actually much easier than it sounds. You should read the Alpha ODB thread to learn more but really you use and android device install the software plug in the OBD tool and change the settings you need. That is the hardest part really finding the right settings to changes but the Alpha thread has them all documented. If you only one to add one thing going this route may not be worth it but if you want a add a number of things over time then it's worth educating yourself on how to do it. When I bought my Ram at the end of 2017 I knew nothing about them at all never even owned before but thanks to this forum I am now an expert lol! Good luck!

I have belonged to several forums over the years. many are great to learn and share info, but have run across a couple I no longer follow because of childish people posting stupid comments. So far I have not seen that here. I hope it stays that way.

 

[No Tyme]

If you use this with an Android phone/tablet, you just need to buy the AlfaOBD app. Aside from making changes on the BCM, AlfaOBD can also perform may diagnostic test and read/reset a bunch more codes than just the typical Powertrain codes
It's well worth the $$ even if you had to buy a cheap Android tablet to use it

So you are saying AlfaOBD app will work with the BlueDriver LSB2 Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool? That would be great if it did.
maybe there is a difference I need to know about before I pull the trigger.
I have been looking for that thread on the AlfaOBD so I can determine if it will work with my intentions before I buy the controller.
Since I have a 2019 classic will I need the additional harness to do thing like enable DRL and disable the tail light out reading because of LED lighting?

 

[NapaRam]

So you are saying AlfaOBD app will work with the BlueDriver LSB2 Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool? That would be great if it did.
maybe there is a difference I need to know about before I pull the trigger.
I have been looking for that thread on the AlfaOBD so I can determine if it will work with my intentions before I buy the controller.
Since I have a 2019 classic will I need the additional harness to do thing like enable DRL and disable the tail light out reading because of LED lighting?

That scan tool should work the thread is here: www.ramforum.com/threads/alfaobd.123982/ Yes I think you will need a security bypass for the classic but they can tell you over there for sure.

 

[crash68]

So you are saying AlfaOBD app will work with the BlueDriver LSB2 Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool? That would be great if it did.
maybe there is a difference I need to know about before I pull the trigger.
I have been looking for that thread on the AlfaOBD so I can determine if it will work with my intentions before I buy the controller.
Since I have a 2019 classic will I need the additional harness to do thing like enable DRL and disable the tail light out reading because of LED lighting?

I did a little looking and found several people asking if it works with AlfaOBD, sadly they're were all one and done questions with no replies that it does. I did find one person who stated they could connect to the vehicle with the demo version AlfaOBD but again didn't see any follow up posts if they ever changed something using the full version.
Bluedriver does state that it does support the ISO15765-4 CAN which is what these trucks use.
For the Classic trucks you do need the security bypass cable, you can buy it from here: https://www.kaodtech.com/

 

[No Tyme]

Bluedriver replied to me on Facebook and said this:

BlueDriver is a fully original design from the ground up and does not use generic components. As a result it is not currently supported by third party apps developed to work with ELM327 based devices.

 

[stbear007]

Hey guys, I was a GM man for 35 years, looking to come over to the dark side, LOL... literally a Black 17 Ram Crew 4x4 with the Hemi engine.
I know nothing of the Ram trucks so I would appreciate your guidance here. As a probable new member what things should I look for on this truck.
I know there are issues with any vehicle but there may be big dollar ones that I can avoid.
I appreciate any pointers you are wiling to share with me.

2017 RAM 1500, Big Horn Package, 4 Door Crew Cab, HEMI 5.7L V8, 4WD, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat, Backup Camera, Bluetooth, Heated Seats, Power Seat, 20" Alloy Wheels, Trailer Package, and Remote Start.

It states Trailer Package but there is no brake controller. WTH? Has 3.21 Rear Axle Ratio.
I need 6500 tow capacity.

There should be 2 wires foam tapped up under drivers side dash to the right for brake controller. Tow package doesn't come with controller unless dealer installed afterwards and paid for by buyer. Not a factory option to have brake controller if I am correct.

 

[JoeCo]

There should be 2 wires foam tapped up under drivers side dash to the right for brake controller. Tow package doesn't come with controller unless dealer installed afterwards and paid for by buyer. Not a factory option to have brake controller if I am correct.

I believe that is incorrect (brake controller from factory), when you order the truck you can add it on like any other option. All 3 of my rams have had them from the factory. Same with the new 5th gens, it either gets added in with the tow package or you can not select the tow package and still select the brake controller separately.

 

[No Tyme]

I believe that is incorrect (brake controller from factory), when you order the truck you can add it on like any other option. All 3 of my rams have had them from the factory. Same with the new 5th gens, it either gets added in with the tow package or you can not select the tow package and still select the brake controller separately.

I have looked at over 20 Ram trucks and only 1 had the brake controller installed in it. One in particular had tow mirrors and no controller.
Also when I bought my truck I was told by the salesman that the part was on back order till like Dec 2020. I don't quite understand as I was able to purchase the revised part on eBay.
How can an eBay seller get the part before a dealership?
On the other hand almost all GM trucks have the controller from the factory. That may be because it cannot be added after the truck is built, and only an aftermarket controller can be added.
My controller is sitting in the box and I hope to get to the install in the next day or so. I am still uncertain about if I will try and flash the BCM or pay a dealership to do it. The local shop where I do business with the mechanics have Ram trucks so I may check with them to see if they are capable of doing the flash.

 

[JoeCo]

I have looked at over 20 Ram trucks and only 1 had the brake controller installed in it. One in particular had tow mirrors and no controller.
Also when I bought my truck I was told by the salesman that the part was on back order till like Dec 2020. I don't quite understand as I was able to purchase the revised part on eBay.
How can an eBay seller get the part before a dealership?
On the other hand almost all GM trucks have the controller from the factory. That may be because it cannot be added after the truck is built, and only an aftermarket controller can be added.
My controller is sitting in the box and I hope to get to the install in the next day or so. I am still uncertain about if I will try and flash the BCM or pay a dealership to do it. The local shop where I do business with the mechanics have Ram trucks so I may check with them to see if they are capable of doing the flash.

Must be a regional thing in how dealers order their trucks for their lots, in my part of the country it seems pretty rare to find a truck without the brake controller in it, towing package or not. Kind of like certain area's of the country and finding 3.92 rear gears, which up here is real difficult cause everything gets ordered with 3.21's.

Sorry I can't help out otherwise as I haven't added one after the fact, but good luck on your install and flash!