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Thoughts About New Ram Trucks?

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GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

looking for options from those that are familiar with the newer RAM trucks 2014-2016

 

I have been a life long GM guy - only owned GM truck... and a lot of them. However, I'm thinking about making the jump to RAM. I have a 2014 SLT fully loaded now.. but the driveability and creaking in the rear is getting old. Had a shock, and both leaf springs replaced over 6 visits...still sounds like a 1979 FORD.

 

I always thought RAM was way behind in regards to tech.. but I looked online and was surprised. Tech Key, push button start, Rain sense wipers, Floor storage, RAM box... all awesome idea's that GM doesn't have. Air ride option.. big HEMI , the list goes on.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these truck... good or bad?

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Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

looking for options from those that are familiar with the newer RAM trucks 2014-2016

 

I have been a life long GM guy - only owned GM truck... and a lot of them. However, I'm thinking about making the jump to RAM. I have a 2014 SLT fully loaded now.. but the driveability and creaking in the rear is getting old. Had a shock, and both leaf springs replaced over 6 visits...still sounds like a 1979 FORD.

 

I always thought RAM was way behind in regards to tech.. but I looked online and was surprised. Tech Key, push button start, Rain sense wipers, Floor storage, RAM box... all awesome idea's that GM doesn't have. Air ride option.. big HEMI , the list goes on.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these truck... good or bad?

I find the seats uncomfortable but i have a bad back. Im not big on the ram box or this

33659235d98b5427c813471634ea986b.jpg

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

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Posted

Yes, I'm not a big fan of the gear selector ... but that smart key is cool. A friend of mine has it on their AUDI ... never have to take key fob out of pocket.

SouthpawHD Enthusiast

SouthpawHD

Posted
Posted

According to some RV sites I visit, the heavy duty Rams are solid trucks. The ones I have casually looked at are several thousands of dollars cheaper than the other major brands - and that has to give you pause and ask why....

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

A comparable RAM is priced about the same as a Silverado 5.3 with all star package. I looked hard at a RAM before I got my 3rd silverado and test drove a few. It drove great, shifted fine, and loved the get up and go of the Hemi with a 3.92 rear gear. The interior was not as nice IMO as the chevy and the truck is kind of "big". I also didn't care for the dial shifter. My problem was that I wanted an ext. cab (dbl cab) with a bench seat. The only models that had this were the Express models. The Express's have big engines and low gear ratios but a very CHEAP interior and 20 inch rims with plastic chrome covers. The Big Horn are what are about the same as an LT Silverado with all star but they are near impossible to find in an ext cab with the 3.92 gearing that I wanted. I had two local dealers trying to locate one for me in black but they never could come up with one in a bench seat. I was never big on Chrysler either but the better half has a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee that we have had for 3.5 years now and it has been great, drove it from TN to Idaho and back last year without a hiccup plus multiple trips down to Alabama gulf shores. If you jump to RAM make sure to test out one with the 3.92 gearing!

Badass69 Senior Enthusiast

Badass69

Posted
Posted

Gutless..... like pathetically slow gutless. I guess if you drive a 5.3 all the time you won't notice so much maybe as I consider them pretty sad...... but jumping from anything I have owned for the last 10 years into an 8 speed Hemi Ram is like driving a TBI 350 from 20 years ago. It roars and makes noise but does diddly squat for performance. They always seemingly want to race too...... guess young guys think Sports are the coolest thing out there. Or honestly just guys that are clueless about what 400 hp should perform like in the real world... I have no problem putting them in there place no matter which truck I am driving if I feel like bothering. Have ran them on the strip too.... and they get angry when all they see is taillights all night from everyone else lol.

 

I still loved "The Fastlane truck" episode where they hooked a 2014 Ram/Silverado and F150 on a 5000 lb trailer and did zero to sixty. They initially said the Ram had 3.55's but did revise to say it had 3.92's later on as the 3.55 thing was a mistake. Both the Ford and GM 6.2's smoked that Dodge by over 3 seconds..... pretty sad for let's say the F150 to the Ram especially when the power difference is only on paper as 16 hp and 24 lb ft... lol..... and the Ram has the 8 speed with 3.92's giving it ridiculous mechanical advantage over either 6R80/6L80E and 3.73 gear combos the other 2 had. Pretty much mirrored my real world experiences with Rams though......

 

I don't mind the looks and couldn't care less if you use a knob for shifting but buying a 395 hp/410 lb ft engine that performs on par with a 3 valve 5.4 liter Ford for "get up and go" is a waste of my time.

hurricanoday Enthusiast

hurricanoday

Posted
Posted

Yes, I'm not a big fan of the gear selector ... but that smart key is cool. A friend of mine has it on their AUDI ... never have to take key fob out of pockHa

Had this on my cts v, loved the feature just had to pull the handle and it would unlock. Yukon has it where you press a button, not sure why gm doesn't add this to the higher end trucks. Needs to be there

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLsvbbkrJFA

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
  • Author
Posted

thanks for the feedback thus far. I have to say.. been trolling the RAM forums doesn't seem to be near the complaint we read here..

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

Drove all three in the past year- 5.7 Ram, 5.0 Ford and a 5.3 Chevy and the Ram would destroy the other two off the line.

Jlm02a3094 Enthusiast

Jlm02a3094

Posted
Posted

I had a 14 Ram before getting the 15 Sierra I'm in now. I didn't trade because of problems or being unhappy. I had zero complaints with the ram. I was always happy with the performance, comfort, and feel of the truck. Never had any mechanical problems either. It was my first ram and I have only good things to say about it.

 

I'm honestly considering trading again in April and right now it's between a Laramie crew or a high country.

 

Josh

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

Not being a Kool Aid drinker and doing lots of research before I buy, Ram and slow is not something I find in the same road test, no matter what rag I read. The rest is a matter of personal taste.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

S9779 Enthusiast

S9779

Posted
Posted

My ram crew cab was by far the most comfortable best riding truck I have ever been in. I like my gmc but the ride quality is not as good as the ram. Gm has better residual value and lease programs so that is why I now have a sierra.

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