Which package to get?

[Trey Sledge]

I'm looking a lot more seriously now at my next truck. The '03 is about done. I'm looking at low mile '16s and '17s. Found a '17 Tradesman with only 15,000 miles on it. Real clean nice truck. But I'm liking the Sports and Rebels, just not the price tags. The Tradesman has the 3.92 gear i like and the no chrome I like. Its gonna be a family truck and a hunting truck. Is the Sport and Rebel really worth the extra thousands?
Thanks for your input.

 

[BOWERSFJ]

Only YOU can decide if the extra bell & whistles are worth the extra money to YOU


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[RamInfo]

In a ‘16 I’d look for an Outdoorsman. It will be nicely equipped and have the 3.92 axle you want AND will have the transfer case you want if you are doing any real off-reading in your hunting.

Best,
DG

 

[HDHNTER]

In a ‘16 I’d look for an Outdoorsman. It will be nicely equipped and have the 3.92 axle you want AND will have the transfer case you want if you are doing any real off-reading in your hunting.

Best,
DG

44-45 in the Tradesman as well.

 

[crash68]

The Rebel also has the 44-45 transfer case. Basically the Rebel one up'd the Outdoorsman package with a different front end and branded interior, the drivetrain is the same with the exception being the 285/70/17 tires from factory.
How to tell if the truck has the 44-45 transfer case, the selector on the dash will not have the "Auto 4X4" button.

I think the Sport came with the 44-44 transfer case, it will have the "Auto 4X4" button. The pitfall with this transfer case is the front axle is driven via a clutch and variably sends power to the front wheels based on wheel slippage. It's not ideal for going off road.

 

[Trey Sledge]

The Rebel also has the 44-45 transfer case. Basically the Rebel one up'd the Outdoorsman package with a different front end and branded interior, the drivetrain is the same with the exception being the 285/70/17 tires from factory.
How to tell if the truck has the 44-45 transfer case, the selector on the dash will not have the "Auto 4X4" button.

I think the Sport came with the 44-44 transfer case, it will have the "Auto 4X4" button. The pitfall with this transfer case is the front axle is driven via a clutch and variably sends power to the front wheels based on wheel slippage. It's not ideal for going off road.

Very good info. Thanks y'all.

 

[Jrod]

The Rebel also has the 44-45 transfer case. Basically the Rebel one up'd the Outdoorsman package with a different front end and branded interior, the drivetrain is the same with the exception being the 285/70/17 tires from factory.
How to tell if the truck has the 44-45 transfer case, the selector on the dash will not have the "Auto 4X4" button.

I think the Sport came with the 44-44 transfer case, it will have the "Auto 4X4" button. The pitfall with this transfer case is the front axle is driven via a clutch and variably sends power to the front wheels based on wheel slippage. It's not ideal for going off road.

Exactly, I don't off-road. The 4x4 auto in my sport is excellent in rain, sleet, and snow!! Love mine!

 

[TXCOMT]

Don't forget...until the DT Rams (or fifth-gens, if you like), Rebs also had air suspension and AGS delete standard, among other differences. Also, the off-road (or highest) setting in the suspension is higher than other air-equipped Rams, so that's comforting if you need it.

As mentioned earlier, the Outdoorsman might be a perfect fit for you if the off-road goodies in the Reb aren't must-haves.

TXCOMT

 

[16RamHemi]

I have a 14 sport. I absolutely love this trim. Im coming from 2 express trucks (a 14 and a 16). I feel that this trim is top notch. i probably could pick it apart and find things that are not perfect, but for a 2014 its got a ton in it. Im happy with the leather quality, Heated / cooled seats, heated steering wheel (best thing ever), sun/moon roof (it doesnt leak), power fold mirrors, active grille shutters, better lights (not led, but much much better than express quad lights), etc. And i love the look of the sport. the grill and front with the hood go just perfect together. I highly recommend getting the 392 gears. I had it in my 16 and it was much better. Do not worry about gas mileage. its a moot point. or just get a v6. As far as the 44-44 in the sport goes, i was just made aware of a switch that can be installed to lock up the rear. I know nothing about it as i just received info about it. Ill see if i can upload the link for the youtube video. Im told its a $160 part (shipped) and 15-20 minute install.

 

[16RamHemi]

44-44 transfer case lock switch

 

[Woody968]

I just got my Ram a couple weeks ago. In my mind I had settled on and wanted a Sport. On my way to look at one I stumbled across a 16’ ST with 7000 miles.

I couldn’t justify having all the miles already on the sports for the price range I wanted when I could get a basically new truck.

I upgraded my radio last night and am enjoying choosing what mods are really important to me.

So for me it turned out to be the deal I found more so than the options it had. At 50 this may have been my first “grown up” decision lol.


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[Niklas]

For me, as long as I have bluetooth in the cab for music and phone calls, I'm OK with it being pretty pedestrian. Exterior, however, I value, so I went with a higher appearance trim.

 

[Midnight Storm]

The sport with full load is a great combo of good looks and comfortable inside. I shelled out the bank’s money to buy one!

 

[slacadjuster]

I'm looking a lot more seriously now at my next truck. The '03 is about done. I'm looking at low mile '16s and '17s. Found a '17 Tradesman with only 15,000 miles on it. Real clean nice truck. But I'm liking the Sports and Rebels, just not the price tags. The Tradesman has the 3.92 gear i like and the no chrome I like. Its gonna be a family truck and a hunting truck. Is the Sport and Rebel really worth the extra thousands?
Thanks for your input.

Wow really?? that a decision for you to make and only you. NOT asking a bunch of guys on a forum. I buy a vehicle for me, NOT for anyone else. Regardless of what people think.
What's next, you gonna ask someone if you should eat??

 

[jbrown5030]

Wow really?? that a decision for you to make and only you. NOT asking a bunch of guys on a forum. I buy a vehicle for me, NOT for anyone else. Regardless of what people think.
What's next, you gonna ask someone if you should eat??

If it was me, I'd want to know about the transfer case issues, and this is probably the best way to find out about that kind of thing. I'd have been pretty pissed at Ram if I'd burned up a transfer case on my first trip to the beach. I happened to end up with the 44-45 in the Outdoorsman, but only because the Big Horn I was there to look at was all banged up.

 

[JoeCo]

If it was me, I'd want to know about the transfer case issues, and this is probably the best way to find out about that kind of thing. I'd have been pretty pissed at Ram if I'd burned up a transfer case on my first trip to the beach. I happened to end up with the 44-45 in the Outdoorsman, but only because the Big Horn I was there to look at was all banged up.

slacadjuster strikes again! Shame on people for wanting to hear first hand opinions!

 

[buddy guy]

For me, as long as I have bluetooth in the cab for music and phone calls, I'm OK with it being pretty pedestrian. Exterior, however, I value, so I went with a higher appearance trim.

Nice to see these threads. Coming from a 2003 toyota tacoma i had for 8 yrs of it's life, pretty much anything was an upgrade. i was like you. really wanted bluetooth, at least cloth not vinyl trim but didn't need anything else fancy inside. But I really liked the express colour keyed bumpers and blacked out grill look, hemi, dual exhaust and 20" wheels. i found the last 2 -2018 new crewcabs in my area in January of this year. Both at the same dealership, both SXT's. One in black which I thought i was going to buy for sure. the other in the delmonico red. Same features otherwise. i took the delmonico red and fell in love with it! Interesting story is they were 5 dollars difference in price. the black one was a customer shuttle vehicle with 10,000km. the red was called a demo and the ad said 1024km. turned out it had 104km! i made a deal within 1 hour after buying. it was 35% off the window sticker and i got them to throw in spray bed liner and a remote starter for zero extra. Then i got them to give me a deal on a backflip bed cover which i absolutely love and vinyl protection. i bought the extra fca warranty as I plan to keep it for 7 to 8 years. i only put on about 8000km a year so it should last me a long time.

I briefly had a 2004 ram, my first before i bought my tacoma. it was a high mileage but all highway driving ram 1500 with the smaller 8 and i really liked the size of it. i'm a big guy and like the feeling of a big truck. i had it for all of 2 months and i was backed into on the side of it so hard it lifted the truck 2 feet off the ground and did 11,000 dollars damage on a truck worth 4000 dollars. So i was sad that i didn't have it longer. But I kept the dream alive to have a Ram again someday and glad I pulled the trigger.