Ram owners (previous, present) discussion

Ive had 11 Ram trucks in the last 3 years. 3 TRXs and rest 2500s. TRXs were flawless and by the best daily one could ask for. I loved the diesels and bought a 22 mega cab, big mistake. By 4500 miles, it would lose all electrical power in the middle of south Florida traffic. Dealer couldn't figure it out and the ECU didn't even store a loss of power code. Dumped that for the 3rd TRX, which I then traded in for a 2019 2500 mega cab which other than sunroof leaks, was pretty awesome truck. Had the desire for a G56 manual truck so had one of those for few months, sold it and bought a PW. I loved that truck. And you can't compare a solid axle truck and how it rides to a IFS truck, that's not logical. Ram also over-inflates the tires to max which sucks. Adjusting the tires, swapping to Thuren front leveling kit and their rear shocks, 37s at 35 psi, it rides amazing. Unfortunately, that truck ate its lifters at 4100 miles. Traded that in on a 2020 AEV Prospector XL, which ate its transmission at 48k miles. AEV suspension was awful and other than looks, what a complete waste of money. Ive always ran Thuren suspension on all my 2500s and they far outperformed AEV overpriced spacer lift and by moving the front axle forward creates so many issues, just a waste. My recent truck I went back to a 2018 2500 mega cab, deleted it and what an awesome truck. Ram dropped the ball with their newer 3/4 tons and I think my experience here can justify my belief. I was over diesels, had no desire to buy an American 1/2 ton truck besides the TRXs but wanted to reduce costs. GMC/Chevy have lifter and transmission issues. Fords have cam phasers, transmission and electrical issues, Ram has lifted issues, exhaust manifold cracking, leaking 3rd brake lights/rear window assemblies and on and on and on. I left all the fancy stuff and bought an SR5 Tundra with LSK long travel and not looking back. The only other truck Id consider if I ever sell this Tundra is a Gen 1 Raptor with a whipple.

 

I had an 8 foot bed on my Ram 2500 diesel way back when, but I'm a crew cab guy and the silly huge wheelbase got old when I'd get into any kind of city. I had the Tundra Crewmax and the Taco double cab, both with beds under 6 feet, and never felt the need for more bed space. I did miss the full size truck interior space in the taco, but still would have kept it if it had not been so godawful for towing my little utility trailer into the wind.

 

Yes, and it's a stupid (good) amount of HP added. It's nuts how much the 5.0 gains with a SC compared to the 5.7 in a tundra. Makes me scratch my head a little.

 

Rode in a Gen 1 Raptor. Sadly they got rid of the older engines and went to the TTV6 as well.

 

I was torn on the 6.4' or the 8'. I can say now after owning it for a few months, that bed has proven its value.

But your statement is one of my biggest concerns...what happens when I am traveling. In my area, I know where I should and should not go. But, we will take it one step at a time.

 

They're outdated but there's something to be said about an NA V8, then slap a whipple on it. I love the Tundra cause of the rawness of it.

 

Yes, but what about wear and tear on the engine? I heard these things can cause a quicker breakdown on them? Or is that just rumor?

 

It's definitely a cowboy limo around here. I just learned over time I'd rather have the full crew cab and little bed. I can always add more outdoor hauling space with a trailer, but I can't add interior space or make it any easier to park if I have that huge bed on it. To be fair, 90% of my need for a truck is because of weather, poorly maintained roads, camping access, and to tow my trailer with my bike on it. I don't actually use the bed for a lot unless I'm going camping, and a 5.5 footer is plenty for one guy's camping kit.

 

That was my thing. In a discussion, the local Toyota dealership parts counter (long story as to why I was there last year), was talking with me about the TT. Gave the specs and all involved with it.

My one question was, "What happens when the turbo gives out and I am pulling a 4K lb trailer with a bed loaded full of gear, and the cab with a family? The engine is, I believe a 3.6. My Tundra 1st Gen was a 3.4 and that struggled.

He just looked at me and said, "Well, that does present a problem". A v8, is just a V8. If it goes, we have issues anyway. But it does not have as much "stuff" on it.

I do like the SC though, but that may be a little out of my price point at this time. Well, it is way out of my price point, LOL!

 

That would make sense.

That is one thing you have the ability to do. Maneuver into areas the bigger trucks cannot go.

 

General rule is that adding forced air, whether a turbo or SC, to a gasser will shorten the longevity. The only real debate is by how much. If it costs me 10K miles over the life of a vehicle that will last say 300K-400K miles like a 5.7 Tundra, I'm not worried about it. Now, if it takes 10K miles off the life of something that only lasts 120K miles, that's a different story.

 

Could that be the 5.0 weighs less?

 

Good to know. I think that is part of what I am unsure of right now. So that will have to be on the maybe list, way down the way.

 

Yea I mean, thats why I loved my Power Wagon. After moving so many vehicles, it was so refreshing getting a nice ass truck and hearing a 400 hp V8 sing. Sure, being fast is fun. I use this analogy a lot when talking about fast cars vs fun cars... a 400-500hp NA V8 in a 3000-3250 lb street car is perfect. Trucks are different, but not. Take the weight out of the equation the next best thing is the rawness of a V8 and the ruggedness of a truck. Its just a joy.

Also, you can find super charged V8s in the 30-40k range in both Tundra and Raptor- I have a few Im watching hahaha

 

That still wouldn't explain the gap. The Tundra 5.7 makes 381 HP and 401 lb-ft of torque. Adding a SC ups that to between 490-550 HP and 480-550 lb-ft. Certainly nothing to sneeze at, but the 5.0 Coyote in the F150 makes 400 HP and 410 lb-ft before a SC and after the SC it's at 700 HP and 590 lb-ft. It's a staggering percentage gain.

 

Agree. As the saying goes, the best tool for the job.

 

Yeah. I will have to ask a friend of mine who is a mechanic and see what he says. I am wondering if it may have to do with the injectors? Air flow? something inside the Coyote itself that is designed by Ford?

I know a little mechanic work, but I read a lot of the SC thread, and with the programming, and all the other stuff, it was over my head.

 

I would venture to say the head design/flow rate and fuel system ability, is my guess. Its also an engine built for performance where the 5.7 is built for duty cycle in a truck application. Similar concept to a 6.4 hemi in the truck vs 6.4 hemi in the SRT cars. Truck gets better pistons to handle heat but lower compression too.

 

Oh, it's all magic and wizardry to me. I don't understand it at all.

 

One thing I do not care for on the truck is the electronic gear shifting.

Has anyone else, or do any of the other manufacturers use this? Thankfully I have learned not to grab it rather than the heater knobs, but still.

I do have the mechanical 4x4 shifter on the floor.

 

Glad there are some who do! LOL!

 

I know that Ford uses something similar in the EV 'stang and the Maverick. Not sure about anything else in their line up. I figured I'd hate it in the Ram I test drove, but it honestly didn't bother me. It's infinitely better than honda's stupid buttons for gears they have in some of their stuff.

 

Me too!

 

Never saw the Honda? Sounds strange.

And agree. Once you get used to it, that works. The other day I reached down to shift (as I would my Tundra), realized it wasn't there, so I reached up to the steering column (as I would in another vehicle I drove), and realized that I am an idiot! LOL.

 

Trust me, it's worse than you are imagining.

 

I. Don't. Have. Words.

 

^ This. I'd have no worries SCing a 5.7 Tundra. I'm definitely not as confident with the 5.0, but I am kinda hopeful. LOL

 

That is promising.